Panera Bread and Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers (Flagstaff, Prescott: 2015, buy)

[like-2-hike]

I'm sure most of you have read the Courier articles, but I was quite excited to see that Freddy's is supposed to be coming to Prescott (although I have a sneaking suspicion it will be heavily delayed or not happen) and that Panera Bread is opening next summer.

For those who don't know, Panera Bread and Paradise Bakery are essentially the same restaurant - very similar menus, same corporate ownership, etc. I think Panera's loyalty program is easier to deal with and prefer their combo options to Paradise (choice of chips, bread, etc. with meal versus Paradise's cookie-only).

Panera is going in the northwest corner of the cleared area that currently has Best Buy and Red Robin (it should be a great place to sit out on the patio and watch the sun set over Thumb Butte and Granite Mountain).

Freddy's is supposed to go in the former Shuttle-U location near the high school (corner of Ruth and Whipple), but the sign has been "sale pending" for an awfully long time now. I believe it was reported that they planned to open this winter, but it would seem they should have started construction a few months ago if they hoped to open anytime soon. Have my fingers crossed...

[infocyde]

Excellent!

[corydon]

Like the bread, but the prepared food is expensive and a bit skimpy with the meat.

[inderocker]

I've never been too excited about most chains coming to town. The more chains here, the more Prescott looks like Anytown, USA. Family owned small business and restaurants are what make Prescott unique (and delicious!). Oh well, Prescott is already well on it way to being watered down anyways. *sigh*

[infocyde]

inderrocker I agree with you, but if you look at Prescott dinning vs say Williams it is pretty lacking in choices. At least these chains are decent ones.

I like panara bread but I used to make fun of it all the time..."I'd like some bread." "Sure that will be 10 bucks." Agree with corydon's statement. But they have some good soups. Right now the only place in town with a soup threat to my knowledge is Wildflower (another chain).

[like-2-hike]

I tend to agree with you guys in terms of chains, but my personal opinion is that both of these add variety without threat to a local mom-and-pop restaurant.

opinion: There are only four local places in Prescott that make good burgers - Bill's, Brown Bag, BiGA, and Prescott Brewing Company. Bill's is the only one that has decent fries and a great selection of toppings. Freddy's won't be stealing business from any of these. I'd guess that Sonic and some of the chain fast food joints might have something to worry about though.

I've been a big fan of Panera Bread for years (and now Paradise since the takeover), but have noticed that the quality has gone down a bit for the past few years. And if I want bread, I'll get some at the Farmer's Market, Pangaea, or somewhere else probably before looking to Panera (but I've been bummed by Pangaea lately too).

I spoke with the area manager of Freddy's yesterday and he said they had some delays in Prescott due to environmental issues with the former car dealership buildings, but that they're on track to open in late December of this year or January 2015.

After that I had a green chili steakburger with fries - and decided it could take the place of Whataburger, which I'm still mourning...

[wretched wrench]

Originally Posted by like-2-hike

opinion: There are only four local places in Prescott that make good burgers - Bill's, Brown Bag, BiGA, and Prescott Brewing Company.

I would add Bucky's (upstairs in the casino) and the Lone Spur to that.

After that I had a green chili steakburger with fries - and decided it could take the place of Whataburger, which I'm still mourning...

A little confused, here. Where was that?

[like-2-hike]

Originally Posted by wretched wrench

I would add Bucky's (upstairs in the casino) and the Lone Spur to that.

Sounds like I need to check out the Lone Spur Cafe. Thanks for the suggestion!

Originally Posted by wretched wrench

A little confused, here. Where was that?

Where was what?

Whataburger? That was across from Ken Lindley Field in Prescott - it's now a Filiberto's. Rumor was they were selling drugs via the drive-through, but I never saw anything substantiated. All I know is I miss my green chili whataburger with fries.

If the green chili steakburger - I got that at the Freddy's in Flagstaff. For a college town, they have very few restaurants open past 10pm.

[wretched wrench]

Originally Posted by like-2-hike

Sounds like I need to check out the Lone Spur Cafe. Thanks for the suggestion!



Where was what?


If the green chili steakburger - I got that at the Freddy's in Flagstaff. For a college town, they have very few restaurants open past 10pm.

That's what I was asking where. I had hopes it would be local.

[Rogarven]

Always liked Panera but didn't know the connection with Paradise. I do think that they are similar to Corner Street Bakery chain. I do like Prescott Brewery though.