I have been closely watching a new skyway location at 225 S 6th St called The Original SoupMan which was slated to open today at 11 AM. After being reminded when I got off the bus by a sign outside the restaurant, I asked if Kim wanted to join me for lunch to try out this new place. She agreed and asked that we do it at 1 PM but after a meeting was rescheduled (and later rescheduled again to tomorrow) we ended up there at its busiest time at noon on the dot.
As Kim and I walked up the line was nearly out the door with people, just like us, looking to try out this place. I have a feeling that many were interested in name alone as this store is loosely based on the NYC location that was mentioned in that fucking god awful show Seinfield (the Soup Nazi). They had been renovating the L-shaped space for a long while but had paper over all the openings so you couldn’t see in until today. It was cleanly decorated with some seating and plenty of space to line up. A sign with the Nazi’s likeness was situated by the main entrance and it displayed the soups of the day without any prices listed.
As we were waiting in line we squinted to try and read the menu from afar and were soon offered a small sample of New England Clam Chowder. Knowing that this is at least based on the NYC favorite, I figured that the NE Clam Chowder would have to be somewhat decent. While Kim thought it was good (she said she would not normally eat this type of soup) I thought it fucking sucked. It wasn’t as bad as canned but it certainly wasn’t anything I’d be clamoring to return for and it does absolutely no justice to NYC or the Soup Nazi. I guess that something is lost in translation in the ~1000 miles between NYC and Minneapolis. At this point were were about halfway through the line and could begin to read some of the menu items. I was absolutely shocked at how fucking astronomically expensive this lunchtime restaurant was. Who the fuck are they kidding charging anywhere for $5 to $9 for a cup of soup?!
As we continued our long wait (now stretching over 10 minutes), a man came up and began chatting with one of the staff members dressed in a white coat (those wearing white coats seemed to be management level) and the worker told him that the best soup they had available was the Lobster Bisque. For $8.99 for a cup and $10.99 for a bowl (even more for a pint obviously), that better have been their best soup and it better have been made with live lobster living in a tank in the front, served in a golden chalice and offered to you by someone wearing white gloves and a tuxedo. From what I could tell, no live lobsters and no luck with any of the rest of it either.
As we came to see the menu better, we saw that they were offering soup with a half sandwich for $3 more or $5 more for a whole. I’m not quite sure how they feel that they can compete with any of the other downtown locations such as Eddington’s or even Panera. I assume that they need to have exorbitant rates to cover the “Soup Nazi’s” name and the fact that they are mentioning “as seen on Seinfeld”. Now knowing the prices Kim said to me that this would be our last lunch there. I could only agree.
Their sandwiches are much more reasonably priced starting at $2.39 for a half and going up to $7.49 for their most expensive whole. I really don’t see why you would want to eat here as opposed to any of the 1000 other options nearby unless you were some sort of huge fan of that fucking terrible show and really thought that eating overpriced food would bring you closer to Seinfeld and the Soup Nazi himself.
They have a variety of sandwiches listed and include everything from Grilled Chicken Balsamic to a Mexican Burrito. Several are wraps, some are paninis and the rest are your typical deli-like usuals. The only one that popped out at me was their Egg Salad and Parmesan which I decided on before I saw that they were all pre-wrapped in plastic and sitting upright in a cooler in the front. Their paninis are probably your best bet as they are made to order.
All combos come with soup, sandwich, salad and includes a beverage, baguette, fruit and a piece chocolate. The fruit, for me, was not ripe but one of Kim’s coworkers who ate there this afternoon said that his was over-ripened and he wasn’t quite sure how you could be selling black bananas on your opening day. Kim’s orange was tiny and was just slightly larger than a Clementine. I believe that they also had some tiny apples but I might be remembering incorrectly.
Our original order came to just over $23, quite expensive for a simple lunch like you would see at Panera (and which would be much, much better) but for those that work in the building (just say you do, seriously) you get a 25% off card (no information required as of today at least) and that brought it down $5.25 to a total of $17.37. After paying, Kim found a flavored decaffeinated raspberry tea and I grabbed my pop. They have no caffeine free and sugar free options available and they only have caffeine free root beer. As I was getting my drink, Kim worked her way through the line and found a place to sit along the windows. My chair was half off the tile and half on an unsteady grate. I was a little uneasy sitting on it and tried my best to move the table a bit more forward (into the line) so that I wouldn’t have to sit like that. While I’m sure it’s safe, I didn’t appreciate the precarious nature of my seating arrangement none-the-less.
