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Categories: Bakeries, Restaurants [Edit]
Neighborhood: Back BayPrudential (Green)
Back Bay (Orange)
Mon-Wed. 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Thu-Sat. 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sun. 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
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I often work across the hall in Sephora, and I'm not a big fan of mall food courts, and this one hasn't improved my outlook. I do however like Paradise, and I am a repeat customer, which can be hard for me to be sometimes.
I LOVE the chicken walnut sandwich on pumpernickel bread. It's tasty and seems relatively healthy. I do have to say that they used to put a lot more sprouts on the sandwich, which they no longer do, unfortunately. The chocolate chip cookies are excellent as well!
After eating dinner in Prudential last night, we decided to take a walk around and search for some dessert.
We got to the food court, and to Paradise Bakery, right as they were closing. Reeled in by their giant cookies, we were hooked when the cashier offered us 4, for the price of 2!! We couldn't resist. And when we couldn't decide, he threw in all 5. What an awesome guy!! He knew how to make the sale and get us to come back!
We ended up getting 1 of each of the following: Chocolate Chip, Oreo-filled (possibly with chocolate chips), Chocolate Chip-Coconut, Sugar and Peanut Butter.
The Sugar was ok - not very flavorful and was probably the least favorite. I think the group favorite was the Chocolate Chip-Coconut, followed closely by the regular Chocolate Chip and the PB.
Great cookies and what great employees!!
Right when you walk into the Prudential Food Court at lunchtime, you see a long line formed at Paradise Bakery & Cafe. I think it's a good place to grab lunch, but...not THAT great.
Alright, so I ordered their Roast Beef sandwich --and...it was so blooody! It was still good, though I've rather have had it in a wrap. The good thing about the sandwiches is that it comes with a yummy melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chip cookie.
When they finished making the sandwich for me, the line was so long that II could have easily walked off without paying. However, I am a very very responsible young woman, so I waited in the long line and paid for my meal.
I made it through half of the sandwich and half of the cookie before I got full. I'm staring at the paper bag with my unfinished meal right now. I'm probably going to throw away the rest of the sandwich later...but I'm definitely going to finish the cookie.
I eat at Paradise Bakery every day. I work in the Pru and it's hard to find a place that makes quality, well-priced meals with fresh ingredients. The food is amazing. The reason for 4/5 is the staff. The people there except for a *few* stink. They are so caught up in themselves, their conversations that they make customers feel like they;re inconveniencing them. Maria, usually works the cashier and she is wonderful. I try to catch her on the register because she is patient, kind and happy to be there. Anyone else, not so much. They'll continue conversations while you stand in front of them waiting to order or hand over money.
Sandwiches on the other hand are glorious. My fave is the Tomato Mozzarella with Pesto instead of the Vinagarette on wheat bread. The cookies are to die for. I love the Coconut Chocolate Chip. I mean, there is nothing better in the Pru for the price but I wish they'd retrain their employees on hospitality.
This is a review for catering services only.
I order Paradise's catering on a regular basis for work functions. They have always been extremely friendly over the phone, never given us the wrong order, and provide everything you'll need like plates, forks, napkins, etc. They are also very communicative and won't hesitate to contact you with anything they need to clarify.
Bruno was especially helpful on a particularly busy day. He delivered to us twice, once having to push a cart across busy Boylston and over to Newbury. FYI: they only deliver so far and do not offer the service on Sundays.
This morning was the first time they made a little mistake. They forgot to put in my order for this morning. The cashier didn't own up to them forgetting, but they got on it promptly. I was irritated but the manager apologized politely and explained they rarely ever get catering orders on Sundays. The order was of course perfect and well put together, so of course I left feeling satisfied.
I totally recommend them for easy catering. Plus the cookies are AH-mazing.
After a long day of errands and walking, I decided to pop into the food court and found this place. Result? Food better in a food court than it has any right to be. I ordered the summer berry salad with half a caprese sandwich and an ice tea. When I brought my tray to the table, I discovered that I had been given a FREE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE!
