LTH Home

In Search of Soup

In Search of Soup
  • Forum HomePost Reply BackTop
  • In Search of Soup

    Post #1 - January 4th, 2012, 5:12 pm
    Post #1 - January 4th, 2012, 5:12 pm Post #1 - January 4th, 2012, 5:12 pm
    It's that time of year again. When cold weather hits, the only thing I like more than eating soup is making soup. Tonight I'm making minestrone, but I don't always have time to make soup from scratch when the itch hits on a weeknight. There are lots of places in town to get a great bowl of soup. I can think of several places where I can get an Asian style bowl from Sun Wah to Aroy to Cho Jung to Nha Hang, and Carne en su Jugo is always nice, but what is your favorite place for good 'ole American style soups on a cold day?
    Steve Z.

    “Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.”
    ― Ludwig van Beethoven
  • Post #2 - January 4th, 2012, 5:26 pm
    Post #2 - January 4th, 2012, 5:26 pm Post #2 - January 4th, 2012, 5:26 pm
    I think you named most of my current favorites. :D

    One soup I love is split pea but I no longer have a go-to place for it, so if anyone can recommend a good one, I'd really appreciate it. I usually end up making it myself.

    Prairie Grass Cafe in Northbrook makes some very tasty soups but they only have one per day and I'm not sure if they're scheduled or not. Another soup I love is the revithia soupa (chickpea soup) at Avli Estiatorio in Winnetka. Again, I'm not sure if that's always on or not. I really enjoy the laghman at Chaihanna in Buffalo Grove, too and I'm fairly certain that's always on the menu (they have many soups there but the laghman is my favorite).

    =R=

    Prairie Grass Cafe
    601 Skokie Blvd
    Northbrook, IL 60062-2813
    (847) 205-4433

    Avli Estiatorio
    566 Chestnut St
    Winnetka, IL 60093-2228
    (847) 446-9300

    Chaihanna
    19 E. Dundee Rd
    Buffalo Grove, IL 60089-4383
    (847) 215-5044
    Same planet, different world
  • Post #3 - January 4th, 2012, 11:29 pm
    Post #3 - January 4th, 2012, 11:29 pm Post #3 - January 4th, 2012, 11:29 pm
    Any Soup Lovers might be interested in MarketHouse's Soup & Dippers tasting next Wednesday, January 11th

    From their Facebook page:

    Chef Scott will continue his Heartland 101 cooking classes in 2012! In honor of National Soup Month, warm up with Chef Scott Walton as he demos his favorite soups with mini sandwich dippers (and cocktails) on Wednesday, January 11 at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $45 per person. Call 312.224.2200 to reserve your spot now!


    I won't be able to make it to this one, although I wish I could! But I've been to several of his tasting demos in the past and they are always well worth it. The $45 is all-inclusive, including a 5-course meal with drinks, tax and tip included.
  • Post #4 - January 5th, 2012, 1:54 am
    Post #4 - January 5th, 2012, 1:54 am Post #4 - January 5th, 2012, 1:54 am
    I like many of the soups at the Omega.

    Omega Restaurant
    www.omeganiles.com
    9100 W Golf Rd Niles, IL 60714-5806
    (847) 296-7777
  • Post #5 - January 5th, 2012, 7:44 am
    Post #5 - January 5th, 2012, 7:44 am Post #5 - January 5th, 2012, 7:44 am
    ronnie_suburban wrote:One soup I love is split pea but I no longer have a go-to place for it, so if anyone can recommend a good one, I'd really appreciate it. I usually end up making it myself.

    I highly recommend the split pea from - http://capnemos.com/
    A cup of split pea + half of an Americanne make me very happy.
    Never order barbecue in a place that also serves quiche - Lewis Grizzard
  • Post #6 - January 5th, 2012, 9:19 am
    Post #6 - January 5th, 2012, 9:19 am Post #6 - January 5th, 2012, 9:19 am
    Split pea at Mac Kelly's in the loop. I think I had it on a Friday last week. Also at Pittsfield Cafe on Tuesday (it's ok).
    Le Bouchon also has it sometimes.
  • Post #7 - January 5th, 2012, 10:03 am
    Post #7 - January 5th, 2012, 10:03 am Post #7 - January 5th, 2012, 10:03 am
    My favorite is the Combo Noodle Soup at Mei Shung on North Broadway. the same soup is a few dollars cheaper at lunch. One of the best bargains in town.
  • Post #8 - January 5th, 2012, 10:05 am
    Post #8 - January 5th, 2012, 10:05 am Post #8 - January 5th, 2012, 10:05 am
    Sopa Azteca at Tompolobampo might be the best soup I ever had.
    I'm not Angry, I'm hungry.
  • Post #9 - January 5th, 2012, 10:36 am
    Post #9 - January 5th, 2012, 10:36 am Post #9 - January 5th, 2012, 10:36 am
    My father-in-law raves about the soup at the Woodstock Public House (also in Crystal Lake). I find them a bit salty but they are good.

