Surely we can do better than Zagat

Yesterday's Sun-Times had an article about a Zagat survey which asked for people's favorite national chain restaurants across a number of criteria.

The overall winner, according to this admittedly unscientific study, was Panera.

Other examples of winners in the specific categories were McDonald's for its french fries, Dairy Queen for shakes, Panera for sandwiches, and Wendy's for burgers.

I have to admit my stomach turned a bit upon reading about Panera. For a place that is supposed to be all about the bread, I find theirs to be the most ersatz version possible of artisan bread, and their sandwiches to be just plain gross (frankly, I think Starbucks puts out better product).

Couldn't agree more about McDonald's fries--even after the switchover eliminating the beef tallow.

Fellow LTHers.....how would you vote?

Your disdain for Panera is interesting to me. When I was in college in St. Louis 12 years ago, Panera (aka St. Louis Bread Company) was a small little sandwich shop in the Central West End, though I do think they had a couple other locations in the city. Nevertheless, then and now, I absolutely love(d) their breads, sandwiches, and salads. I think their soups have slipped a bit upon franchising nationally.

Anyway, to each his own of course. But I'd take Panera over Corner Bakery, Cosi, etc. anyday.

ews:

I would take Panera over Corner Bakery and Cosi, too, but only in the context of it being like the tallest midget in the circus.

I guess expectations have something to do with it. I don't go to Panera expecting a fabulous deli sandwich. I go expecting what they offer -- interesting combinations on reasonably good bread. I also like their salads. If someone said, "I feel like a really great sandwich," it wouldn't be my first choice, but if someone says, "Let's go to Panera," I can say "sure," knowing I'll have something decent. I don't much care for their new pizza thingy -- kind of like an expensive cracker with cheese -- but sandwiches and salads are perfectly adequate. It's an easy compromise when I'm meeting friends who aren't interested in trying something new.

Panera's egg souffles are quite tasty.

McDonalds does make a damn good fry. I think Bakers Square has better - I believe they leave the skin on. And you can dip them in that heavenly honey mustard. Wish I was eating them now. My boyfriend still laments the fries at Checkers. And Arby's curly fries, those are awesome.
Oberweis makes tasty shakes, but I don't want to give my money to a politician, so I haven't been back.
I do prefer the Wendy burger since I do believe it's made from meat, unlike McDonalds, and doesn't have that carcinogen taste of Burger King. However, I recall them being especially sloppy and drippy. I guess I haven't had that many fast-food burgers in a while. How about Portillos? People around here LOVE Portillos.

I don't go to Panera expecting a fabulous deli sandwich. I go expecting what they offer

Namely, free wi-fi.

I definitely don't have my finger on the pulse of fast food in this country, but I'm surprised Subway or some other sub sandwich place didn't make the list. I thought Subway was doing very well nationally with it's "fresh & fit" campaign. In the Chicago area, places like Potbelly's, Jimmy John's and Quizno's seem to be proliferating--maybe I'm just imagining this, or perhaps it's just a Midwestern phenomenon. I'm a big fan of Jimmy John's myself. I also have a weakness for Chipotle, which I know has not received very much love on LTH. In college, a burrito from Chipotle would hit the spot after a century ride like nothing else.

Panera is OK, but I find the prices high and don't like the texture of most of their breads. Cosi's prices are also high, but I'll go in to sample bread.

Mike G wrote:

I don't go to Panera expecting a fabulous deli sandwich. I go expecting what they offer

Namely, free wi-fi.

I agree completely. Here's a tip: I discovered that the free Panera wi-fi extends into the parking lot, so you can fire up your laptop in your car and not even bother going in!

happy_stomach wrote:I also have a weakness for Chipotle, which I know has not received very much love on LTH. In college, a burrito from Chipotle would hit the spot after a century ride like nothing else.

Oh, I hear that.

Eating a burrito from Chipotle is one of the best ways to curb my raging hunger after an intense swim workout.

But, I am very particular about its composition...

tortilla: "Leave it on the press."
meat: Niman Ranch pork, solamente.
rice: Never.
beans: Pintos, solamente.
salsa: Tomatillo-Green, solamente.
sour cream: Never.
lettuce: "Just a bit."
cheese: "Just a bit."
guac: Never.

E.M.

Exactly, Erik. There's a pretty decent small burrito inside every overstuffed-with-rice-burrito-as-big-as-your-head at Chipotle, waiting to get out.

Eating a burrito from Chipotle is one of the best ways to curb my raging hunger after an intense swim workout.

But, I am very particular about its composition...

I'm at the other end of the spectrum. My Chipotle burrito after a long ride is one downright obscene concoction by the time it gets to the register. No meat, no sour cream but everything else, including all of the salsas.

Has there been a thread on post-race, post-serious-workout foods? I know there's been lots of talk of exercise and food and calories, but any screw-the-steamed-fish-and-veggies-dinner-I-just-kicked-the-BLEEP-of-each-of-my-training-buddies-and-want-REAL-food talk?

happy_stomach wrote:I know there's been lots of talk of exercise and food and calories, but any screw-the-steamed-fish-and-veggies-dinner-I-just-kicked-the-BLEEP-of-each-of-my-training-buddies-and-want-REAL-food talk?

I don't think may of us here need an excuse to talk about real food.

happy_stomach wrote:I definitely don't have my finger on the pulse of fast food in this country, but I'm surprised Subway or some other sub sandwich place didn't make the list. I thought Subway was doing very well nationally with it's "fresh & fit" campaign.

I used to eat at Subway's twice a week or so. Then the local franchisee in Crystal Lake expanded his operation and doubled his prices. The quality of the produce has declined considerably.

Erik M. wrote:

happy_stomach wrote:I also have a weakness for Chipotle...

rice: Never.

I've only eaten a Chipotle burrito once, and the amount of rice (and concomitant lack of flavor) was my biggest complaint. Somehow, ordering sans rice never occurred to me. And now, Chipotle is much more accessible, as far as I can tell, than any other decent burrito.

Thanks.

happy_stomach wrote:Has there been a thread on post-race, post-serious-workout foods? I know there's been lots of talk of exercise and food and calories, but any screw-the-steamed-fish-and-veggies-dinner-I-just-kicked-the-BLEEP-of-each-of-my-training-buddies-and-want-REAL-food talk?

Wow. Don't know where to recommend, but I do have a new respect for your dining interests.

I just finished reading an article in the Sept 2001 issue (hey, I'm a slow reader,what can I say) of Food and Wine magazine, which made much the same kind of comment about Zagat surveys. Not that it's not true, but it strikes me as another example of idea recycling.

stevez wrote:

Mike G wrote:

I don't go to Panera expecting a fabulous deli sandwich. I go expecting what they offer

Namely, free wi-fi.

I agree completely. Here's a tip: I discovered that the free Panera wi-fi extends into the parking lot, so you can fire up your laptop in your car and not even bother going in!

Thanks for the tip. So much for ordering that obligatory cup of bad coffee.

stevez wrote:I agree completely. Here's a tip: I discovered that the free Panera wi-fi extends into the parking lot, so you can fire up your laptop in your car and not even bother going in!

Just don't try this in Michigan

http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-9722006-7.html