[french onion soup panera bread steak white cheddar]Yelp/Marie M. * PANERA BREAD IS A FAST-CASUAL CHAIN THAT OFFERS A RANGE OF BOTH LIGHT AND INDULGENT MENU ITEMS. * Some chefs love the restaurant's French onion soup for its "deep and authentic" flavors. * One chef stands by the chain's egg-white wrap as a health-conscious, light breakfast option. * Visit INSIDER's homepage for more stories. Fast-casual restaurant chain Panera Bread is known for serving up fresh and seasonal dishes. Its menu is packed with everything from hearty sandwiches to light grain bowls, with plenty of pasta dishes and pastries thrown in for good measure. To help you figure out what you might want to order next, INSIDER consulted with chefs to figure out some of their favorite menu items. SOME OF PANERA'S SALADS AND LENTIL BOWLS ARE TASTY VEGETARIAN OPTIONS, SAID ONE CHEF. Yelp/Norm D. If you're looking for a light but filling lunch, Panera offers a range of vegetarian and plant-based offerings. Celebrity Chef Alina Z told INSIDER that she usually orders a vegetable-laden salad or a protein-packed lentil bowl from the chain. "The salads and lentil bowls are the 'cleanest' items on the menu and are loaded with fiber and plant-based protein. I get both with an apple on the side," she said. The modern Greek salad with quinoa or the soba-noodle broth bowl with edamame are both hearty options for vegetarians looking to pack in some protein. To boost the flavor and nutrition profile of your meal, Alina also said she recommends asking for your dish with extra almonds or olives for additional protein and fat. _READ MORE: 13 things chefs and servers say they would never order in a restaurant_ FRENCH ONION SOUP AND A STEAK SANDWICH IS A COMFORTING, CHEF-APPROVED COMBO. Yelp/Marie M. Dana Murrell, the principal chef at Green Chef, told INSIDER that she loves ordering at Panera because of its "You Pick Two" option. This combo offer allows customers to mix and match two halves of regular meals, such as half a sandwich and half a salad or soup. "My favorite combination is the French onion soup and steak and white cheddar panini. I love the French onion soup for its deep, authentic flavor that is too time-consuming to mimic at home," said Murrell. Murrell also lauded the steak and cheddar panini for its varied texture and comforting ingredients, including thinly sliced steak, pickled onions, white cheddar cheese, and crusty bread. THE BACON AND TOMATO GRILLED CHEESE IS AN INDULGENT TREAT THAT SOME CHEFS ENJOY. Yelp/Neil C. Chef Hannah Hopkins of Bésame told INSIDER that she loves ordering Panera's indulgent grilled cheese, especially when it has some added toppings. "The bacon and tomato grilled cheese is a crowd-pleaser and easy to eat on the go. [Its] Applewood-smoked bacon, four-cheese blend, and smoky tomato confit-grilled rustic bread make it a winner," said Hopkins. SEE THE REST OF THE STORY AT BUSINESS INSIDER SEE ALSO: * The first and last outfits of 20 characters on 'Glee' * 5 signs you’re washing your hair too much — even if you don't think you are * 8 Halloween decorations an interior designer would buy at Target right now
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