    http://wphdine.com/default.aspx

    I also like the tortilla soup at New Rebozo in Oak Park. I'm sure there are more so I'll have to report back.
    I want to have a good body, but not as much as I want dessert. ~ Jason Love

    There is no pie in Nighthawks, which is why it's such a desolate image. ~ Happy Stomach

    I write stuff.
  • Post #10 - January 5th, 2012, 11:27 am
    Post #10 - January 5th, 2012, 11:27 am Post #10 - January 5th, 2012, 11:27 am
    Following the mexican theme, I crave the Sopa Azteca at Cafe El Tapatio on Ashland and Roscoe all winter long. Pulled from the bone chicken, rich broth, avocado slices (don't knock slightly cooked avocado til you've tried it :D) ...mmmmm

    What I'd love to find is a really stellar avgolemono--too often it's gloppy or bland--but when it's great, it's one of my favorites. Anyone?
    "Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad." Miles Kington
  • Post #11 - January 5th, 2012, 11:30 am
    Post #11 - January 5th, 2012, 11:30 am Post #11 - January 5th, 2012, 11:30 am
    boudreaulicious wrote:What I'd love to find is a really stellar avgolemono--too often it's gloppy or bland--but when it's great, it's one of my favorites. Anyone?


    I dig the one at Psistaria, 4711 W. Touhy. Thinner than a lot of diners, not too heavy on the lemon.
    I want to have a good body, but not as much as I want dessert. ~ Jason Love

    There is no pie in Nighthawks, which is why it's such a desolate image. ~ Happy Stomach

    I write stuff.
  • Post #12 - January 5th, 2012, 11:41 am
    Post #12 - January 5th, 2012, 11:41 am Post #12 - January 5th, 2012, 11:41 am
    I'm very fond of the roast duck noodle soup at King of Thai in Uptown, particularly to carry home - they do a stellar job of packing the broth, noodles, & duck plus garnishes separately. They have a bunch of other soups I've never bothered explore because of my love of this one, but maybe this winter I will.
  • Post #13 - January 6th, 2012, 12:25 am
    Post #13 - January 6th, 2012, 12:25 am Post #13 - January 6th, 2012, 12:25 am
    Stormy's (formerly Seul's) in Northfield seems to carryover the pretty good daily soups of their predecessor. Haven't had one at either incarnation that I was disappointed with. I've liked the soups from Eat A Pita by Halsted and Belmont for years. Always part of any meal I get from there. They feature one cream-based and on broth-based soup each day. The Split Pea and Clam Chowder are my favorites.

    Eat A Pita
    3155 N Halsted
    Chicago
    http://eatapitachicago.com/

    Stormy's
    1735 Orchard Lane
    Northfield IL
    http://www.stormystavern.com/
  • Post #14 - January 6th, 2012, 7:12 am
    Post #14 - January 6th, 2012, 7:12 am Post #14 - January 6th, 2012, 7:12 am
    the menudo @ taco garage is very good :mrgreen:
    philw bbq cbj for kcbs &M.I.M. carolina pit masters
  • Post #15 - January 6th, 2012, 7:15 am
    Post #15 - January 6th, 2012, 7:15 am Post #15 - January 6th, 2012, 7:15 am
    Depot American Diner always has some great soups on offer, it's often the first place that occurs to me when I'm craving comfort soups.
    "Baseball is like church. Many attend. Few understand." Leo Durocher
  • Post #16 - January 6th, 2012, 7:01 pm
    Post #16 - January 6th, 2012, 7:01 pm Post #16 - January 6th, 2012, 7:01 pm
    Shrimp wonton and bbq pork noodle soup at Wonton Gourmet in Elmhurst.
    Coming to you from Leiper's Fork, TN where we prefer forking to spooning.
  • Post #17 - January 6th, 2012, 9:20 pm
    Post #17 - January 6th, 2012, 9:20 pm Post #17 - January 6th, 2012, 9:20 pm
    I like the soups at Piatto Pronto in Andersonville. I didn't have to doctor up the minestrone at all, but I did have some kale so I tore some tiny bits in to add some green goodness.

