Gig Harbor Undressed

Where to eat in Gig Harbor

Having my wife and baby gone this past weekend meant one of two things…eat out or starve (I’m a bit broader around the waist than I used to be, so I doubt I’d have starved, and I did cook for 5 years before I got married, but it was a good excuse).  I didn’t take full advantage of this opportunity, however, only trying one new restaurant in Gig Harbor.

 I figured I’d give Panera Bread  in Gig Harbor’s Uptown Center a shot for dinner one night.  I had just had Harbor Greens for lunch that day, so soup and a sandwich twice in a day may have been an odd choice, but it gave me a good chance to compare.   At Panera, I got their “Pick 2″ deal, where you get to choose any 2 of a cup of soup, 1/2 sandwich, and salad.  I went with a turkey sandwich and baked potato soup, and threw in a mango smoothie as well.  The sandwich was disappointing.  The one I had at Harbor Greens earlier in the day is a real sandwich; my dinner sandwich was something I’d be able to slap together from grocery store breads and meats.  The soup was pretty good.  Nothing out of this world, but certainly good enough to go back and get more at another date.  The smoothie was also disappointing, but I’d just had a Jamba Juice a few days before, and with Jamba Juice being right next door to Panera (and much cheaper), I’ll go that route in the future.  The price was so-so.  My meal came to about $11, largely due to the smoothie.  But they did throw in a chunk of bread to dip in the soup that was really good. 

So if I was to recommend Gig Harbor’s best soup, salad, and sandwich restaurant, which would it be?  Depends.  Harbor Greens has WAY better sandwiches, and really good salads, but I didn’t try a Panera salad.  Harbor Greens also has great employees, but I’ve known several of them for many years, and the folks at Panera were quite nice as well.  Panera has a much better eating atmosphere, with lots of seating and places to talk.  Harbor Greens is really a grocery store with a few tables and chairs.  Panera also has a wider selection of soups, but they’re pretty much even in salad and sandwich choices.  So, if I’m just going out to grab a bite to eat, I’d say Harbor Greens.  If I wanted a place to sit down with a group, or we were going to catch a movie at the new theater or go shopping afterwards, I’d say Panera.  How’s that for wishy-washy?  Care to weigh in if you’ve eaten at either/both or somewhere else?