Digesting Change

As many of you are now aware, I was given some big news a few days ago.  And to be totally honest, I’m not thrilled about it.

What am I going to do now?  How will I get over this change?  I want to go back to the “before” time, when everything was the same.

Of course, I am referring to Panera getting rid of their Smokehouse Turkey Panini sandwich.

I know.  I was shocked too.

That damn sandwich was the main reason I ever bothered going to Panera, what with its cold sandwich and salad offerings.  When I discovered that sandwich, it looked good enough on the big menu board, except for one ingredient.

“Can you take off that mustard aioli?” I had asked once.

“Actually, we can’t,” the girl behind the counter said, “it comes prepackaged that way.”

I sighed and ordered it anyway, hoping the flavor wouldn’t be too strong.  Much to my amazed delight, that flavor MADE that sandwich.  It balanced the richness of the cheese and dryness of the turkey beautifully.  Pair that with a bowl of the broccoli cheddar soup, and I was a certified addict, getting intense cravings for those flavors often.

It had been a while since I had satisfied that stomach itch, and for SOME reason, I was craving it PARTICULARLY badly.  So you can imagine my deep disappointment when I met up with my book club buddies for lunch last week and went to order my normal “Pick Two” and my beloved Panini was finito! 

I was heartbroken.  And then I became angry.

Why must the foods I love the most be the first ones axed from restaurant chains!   It seems to keep happening to me (and yet, that damn McRib makes an appearance like Alec Baldwin on Saturday Night Live- uninspiring and unsurprising at this point).  I think there must be a secret conspiracy going on that is trying to keep me apart from my fast-food obsessions.   Don’t believe me?  Here’s a brief rundown.

1.)  "McSkillet Burrito" from McDonalds.

Sure, sometimes it wasn’t good.  But when it was, oh man, was it great.  It was the best breakfast burrito EVER.  Real eggs, cheese, McDonalds-style hash browns, sausage, peppers and onions and this killer salsa sauce that was perfectly spicy.  It was THE hangover cure and my constant companion every Sunday morning.  Until they sent it away….

2.)  "Bistro Steak Melt Sammies" from Quiznos.

Ever since Quiznos first came onto the sandwich scene, their motto was always about hot sandwiches, which is right up my alley.  And when they introduced these flatbread sandwiches, I found my go-to.  Perfectly sliced steak with mushrooms, tomatoes, green peppers and a cheesy, not overly-rich sauce made for a perfect combo.  The fact they were only $2 each didn’t hurt, either.  But alas, they too have disappeared off the face of the menu.

3.)  "Chicken Little Sandwiches" from Kentucky Fried Chicken.

This one might be a bit of a fluke.  I found some articles that said these juicy little sandwiches were discontinued and in other places it looks like they are still on the menu.  Either way, they conjure up a sense of nostalgia for me.  I have clear memories of spending time at my grandparents’ house in the summer, swimming in their pool and dining on a sack of Chicken Little sandwiches.  Whether they are still around or not, I haven’t been able to get my hands on one in a long time. I have no idea where the nearest KFC even is, and I blame city planners and franchisers on that one.

So what about you?  Any food items that you were obsessed with that got the “David Copperfield” treatment?  Let me hear about ‘em and we’ll pine together.

Oh and I'm knocked up.  I guess that's a big deal, too.