And OMG was it GOOD. Warm, chewy, gooey. It made my entire day. The rest of the food was decent, too. Even the ice tea was up to par for my tea snob standards--no chemical taste like that Nestea junk, just fresh brewed ice tea!! I am totally coming back here.
Blech, tasteless, poorly prepared crap. We got the BBQ chicken chopped salad, which came on iceberg lettuce smothered in a bland, mayo-like ranch dressing.
I thought the Bacon Potato soup would at least be edible, but it tasted like they added water to some grainy broth and was absolutely disgusting. Don't eat here.
A solid dependable three-star lunch stop.
Good things:
- A number of the sandwiches and a few of the soups are good.
- Menu has got choices, but isn't overwhelming like some places.
- There is good control of the traffic flow
- They give you a free cookie with your sandwich, and also you can get an extra piece of free cookie out of their free samples bin.
Bad things:
- Some of the help can barely speak English. I had to have one repeat "crackers or bread?" four times the other day before I could figure out what she was saying.
- There doesn't seem to be options to "have it your way" as far as the sandwiches go. The sandwiches are standard and in many cases premade, so if you don't happen to want lettuce tomato and mayo on your Turkey Cranberry (I sure don't! Mayo and cranberries sounds like something Betty Crocker dreamed up while PMSing) then you're SOL and just have to pick it off with your fingers. Forget about asking for something on different bread as well.
- Don't bother asking for toppings on your soup either. Never mind that the menu contains a giant picture of what appears to be a bowl of tortilla soup with tortilla strips and cheese dropped liberally into it. They don't do that here. I asked. Never mind that I'm staring at a huge bin of tortilla strips that they apparently use for the salad, that at any other restaurant would be put in the tortilla soup. You can't have any with your soup. You can have good ol' New England oyster crackers in your tortilla soup though, in case you needed another reminder that you're not in Arizona.
- The lunch line is too long.
Oh, and the cookies...they're soft batch. I like 'em crunchy, although I'm not going to turn them down, being free and all.
Stopped by for some chippers based on the musings of a fan of Paradise cookies - chippers are little chocolate chip cookies (the cookies are little, not the chips) as well as the reverse (chocolate cookies with white chips).
The 'large' of 15 chippers came in a cute little box for $2.95 while the 'small' (6, I think?) was served in a little paper baggie for $1.40. But maybe it is 7? I'm pretty sure I ate one of each immediately, but I still seem to have five left... although one is a bit tinier than the rest...
Chippers are chewy with just a slight crisp, not too sweet cookies, so you're forewarned if you prefer your cookies crispier or super-sweet.
One thing that has always surprised me with these guys is consistency. The service and quality of their food is INCREDIBLY consistent, even more so than many fast-food chains.
The bakery items are taste great, especially with such low prices in consideration. Unfortunately, their sandwiches don't quite follow suit. It sounds weird, but my sticking point with Paradise BAKERY sandwiches is the bread! It would be so much better toasted, but when it's untoasted, it just makes the sandwich kinda blah.
That said, this is probably one of the healthier options in the Prudential Center, and I'm glad they are there.
Things I HATE to love- rapping Eminem songs in empty elevators, bbq ribs, my shiny manicure buffs, Dolce & Gabbana, Jack Black movies.... and Paradise Bakery take-out at the Prudential Center food court.
Pourquoi? It never fails. I order one of my favorite salads (usually the Mandarin orange chicken salad), determined to eat healthy and achieve the male version of Jane Fonda's body, then you get to the cash register, which is strategically placed between the 2 cookie displays..... and you notice the little ones... the munchkin bite-sized cookies they're famous for... the oatmeal chocolate chip cookies..... and you buy the SMALLEST order possible...... and end up eating ALL of them first, and then are too full to eat the salad.....
... and the salad? I actually use this opportunity to pretend it's a gift lunch for a colleague or friend "hey, I thought of you for some reason, and wanted to buy you a salad.." .... and become nice-guy-of-the-month. Happens ALL the time..... and Dolce & Gabbana loves me in return because I have to keep returning to buy larger-sized clothes to hide the waist line.
