When I tell you I love a breakfast sandwich, I mean I loooooove a breakfast sandwich. It’s been a little hit or miss at some of my usual morning haunts because so many of the menu items are heavy on the pork products – bacon, sausage, Canadian bacon, or goetta (if you’re from Cincy). Either way, the chicken/turkey/beef options for the morning run a little thin at some places. That, and the price at some of my en-route-to-work spots are absolutely insane sometimes (I’m looking at you, Panera). But, for whatever reason, I decided to see what Panera was workin’ with this morning, and I was pleased to see the Steak & Wake sandwich right at the top of their breakfast menu.
Full disclosure: I just finished scarfing this baby down minutes before I began typing. That’s right – you’re getting a day-of, hot off the press, review.
What’s in the Steak & Wake sandwich?
A (very) small gripe with Panera is that their menu didn’t have the ingredients listed on my ordering board. Yes, I could’ve checked the website beforehand or whatever, but I didn’t. I did ask the sweet girl taking my order, though, and she was quick to relay the very simple ingredients for the Steak & Wake:
Ciabatta bread. Egg. White cheddar cheese. Steak. Salt and pepper.
Sold. Easy, simple, and no weird added ingredient that would totally ruin the vibe of the sandwich.
And perhaps this speaks to how infrequently I go to Panera anymore, but this sandwich has been on their menu since late June 2024. It’s listed as a “limited time” item.
But this is me begging – please don’t get rid of this sandwich.
Price & Taste Test
I remember during the pandemic when McDonald’s removed the steak, egg, and cheese bagel from their menu and the entire world crashed out at once. But, I also remember when they brought it back, and maaaan… it was so dang good. The main issue I have with the steak, egg, and cheese bagel is the grease. Normally, I don’t care about a sloppy or greasy burger, but for breakfast? It just sits like a log in my stomach.
The simplicity of this sandwich eliminates that big barrier – the steak is so tender and lean – and because there’s no added sauce on this sandwich, it’s not very greasy or sloppy. Very simple. Very perfect for a quick morning bite.
At my location, the Steak & Wake is listed for $6.99 which I think is a fair price. I have read some whispers online though, that the size of the sandwich depends entirely on how much of the ciabatta loaf remains – if you’re lucky enough to get the middle of the loaf (me this morning), you’re guaranteed a pretty generous size. But if you happen to get stuck with one of the end pieces, well… you might be a little mad at the $6.99 price.
It also stands to reason that if you enjoy any of these ingredients (steak, bread, cheese, and egg) in any sort of order or combination, you’re going to enjoy this sandwich. My biggest hallelujah moment was the first bite when grease didn’t waterfall down my arm like the steak, egg, and cheese bagel. Because the steak is so lean, it works really well with the folded egg and cheese. Some folks might want to either request a sauce for the side, or keep a jar of hot sauce at your desk. Just in case.
If you’re REALLY fancy… chimichurri. Swoon.
The Verdict
As we all know by now, I’m not super hard to please. And if you’ve read this far, you can probably tell that this one was a banger.
Value: 9/10 – I’m not mad at the price. If I head to Starbucks in the morning, some of their sandwiches are around the same price; the steak, egg, and cheese bagel from McD’s is also a bit higher than this, if my memory serves. $6.99 is fine… if you get the middle ciabatta portion.
Taste: 9/10 – I was mildly worried about this sandwich for a few reasons. 1) what kinda steak are we talkin’ about here? 2) will it be hot enough? 3) I hope it’s not greasy or fatty. I’m pleased to report that all my worries were quashed when I tasted this. The steak is reminiscent of a flank cut, it was hot, and it was tender. The only thing I might add (not change!) is some sort of sauce for the side. Some might think it’s a bit dry. But again, simplicity was kinda nice for a change.
Nutrition: 8/10 – Now, here is where I am pretty unversed. I look at calories, I look at fat, and I feel like the Steak & Wake sandwich is a pretty decent option compared to other breakfast sandwiches out there. Plus, there’s a massive boost of protein (33g!) that will surely help keep me full. The downside, of course, is the sodium and the cholesterol.
Availability: 10/10 – This speaks more to Panera as a whole. I am pleased to see so many cool new menu items after being away for awhile. Of course, you have the standard bacon, egg, and cheese sandys, but this Steak & Wake was a pleasant surprise! Hooray for more protein options at breakfast!
Overall: 9/10
Have Y’all Tried This?
The real test comes now. Will this sandwich keep me full until my next meal? I anticipate that it will – there was enough protein between the steak and the eggs to make a dent in my bottomless pit of a stomach. I can very easily see this being a staple breakfast item for the foreseeable future.
And please, Panera, make it permanent.
Until next time,
Megan
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