Panera Bread Company

[torimuse]

Now one would think eating at a place that is famous for making its own bread would be a deathtrap for us, right? However, Panera keeps on hand a very, very detailed list of just exactly what comes in their products as well as a chart at the front of major allergies. They even separate wheat and other glutenous products, so you know exactly what they're talking about. I used to work at Panera, and I loved their food, so I didn't want to give it up if I didn't have to.

Now there *is* risk of cross contamination, so Celiacs might want to beware, but maybe this will be helpful for those who don't need to be extremely paranoid about it. Bread crumbs do like to get everywhere they're not supposed to, but that risk has greatly lessened in the past couple years. Each soup has its own separate ladle, and each tossed salad has separate tongs for tossing. Salads are also tossed in the bowl that they are served in, so there's no contamination from a pan that they've all been tossed in. Upon request, they will be more than glad to put on new gloves and keep everything as separate as possible. They've already done so for years with peanut butter, so they're used to it. Say the word "allergy" and Panera employees (or at least the ones at my old store) will do anything they can to accommodate you. And if there's a reason for the extreme measures, they don't even grumble behind the counters. For just about anything besides the soups, they can prepare it fresh from the coolers if you ask them too. However, be sure to blatantly ask them to do any cutting (for a fruit cup or something like that) on a stainless steel counter instead of the wood counters. If you explain why there's a need for it, especially if you can talk with a manager, they'll bend over backwards for you.

As far as what's edible there, all but one of the salads and dressings are currently gluten free. There is one you have to order without the croutons and another without wonton strips, but most are pretty safe. Their chicken on the salads is also gluten free. Just don't get the Tomato and Mozzarella Salad. It's served on bread. The salads are very yummy. My favorite is the BBQ Chicken Salad, though the Strawberry Poppyseed Salad is EXTREMELY popular.

Also, all of their drinks are gluten free, however, many of them (smoothies, frappachinos, etc.) have milk in them. I don't have to worry about milk, so it's not something I checked for. They have ingredients listings in the nutrition facts for drinks as well as foods.

There are three soups that are currently gluten-free, though soups can be dangerous since they're often served in bread bowels, and crumbs get everywhere. I'd suggest sticking with the salads if you have to be very paranoid about cross contamination. The black bean soup and chicken tortilla soup are both listed as gluten free, and the tomato soup is as well if you order it without croutons.

Most of the issue with Panera is the risk for cross contamination, but if you go to a store whose staff is understanding (and I'm pretty sure most of them are) you should be able to eat with a minimum of hassle. The store I worked at is in Peoria, IL. There are two of them there, but the other store's staff is just as awesome as my old store. I'd steer clear of the one in East Peoria, IL, but I could just be biased against that store itself.

[glutenfr3309]

Now one would think eating at a place that is famous for making its own bread would be a deathtrap for us, right? However, Panera keeps on hand a very, very detailed list of just exactly what comes in their products as well as a chart at the front of major allergies. They even separate wheat and other glutenous products, so you know exactly what they're talking about. I used to work at Panera, and I loved their food, so I didn't want to give it up if I didn't have to.

Now there *is* risk of cross contamination, so Celiacs might want to beware, but maybe this will be helpful for those who don't need to be extremely paranoid about it. Bread crumbs do like to get everywhere they're not supposed to, but that risk has greatly lessened in the past couple years. Each soup has its own separate ladle, and each tossed salad has separate tongs for tossing. Salads are also tossed in the bowl that they are served in, so there's no contamination from a pan that they've all been tossed in. Upon request, they will be more than glad to put on new gloves and keep everything as separate as possible. They've already done so for years with peanut butter, so they're used to it. Say the word "allergy" and Panera employees (or at least the ones at my old store) will do anything they can to accommodate you. And if there's a reason for the extreme measures, they don't even grumble behind the counters. For just about anything besides the soups, they can prepare it fresh from the coolers if you ask them too. However, be sure to blatantly ask them to do any cutting (for a fruit cup or something like that) on a stainless steel counter instead of the wood counters. If you explain why there's a need for it, especially if you can talk with a manager, they'll bend over backwards for you.

As far as what's edible there, all but one of the salads and dressings are currently gluten free. There is one you have to order without the croutons and another without wonton strips, but most are pretty safe. Their chicken on the salads is also gluten free. Just don't get the Tomato and Mozzarella Salad. It's served on bread. The salads are very yummy. My favorite is the BBQ Chicken Salad, though the Strawberry Poppyseed Salad is EXTREMELY popular.

Also, all of their drinks are gluten free, however, many of them (smoothies, frappachinos, etc.) have milk in them. I don't have to worry about milk, so it's not something I checked for. They have ingredients listings in the nutrition facts for drinks as well as foods.

There are three soups that are currently gluten-free, though soups can be dangerous since they're often served in bread bowels, and crumbs get everywhere. I'd suggest sticking with the salads if you have to be very paranoid about cross contamination. The black bean soup and chicken tortilla soup are both listed as gluten free, and the tomato soup is as well if you order it without croutons.

Most of the issue with Panera is the risk for cross contamination, but if you go to a store whose staff is understanding (and I'm pretty sure most of them are) you should be able to eat with a minimum of hassle. The store I worked at is in Peoria, IL. There are two of them there, but the other store's staff is just as awesome as my old store. I'd steer clear of the one in East Peoria, IL, but I could just be biased against that store itself.

i've eaten here a few times since going gluten-free. i get the black bean soup and sesame chicken salad (without the croutons). one time they forgot to leave them off (even though i said i had an 'allergy') and kindly asked them to remake the salad- they happily did and apologized. i haven't really tried anything else....just have stuck to this particular meal because it hasn't bothered me.

[Skylark]

Thanks for sharing that. It's great to know of places that will try to accommodate us for when I'm traveling.

[bluebonnet]

unfortunately early on i reacted to their food. most likely cc. it could be the particular restaurant i ate at but i won't ever chance it again. i looooved panera and miss it so i'm not bad mouthing it. its one of those i miss for sure!

[Becksabec]

Panera is down the street from my dorm, so I tend to go there a lot. They have always been really helpful. I usually get the BBQ chicken salad, and I've never had any issues.

[goldfinger]

Thanks for the info. I am so new with this gluten free way, just started yesterday by my own choice. I think I will stop at Panera and get the bbq chix salad for work tomarrow.

[torimuse]

Panera is down the street from my dorm, so I tend to go there a lot. They have always been really helpful. I usually get the BBQ chicken salad, and I've never had any issues.

Thanks for the info. I am so new with this gluten free way, just started yesterday by my own choice. I think I will stop at Panera and get the bbq chix salad for work tomarrow.

When I was working there, before I found out about all this, the BBQ Chicken Salad and the Black Bean Soup were my hands down favorites. I guess even my taste buds knew what I should be eating.

[CarolinaKip]

Can I asked how you ordered when you had a positive visit at Paneras? Did you have themmake it in the back or just change gloves? I've been asked out to lunch this week and my friend wants to go there.I used to go all the time and I'm hoping the manager will remember me. Any suggestions?