Ok... so the good:
1) COOKIES!!!!
2) The salads, especially the Mandarin Orange chicken salad, ROCK!
3) Coffee here is really tubular! (as in "excellent" for you non-surfing folk)
4) great value for the buck
the so-so
a) sandwiches are hit and miss here. Some are good, while some are "meh", but the good thing is that none of them are bad.
b) not the cheapest "fast-food" alternative, but I don't mean it's $20 a head, but more like $1-2 more per serving than the other stuff in the food court, so still very affordable and great value.
Definately one of my favorite food-booty-calls.
Paradise Bakery is giving me a muffin top.
Best choice in the food court by far... and if you work in and around the pru I am sure you'll agree.
Sometimes I wish they didn't give me all those damn free cookies, or that when I buy one I get one free cause then I buy six and get six free - its so economical!!
Their staff is always super nice and speedy and when you have 30 minutes for your lunch break and the food court is slammed cause they bussed in 150 students who've infiltrated every inch around you you'll really appreciate their ability to send you off and running with your soup and sandwich combo in a timley fashion.
Thank you Paradise. You're delicious.
Food: I work in the Prudential tower and eat at Paradise quite often. The food is always fresh, although the sandwiches could use a lot more variety. Egg salad? BLT? Made-to-order? None of those are amongst the 8-or-so menu items. After frequenting this place so often, a wider variety on the menu would be appreciated. One note worth mentioning is that the sandwiches are huge, so you get your money's worth.
Service: So-so. During the peak lunch period the staff works as a well-oiled machine. However, I went for a late lunch today (about 2:15) and was very disappointed by the service. There was only one person taking lunch orders, and it took a long time to wait for the woman in front of me. I finally ordered a half sandwich and a small salad. When I paid and waited for my order, I only received the half sandwich - no salad. When I asked about the salad, the woman who gave me the order walked away, somehow not understanding that I didn't receive the salad. When I finally caught her attention over a minute later, she quickly put together the salad, not even closing the lid tightly. I asked her for a bag and she said she couldn't do that, but that the manager at the register could give one. Can't give me a bag? Would it have been that much trouble to walk 4 steps over and get me one, especially after you forgot half my order? The manager did finally get me a bag, and I had to assemble my lunch 'package' myself, realizing then that the lid wasn't on tight, sending cranberries everywhere in the bag. He saw my displeasure and apologized and said in an extra-cheerful voice, "have a nice day", but this experience makes it a little easier to choose a different lunch spot for tomorrow.
paradise has the best chocolate chip cookies ever.
they're crisp around the edges and have a soft, chewy buttery center with the perfect number of gooey chocolate chips. they're heavenly, 300 calories a piece, and worth another summer being stuck in a one piece.
the sandwiches and salads are solid too. i wouldn't claim them to be the best of their kind- but they do come with a free cookie which automatically raises their likability.
paradise bakery is a reliable choice in the food court. even if you're not having lunch in the food court, i suggest you do a slow walk-by in case there are any free cookie samples out.
Paradise, you are a terrible lover. You tempt me with your sweetness and then you gouge me in many ways.
First, you are good to me when you have the food court special. It is the best value out of all of them and it actually makes sense. Are you listening PF Chang?
You cost $6.25 and you give me a half a sandwich, a half a salad and a cookie, and you even include a drink. It is so delicious.
The turkey cranberry sandwich is divine, but get them to make it fresh, because that pumpernickel bread dries out in about two seconds. I also think it could use onions, so I always order it that way for bite.
The Southwestern Chicken is okay, but it really lacks in spicyness and could be so much more.
The corn tortilla soup is the best one I've ever had. Even better than California Pizza Kitchen and fine restaurants where it has been served! It has large chucks of tomatoes and the spicy doesn't burn your throat like usually. It's very pleasing.
