Panera pizza

I know we had a thread on this some time ago, but I couldn't find it.

Has anyone had this pizza? How is it?

[Robin Garr]

I know we had a thread on this some time ago, but I couldn't find it.

Has anyone had this pizza? How is it?

My recollection is that I posted a PR release on the old forum and everyone made fun of it. I *think* it wasn't real pizza but a flatbread with pizza toppings. Can't remember for sure ... I'll try to find the old thread.

ok, I had one last night. hmmm, not sure what to say. It wasn't bad, but I am not sure I would get it again. It is a good idea, but execution was poor. I am wondering if that is a result of untrained staff in charge of baking these pizzas? For one, it was way too floury. I understand the use of flour to keep it from sticking to the counter, the peel, and the oven, but there was so much all over the crust that there was a predominant raw flour taste. Another flaw is using canned chopped tomatoes in lieu of a tomato sauce. This would be ok, if they used some whole canned san marzanos that were crushed by hand, but these canned chopped tomatoes are an odd texture and had a bitter flavor. The crust was a bit tough and little too "flat" whihc told me not enough gluten development had occurred. It should be thin, but have that slightly puffed and stretched appearance. The box said that the meats come from Niman Ranch. Not sure if my pepperoni did, but it was not that great. It's an alternative to regular pizza, but I'd rather run down to Primo and get the real thing.

I enjoyed the BBQ pizza that they have. In the Clarksville location you can get the pizza's starting at noon by the way.

Brien: did your pizza have lots of raw flour all over it? if not, that confirms my suspicion that this one I had was just poorly executed at this location.

No, it was cooked about right. I don't believe that they serve many of them and they do make them fresh so I am sure the consitency isn't where it should be.

yes, they are made fresh. the employee made a big deal out of the fact that it would take ten minutes for the pizza to be ready. I assured her that was ok with me. so much for the slow food movement in the U.S.

[Robin Garr]

they are made fresh.

Baked on the spot, anyway. I assume that, like all Panera breads, the formed dough is trucked pre-made from one of the chain's commissaries - in St. Louis, I think - to be finished in the oven for service. Technically it's "made fresh," but it carries an asterisk.

Unless you saw them mixing flour and eggs, I'll bet the "pizza" is done in the same way.

It's an alternative to regular pizza, but I'd rather run down to Primo and get the real thing.

So would I, but I wouldn't compare Panera with Primo on about anything. Panera is "a bit slower" fast food, but it's still fast food. That's their niche.

they are made fresh.

Baked on the spot, anyway. I assume that, like all Panera breads, the formed dough is trucked pre-made from one of the chain's commissaries - in St. Louis, I think - to be finished in the oven for service. Technically it's "made fresh," but it carries an asterisk.

Unless you saw them mixing flour and eggs, I'll bet the "pizza" is done in the same way.

I am sure. It's probably the same dough. I remember living in St. Louis in the mid 80's and going to get sandwiches at this little bakery called the St. Louis Bread Company. Who knew it would turn into the huge Panera chain. And, why didn't I buy stock. D'oh!!!!

they are made fresh.

Baked on the spot, anyway. I assume that, like all Panera breads, the formed dough is trucked pre-made from one of the chain's commissaries - in St. Louis, I think - to be finished in the oven for service. Technically it's "made fresh," but it carries an asterisk.

Unless you saw them mixing flour and eggs, I'll bet the "pizza" is done in the same way.

I am sure. It's probably the same dough. I remember living in St. Louis in the mid 80's and going to get sandwiches at this little bakery called the St. Louis Bread Company. Who knew it would turn into the huge Panera chain. And, why didn't I buy stock. D'oh!!!!

I keep saying that about Mick's Lounge. Instead I found myself caddying for him at Valhalla 7 years ago.

Three chains that I knew early in their inception would do very well: Starbucks, Whole Foods, and Panera. Did I buy stock in any of them? No. Why not? I didn't have any money!