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Well, folks, here I am, eating my words—and apparently an Asiago Bagel Stack from Panera Bread. For years, I’ve resisted giving Panera a spot in our Ultimate Guide to St. Louis Bagels. Why? Because this chain, born as our beloved St. Louis Bread Company, decided to swap its hometown pride for a nationwide name. Cue the collective groans from those of us who still call it “Bread Co.” out of sheer defiance.
But just when I thought I was out, Panera pulls me back in with its new Asiago Bagel Stacks—three bagel sandwiches that hit the menu just in time for our third annual “Bagel Week.”
Here’s the flavorful lineup:
- Chicken Roma: Grilled chicken, fresh mozzarella, vine-ripened tomatoes, chopped basil, arugula, Green Goddess dressing and garlic aioli drizzle.
- Spicy Steak: Tender, marinated steak with provolone, salsa verde spread, arugula, red onions and zesty sweet peppers.
- Zesty Tuscan: Grilled chicken, soppressata, provolone, chopped basil, arugula, zesty sweet peppers and garlic aioli drizzle.
“Our Asiago bagel is a signature item that our guests have always loved for its rich, cheesy flavor and we realized there was room to showcase it far beyond the breakfast menu as part of this new lineup,” said Mark Shambura, chief marketing officer at Panera Bread.
Making peace with Panera
Still, Panera and I have history. You may remember the original Bread Co. in Kirkwood. That store closed in 2014, but it might as well be yesterday. That said, I did find some personal vindication when Bread Co. introduced the world to vertical bagel slicing. Practical for sharing and less messy, this quirky tradition became a badge of St. Louis pride, sparking debates and internet memes that still get us talking.
For this year’s Bagel Week, I’m setting aside old grudges and welcoming Panera back into the fold. Panera has crafted a love letter to bagel innovation and even the biggest skeptics like me find ourselves nodding along.