Your cookies, for the most part are a little waxy and aren't flavorful. I'm one of those crazy people who hate gooey chocolate chip cookies, so I always swap out my cookie for the lemon zester, or the oreo or snickerdoodle, or oatmeal raisin. The rest of the cookies are dead to me.
The chipper cookies are diving. They are oatmeal/rice krispy/chocolate chip or the black diamond chippers which boast a chocolate dough and white chocolate morsels. I prefer the former, but both are pretty good. You can get 13 chippers for like $3. Good value.
Also, for your 3pm snack from working all day in the Prudential, don't forgot to use your PRUferred card to get 2 big cookies for $1.
You faily me in that lunch regularly costs $12 when not on lunch time special promotion for $6.25 and when you do sodas you pack it full of ice, so that your flimsy straws can't even break through to get your delicious beverage. One time the woman actually put in about three full scoops of ice, packed it down like popcorn at the theatre then put in MORE ice.
I wrote to your manager and Alex Rodriguez called me, a nice guy, but didn't really fix the problem. I appreciated the feedback, but for like $2.16 I want to have more than three small sips of soda.
I enjoy Jordi and Bebo behind the counter. They are alot of fun.
Yup Yup Yup...I am a FAN.
I work at the Pru and have had the chance to eat from Paradise for a while.
Their crown jewels are their baked goods. Their muffins are delicious, and their cookies..especially their choco chip cookie-HEAVEN! And for these cookies, Paradise is numero UNO as a cookie maker.
As to their sandwiches, and salads. They are consistently good. At times (only a few times) their sandwiches are made with stale bread...but overall I am happy with their food. And they do serve a basic breakfast until 11 that consists of bagels, omelet, egg sandwiches and oatmeal...all very good.
I used to work in the Pru and often had lunch in the food court there. When Qdoba and Au Bon Pain weren't cutting it I tried Paradise.
I really wasn't in to their sandwich and salad selections. I tried a few of each over my months there and never had a fantastic meal. Everything tasted a little bland and the lines are SO LONG during lunch.
I will admit that their chippers are great and an awesome deal. You can bypass the long line to buy stuff from the bakery so that is definitely a great option.
The cookies bit is awesome - the rest of the food is ok minus. Paradise should really concentrate on their amazing cookies and baked goods - something in the magic of whatever is in the cookies disappears with the sandwiches, salads and soups (the only 3 things i ever tried there really). The cookies are top of the line, and rest of it is just mediocre.
Five stars for their cookies... OMG they are all so good. My favorites are the Snickerdoodles, Chocolate Chip, and Peanut Butter. The small ones (I think they are called "Chippers") are good too. If you can get them when they just come out of the oven, they're heavenly.
Food... nothing special and overpriced.
Reminds me of Panera. We went here today for breakfast. It was pretty deserted in the mall (freezing out) so no line which was nice. They had little samples of croissants (love places that have samples of anything) and I was sold - I had a coffee and a spinach and cheese croissant. Both great - coffee was a bit weak, but no worries as it wasn't a workday or anything. The croissant was delicious - just enough filling to have flavor, but not so much that you couldn't taste the delicious baked good itself. The bf had the oatmeal which he says was just 'meh'. I was practically done w/my croissant before he had even started on his because it was SO hot! Anyways, it's good to know this place is here (I didn't know about it) since I live so close.
Paradise is really good and really expensive. They have great sandwiches and salads, but a lot of people go for their cookies and baked goods. Theyre..amaaazzzzing.
When i first started working in the area i used to get an expensive cup of soup to go with my lunch and everything is cream based, even chicken noodle soup. However, its delicious.
The staff doesnt really speak clear english, but they have only messed up once and it wasn't a big deal. It does get very busy during lunch and the way their line is set up doesnt really help with the mass that lurks about waiting to be called. Overall, pretty good.
I will be a Paradise customer for life based on their cookies alone. Free samples of said cookies are also usually available for the taking which I venture to guess is the reason for a good chunk of their regulars. I have not been highly impressed by their sandwiches and have found their prices in general to be a little too high for my liking, though I'm a huge fan of the breakfasts served til 10 or 11, and the soups are usually quite good, too. But who am I kidding? I just want another one of those delicious cookies. All the time.
cookies - NAILED IT.
food - NAILED IT.
prices - NAILED IT.
friendly staff - NAILED IT.
