The Classic Soup You Should Avoid Ordering From Panera - Tasting Table

"When tomato soup is made well, whether at home or in a restaurant, it has a richness that balances freshness with just the right amount of acidity. Whether you like it creamy and smooth or rustic and chunky, it almost always tastes better when you dip it in a grilled cheese sandwich. But Panera's version doesn't quite deliver. It's not awful - you won't spit it out - but you're also not left with that satisfied feeling after finishing your cup."

"You've got vine-ripened pear tomatoes pureed into a creamy base, blended with fresh cream for richness, and seasoned with red pepper, oregano, and black pepper. It even gets topped with sea salt croutons for a little crunch. The problem is that the flavors don't come together the way you'd hope. Customers (and our own team) often say it tastes more like a jar of pasta sauce was dumped in a bowl than a true tomato soup."

"A lot of Panera regulars have pointed out the same issues. It's not creamy enough, too watery, and sometimes it's "almost like drinking V8," as one Redditor noted. One explanation floating around is that because Panera soups come frozen and are re-thermalized in bags, consistency can vary. If the bag isn't handled correctly - say, an ice bath leaks or the bag develops a hole - the soup"

Panera offers a variety of comforting soups, but the Creamy Tomato Soup often lacks expected richness and cohesive flavor. Ingredients include vine-ripened pear tomatoes, fresh cream, red pepper, oregano, black pepper, and sea salt croutons, but the blend can taste flat or reminiscent of jarred pasta sauce. Reviewers suggest more cream and herbs would improve richness and aroma. Customers report inconsistency—too watery or thin, sometimes 'almost like drinking V8.' One cause may be frozen soups re-thermalized in bags, where handling errors like ice bath leaks or bag damage can alter texture and consistency.

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