After some quick photos, I tasted my food. The soup, while meaty, was basically awful. I like goulash just fine but this, this was nasty and had the texture of shit. Kim’s bisque was also quite meaty but I didn’t find anything special with it. It wasn’t nearly as good as other similarly priced bisques that I have had in much nicer restaurants and neither were items I’d ever order again. My wheat baguette was ok and my egg salad sandwich was nothing better than I could have had anywhere else including my own kitchen. Kim’s panini looked pathetic especially when they wrapped it in lame foil with more face time for the Nazi. I didn’t even bother to taste it and I didn’t hear a peep about it from Kim. Kim pretty much refused to drink her raspberry tea and I gave her my root beer. Because it was decaffeinated, I sucked it up and drank the tea which had the distinct flavor of Vicks 44. Nothing like bringing back memories of being sick as a kid! Blech. The best part of my meal? The small square of Dove chocolate that was offered as a desert.
As you can tell, this isn’t looking good for The Original SoupMan in Minneapolis. Soon after eating I posted this to Twitter and it pretty much sums up what you probably already know in 13 words:
The Original SoupMan fucking sucks the cock, stay far the fuck away. Yuck.
Seriously, don’t come here, it’s not worth your time or your money. Eddington’s next door or any Panera kick the living shit out of this place and as Kim mentioned, “no unlimited breadsticks kills them right there.” I’m assuming that something has been lost in translation coming from NYC to Minnesota via a mass produced chain store because there’s absolutely no fucking way that the soups and sandwiches we had today were anything even close to being Zagat rated as the original store is. It’s seriously a scam.
After I finished work today I stopped in the little store across the way to nab a Fresca and some gum before going to get Kim from her office. The friendly cashier inside asked if I had eaten at the place across the hall from him and when I said I had he mentioned that he couldn’t justify spending that kind of money for soup but even so he mentioned that people said the soup was ok but the food was too expensive. I just shrugged and said I didn’t care for the food or the prices and moved along. Did you try The Original SoupMan yet? If so, what did you think?
Address:
The Original SoupMan
225 S 6th S
Minneapolis, MN 55402
See all the pictures from The Original SoupMan in Minneapolis on Flickr here (camera).
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July 9th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Bill, did you like this place? It’s hard to tell.
July 9th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
A little harsh considering they’d been open for one whole hour when you stopped by? I, too, was curious and stopped by for lunch. I guess I wasn’t surprised to find a long line on opening day over the lunch hour. I tried a cup of Turkey Chili, which was plenty of food considering it’s hardiness. Lots of meat – great tasting soup, especially for fast food. CONSIDERABLY better than the salt-lick-in-a-bowl they serve at Eddington’s. I also avoid caffeine and drank water with my soup. The cost of my water, tasty meat-filled soup, baguette, fruit and chocolate was $6.50. A decent value and friendly staff. If you don’t like the prices, fine. Don’t eat there. “No soup for you!” I’ll definitely be back for more.
July 9th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Tanya, while I mentioned the long wait I wasn’t really complaining about it but for you to say that the cup of soup was hearty enough for your meal tells me that you enjoy a light lunch and that this would be fine for you.
For my wife and I (and believe me, I usually eat between 1000 and 1500 calories a day although I have been cheating a bit to write all these reviews) that cup of soup wouldn’t have done shit for me. Now, I haven’t had Eddington’s soup so I can’t say whether or not it’s a “salt-lick-in-a-bowl” but Kim seems to feel that it beats this garbage hands down.
And no, we won’t be back — soup kitchens give away better soup than we had today.
July 9th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
I’d rather have a bowl of Eddington’s soup than just about any other food on the face of the planet. I never noticed it being particularly salty, but then, I find salt quite delightful.
When I got your twitter, I thought you’d probably created quite a rush to the restaurant. Some people would suffer through eating a bowl of crappy soup if they got free oral sex from the Soup Nazi with it. Worthy substitute for breadsticks, anyway.
July 9th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
This message is for Bill and Kim, if you think that Eddington’s soup beats SoupMan’s soup then you both clearly dont know what good food is. Stick to the cheap eats and the cheap quality, because SoupMan soups are clearly packed with quality ingredients and offer more in there value meal then Eddington’s does any day! I’ll be back to the soupman again and again. Thanks Soupman for a new refreshing twist on lunch at 225 South 6th.