    It isn't American at all, but I am a huge freaky fan of the very peppery Lebanese Lentil Soup at Taste of Lebanon, which is a bargain (especially if you eat in) at less than 3 bucks for a large bowl.

    hope this helps!

    ps just to plug it: Soup & Bread started this week, it's always on Wednesdays at 5:30 pm at the Hideout and it's free but a donation is suggested. 5-6 different homemade soups are served from crock pots by those that made them. I served my Matzoh Ball soup on Wednesday and it was gone in 60 seconds. So come early and fill your bowl often.

    bjt
    "eating is an agricultural act" wendell berry
  • Post #18 - January 6th, 2012, 9:56 pm
    Post #18 - January 6th, 2012, 9:56 pm Post #18 - January 6th, 2012, 9:56 pm
    I used to work across the street from Johnny's Kitchen & Tap at Lake and Milwaukee in Glenview, and just down the street from Elly's Pancake House on Milwaukee. Both have very good "homemade" soups that change daily.

    Johnny's Kitchen & Tap
    1740 Milwaukee Avenue, Glenview, IL 60025
    Phone: 847-699-9999 • FAX: 847-699-9965
    www.johnnyskitchen.com

    Elly's of Glenview
    http://ellysglenview.com/
    1624 N. Milwaukee Ave.
    Glenview, IL
    847/635-9500

    However, I just remembered my most favorite place to get soup on weekdays -- Salerno's in Mt. Prospect, which was a short drive from my office. Oh my heavens! While their Italian specialties are quite delicious, I always fell for a cup of soup and their tuna sandwich, supposedly made from a Carnegie Deli recipe. I would always have to bring home half a sandwich, but that really wasn't a burden. Actually, I don't think I ever had a bad meal from Salerno's. I don't know if there's any relationship between this location and other Salerno's around the suburbs, but I just loved the food from here!

    Salerno's
    http://www.salernoscatering.com/index.html
    1716 East Kensington Rd., Mount Prospect, IL 60056
    Phone: 847.699.2822 Fax: 847.699.2553
    "When I'm born I'm a Tar Heel bred, and when I die I'm a Tar Heel dead."
  • Post #19 - January 7th, 2012, 4:57 am
    Post #19 - January 7th, 2012, 4:57 am Post #19 - January 7th, 2012, 4:57 am
    RobK wrote:Stormy's (formerly Seul's) in Northfield seems to carryover the pretty good daily soups of their predecessor. Haven't had one at either incarnation that I was disappointed with. I've liked the soups from Eat A Pita by Halsted and Belmont for years. Always part of any meal I get from there. They feature one cream-based and on broth-based soup each day. The Split Pea and Clam Chowder are my favorites.


    I was in the neighborhood of Stormy's on Friday and I have to agree. The clam chowder was clearly house made and delicious. It wasn't overly thickened by corn starch as seems to often be the case and there was a subtle, but welcome, hit of heat from some cayenne pepper.
    Steve Z.

    “Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.”
    ― Ludwig van Beethoven
  • Post #20 - January 7th, 2012, 11:09 am
    Post #20 - January 7th, 2012, 11:09 am Post #20 - January 7th, 2012, 11:09 am
    boudreaulicious wrote:What I'd love to find is a really stellar avgolemono--too often it's gloppy or bland--but when it's great, it's one of my favorites. Anyone?


    I'm extremely biased, but if you are ever in La Grange, try the avgolemono at Grapevine.

    I've had it all over—Greek Isles, Costa's, Pegasus, other local joints—and while they vary from average to very good, Grapevine's is so distinctly different. It's not the customary white but instead bright yellow, creamy, extremely lemony and peppery, with large chunks of chicken mixed in. It is anything but traditional and it's anything but bland.

    The owners are Greek (mom and pop in their sixties) and the soup is homemade from her recipe every day. I've tried to get her secret many times but failed. I think it has something to do with adding lemon rinds in the broth. The flavor has not changed even slightly in the 15 years I've been going there. Very consistent.

    Grapevine
    9 West Hillgrove Ave.
    La Grange, IL 60525
  • Post #21 - January 7th, 2012, 12:05 pm
    Post #21 - January 7th, 2012, 12:05 pm Post #21 - January 7th, 2012, 12:05 pm
    ChitownJackson wrote:
    boudreaulicious wrote:What I'd love to find is a really stellar avgolemono--too often it's gloppy or bland--but when it's great, it's one of my favorites. Anyone?


    I'm extremely biased, but if you are ever in La Grange, try the avgolemono at Grapevine.

    I've had it all over—Greek Isles, Costa's, Pegasus, other local joints—and while they vary from average to very good, Grapevine's is so distinctly different. It's not the customary white but instead bright yellow, creamy, extremely lemony and peppery, with large chunks of chicken mixed in. It is anything but traditional and it's anything but bland.

    The owners are Greek (mom and pop in their sixties) and the soup is homemade from her recipe every day. I've tried to get her secret many times but failed. I think it has something to do with adding lemon rinds in the broth. The flavor has not changed even slightly in the 15 years I've been going there. Very consistent.

