The all-natural Steak Chili With Cornbread is one of several new options at Panera Bread that will warm you up from the inside out. Drawing inspiration from a traditional, Texas-style chili, it offers a heartier meal option than other soups on the menu. The chili starts with tender beef brisket that has been slow-cooked for more than six hours. It’s combined with ground beef, onions, bell peppers, kidney beans and garlic, as well as cayenne and ancho chili powders, then simmered to allow all the flavors to blend. It’s served with a piece of sweet cornbread on top so there’s a bite of both with each delicious spoonful.
“It’s very good and selling very well,” said Katrina Lindsay, manager of the Market Street restaurant. “People like the way it tastes, and it’s good with anything from sandwiches to salads — or just alone with that good cornbread.”
* Price: $6.99 for bowl of soup and bread.
* Address and phone numbers: 417 Market St. (266-2253); 1810 Gunbarrel Road (899-2253); 620 Northgate Mall (877-0223); 375 Paul Huff Parkway, Cleveland, Tenn. (423-472-5444); 2620 Battlefield Parkway, Fort Oglethorpe (706-866-2293); 1303 Walnut Ave., Dalton, Ga. (706-260-2624).
* Hours: Vary by location.