Panera Brings Back French Onion Soup With A Bit of Humor
Jan 13, 2020, 8:15 am
#2
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Denver, CO
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Back before St. Louis Bread Co. became Panera, "Bread Co" (as we called it in the STL) really hollowed out the bread bowl to ladle in a generous amount of soup, then they would put two slices of Swiss cheese on top and put it in a steamer so it melted over the soup and bread bowl. Now it's barely a few ounces of soup with shredded cheese on top. Hopefully they have also made updates on how they serve the soup.
Phyllis, along with Pam, are both STL natives.
Phyllis, along with Pam, are both STL natives.
Jan 13, 2020, 3:51 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
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It'll take more than a witty commercial about French onion soup to bring me back into a Panera. I swore off them a year or two ago for stingy portions, rising prices, and too much sugar in the bread.
Jan 13, 2020, 3:59 pm
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Orlando, FL Area
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Agreed. I had no idea they had taken french onion soup off the menu.
Jan 14, 2020, 1:06 pm
#7
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Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA Plat, DL GM and Flying Colonel; Bonvoy Platinum
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... and way too much salt in just about everything. I remember checking the nutritional information when they came out with umami bowls a few years ago. It was 1500+ mg sodium in what was supposed to be part of one meal. People aren't supposed to take in more than about 2200 mg per day total from everything. Since then I've checked several of their other dishes. Scary high amounts of sodium. Is that the only way they know how to make food palatable?
Jan 14, 2020, 1:30 pm
#8
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
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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.
Jan 15, 2020, 8:57 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
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Posts: 5,594
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.
Jan 21, 2020, 8:37 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta Gold, Marriott Platinum, Former Amtrak Select, Former Hilton Gold
Posts: 422
... and way too much salt in just about everything. I remember checking the nutritional information when they came out with umami bowls a few years ago. It was 1500+ mg sodium in what was supposed to be part of one meal. People aren't supposed to take in more than about 2200 mg per day total from everything. Since then I've checked several of their other dishes. Scary high amounts of sodium. Is that the only way they know how to make food palatable?
Jan 24, 2020, 11:32 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
When telling someone else about it, they were incredulous. I guess in America they cannot even imagine food without added sugar.