July 10th, 2008 at 6:27 am
Yes, clearly.
July 10th, 2008 at 8:05 am
i take it you’re not a seinfield fan?
July 10th, 2008 at 8:30 am
Clearly taste is a relative thing, but maybe someone who liked this place could explain what makes a cup of soup worth $9?
I love soup. Personally, for a decent soup Eddingtons, Panera, Olive Garden, or Red Lobster are all great places to go for a bowl of soup and a salad. Please dont think that means that I enjoy a full meal at any of those places. I dont eat at any of them for anything other than the lunch specials when I want soup/salad; however if I am looking for soup and salad, or soup and breadsticks, I think any of the 4 are decent and you can get a reasonable meal for 6 to 8 bucks. (AYCE soup/salad/breadsticks is $6.75 at Olive Garden, and AYCE soup/salad is 6.99 at Red Lobster).
For the person who inferred that the people who did not enjoy Soupman must have some sort of inferior tastebuds, a BOWL of homeade soup at someplace like Bonfire is 6.99. Soup at Redstone is $6.00, or 11.00 for the soup and salad. Kincaids is 6 to 8, soup and salad for 12. A certain part of the price at any of those places is paying for the restraunt, free bread, waiter/waitress, and the CHEF who created the friggen dish. On your personal value scale, the soup at Soupman is somehow >>> the soup at any of the randomly chosen places listed above? It costs more and most likely came out of a bag.
Again, these are all prices for a wide variety of places, some arguably entry level (although far and away above McDonalds and such), some clearly among the better places in the Twin Cities. So while taste is subjective, its not at all unreasonable to think that up to 9.00 for a cup of soup is a scam of some sort set up to pray on the desire of people out here in BFE Minnesota who want to say they have eaten at that place from Seinfeld.
If you are going to say how great this place is, it might be ok to point out why. Personally I wont buy a sandwich from ANYPLACE in town that is wrapped in plastic. I can get premade plastic wrapped sandwiches at Super America. And I am not paying anyone 9 bucks for a cup of soup that probably came out of a bag.
July 10th, 2008 at 8:32 am
Bill and Kim
Clearly you both don’t appreciate good food and have no clue on good taste..Look at your post..You use the f word…Do you think people will really take that serious? Common on man!
I enjoyed the food, thought there was plenty to eat and this is from someone who consumes 2300 calories a day ( I run marathons).
Stick to your cheap eats…I bet there is a Burger King you can check out!
July 10th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Man, I love this site.
July 10th, 2008 at 8:36 am
mike, clearly you’re right! There is a BK nearby (first floor of the US Bank building) but I haven’t eaten at a fast food place in nearly a year and don’t plan to start now.
July 10th, 2008 at 8:43 am
Clearly “mike” doesn’t appreciate good food and has no clue on good taste. Look at his comment: it uses bad spelling, weird punctuation, incorrect grammar, inconsistent spacing and he doesn’t capitalize his own name. Does he think people will take that seriously?
While I haven’t been there myself, every single thing I’ve heard about this place has been negative. I trust Bill’s opinion as well as my other friends’ opinions to not even go. This is from someone who consumes more than 2300 calories a day (I ride my bike).
July 10th, 2008 at 9:05 am
I stand by my opinion. I am sticking to Eddington’s. For me Soup Man’s 9 dollar CUP of soup didn’t beat Eddington’s 3.99 BOWL of soup. Now maybe those of you who are swearing up and down that the quality is way better at Soup Man have a point but the price and size difference alone is enough to make me avoid Soup Man. And who needs a cardboard cutout when you’ve got the crazy lady cashier with the wild eyeshadow at Eddington’s. Where did she go by the way? I saw her in the skyways a while back after I stopped seeing her working at Eddington’s.
July 10th, 2008 at 9:29 am
I ate at the original Original SoupMan in New York City when it was still there and I have to say that this soup is just as good! I had the Lobster Bisque, and yes, I know it is expensive, but the pieces of lobster in the soup are bigger than in any other lobster bisque I’ve ever seen. You are paying for what you are getting, so I understand why it can be conceived as expensive. Plus you get bread and fruit and chocolate. Besides the food being good, the staff there was very cordial and polite. They explained each of the soups to me and let me sample them, as well. I would definitely recommend this place to others. The meal was very satisfying and quite enjoyable.
July 10th, 2008 at 9:37 am
“Sydney”, I assume you mean that you have had their chain restaurant recreations somewhere but not here at the Minnesota store that opened yesterday.
