Free Coffee in July at Panera

Just an FYI – if you have that Panera card the reward for this month is a free coffee. I went on the first, and the cashier asked me what size. You mean I can get a free large coffee?!?! Oh, caffeinated me and the things I could do…

Anyways, the way I read the e-mail in regards to this is that you can get a free coffee every day in the month of July. And it’s the fifth and I only went once. I am slacking. But the couch is comfy. And I have The Civil War miniseries to re-watch; youtube videos to watch; everything else but leave the house.

Maybe tomorrow.

Perks of the Job

The place where I work is an island of sorts – I can’t leave to get something to eat, which is fine since there aren’t places in walking distance. Sure, there is stuff a few blocks away on the main road, but I only get thirty minutes. I have been known to kill at least half of that in the cafeteria waiting for my food or just circling the cafeteria to find something worth eating.

So yes, I am jealous of places somewhat similar to where I work that have shops right outside their doors – Starbucks, restaurants, and ahhhhhh… Panera! Free wi-fi and bottomless cups of coffee and all the hilarious conversations that go on there.

I had to drop M off in Albany for some work training Sunday, and hit up Panera for lunch before going to my volunteer gig. It’s the first time I’ve been to the one over by Albany Med, and it’s nice. The place wasn’t too busy for a late Sunday morning. There was a spattering of law/med students, with the random hospital employee picking up a meal before heading back across the street. I’m pretty sure this place is crazy during the week.




I kept seeing all these signs for their “power” meals, which may be stuff from their hidden menu that is no longer hidden? Who knows… but they seemed to all have meat so I passed on that. Ended up going YP2, with a Mediterranean salad with Salmon and French Onion soup. I can’t remember if I’ve had it before, but it was actually pretty good. Lightly dressed, if dressed at all. Didn’t really taste the mandarin orange, the olives dominated the flavor outside of the salmon. Stilled liked it, though.





The FOS had tons of onion (which I love), and just the right amount of cheese. Their soup was thicker than other places I’ve been to… which is surprising, because I thought most of their stuff was made elsewhere and then shipped to the stores. Which would make you think they would all be uniform. Maybe they just didn’t add more liquid?

And then there was the coffee. Black gold, half & half, sugar in the raw. Can’t even tell you how many cups I downed.

Perks of the Job

Working across the street this week, and I was bummed because it's supposed to be free food galore at work. But when I took a quick look at the board this morning, I saw scribbled at the bottom "LUNCH TODAY PROVIDED BY ____________"

Free food? Begin happy dance!

I wasn't expecting much. Pizza seems to be the standard when it comes to free hospital lunches - it's cheap and can feed lots of people.

But we got Panera sandwiches, chips, drinks, and from what I heard, some cookies. By the time I got out of my room the selection was rather limited - so I went with the Mediterranean Veggie. Can't say I've ever had it before, but it was actually pretty good. Slightly soggy, and normally I hate soggy sandwiches... but it was paid for so whatevs.

Shame On You, Panera

I like you Panera, I really do. But sometimes you make me wonder.

Take this for example. I was over in East Greenbush and figured I'd stop in and have a cup of coffee while I did some reading. It's one of my favorite things to do when I visit a Panera - all the coffee I can tolerate. So I'm there on line about to order my coffee when I think "Hmm. It's getting to be dinner time. Maybe I should get something to eat. How about a You Pick Two? I've always liked those."

The soup was fine, as they usually are. But this thing here. This lousy excuse for a sandwich... this was horrible! It's the butt end of a loaf of bread. I really don't think they ran out of bread - they could have cut into another loaf. But no... whoever was working that end of the line got lazy and cut up the smallest piece of bread they could find and give it to a customer. They took a crap piece and cut it in half!

Unacceptable.

I've learned my lesson - no more ordering sandwiches from Panera. The prices get bigger, and their portions get smaller.

I Wonder

Are the portions getting smaller as the prices rise?

posted from Bloggeroid

Internet-less Life

Hey. I'm actually posting on my computer. Not at home, but at Panera.

It's been a while since I've been here. Enjoying some Hazelnut coffee, with half and half and two packets of sugar in the raw. I'm at that point in my cup where I've finally hit that sugar layer, and it's sweeter than I'd like. But I drink through, to make room for more coffee. I hope they haven't taken the coffee away just yet.

I need more coffee.

I must admit, this is a lot better than having to write on my phone (my poor thumbs were cramping up!)

So I didn't like such a mooch, I went the you-pick-two route - mac & cheese and french onion soup. I really need to stop getting the M&C. It's too cheesy for my cheese sensitive stomach. FOS was salty. But the coffee made it all better.

And speaking of coffee, I think it's time for a fill up. Plus, it's almost nine, and they'll be closing. Should I mosey on over to Starbucks? Eh... I have to see Bones. I may not have internet at home, but at least I still have cable.

Panera Fridays

It's now routine for a handful of my classmates to head over to Panera after class and vent about the last week. We really need it, and it gives us a chance to talk about things other than school.

I tend to order the You Pick 2, but look at this. That is not half a sandwich... it's a mere quarter! Boo, Panera.