Pay, or Don’t, at Panera Bread's First Community Cares Cafe in Chicago

By Sarah Freeman

Restaurants can commonly cater to demands, regardless of cost or your class. Don’t like onions on a burger? Substitutions can be made. Allergic to peanuts? Not a problem.

Today, the Lakeview location of Panera Bread takes it one step further by converting to a “community cares” model. It is the fourth nationally and the first of it’s kind in Chicago.  The cafe’s menu lists suggested prices and accepts payment in a donation box. Otherwise, no check is given.

The Chicago Tribune spoke to founder and co-CEO Ron Shaich, who said this location works for such a model because of the well-off residents who are able to support this type of cafe, which benefits Chicago residents in need of a good meal.

616 W. Diversey Pkwy.; 773-528-4556