Key Takeaways
- A beloved Panera Bread sandwich is back by popular demand.
- The chain is also rolling out a brand-new spin on the sandwich—but only for a limited time.
One thing about Panera Bread is that it excels at taking flavors fans love and transforming them into fresh menu items. We’ve seen this happen with the gone-too-soon Asiago Bagel Stack, which featured the chain’s popular cheesy bagels as the star ingredient. Then there’s the Kickin’ Grilled Cheese, a spicy variation on the gooey childhood favorite.
We also can’t forget the Ciabatta Dippers that launched last fall, an item that riffed on French dip sandwiches by combining beloved soup flavors with two new sandwiches. Fans loved the limited-time item so much that Panera is bringing it back to menus. And this time, there’s a new addition.
Panera’s Ciabatta Dippers Return to Menus
Starting Sept. 10, guests will be delighted to hear they can choose from not one, but two Dipper sandwiches: French Dipper and the all-new Chicken Pesto Dipper. The sandwiches are not paired with au jus, as you might expect. Instead, the handhelds are served with a dipping-sized portion of soup.
Panera Bread
The French Dipper is a returning fan favorite, featuring tender steak, provolone, and Asiago cheese on a ciabatta roll and drizzled with garlic aioli. This sandwich is paired with Panera’s Bistro French Onion Soup.
The brand-new Chicken Pesto Dipper features grilled chicken, provolone, Parmesan, and basil pesto on chewy ciabatta. It comes with a portion of creamy tomato soup—a classic flavor combination we have seen the brand lean into on other menu items, such as the Toasted Garden Caprese and the Mediterranean Veggie sandwiches.
If you can’t choose between the two, we have some good news. Ciabatta Dippers are included on Panera’s You Pick Two menu, meaning you can try both as a half-sized dipper combo.
Panera posted a photo of the returning item on Instagram, and many were thrilled to see it back on the menu. “Wait. I’m legit gonna order this right now,” said one fan.
“Eating this 7 days a week,” added another person. One more chimed in to say it’s “the best news” they’ve received all week.
The French Dipper and Chicken Pesto Dipper are available now at Panera locations nationwide, but only for a limited time. Whether you’re a longtime Dipper fan or just curious to try the new sandwiches, it’s not a bad idea to swing by your local Panera before they disappear for good.
