Dear Food Diary:
As part of Daily Buzz’s Taste Maker Program I was invited to visit Panera bread and try their soups. One of the reasons I agreed was their choice of ingredients – fresh, thoughtfully sourced. Plus, there’s nothing more heartwarming than a bowl of soup on a cold day.

Lines at the 5th ave store were almost out the door on Tuesday. Their pick 2 lets you choose a sandwich or another soup plus a side of bread, chips or apple.

The Creamy Tomato was velvety smooth with a bit of texture. Just a tad of tartness and a sweet finish. The pear tomato gives it that extra punch of flavor. It was the perfect companion to the Adult Grilled Cheese that’s loaded with bacon bits. This is total comfort food. The asiago cheese croutons added an cheesy extra.

I couldn’t decide between French Onion and the Cream of Chicken & Wild Rice, so I got both. 

French Onion wasn’t as cheesy as I would of hoped. The light beef broth had ok flavors, but it just lacked that essential stringy cheese. Plus it came luke warm, I hate luke warm soup.

Cream of Chicken & Wild Rice on the other hand was hearty and satisfying. With long grain and wild rice, celery, onion, carrot and diced chicken simmered in chicken broth embellished with cream and select herbs, this was a meal in itself. I’ll go back for this one every now and then.

Overall I thought the soups were decent and did the job. I like that they use good ingredients and techniques and bring warmth to the lunch crowd.

Disclosure: I received a $10 gift card to purchase the soups and a $50 compensation for writing a review. But all thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way did it influence my review of the food and experience.

P.S. Chubby’s Rating:

www.panerabread.com/soup
452 5th Ave
(212) 938-6950