Is there any other restaurant that does comfort as well as Panera? More so than any other restaurant, walking into a Panera, between the tantalizing aroma of various bakery goods, the anticipation of the delectable meal sure to come, and the inherent familiarity and sense of comfort, never fails to instantly put me at ease. From the cheerful, warm atmosphere that can range from peaceful to bustling, to its wide variety of quintessential comfort foods, Panera never gets old. It is in no way an exaggeration to say that I could eat Panera every day for the rest of my life and never get sick of it.

For starters, their menu has not only incredible variety, but features great quality across such a wide range of foods. Panera is known for offering typical cafe-style fare, with many sandwiches, salads, and soups defining their menu, but their menu now includes notable new-ish additions like mac and cheese, flatbread pizzas, and bowls that have added a new depth to the menu. The Frontega Chicken Sandwich will always hold a special place in my heart, but the Chipotle Chicken Flatbread, their mac and cheese, and their tomato soup have all given it a good run for its money. (Pro tip: if you ever spot the limited edition Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich on the menu- order it!- it’s especially good paired with tomato soup.)

With so many quality dishes on their menu, it’s safe to say the only stressful aspect of going to Panera is deciding what to order for fear of missing out. Luckily, Panera has a great option for anyone locked in debate- the You Pick Two! The You Pick Two offers two slightly smaller portions of entrees combined for a lower price. Though many opt to pair half a sandwich with a salad or a soup, you can pick any two entrees as part of the You Pick Two, though the prices will vary. Some of the entrees in the You Pick Two form only come in full portions, but you certainly wouldn’t catch me complaining!

Panera’s variety is shown even past its offerings of entrees- it also has various freshly brewed drinks and a wide selection of delicious pastries. Panera offers many forms of coffee, but they also offer caffeine in the form of new charged lemonades, along with normal lemonade, various other fruity beverages, and of course typical fountain drinks. As if these weren’t enough of a temptation, Panera further has endless pastries and baked goods, in the form of bagels, cookies, bars, muffins, scones, rolls, souffles, and croissants. What more could anyone ask for?

Though admittedly not the cheapest chain out there, Panera’s still quite reasonably priced, even in the face of recent price raises, and you can easily eat your fill without breaking the bank. For a restaurant that has your food ready in minutes, Panera’s atmosphere is undeniably pleasing at many locations as well, offering a great space to work (it also has free Wi-Fi) or to enjoy a relaxing meal by yourself or with others. Even if you feel like staying in, Panera also has a reliable delivery service that allows you to enjoy Panera from the comfort of your own home if there’s a location close enough by. No matter where you enjoy Panera, it offers a unique sense of comfort and food that delivers in all the ways that count.