July 10th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Wow. I’m with Dave, I love this site! I’ve never seen so many people so mad about a SOUP review, for crying out loud. Hilarious!
July 10th, 2008 at 11:48 am
I’m tempted to try the soup after reading the passionate defenses of the soup. Execpt for the fact that I don’t really give a crap about soup. So I guess I’ll skip it. But God bless those of you who do.
July 10th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
I’m guessing the mad-crazy defense of this place has a lotm ore to do with Seinfeld than anything else.
And salt in soup? *gasp* say it ain’t so!
July 10th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
First of all Bill I understand that everyone is entitled to their own opinion but are you a grown man or a 17 year boy who gets off seeing how many times he can use the f work and say cock! You very easily could have gotten your point across and sounded intelligent at the same time without all the profanity. You saw the prices before you ordered your lunch so why didnt you just turn around and walk out. Instead you chose to spend the money and then ramble on on a website!
Like the saying goes you get what you pay for and if you want a bowl of soup that cost $3 then you will get low quality ingredients but you would have only spent $3 and maybe that is what you are acoustomed to. But did it ever occur to you that the soup is on the pricey side becasue the quality of ingredients are better then most!
July 10th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
I’ve had better soup that cost much less so regardless of the ingredients, it still tasted like fucking ass.
As for your issues with my choice of language, I couldn’t care less. This is a personal site — take my opinions at face value or don’t. The food sucked, if you disagree with me because I said it fucking sucked a fat fucking cock, well, suffer through a lighter wallet and a sore tongue. Don’t tell me I didn’t warn you.
July 10th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
You really are a prick arent you!
July 10th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Julie is pretty slow.
July 10th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
No need for personal attacks now, even if she is slow.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Hard to rag on someone else’s language unless you’re acoustumed to it. The costume jokes here are endless.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
dawn, well, it’s unfortunate that most don’t get it but hey, not everyone is as lightning quick as we are here at ll.org ;-)
July 10th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Personally, I’ve come to love Bill’s posts. Sure, he likes to say “fucking sucks the cock”, but his reviews are blunt, honest and not candy coated to make someone feel all warm and fuzzy inside. You’ll notice appropriate use of the F-Bomb when he really likes a place too :) To appreciate the true context of the reviews, it helps to have been drinking with him :)
I laugh my ass off at some of the reviews, and I’d rather read these reviews than some review in a paper trying to be politically correct.
If you don’t like the reviews, or they offend you, feel free not to read them, otherwise, sit down with a PBR and dig in!
July 10th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Admittedly, I will probably never darken this place’s doorway. However, my husband and I ate last night at the Capital Grille in Mpls and I had a bowl of the lobster bisque which was $12, and by far one of the best fucking bowls of soup I’ve ever had in my life. While it wasn’t served in a golden chalice, it did have a generous amount of lobster meat and the wait staff offered to pour sherry into it if you desired. I desired.
In comparison to your description, it seems like a bargain-which is not a word I would normally use when describing a visit to the Capital Grille.
July 10th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Amy, well, there’s a big fucking difference between the Capital Grille and The Original SoupMan…waitstaff. I expect that when you’re being waited on you are going to pay a premium for the service and ambiance. When you’re waiting in line like cattle and being served on a plastic tray, it’s a bit different than when you’re sitting at a table.
Obviously I don’t know what I’m talking about though because, well, I apparently have no food knowledge.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:06 am
“Bill” — no, I actually did eat at the original location in NYC on 55th and 8th. And, like I said before, the soup is just as good here. I read on TwinCities.com that they’re having a raffle drawing on Tuesday during the grand opening (even though the store is already open — Go figure!) where one person can win free soup for life! Wow! Even if you don’t particularly care for one kind of soup there are so many choices! — and they’re free for life! Can you imagine? I bet their hoping for some old geezer to win it… heheh. Much love y’all!
July 11th, 2008 at 9:44 am
The argument is the place is better because they use better ingredients? Really, their bag of soup most likely comes from the exact same factory.
You really mean to say that a place that serves sandwiches wrapped in plastic is a “high quality” eating establishment?
I think you are just in love with the idea that this somehow ties you to Seinfeld. Good for you!
July 11th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Wouldn’t a restaurant trying to cash in on the tie to Seinfeld been more appropriate, like, ten years ago?
