Apr 1

Au Bon Pain, Boston, MA USA

In-Room Escape

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Ordered from Au Bon Pain at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

Overall Score 75/100
Presentation 7/10 Meat Quality 7.8/10
Fruit / Vegetable Quality 7.3/10 Bread Quality 7.7/10
Mayo / Sauce Usage 6.9/10 Value 8.8/10
Ingredients Ratio 6/10 Sides 8/10
Holdability 8.1/10 Overall Taste 7.4/10

An unfortunate – yet fortunate – turn of events had me at Brigham and Women’s Hospital visiting my mother who was there for a few days.

A last minute trip, I felt lucky that I could make it here so quickly to see her. Everything was wonderful about being with her… except for the hospital food.

I was at one of the nicest hospitals in the world, and I was stunned at how poor their food was. All ordered via in-room dining, after trying the chicken parmesan (you’ve never seen chicken this hard, I promise), spaghetti and meatballs, and noodle soup, I couldn’t take it anymore and ventured off into the building to see if I could find us a better meal.

The best healthcare in the world… perhaps the food was meant to serve as a deterrent from patients staying longer that they need to in the comfortable confines of Brigham and Women’s.

Au Bon Pain to the rescue.

I used to eat at this chain once a week. Sadly, they don’t exist where I currently live, so visiting ABP and seeing a signature club sandwich on the menu brought excitement both from hunger and nostalgia.

I wish I could say this sandwich was amazing – comparing it to my mother’s food options, it was, but comparing it to club sandwiches in Boston, it wasn’t.

The defining factor of this meal was that the ratio was awful and it was more of a turkey sandwich than a full-of-flavor club sandwich. The cheddar muted any flavor that the 6 chunks of diced tomato gave out. And the mayo drowned out the flavors of… well, everything, really.

While underwhelming, it was the first edible food I had while visiting my mother. And as a result, we finished it.

Soon after the Dr came in – someone I had managed at the Volvo Oceam Race nearly 10 years prior (Boston must be the smallest city ever, this happens too often!) – and we made the case for an early discharge.

That night my mother and I went out to dinner, a favorite new restaurant of hers. And the meal was fantastic. As wonderful as Brigham and Women’s is, I pray that we never end up back in the hospital dining off their in-room menu!

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