    Grapevine
    9 West Hillgrove Ave.
    La Grange, IL 60525


    My hairdresser just moved to a salon about a block away--I've passed the place a couple of times now and figured I'd stop in eventually--thanks for the tip!!!!!
    "Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad." Miles Kington
  • Post #22 - January 7th, 2012, 12:07 pm
    Post #22 - January 7th, 2012, 12:07 pm Post #22 - January 7th, 2012, 12:07 pm
    I love the lentil soup at Pita Kabob, 5701 N. California (@ Lincoln).
  • Post #23 - January 7th, 2012, 12:30 pm
    Post #23 - January 7th, 2012, 12:30 pm Post #23 - January 7th, 2012, 12:30 pm
    boudreaulicious wrote:What I'd love to find is a really stellar avgolemono--too often it's gloppy or bland--but when it's great, it's one of my favorites. Anyone?


    Sorry I missed this request earlier. Head to Central Gyros. Theirs is always good and served with a bowl of lemon slices* to squeeze in in case you like a little more acid.

    * You may have to ask for the lemons in case they don't automatically bring them, but they usually do.

    Central Gyros
    3127 North Central Avenue
    Chicago, IL 60634
    (773) 545-1276
    Steve Z.

    “Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.”
    ― Ludwig van Beethoven
  • Post #24 - January 7th, 2012, 3:05 pm
    Post #24 - January 7th, 2012, 3:05 pm Post #24 - January 7th, 2012, 3:05 pm
    stevez wrote:
    RobK wrote:Stormy's (formerly Seul's) in Northfield seems to carryover the pretty good daily soups of their predecessor. Haven't had one at either incarnation that I was disappointed with. I've liked the soups from Eat A Pita by Halsted and Belmont for years. Always part of any meal I get from there. They feature one cream-based and on broth-based soup each day. The Split Pea and Clam Chowder are my favorites.


    I was in the neighborhood of Stormy's on Friday and I have to agree. The clam chowder was clearly house made and delicious. It wasn't overly thickened by corn starch as seems to often be the case and there was a subtle, but welcome, hit of heat from some cayenne pepper.

    I always enjoyed the soups at Seul's but have yet to try Stormy's. Thanks, for the intel.

    =R=
    Same planet, different world
  • Post #25 - January 10th, 2012, 6:42 pm
    Post #25 - January 10th, 2012, 6:42 pm Post #25 - January 10th, 2012, 6:42 pm
    stevez wrote: ...what is your favorite place for good 'ole American style soups on a cold day?


    For American style soup, I like to go to GNR, The Brown Sack.

    --
    edc
  • Post #26 - January 11th, 2012, 12:02 am
    Post #26 - January 11th, 2012, 12:02 am Post #26 - January 11th, 2012, 12:02 am
    ronnie_suburban wrote:One soup I love is split pea but I no longer have a go-to place for it, so if anyone can recommend a good one, I'd really appreciate it. I usually end up making it myself.

    I learned earlier tonight that Tuesday is (yellow) split pea soup night at Avli. The cup I had was outstanding.

    ronnie_suburban wrote:Another soup I love is the revithia soupa (chickpea soup) at Avli Estiatorio in Winnetka. Again, I'm not sure if that's always on or not.

    I also learned tonight that this is the Thursday soup at Avli

    =R=

    Avli Estiatorio
    566 Chestnut St
    Winnetka, IL 60093-2228
    (847) 446-9300
    Same planet, different world
  • Post #27 - January 11th, 2012, 1:20 am
    Post #27 - January 11th, 2012, 1:20 am Post #27 - January 11th, 2012, 1:20 am
    Has anybody seen Doukwha (sp?) on offer anywhere? Sahara Kebab used to serve this rich Assyrian yogurt based soup, but they no longer offer it. BTW, I think Sahara Kebab may be now managed by another branch of the family of the original owners. The last few times I have been there, the food has been really excellent, but the menu has changed. It still has some unusual Assyrian dishes, but some of the lesser poular dishes (like Doukwha) are no longer offered.
  • Post #28 - February 22nd, 2012, 11:56 am
    Post #28 - February 22nd, 2012, 11:56 am Post #28 - February 22nd, 2012, 11:56 am
    Miska's Deli used to have the best soups hands down. I have never liked split pea soup but their soup changed all that. I probably will not eat split pea soup anywhere else, only theirs.. They closed up about 2 years ago due to sharing a license with the bar attached to the store but I hear they are opening back up. Hopefully with the same great stuff they had before. Also had a knockout chicken salad.

    Miska's Deli
    2156 W Belmont Ave
    Chicago, IL 60686

Contact

About

Team

Advertize

Close

Chat

Articles

Guide

Events

more