Editorial
Front Page - Friday, January 22, 2010
Weekly Indulgence
Stephanie Coward
Remember the holidays as a child, sitting on the couch at your home or your grandma’s home and watching the adults, hustle around creating the meal. The men would congregate in the garage laughing as the sweet aromas of what was sure to be a scrumptious feast embraced you. Do you remember the warmth you felt surrounded by that? Well, I am here to tell you that you can have that once more at Soup’s On restaurant at 3103 S. Broad St.
During the ridiculous cold front that gripped us in its icy hands for so long, I wanted nothing more than to be warm – as I am sure many of you did also. On one of the warmer days last week (it actually was above freezing for an hour or so), Joe and I met at my office and headed over to Soup’s On.
As soon as we entered, I knew I was going to enjoy it. A line reached to the door as Owner Cissy Bennett greeted and took everyone’s orders. In the back, her parents, Nancy and Byron Potts were busy fixing all the meals. I had gone onto the Web site prior to our arrival and was salivating in anticipation of tasting the cheddar cheese with spinach soup.
It wasn’t long before it was our turn to order. I am glad we had a few moments to look over the menu though, as it is quite vast. After discussing the bison burger, we both decided on the half sandwich with a bowl of soup combo. So we ordered – me turkey and cheese, Joe ham and cheese – and were surprised when Cissy asked us what side item we wanted. Side item? Most places that offer soup and sandwiches don’t offer sides. A pleasant surprise, I must say.
We both chose tater tots, because when a restaurant offers tots, you just gotta take ’em. We then paid and went to the soda fountain and soup well. After filling both our cups and bowls, we grabbed some yeast biscuits and corn bread and were able to snag a table near the door.
I didn’t know what to expect from the soup. I love spinach and am a huge fan of cheese, so I was planning on success, but I must say, the soup exceeded my expectations. It was delicious! Perhaps because, like every item on the Soup’s On menu, it was made fresh early that morning by the Potts – who arrive five days a week before the sun rises.
Right about the time we were halfway through with our soup, our sandwiches and tots arrived. Joe’s melt was nice and hot and my sandwich was made with fresh bread and just the right amount of mayo. And the tots, which were such a treat, were fried to perfection.
Throughout our lunch more and more people continued shuffling in the door. The sounds of laughter, chatter and the aromas of fresh melts and whiffs of soup constantly filled the air. I felt warm. I enjoy eating in a place where people aren’t afraid to make eye contact with you (I had enough of that in New York.) I look forward to another cold snap coming through because now I know of a place sure to make me warm.
Bennett bought the restaurant almost five years ago from Dawn and Linda Roland, who had owned it for 16 years. Tom Baker originally opened the establishment 26 or 27 years ago, Bennett said. The soups change daily and the recipes come from a variety of sources. Some came with the restaurant, while others are Mrs. Potts’ recipes and then there are those that came with the restaurant but have been tweaked by Mrs. Potts, Bennett said.
Soup’s On just began serving dinner as well. Another family – Rod and Fiona Finlayson – joined Bennett and her parents to help with desserts and barbecue. No menu item is off limits regardless of what time you dine at Soup’s On. Bennett said that the barbecue is available for dinner as well as lunch, while the soups and delicious sandwiches and salads are all available at dinnertime too. And don’t forget to try to save room for some of Fiona’s homemade desserts.
And even though it was super busy, I was still back at my office in less than an hour from the time I arrived at Soup’s On.
Soup’s On is open Monday and Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday and Thurs-day from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. The soups of the day are listed monthly on the Web site (as is the full menu), www.soupsonbroad.com. If you’re away from the computer, you can call 423-267-1555 for the soup listing and 423-267-1557 to order carry out or speak to a manager.
Contact Stephanie at Stephanie @hamiltoncountyherald.com.
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