Panera Bread Multiple Locations
Deli · 8235 Agora Pkwy #115, Live Oak, Texas 78233
This is a chain with multiple locations - the address above is the one reviewed here.
★★★★½ 1 review(210) 566-4880
Menu Items
Reviews
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Amazing Cheesesteak Sandwich. But It Was Super Small.
Despite its 4,000 locations worldwide, I'd never set foot in one until recently. With a few gift cards saved up, I decided to drop in, cash them in, and finally see what the place was all about.
Going in, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I knew they were known for their bakery items, but I wasn’t aware of much beyond soups, bread, and pastries on the menu. When I arrived, I logged into their app and placed a to-go order from a table inside. The prices struck me as somewhat high, especially since the dining area was mostly empty, with only two or three other patrons. I also wasn’t sure what kind of quality to expect from a place that has drive-thru windows.
I decided to try their Philly cheesesteak, thinking it couldn’t possibly be worse than the one I’d had at McDonald’s in Florida. Since I also had a birthday reward, I ordered a cranberry orange slice as a free pastry.
While waiting, I expected an app notification, text, or even my name to be called when my order was ready. But after waiting a bit, I walked over to the pickup counter, only to find my food had been sitting there, bagged and ready.
During my wait, I signed up for their 90-day free trial of the Unlimited Sip Club, so I grabbed a cup of their citrus punch on the way out.
When I got back to my office, I unwrapped my meal. The cheesesteak on ciabatta was surprisingly small. For $12.39, I expected a larger portion, and had I paid full price, I would’ve been disappointed. The sandwich was about six inches long with a modest amount of meat—definitely a small meal.
Flavor-wise, the sandwich was actually enjoyable. The meat was well-seasoned, and the peppers and sauce gave it a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy kick. I could’ve easily eaten two of these sandwiches, but at this size, it felt more like a snack.
Next, I tried the cranberry orange slice, which was cake-like and cut into bread-sized slices. The orange flavor was strong—almost overpowering—so the cranberry only stood out when I hit a piece of fruit. The orange itself had a zest-like bitterness that was a bit much, especially when biting into parts with orange pieces.
Lastly, the citrus punch was quite good, with a nice burst of flavor. It didn’t taste instant, more like fresh juice mixed with water and sugar, and I could see this being a refreshing choice over soda, especially in warm weather.
Overall, I found the meal to be overpriced for what it was. At a retail price of $20.47 for a small sandwich, chips, cake slice, and a drink, it felt steep. While the flavor and quality were decent, the portions were modest and not particularly filling. For a limited menu and high prices, I can’t see myself dining here regularly.— Paul
