Panera Bread
Panera Bread is a chain in the United States that serves soups, salads and sandwiches. As the name suggests, the bread is fantastic. When I went, I had a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich. Instead of regular american cheese and white sliced bread, this sandwich was made with fresh mozzarella, tomato slices and sun-dried tomato pesto, all served on crunchy and warm Chibatta bread. To say it was to die for is an understatement. I have never had such a flavorful sandwich that is essentially so simple. With it, I had their famous broccoli and cheddar soup. The soup was thick and cheesy.
What really made Panera Bread unforgettable was how amazing they were with my allergies. When I told the man at the counter about what I was allergic too, he took out a big book of nutritional facts and checked each item I ordered. This is a key feature of most chains. They list every ingredient and caloric count.
Even though I have only eaten at Panera Bread once, it had a lasting impression on me and I am eager to try to it again.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
If you ask any one of my friends, Chipotle is my one true food love. I am not the only one. Chipotle has a cult like following in the states. Yes, it is that good.
Chipotle is a fast food Mexican restaurant. The catch is everything is organic and fresh. It is not like eating at your standard fast food joint. Even the furniture in the restaurant is sustainable. They take pride in giving each food item the freshest ingredients and this is what makes it so amazing.
My go-to Chipotle meal is the Fajita Burrito (as pictured above). You start with a flour tortilla, fill it with choice of meat filling (I usually go with chicken), rice and sauteed peppers and onions. At this stage you are also invited to pick your beans, but I am allergic to legumes too (peanuts are a legume!). Next up comes the toppings. This is the best part. I usually go with salsa, spicy chili sauce and guacamole. It is all wrapped up into classic burrito form and eaten. Heaven! Just like Panera, they list all their ingredients and there are no nuts!
When I lived in New York, there was a Chipotle around the block. I don't think there was a week that went by that I didn't eat it at least once.
Chipotle is a fast food Mexican restaurant. The catch is everything is organic and fresh. It is not like eating at your standard fast food joint. Even the furniture in the restaurant is sustainable. They take pride in giving each food item the freshest ingredients and this is what makes it so amazing.
My go-to Chipotle meal is the Fajita Burrito (as pictured above). You start with a flour tortilla, fill it with choice of meat filling (I usually go with chicken), rice and sauteed peppers and onions. At this stage you are also invited to pick your beans, but I am allergic to legumes too (peanuts are a legume!). Next up comes the toppings. This is the best part. I usually go with salsa, spicy chili sauce and guacamole. It is all wrapped up into classic burrito form and eaten. Heaven! Just like Panera, they list all their ingredients and there are no nuts!
When I lived in New York, there was a Chipotle around the block. I don't think there was a week that went by that I didn't eat it at least once.