Panera Bread — Restaurant in Westbrook

Panera is a great spot to stop and get lunch. It is somewhat healthier than other fast stop locations, mainly because of better ingredients and portion control. This location is the best Panera I've been too. It's always clean inside and I feel welcomed when I walk in the door. The staff has always been friendly (I frequent Monday-Friday lunch hour). The salads are excellent. You get a sizeable portion and they are low in calories (compared to most restaurant salads). My favorite is the Thai chopped chicken salad. They add chopped peanuts and a peanut sauce which makes the salad great. The soups are also excellent and relatively low calorie (unless you get it in a bread bowl- which is obviously the yummier way to go). The sandwiches have left something to be desired. I've tried a few of them now.. the asiago steak and cheese, the chicken caeser, etc.. and none of them have been worth writing home about. They seem too small and do not have enough filling. For the money, I'd rather have a large filling salad.

Now the pastry's and breakfast foods are a different story! They are huge and decadent. However, I try to avoid even making eye contact with the display case because my reason for going to Panera is trying to eat a healthy meal! Stop tempting me with your delicious treats Panera Bread!!

If you haven't already, sign up to be in their loyalty club. The cashier will scan your card every time you make a purchase, and every so often you'll get a free item (usually a pastry or beverage) or a couple dollars off your purchase. It's...

How much do I love Panera Bread you ask?..., let me tell you. Two years ago I lost my job when the pandemic began..., my elderly next door neighbor died, and my husband and I literally didn't leave the house for two months..., thank goodness we've always had backup food..., in case of the zombies. Seriously though, we've always been stocked.

I haven't had a job in two years because of the pandemic... when it began to be safer I started doing odd jobs again, mostly yard work and shoveling just to make ends meet..., thank goodness our house is paid for outright.

Panerai Bread came through for me today..., they hired me when I needed it most...,and for that I will always be thankful.

(Ps: this should be fun..., the owners' name is Jill..., her second in command is Will..., and my name is WiL..., this is going to be fun. Jill, Wll and WiL..., the employees already think it's funny......

I have eaten at this location numerous times and also do takeout using the Panera Bread mobile app. When using the mobile app I can input my card and save for future purchases. I place my order and by the time I get to the restaurant my order is ready and on the express shelf. When we eat in the restaurant it a lot of times can be pretty busy but we manage to find a seat. The place is clean and workers go around and collect your things when your done. The idea is you place your trash and dishes in one of the stations they have out on the floor. I have found it sometimes is faster to order from the kiosks and get a pager to alert when your order is ready. The food has always been very good anytime we have gone. The menu is mostly breakfast and lunch meals with self service drinks of teas and...