July 11th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
I had lunch there today and I thought my panini was great! I was there around 12:30, and although the line was long, it moved very quickly. The staff was very friendly too.
I am also strongly against taking any time of advice, food or otherwise, from a guy that drinks Fresca. If anything “fucking sucks cock”, its that “shit”.
July 12th, 2008 at 11:51 am
I have read over everyones’ comments. Just thought I would mention that they make the sandwiches every morning, I asked. Then they are wrapped for your protection so you don’t get any crap in your sandwich. This is the Seinfeld “Soup Nazi”, Al Yeganeh has been doing this since ’84. The character was based on the locally famous Al Yeganeh. The lobster bisque is expensive because its lobster. Seafood is expensive, especially when you do not live by the sea. Its also large chunks of lobster. Have you ever tried opening a restaurant? I suggest you wait until a restaurant is up and running for more than a few hours before you criticize it. Try it again later and maybe this time it won’t “fucking suck”.
July 12th, 2008 at 11:56 am
I didn’t criticize anything that should have been affected by it being their first day (service, etc), I simply criticized the quality of the food which, being that they’re a national chain, should have consistent quality across all stores regardless of the length of time the location has been open.
July 12th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
We all have unique tastes when it comes to food. I personally like to consume food that is freshly made each day. I got there early and looked through the gate while I waited for my friend. I saw them making and wrapping the sandwiches and paninnis. While I was in line I asked the owner, who was greeting and explaining the different soups to people, if they made these on-site. He assured me that they did. Wow, I was impressed with the personalized service I got in a syway restaurant. I have worked in the skyways for 10 years and have never received this type of service and quality soup. Yes, it does cost only slightly more than competitors, but you get what you pay for- incredible-tasting soup and unique sandwiches that can not be found anywhere else in the skyway. Who else makes a Caprese panini, chock full of mozarella? Thanks Soupman for finally providing us a step-above, quality option.
July 12th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Bill, do you eat and talk with the same mouth? Seriously, I think your palate has been affected by potty-mouth! Was the door to your mind closed before you got there? Perhaps you would be better off reviewing fast food chains, McDonald’s versus Burger King, etc. As for me, I am looking forward to trying the Original Soupman with an open mind and a clean palate. As for the Soup Nazi, it was the Original Soupman, Al Yeganeh, that made Seinfeld famous not the other way around. Minneapolis- I say forget Seinfeld and think Mary Tyler Moore, she would probably love the place! Quality is never out of style!
July 12th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Jez Haddie- lighten up, this is an opinion as in a “review”.. the “reviewer” and the owner of the blog you chose to read BTW, claims the food fucking sucks.. disagree? Fine but don’t waste your time and energy going after the author of this fucking blog.. if you’re offended read something else.. the Star Trib has a shitty little review section you might enjoy and they won’t tell you when things “fucking suck” so your sensibilities won’t be offended.
Oh, and don’t be stupid enough to suggest that if you haven’t slung hash you don’t have a right to comment on the food business. B as in B.. S as in S. That’s what opinions are about. If you like the place I encourage you to start a blog and glow about it there…
July 12th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Grow up assholes.
July 12th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Love is all around, no need to waste it !
July 12th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
To the person indicating people should try to open a restraunt before they comment on food, My family owned a restraunt for 11 years, my wife managed a restraunt in the Netherlands, and one in Mankato, and my sister is a chef at a restraunt in downtown Minneapolis.
All that said, I would say the customers opinion about the quality and price of the food in question is far more important than that of the owner. Your statement gives the impression that you think it should be the other way around. Often it is, and this could be why a huge percentage of new restraunts are gone in the first year.
I have not even eaten at this place. I am simply stating that I am not going to pay someone a premium for a sandwich wrapped in plastic. If I ask the guy at Holliday if they make thier sandwiches or soup fresh, he will say “YEP!, it was fresh when we poured it out of the bag, or Yep, it was fresh when I put that plastic on it.” Really, he will. And next time you ask them if they make the soup fresh each day, ask them if they make it fresh from Scratch, or fresh from a bag/mix. I am 99.9999999 sure that the soup you are eating came from a premade mix or a bag. A chain simply cant do it any other way for quality control. Some kid making 6.50 an hour really cant be depended on to make soup from scratch every morning and expect it to taste good every day.
