Have I Been Sleeping on Panera? and Another Simple Favor
Hello! I know what you are thinking, two weeks in a row? Are you feeling alright Roy? I’m glad you asked- I took a sick day today. This chest congestion and chest pains had been kicking my ass for two weeks now, so I finally went to the doctor and got some antibiotics and steroids. All that being said, as I write this, I’m playing the game of “How long will CVS take to fill my prescriptions” (website currently says after 10am for 1/3 prescriptions) and while I wait, I decided to pop into a Panera and grab a breakfast sandwich since the Albuterol breathing treatment had me feeling a little jittery.
Also- in typical late to the game fashion, I think I may like Panera? I think I’ve been to Panera a handful of times (broccoli cheddar in a bread bowl slaps) and I have been inside one maybe three of those times and it never really became a go-to place for me I guess? But there was one across from the street of the CVS and I know they had space to set down so I thought I’d give it another shot. And listen- at the end of the day I know in my heart that it is probably mostly (if not all) reheated food from bags but I simply do not care. First off, this was a bit of an older location, and it had that décor that gives a little early 2000’s Starbucks/early 2000’s upper middle class suburban home you wanted to own when you grow up, but with less red vibe. If you understand my vision, thank you. If you do not-please go Google or Tik Tok it. Picture for reference:
I got the Steak and Bake, mediocre but it actually tasted like steak which was a win. I was able to sip my Diet Dr. Pepper and listen to my playlist in peace and type away. (Side note- my favorite “Zone Out” playlist is the soundtrack of every season of Only Murders in the Building on a loop. If you haven’t seen it, go watch it Immediately!) Plus I feel like I’m always hearing or seeing an ad about the Sip Club but I’ve never actually investigated it and I think I’m going to get it, especially since they are running a promo right now for 3 months for $5, I mean come on- that’s a steal. It includes all coffees, soft drink, some specialty teas, and a bunch of other perks. There is also a location a few minutes from my work, and I have been trying to find a place to work on this blog on my lunches. I swear, I know this is starting to sound like an ad but I’m kind of glad I wondered in there this morning. I know, I know, I’m like 20+ years behind the curve and I know I didn’t “discover” Panera but I grew up in a tiny town with two gas stations and a tiny diner that closed and reopened as something new every few years, and even when I moved to a bigger city- I never took much time to try new things.
UPDATE: I consulted with my fiancé and he said apparently the portions used to be bigger and it used to be a lot cheaper, I did a little deep dive and apparently Panera started to take a turn when it got bought out by JAB Holdings in 2017. They raised prices, cut employees, and made a ton of changes in the name of making more money… tale as old as time sadly.
Luckily, my prescriptions were ready shortly after 10. I was able to grab them and go home to cuddle up with the dogs and watch a few movies while lounging on the couch all day- is there any better cure when you’re feeling like crap? I highly suggest Scream 4 and Another Simple Favor if you are looking for entertainment while you are resting up. Don’t get me wrong Another Simple Favor was just God awful: the plot, Blake Lively’s wardrobe, the whole plotline? I’d say more but I’m not going to spoil it for anyone who hasn’t watched it yet. And when I say it was awful, I mean awful in the best way- it’s kind of camp. If you want to live vicariously through Anna Kendrick as she goes on a dangerous trip to Capri while her killer “best friend” (Blake Lively) is mildly threating to murder her all while wearing tacky/cute outfits, then this is the flick for you. The first time I watched it, I had a few drinks while Danny worked on a craft while we cackled at how bad it was, I highly suggest doing something similar if you want a good laugh- do not take it too seriously.
So, takeaways from today: Maybe give Panera Bread a shot, even if it’s just for the Sip Club? And if you have not seen Only Murders in the Building or Another Simple Favor (or even the first one for that matter) maybe go check them out? But like… tone down your expectations.