mmm-yoso!!! is still blogging. Sure Kirk and His Missus are on vacation (clue: It's a country with cuisine I haven't spoken of since April 21), ed is in Yuma, working diligently and Cathy is just driving around, eating and documenting. Enjoy.
Hello again. I have driven through Mission Valley all this year and never stopped- not to shop, meet anyone or to have a meal. Really.
Corner Bakery Cafe is off of Mission Center Road at Camino de la Reina. They built it, along with a few other restaurants in the spot where the Montgomery Ward Service Center used to be. Sometime in the last two years, I guess. I had not heard of it before, but the name sounded nice. 
It is a franchise of a pretty large proportions, but the first San Diego location. I walked in, saw some menus and prepacked bakery items at the door and that you were to walk forward to order. 
It is similar to Panera, in that you order and pay, take a number and place it in the wire thingy on your table and you food is brought to you. It is also similar in that you get your own beverages. You also grab your own utensils and condiments. Most similar is that the building has free wifi. 
The menu consists of soups, salads, sandwiches, pastas and breakfast (I haven't been here for breakfast yet). This is a bowl of homemade roasted tomato basil soup ($5.59). Large and filling, very hearty with chunks of roasted tomatoes, basil and a slight kick of heat which became more pronounced at the bottom of the bowl topped with toasted herbed bread and served with a chunk of fresh herbed bread. This is a very nice light meal. 
Another visit, with The Mister. The Trio- pick any three homemade specialty salads ($7.29). I chose the Greek vegetable, the tuna salad and the seasonal fruit medley. (Other choices include chicken, egg, pasta Caprese, Asian edamame, Caesar or mixed greens). A small mixed greens is on this plate also, under the chunk of bread. All of the salads are very nice. The Greek salad includes artichoke hearts as well as usual Greek salad stuffs(tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, onion, pepperocinis and Feta cheese) It is topped with a light balsamic and very fresh and good. 
The Mister got a corned beef Reuben panini (on caraway rye) ($7.29). A very flavorful corned beef with sauerkraut and Swiss. There also was a small amount of Thousand Island brushed on the bread. This was very good and quite filling. It is served with house made 'bakery chips' and a pickle. You can substitute baby carrots for the chips. 
This is the chicken Carbonara pasta dish ($7.79). Slices of herb roasted chicken breast are underneath the linguine, applewood smoked bacon and spring peas. All is coated in a light (not made with heavy cream) Carbonara sauce. This was large portion and filling, yet not as 'bad' as far as Carbonara sauce goes. The creamy, buttery flavor is there, but the thick coating of fat that usually stays with you wasn't. A good compromise.
My favorite item here, so far (I've had it three times). The Harvest Salad with chicken (Cafe (smaller) size, $6.79). Mixed greens, with slices of roast chicken, green apples, toasted walnuts, currants and blue cheese. It's topped with a balsamic vinaigrette and served with a slice of crispy harvest bread. I *really* like this salad. 
It is bakery and does bake all the breads on site. (There is the caraway rye, sourdough, Harvest, Mom's White, whole grain, Asiago cheese and pretzel bread) and a few sweets- cookies and pastries. This is a "Whoopie Pie" ($1.59). Chocolate cake-y top and bottom, filled with a house-made mocha frosting. Very moist, creamy and not too sweet.
This is quite nice for a chain-y franchise. It is worth a stop.
Corner Bakery Cafe Camino de la Reina (SE corner, at Mission Center Drive) (619) 692-0423 Website