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# Pumping up Panera
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/pumping-up-panera/
- Published: 2008-08-21T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-25T00:44:14.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By Amanda Cushman Real Simple Food*

I HAVE NOW DISCOVERED PANERA BREAD as a destination for good, simple food for breakfast, lunch and take out.

I visited two of their locations in the past two weeks, the Wilshire Boulevard location and one in the Marina on Lincoln Boulevard.

Both experiences were enjoyable; friendly helpful staff, quick service and tasty food.

I tried their baguette, tomato bread and whole grain bread on various sandwiches. All of the breads were well done; flavorful with great texture.

They pride themselves on using whole grains, organic ingredients and hormone free poultry, which for me is a good start. I am increasingly disappointed by establishments that are not getting with the program on this issue.

We want to eat healthier food when out in the world so the ingredients have to be all of the above for me to spend my money and take the time to go out to eat.

The atmosphere is also a key factor and Panera had a choice of eating inside or out and both were appealing. They offered comfortable booths indoors and shaded terrace space for outside tables.

I ordered a Greek Salad, which had just enough dressing and a generous sprinkling of feta cheese and Kalamata olives.

One of the sandwiches was a vegetarian Mediterranean combination of hummus, sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce and feta cheese. This was delicious and quite filling.

My husband had a Turkey sandwich on Focaccia bread that had a chipotle mayonnaise and red onions — yummy!

I am always on the lookout for delicious lunch places and was impressed with Panera.

I also believe in eating lunch at home whenever possible so with that in mind here are a couple terrific lunch ideas.

AMANDA CUSHMAN is a culinary educator who has cooked professionally for 25 years. She teaches privately for groups of two to 20 students. She has developed hundreds of recipes for cookbooks as well as food magazines and Web sites. She

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 21, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/082108.pdf?ref=smdp.com)