I wanted them to suck because they're in a sucky mall. But they don't. At all.
The chippers are okay...I got the brownish ones with the white chocolates?? then i got a choco chip cookie. I think the choco chip cookie taste the best..i wonder what it would taste like fresh outta the oven..Hmm..i"ll go buy more next time i'm there. lol and maybe update this review :)
I was in the back bay today and heard that this place has good baked goods and cookies. I stopped after lunch to grab one to see why they got a good review - I am not sure why - and I had 2 cookies. I have to say that I do like the express line for baked goods and beverages, but it did not move any faster than the line where you purchase the other options. Good idea, bad execution.
I see that they have a ginger molasses, peanut butter, oatmeal raisin, a surprise cookie??, and something with coconut on top - plus there are "chippers" think that these are just small versions or broken cookies. I ordered what looked like a chocolate chip cookie, but was called the surprise - again, not sure why. They were having a deal, buy 2 for the same or cheaper than the cost of one..kind of confusing, the sales person said that one usually costs $1.35 and today I could get 2 cookies for $1.05???? So, I ordered the ginger molasses cookie. I walked and ate - hoping to counteract the calories I do not need - since I don't exercise anymore - but hope to change that soon... The molasses cookie was chewy, thick, slightly heavy and dense - no real ginger flavor. It was kind of like a cross between a dense molasses cake and a chewy cookie. It was o.k. -- far from the best I have ever had eaten. The chocolate chip cookie was very pale in color and I usually like my cookies to have a crispy edge and softer center, but this was basically raw. 3/4 of the cookie was unbaked or underbaked...To the point that it hurt my stomach -- not good. I took a few small bites curious to find out what was going on, and I noticed that as I got to the center the cookie dough looked unbaked -- yuck! Again, you need to bake it long enough so there is a crispy outer edge, yet soft and not raw in the center. I tossed it and continued walking - i guess I saved some calories, and since they were on sale I did not lose any money - but can't say it was a win win, since the experience was one that will not bring me back or even suggest anyone to ever buy a cookie from this place.
I worked at a restaurant on Newbury street for 4+ years. Every sunday between my double shifts I would stroll over to the Prudential Center for one thing; a coconut chocolate chip cookie. Anyone who has read my review of Crispy Crepes in the Fenway area would understand my love for coconut and chocolate.
I went there every week for just one cookie and after going for so many times I understood the best time to walk over. It didn't matter how busy it was or what time they closed; I knew exactly when the cookies were coming out of the oven and I was determined to be there waiting for them. After taking so many frequent trips there I knew exactly when the cookies were going to be hot.
Each week one of these amazing cookies melted in my hand, and I must admit, the best part of eating them was licking the chocolate and sugars off my fingers. Napkins were not neccesarry.
After weekly sugar highs and heavier love handles I still suggest you go here for the cookies. The salads and sandwiches are amazing too! In any event, if the process has not changed then hit this place up at 4:30pm every Sunday for a hot cookie. Mmmm Mmmm Good!
Crispy, buttery on the outside and chewy in the middle- the cookies here are really good! But, oh boy, so MANY calories! That's for sure. How could it not be good with all that butter?? They seem to be baking it fresh everyday too, you can see the guys there baking them. I especially liked their raisin oatmeal cookie, and the coconut chocolate chip one. If you buy 3, you get one free, so get 3! That way, you can try one of each kind.
Other things they got- coffee (mediocre), sandwiches, baked goods, soups and salads.
I was excited to see this cafe in the Pru for one primary reason: CHIPPERS!! These delicious bite-sized cookies are baked fresh and warm all day long and there are even free samples of both the chocolate chip and chocolate with white chocolate chip. They also have normal sized cookies i other varieties for all your cookie needs.
