1. Their mac and cheese in a bread bowl is a carb-lovers dream

Imagine the warm, gooey, cheesy pasta places in a bread bowl, with the hollowed out middle as a side. And the best part is you still get the side of bread too!!

2. Their ice tea selection is spot on

I always get a drink from Panera and refill the cup about 20 times before I leave. They have iced green tea (my favorite), unsweetened iced tea, an acai iced tea, and a mango iced tea. Some of the flavors are seasonal and the ones I listed before are for the summer, but all of the seasonal flavors are delicious.

3. They have AMAAAAZING bread

It is called Panera Bread Company. Their bread is baked fresh everyday and once you bite into a piece, you can tell.

4. And delicious bakery items

All their bakery items are the best of the best. They have tons of bagels, cinnamon buns, loaves of bread, danishes, pastries and cookies. It may take you an hour to make the decision, so make sure you leave yourself enough time!

5. The “U Pick 2” makes decisions so much easier

Being the indecisive person I am, the “U Pick 2” is a lifesaver. I never know if I want to try and be healthy with a salad, or just get a warm, crunchy Panini. With this option, I can get both.

6. It has “healthy” options that are actually healthy

Most restaurants, fast-food joints and chains have salads that they say are healthy, but can actually have more calories than a burger or French fries. The dressing can have tons of fat, sodium and sugar. Panera however gives you enough dressing to make the salad flavorful, but not drench the lettuce. They also list the calories of everything on their menu.

7. Panera store-fronts have a homey atmosphere

When you walk into Panera, you are engulfed by the smell of fresh baked goods. There may be a fireplace surrounded with comfy chairs, somewhere in the restaurant. The colors of Panera are very warm, welcoming you in the winter to sit with a bowl of warm soup.

8. The rapid pick-up option is very convenient

Whenever I am at work, or at school, I always want to pick up Panera quickly after. This option helps me place an order and have it ready the time I want. You pay before you get there, so once you walk into the restaurant, you can grab it and go.

9. The food comes out rather quickly

Panera has the speed of a fast food restaurant. You place your order and about 3 minutes later, your food comes out. Of course the times vary for paninis and other foods that need to be cooked, but it still takes no more than 5 minutes.

10. You can get a dessert for $0.99

Whenever you get an entrée and a drink, bakery items become $0.99!!! I always get the Chocolate Chipper (a chocolate chip cookie) and I recommend it to everyone.