Crazy for Crispers

For years I have been searching.

Where can we find a restaurant that is like Panera only better? A better version of Panera would be a place that offers quality food at a reasonable price in an inviting atmosphere and has outstanding service....

Crispers is that place.

Before my most recent visit I had only been there once before several years ago. It was a bad experience...service was poor, food was overpriced, and the atmosphere was reminiscent of a high school cafeteria.

My wife went back to Crispers about a month ago and it was so good she went two more times that same week. From her ongoing praise I decided it was time to go back.

Here's what Crispers does that Panera doesn't:

The employees are friendly. When I couldn't decide what to order, the employee opened up a menu and made several suggestions. He read our order back to us and was more than happy to make any special changes to what we ordered without giving us a problem.

Great variety and the ability to customize. They have countless salads, sandwiches, sides and flat breads. There is an endless amount of choices and you can combine them any way you like. See for yourself. As mentioned above, they offer you the choice of bread you want on your sandwich (however I encourage you to always pick Asiago Cheese). They ASK you if you want something special changed to your meal. Have you ever tried to change the bread on your sandwich at Panera? Chances are if you have, the employee responded with a dramatic eye-roll and a sigh of frustration.

Service. You know that pager at Panera? The one they give you so you can sit and wait but everyone stands at the counter anyway? There is no pager at Crispers and there is no counter to wait at. They take it a step further and deliver your food to you based on the number on your table. OH and when you're done they come pick up the dishes for you. Say goodbye to bus tubs and overflowing trash cans.

It tastes good, it's high quality and the portion is huge. I ordered the half Pulled Pork Carnitas Sandwich and a cup of potato soup. Crispers pulls their pork in their restaurant. The flavoring of the pork plus the BBQ sauce and topped off with the Asiago Cheese bread tasted like a summer BBQ dream. The "cup" at Crispers is double the size of the "cup" at Panera and that creamy potato soup was sensational.

Two words: Kids Club. If you have a kid and even if you don't the Kid's Club at Crispers is by far the best thing of all. A kids grilled cheese costs $3.99 and you can select your type of bread. It's served with a side of potato chips and the best part? A wooden coin. I know, sounds crazy however this wooden coin is good for a free kids sized gelato at the end of your meal. You just take the coin up to the counter and they'll give you your choice of creamy, sweet, rich, fantastic gelato. The gelato normally is extremely expensive so even if you don't have a kid you should probably considering ordering the kids meal anyway.

Friendly employees, quality food, a nice warm atmosphere, and the added bonus is gelato. Crispers is everything that Panera wishes they could be. From now on you'll know where to find me. I'll be that guy at Crispers claiming my daughter's wooden coin for my own personal gelato.

You can find your nearest Crispers here.