The sandwiches and salads are fresh and pretty decent. I'm a fan of the tomato mozzarella, but i'm always a fan of tomato and mozzarella.
My one qualm? Sometimes the line is too long to just grab a chipper and go. You actually have to wait in line and buy something. Boo to that,
A nice change from your typical food court fare. Took a break from some wandering in the Prudential for a tasty curry chicken sandwich on soft, delicious rye bread.
And oh yeah, they have cookies too. Sandwiches are served with a soft and delicious treat on the side.
So yeah, that's a lot of soft and delicious.
Their sandwiches are okay (I've had better at other sandwich places like Darwin's, but these are decent), and their cookies are good. The cookies I've had are very soft and slightly cookie-doughish. There are some sample cookie pieces you can help yourself to as well.
Great sandwiches and fabulous cookies. Honestly, every time I go to eat at the food court I never make it past Paradise. The sandwiches run about $7, and bring a cookie. I usually ask them to substitute the chocolate chip cookie for a couple chippers--choc-oat-chip mini cookies--and they've never said no. I really can't say enough good things about their cookies.
Their sandwiches are very good too. I love the cranberry turkey, and the southwest chicken with avocado, though I preferred it when they used sliced chicken instead of chicken breast.
Best place in the food court, hands down (Regina's pizza comes in as a close second).
So this place is kinda spendy for what it is, but it's tasty sandwiches during lunch, and really fresh fruit and freshed squeezed juices for breakfast. And head's up, if you bring in your own mug, coffee is a whopping fifty cents. That's a bargain, which means you can buy more goodies and feel less guilt.
BEST COOKIES EVER! I could just die for their sugar cookie, or the lemon zest, or the snickerdoodle. Our their little miniature black diamond cookies. SO GOOD. plus, if you buy 6, you get 6 free! butter was never so attractive.
I really liked the club sandwich (kind of upset when I saw the receipt said $9.00) and the Paradise surprise cookie and chocolate chip cookie are awesome. The peanut butter cookie satisfied me in so many ways. But the other cookies, not so much. They're alright but not very flavorful, the lemon zest cookie-would not buy again. The snickerdoodle, good at first, but then I got sick of it.
I would like to go back and try more of the pastries though, the croissants and carrot cake look close to perfect and I will go back there, but stick to the chocolate chip cookies-can't go wrong with the classics.
i cannot get enough of the cookies here. in fact, i'm partially sure that the cookies from here are to blame for the 10 pounds i gained while working in the Pru. the good news is that you can balance out the cookies with a nice freshly made healthy salad or sandwich (by the way, you a get a FREE cookie with your sandwich! AWE-SOME). way better than au bon pain and fresher. yum.
and their fountain soda is better than most other fountain sodas i've had. they got their mix down perfectly.
Yum, I could eat Paradise cookies for lunch everyday. In all seriousness, Paradise is my go-to place if I don't pack my lunch. The lines can be long, but there is a separate line for salads and for sandwiches and they move quickly. Plus, they usually chipper or cookie samples out, which is a nice diversion.
the sandwiches are pretty good, but just go for the cookies alone!
Minus: long lines (probably because the cookies are so good!)
Revised 5/22/08: okay, I purchased two carrot cake squares last night for my husband and me. These are KILLER. They're $2.90/each and are pretty big squares with the usual sweet cream-cheese frosting.
Also, whenever we have purchased a dozen cookies to share there, every person takes one bit, groans happily and says, "These are OUTRAGEOUS!"
These are some of the best cookies that I have ever had! Though reading about the quantity of butter in them makes my stomach hurt a little... but I'm still eating one right now! Yum!
They guys are in the Pru foodcourt, can't miss them. The best thing on their menu, IMHO, the Turkey and Cranberry sandwich and the thick, tasty dark bread. Mmm mmm good!! And what better way to wash it down than a warm chocolate chip cookie (included in the price already). Grab a bottle of Poland Springs and you are set for lunch.
25% OFF 1st Time Customers!
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Delectable desserts, savory snacks - my favorite…
