Originally Posted by
enviroian
People only like French Onion soup because they melt a 12 ounce glob of cheese on top. That's gross. Take off the cheese and it would never sell. All you have is a cup of broth.
I disagree, at least on behalf of some of us. A well-made French onion soup is good without cheese. You have to slowly cook the onions before adding everything else. I usually make it without melted cheese because I don't have the single serve oven crocks. I do like a crusty piece of bread to dip in it though...
That said, after a long pause, I've tried Panera twice in the past 6 months, once a salad and once a soup/sandwich combo. Both times, the food was disappointing and over-priced for the portion size and quality. Honestly, I've had much, much better by just stopping in my local Jewel (grocery store) and buying a sourdough bowl from the bakery and soup from the deli. And for less money.