↑ Part 1                     Part 2 ↓

Season 3 Episode 11

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Panera Bread feat. Lyss Johnson

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In this episode of Fine Dining: The Search for the Most Mediocre Restaurant in America:

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○ Part 1: From a humble Missouri bakery to one of the most recognizable fast-casual chains in the country, Panera Bread has been on a wild ride. This week, I dive deep into the breadbasket of chaos that is Panera’s history — including aggressive ad campaigns, billion-dollar innovations, and a beverage scandal that stirred national headlines. Plus, I’m joined by Lyss Johnson — comedian and former Panera employee — to break down what it’s really like behind the counter at America’s favorite soup & salad spot.

Was Panera ever really the cozy bread haven we remember? Or has it always been a little bit soup, a little bit shady?

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○ Part 2: We finally ate at Panera Bread — and while the bakery items impressed, the rest of the experience was a chaotic medley of kiosk confusion, bathroom code injustice, and raw onion overload. I’m joined once again by Lyss Johnson (comedian, friend, and former Panera employee) as we break down every detail of our in-person visit to the iconic soup-slinging, salad-stacking chain.

Can the cinnamon crunch bagel save this spot from mediocrity? Or is Panera coasting on vibes and vending machine tech?

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Location: Glendale, CA

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Michael's Score:                                     5.13

Lyss's Score:                                         6.77

Tchotchke of Mediocrity Score:       5.95

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Host: Michael Ornelas

Guest Hosts: Lyss Johnson

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Music by: James McEnelly

Theme Song by: Gabe Alvarez

 

Segment Transitions Voice by: Sandy Rose