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
I would say the breakfasts at Corner Bakery are more substantial than Paneras. I like the scrambles at Corner Bakery; since you like breakfast, you’ll have to stop in soon some morning.
I would actually highly recommend their chicken pomodori panini – I’ve been eating them for years and they are the best. The breakfasts are also very tasty, I agree with Sandy.
IMO I think the sandwich with just mozzarella cheese, sweet basil, and roast red peppers with some drizzle of olive oil is yummy.
Thanks, Sandy. I’ve basically always done breakfast only at Panera (3 lunches total)and now only dinners here. The bowls -and croissant- description at CBC sound really good. I wasn’t as impressed with the coffee, though…
Oooh, I just looked at the menu. That sounds really good, Loren. I will go for breakfast. Soon.
You’ve been here too, Bill? Yes, I considered that Caprese sandwich one Friday, but chose the salad trio instead. Next time…
I second Loren above that the Chicken Pomodori is really really good and that’s also what I always order for years. The chips are good too, one of the best I’ve had.
The chicken apple salad here is much better than the similar one at Panera Bread. I ordered it at Panera Bread couple months ago and disliked the cheese they used so much even though the dried fuji apple was done nicely.
I actually ate at that chain alot when I was a student at UC Irvine before the place moved to San Diego (which made me very happy). Heck when I’d return to Irvine prior to it opening here in SD I actually ate there almost every time – had to get my Pomodori fix in lol. Their club panini is also very good too – meaty but not packed.
And if they have the Cinnamon Creme Cake, try a slice of that. Very tasty and moist coffee cake. Never tried the Whoopie Pie, might have to now though.
Thanks for the post Cathy. Another place to discover right in my own backyard. It looks good. Have to give it a try
Hi, Jess. I agree with you about the chicken apple salad comparison. The chips are very good; something I forgot to mention. I know which sandwiches to try next time.
So nice to know about other items here, Loren. I am glad I chose CBC that day.
You’re welcome, Stephen. It’s new to me, but has been at that location a while. I just don’t go to malls or shop. At all.
There’s one near my house that I tried. The tomato basil soup was great but the chicken pesto sandwich I had was just okay. I liked their breads though and need to go back to try out more things. I didn’t know they did pasta!
It’s really good and the variety is enough to please anyone coming here for a snack or meal, Rosa.
The one thing I don’t like about Corner Bakery is that their menu changes quite regularly. Normally this is a good thing, but once you develop a favorite, it’s gone. Their tuna salad sandwich used to come on olive ciabatta, and was delicious (especially ordered with avocado), but it doesn’t seem like olive ciabatta is on the menu anymore (it’s been a year or so since I’ve been there), which is a shame. Also, they used to have a caesar potato salad (no-mayo, very light), but that lasted only a few months or so.
All in all, even with the change, I’ve never had anything bad at Corner Bakery Cafe.
Probably business or seasonal decisions…pencil pushers you know, h. I agree, everything here is pretty darn good. I would have liked to try the olive ciabatta…