Why are breadbowls so amazing?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Kappamd

The mac and cheese [at Panera] is EXCELLENT.

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

YESSSSSS. Panera mac and cheese > life.

Last night, son and I needed some supper. I asked him where he wanted to go and he quickly said "Panera." (He loves the cinnamon crunch bagel.) I relunctantly said okay -- reluctantly because, as I said earlier, a few of the bagels and pastries are the only things I particularly like at Panera, and I was hungrier than just a bagel.

Meanwhile, I thought of this thread.

We got there and I scanned the menu to see if there was something else that might be good and more filling, and my eye fell on the mac and cheese. Now, I remember very well what I said upthread:

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I'm always surprised when people ooh and ahh over any kind of mac and cheese that's basically a cheese sauce poured onto pasta. I don't care how good the sause is, mac and cheese isn't worth getting excited about (or paying more for than a box of Kraft costs) unless it's made with a custard or a white sauce (and lots of cheese) and baked.

But I also remember that I had to recant a bit after having incredible mac and cheese with a blue cheese sauce. Besides, I thought, lots of folks at GC said it's so good, so why not give it a try?

I have learned two things:

1) I just don't think I'll ever get the appeal of Panera. I mean, there are some things there I'll eat, but nothing I get excited about, at least not so far. The mac and cheese was okay but nothing I'd particularly want again. It's more like I might settle for it next time son wants to go to Panera and I'm hungrier than just a bagel. I defintely wouldn't spend the $7+ for the large size -- not worth it to me at all.

2) I spend too much time on Greek Chat. (Well, I knew that, but this reinforced what I already knew. )