Panera Just Brought Back A Fan Favorite After 10 Years

Summertime, I think, is good for two things: good food and laid-back energy. But what if you could combine both of those things? Imagine sitting by the pool with a cheap, balanced, and refreshing meal in hand. All your worries would dissolve, right? Well, this summer Panera Bread aims to make your dreams a reality with their new menu launch. The summer launch not only features an entirely new format of Panera dish, but it expands on the quality and variety of their menu by adding premium sides, proteins, and beverages for low prices.  

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The Headlining Act 

To launch the Panera summer menu, they’re releasing the all-new Panera Market Bowls. The bowls are being sold for the low price of $9.99 and will come in three flavor options―including Sesame Ginger Chicken, Carnitas Elote, and All-In Veggie. From a mixed-review sample release, Reddit users said they were surprised by the ingredient choices in the bowls. But if you’re curious about the new product and don’t want to commit to a full-size portion, then it is available in half portions through the “You Pick Two” menu. You can try something new while having a classic on stand-by.  

A Welcome Return To The Menu

Guess who’s back? Shrimp! After a 10-year absence from the Panera menu, shrimp is returning as a premium protein option on the new salad lineup. The new salads include the Shrimply Baja Salad, the Farmhouse Crunch Salad, and the Ultimate Garden Steak Salad. Each new salad features new toppings and dressings to spice up the summer variety and accompany the availability of more premium protein options―like shrimp and steak.  

Brand New Menu Items

Building off the brand’s beloved soup flavor, Broccoli Cheddar, Panera is introducing two new frittata flavors to their breakfast menu. The Broccoli Cheddar Frittata will launch alongside the new Five Cheese & Bacon Frittata, both of which, Panera says, will bring a bold flavor to on-the-go breakfasts.  

After a lifetime of the standard Panera format, I’m getting a bit tired of the free side options… aren’t you? Well now, for just one dollar, you can upgrade your knob of baguette to a flaky Asiago Croissant Twist. This fan-favorite pastry has long been available to order on its own, but now it’s an easy add-on to your meal.  

After trying all this new food, you’re probably going to need something to wash it down with, and Panera has you covered there too. Need an energy boost? The summer menu launches a brand-new range of Frozen Javas and three new flavors of Café Blend Iced Coffees. The flavors―snickerdoodle, hazelnut mocha, and Rocky Road―are sweet enough to be the perfect dessert if you don’t have enough room to round off your meal with a pastry. And, piggy-backing off the successful launch of their Energy Refreshers, the Island Mango Energy Refresher joins the new Blackberry Hibiscus Herbal Iced Tea to keep you cool all summer long.