Panera Bread Restaurant, Downtown Orlando

The downtown Panera Bread restaurant closed their doors on Tuesday, April 24, 2017 at 5 P.M.

I have great memories of lunches there with coworkers, friends, and family. The place seemed to always be popular; service was great; the staff were prompt, courteous, and helpful; the food was delicious. My favorites were their Tortellini Alfredo and the Broccoli Cheddar soup. Loved dipping the bread in that soup!

According to the Orlando Sentinel, the restaurant had been there since 1999. Located on the west end of the Eō Inn building, facing the park at Lake Eola, the restaurant was always full of customers. We used to walk there from work. Sometimes my family would pick me up and we would drive over there, but parking was almost always a challenge.

I understand that the corporation wants to have drive-thru at each location and the north Eola Drive site can not accommodate one.

The downtown Panera Bread restaurant  will be greatly missed.

Pictured here is a view of the mural inside the front entrance.

Pictured here is a view of the outdoor seating areas that were so popular, 1999 to 2017.