Panera Bread? How about Panera Head! It was early in the afternoon on a dreary Monday. Today was a special day, however. I decided to treat myself in the best way a college student can for lunch, going to Panera Bread instead of shoveling down the same meager offerings the dining halls on campus have to offer. No more Moroccan Chicken for me! As I strolled in, I was already set on what I wanted. The Chipotle Avocado Chicken Melt. It was still in stock. Perfect. I quickly ordered it on the kiosk out front, and waited the standard 45 minute wait time for my food. No worries though, I had nowhere else to be until my 2:30 AFRO 494 Class, “How it feels to be Black in America”. As I sat in the booth by myself, sending off LinkedIn connection requests to anyone who is remotely related to this university, someone came up on me from behind. “I do that too.” She said with a smile. Stunned and embarrassed, I quickly closed the tab. But it was too late. Drat. “Haha, you can never have enough connections in this job market” I said, playing it off. “That’s true! Are you also a senior?” She replied. “No, just a sophomore.” Crap, there goes that lie. “Then why are you sending off so many requests?” “Oh you know, I like seeing the number get higher. Forget about that. What’s your name?” After the embarrassing exchange, I actually got to know her a little, and she seemed like a pretty cool gal. She started to tell me about how a recent breakup she endured had bothered her, and before you know it, she was in the Panera Bread bathroom stall with me while a homeless woman was actively ODing on Opioids the next stall over. After wrapping up, we both scurried back to the main dining area, just in time for my food to come out. I never saw her again. What an experience.
4 stars for the slightly undercooked Mac ‘N Cheese.