LTHForum.com

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?

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Steve Z.
Photographer/Pseudojournalist

"The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook." - Julia Child

I think you named most of my current favorites.

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

_________________
I just wanna live until I gotta die. I know I ain't perfect but God knows I try. --Todd Snider

Spit out the gum, sister!

Twitter: ronniesuburban

Any Soup Lovers might be interested in MarketHouse's Soup & Dippers tasting next Wednesday, January 11th

From their Facebook page:



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.

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

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LAZ
Dining Chicago
Index to LTHForum Recipes, 2004-2008

I highly recommend the split pea from - http://capnemos.com/
A cup of split pea + half of an Americanne make me very happy.

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"A fruit is a vegetable with looks and money. Plus, if you let fruit rot, it turns into wine, something Brussels sprouts never do."
-- P. J. O’Rourke"

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.

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.

Sopa Azteca at Tompolobampo might be the best soup I ever had.

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I'm not Angry, I'm hungry.

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.

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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 can't go to Hollywood. I got biscuits to make. ~ Dwight Henry

Late-Nite Eats Database

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 ) ...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?

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“The problem with people who have no vices is that generally you can be pretty sure they’re going to have some pretty annoying virtues.” Elizabeth Taylor

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 can't go to Hollywood. I got biscuits to make. ~ Dwight Henry

Late-Nite Eats Database

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.

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/

the menudo @ taco garage is very good

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philw bbq cbj for kcbs &M.I.M. carolina pit masters

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.

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"Baseball is like church. Many attend. Few understand." Leo Durocher

Shrimp wonton and bbq pork noodle soup at Wonton Gourmet in Elmhurst.

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

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"eating is an agricultural act" wendell berry

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

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"When I'm born I'm a Tar Heel bred, and when I die I'm a Tar Heel dead."

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.
Photographer/Pseudojournalist

"The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook." - Julia Child

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!!!!!

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“The problem with people who have no vices is that generally you can be pretty sure they’re going to have some pretty annoying virtues.” Elizabeth Taylor

I love the lentil soup at Pita Kabob, 5701 N. California (@ Lincoln).

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.
Photographer/Pseudojournalist

"The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook." - Julia Child

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

=R=

_________________
I just wanna live until I gotta die. I know I ain't perfect but God knows I try. --Todd Snider

Spit out the gum, sister!

Twitter: ronniesuburban

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

--
edc

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


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

_________________
I just wanna live until I gotta die. I know I ain't perfect but God knows I try. --Todd Snider

Spit out the gum, sister!

Twitter: ronniesuburban

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.

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