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So I decided on a whim, to have an early lunch at Panera Bread in Fullerton, the one on Sunnycrest Drive by the hospital, instead of eating drive-thru at Carl’s. Good decision for my health, a little bad for my wallet.

Pluses and minuses.

Minus: The sticker shock is almost breathtaking. I ordered the cheapest sandwich I could find on the menu, a Tuna on wheat- it flies like a butterfly, stings like a bee at $5.99 for 96¢ worth of ingredients, and a small cup of coffee. The cashier asked me, “chips, apple or baguette?” I knew I was being rooked. I just wanted a sandwich. “What’s in the baguette?” I asked. Something perverse in me wanted it to be filled with bacon. “Oh it’s just a piece of bread.” I thought, but stopped myself from saying, “The sandwich already has bread. Why would I want to pay for even more bread?” I just took my first bite of the rather small apple. Bite number two and the apple is one third consumed.

Minus: The same as the plus, free Wi-Fi. Their “login” screen chides you, practically upbraids you, for merely existing and daring to log onto their network. “Lunchtimes are busy, 30 minutes only, don’t you dare take a table where there’s actually room for your laptop!” In other words, “Don’t get comfortable, just eat and Get Out!”

Bottom line: A nice place to visit but I wouldn’t want to pay for lunch every day here.

Recommended by Dave on Occasion.