Panera Bread is a popular bakery-cafe chain with over 2,000 locations across the United States and Canada. They are well known for their sandwiches, salads, and soups served in sourdough bread bowls. Many customers wonder if Panera offers soup in a bread bowl option. The answer is yes, soup bread bowls are one of Panera’s signature menu items that have been available since the chain began in the 1980s.
Panera’s Soup Bread Bowls
Panera offers a variety of soups served in a bowl made out of their fresh-baked bread. The bread bowls are round loaves of bread that have the center hollowed out to create a bowl shape. Panera bread options for the soup bowls include white, wheat, and sourdough. Customers can choose from Panera’s soup of the day or favorites like broccoli cheddar, chicken noodle, and baked potato soups to fill their bread bowl.
The soup bread bowls range in size from the smaller Bakery Cafe bowl to the larger Bread Bowl Cafe portion. The smaller bowl contains the signature Panera sourdough bread while the larger bowl offers a choice of bread. The soup bread bowls are a satisfying meal pairing the creaminess of the soup with the crunch of the fresh bread bowl. Customers love tearing off pieces of the bowl to dip into their soup.
Nutrition Information
Panera lists the nutrition information for their soup bread bowls on their website. Here is an example for the broccoli cheddar soup in a sourdough bread bowl cafe portion:
| Serving Size | 1 bowl (22 oz) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 760 |
| Total Fat | 24g |
| Sodium | 1980mg |
As you can see, the bread bowl versions significantly increase the calories, fat, and sodium compared to the regular soup servings. However, the soup in the bread bowl makes for a hearty, filling meal.
History of Soup Bread Bowls at Panera
The concept of the soup bread bowl originated in San Francisco. Cafes and restaurants in San Francisco served freshly baked sourdough breads in the shape of bowls filled with chowders and stews. The bread bowls became popularized at Boudin Bakery locations across the city.
When Au Bon Pain acquired the St. Louis Bread Company in 1993, they rebranded the chain as Panera Bread in 1997. Part of Panera’s new concept was adding the signature soup bread bowls to the menu. This allowed customers to enjoy high-quality soups paired with the bakery-fresh breads Panera was known for.
The soup in bread bowls was an instant success. Over 25 years later, it remains one of the most beloved offerings on the Panera menu. As Panera has expanded across North America, so has the popularity of the soup bread bowl experience.
Ordering Tips
Here are some tips for ordering soup bread bowls at Panera:
- Choose your bread – Pick your favorite bread variety from Panera’s selection. Sourdough gives a nice tanginess while wheat or white bread provides a milder taste.
- Get it fresh – Try to order your soup bread bowl during a slower time of day. This increases the chances your bowl will be freshly assembled with bread straight from the oven.
- Carefully pack for takeout – If getting your soup to go, ask for extra napkins. The bread bowl can leak a bit as the bread soaks up the soup. Transporting it carefully will keep your meal intact.
- Don’t wait to eat – The bread bowl stays crispest when you start eating it right away before it gets too saturated with soup.
- Feel free to dip – Tear off pieces of the bread bowl to dip into the soup for added flavor and texture.
- Get a combo – Pair your soup bread bowl with a Panera sandwich or salad for a hearty, affordable meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about Panera’s soup bread bowls:
What soups are available in bread bowls?
Panera offers a rotating daily soup special that can be ordered in a bread bowl. Classics like broccoli cheddar, baked potato, chicken noodle, and vegetarian autumn squash are regularly available in bread bowls. Seasonal soups are also offered.
How much does a soup bread bowl cost?
Pricing varies by location but generally the small Bakery Cafe bread bowls range from $5.99-$7.99 while the larger Bread Bowl Cafe portions are $8.99-$9.99.
Can you order half soup & half bread bowl?
Yes, Panera allows customizing your soup bread bowl order. You can request just the bread bowl or soup in a regular bowl.
Does the bread bowl contain gluten?
The white and wheat bread bowl options contain gluten while the sourdough bowl is made with a gluten-free recipe.
Can you purchase an empty bread bowl?
Panera’s policy is that they do not sell empty bread bowls without soup or other fillings added. The bread needs to have additional ingredients for food safety requirements.
Tips for Eating Soup Bread Bowls
Here are some tips for the optimal soup bread bowl experience:
- Cool slightly – Letting your bread bowl sit for 2-3 minutes helps prevent burning your mouth.
- Crumble the top – Break apart the top of the bread bowl and push pieces into the soup to soak up flavor.
- Dip and tear – Tear off pieces of the bowl and dunk into soup for a mix of textures.
- Drink the end – When you finish the solids, drink the remaining soup from the bowl like a mug.
- Use a spoon – Scoop and ladle soup from the bowl instead of tipping to avoid spilling.
- Add toppings – Customize with shredded cheese, croutons, or other soup toppings in the bakery.
Nutrition Comparison to Regular Soup
The bread bowl significantly increases the carbohydrates, calories, and sodium compared to Panera’s regular soup servings. Here is a nutrition comparison of the two options using broccoli cheddar soup:
| Nutrition Facts | Broccoli Cheddar Soup (Bread Bowl) | Broccoli Cheddar Soup (Regular) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 760 | 280 |
| Total Fat | 24g | 13g |
| Sodium | 1980mg | 810mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 120g | 36g |
As shown, the bread bowl option more than doubles the calories, fat, sodium, and carbohydrates. The bread bowl soaks up a significant amount of the soup, increasing its volume and nutrition counts. Keep this in mind if watching your intake of carbs or sodium.
Review of Customer Feedback
Overall, Panera’s soup bread bowls receive extremely positive feedback from customers:
Flavors
Many reviewers highlight the delicious, high-quality flavors of Panera’s soups that complement the freshly baked bread bowls. Popular picks are the broccoli cheddar, baked potato, chicken noodle, and creamy tomato options.
Value
For the large portion size, Panera’s soup bread bowls are considered an excellent value compared to other fast casual restaurants. Customers feel full and satisfied with the hearty bread bowl meal.
Customization
Reviewers love the ability to choose their favorite bread, soup, and add-ins to create a personalized soup bread bowl meal. Being able to pick all the components makes the experience even more enjoyable.
Downsides
Some customers complain the bread bowl can become too saturated and soggy when soup is added. Others feel the soup flavors can be overly salty. Dining in right away produces the best texture and temperature.
Conclusion
Panera Bread has offered fresh soup in bread bowls since its founding over 25 years ago. The iconic soup bread bowls remain a customer favorite to this day. With the ability to pick your own bread, soup, and customizations, Panera offers a truly personalized soup bread bowl experience. While higher in carbs, calories, and sodium than regular soup, the soup bread bowl makes for a filling satisfaction meal with its pairing of flavors and textures. Next time you visit Panera, be sure to try one of their signature soups baked fresh inside a bread bowl.