I am glad there is a new place in the skyway that people enjoy, but the number of people posting the name of the original soup nazi simply confirms for me that people are paying more to eat at this place because it makes them feel special…..”Honey, I had lunch at the Soup Nazi’s place today, you know, the guy from Seinfeld.” Not because a cup of soup is worth $9 bucks. However, if thats what makes you feel you are getting a good value proposition, more power to you.
July 12th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
I am 99.9999999 sure that the soup you are eating came from a premade mix or a bag.
Everyone has to understand that’s the reality of chain restaurants built on little more than name recognition, but they pretend not to because they are seriously hoping that they weren’t fooled into paying astronomical rates for sub-par food.
It’s really unfortunate that this restaurant has not only rabid fans created solely because they loved a show that was created for a mass of unintelligent and ignorant viewers but that some haven’t even tried the food yet but insist that it must be great because they’ve heard about it for nearly 20 years by a washed up comedian and his millionaire coworkers.
Congrats everyone, you’ve been duped — again.
July 15th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Yay, the grand opening is today! You too can eat overpriced and mediocre food while surrounded by long lines and red Boar’s Head balloons! Apparently you can even win free mediocre SoupMan soup for “life”!
July 15th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
I was at Au Bon Pain today, and the soup man line was down and across the 6th street skyway. They were giving out free samples, which I didn’t taste, (Though I quite enjoyed my mini-cookie they gave me).
This whole comment thread is amusing. I hated Seinfeld, and appreciate Bill’s honesty.
July 15th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
It is amusing :)
August 4th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Did you know that Original Soupman is a bunch of crooks who lure innocent people into opening a Franchise by misrepresenting everything about the company? From the cost to open one of these dumps, to the cost of goods sold, to the number of open locations. It is all lies to get people to buy in and support this scheme.
I know, I was one of them. 25 stores have closed. Corporate people are experienced scammers who have caused many to lose big with other companies that they ran to the ground only to win themselves big $$$$.
Several former operators have lost their homes, filed for bankruptcy with many more on the way. Company is a scam and no one should pay a dime for their product….sorry Minneapolis, we all tried to warn you but your demise in terms of success of your location will be soon, just like the rest of us.
Plan on a loss of Several HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.
September 8th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
I stopped by today. I thought the 5 bean chili was very good, however, I made the mistake of buying the combo for $3 more that came with half a crappy ham and swiss cheese sandwich. I should have just stuck to the soup.
I agree that the combo was overpriced by at least 50%, but if I would have just stuck with the soup, I think I would have been satisfied. Not as much of a rip off as the price Au bon Pain charges for a bowl of soup, and a much better tasting one at that.
fuck :)
September 14th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
the soups are amazing. i love the heavenly peach tea, the smoothies are tasty & lobster bique is worth the 10 bucks
September 14th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Jessica,
I suppose I’ll need to try the “lobster bique” next time because their Lobster Bisque sucks.
September 14th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Maybe Jessica should spend her $10 on spell check?
October 13th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
After eating at the Original Soup Man twice I completely agree with Bill’s review. I have eaten both the lobster bisque and the jumbulia and both have the same muddied used dishwater taste. While I admit that the ingredients used seem to be of high quality (large chunks of lobster in my lobster bisque), if it doesn’t taste good when you mix all of those ingredients together it really doesn’t matter.
I first ate at the Original Soup Man a month or so ago and at the time concluded that it was overpriced and not particularly tasty. However, I have walked past the restaurant many times since then, and seeing the long lines of customers waiting to pay $12 for soup I thought, surely, I must have been there on an off day or ordered the wrong meal. I also was convinced that maybe there was a cheaper way to order and get out of there for under $10. Unfortunately, my second experience was exactly like the first.
I have no idea why people like this place. Maybe, it’s the Seinfeld link as Bill suggests. Maybe it’s the long line that suckers people in. I guess if Au Bon Pain and Panera can continue to sell people insanely priced food based on “Yuppy Appealâ€, this place can do the same.
If you’re really interested in some good soup I suggest buying the box of Roasted Red Pepper soup from Costco . It’s nirvana in a cup in comparison to the soup man.
October 21st, 2008 at 5:39 pm
I’ve gone to the soupman about once a week since it opened, and loved about half the soups I’ve tried, liked most of the others, and only found one or two that I just really don’t like (the Mulligatawny is not one I’d recommend). But they serve a nice variety, usually 7 or 8 each day, but then it constantly changes. I’ve had soup elsewhere, including lobster bisque at R Normans, Bank, even McCormick and Schmicks, and I still like Soup man’s better, even though it costs about the same as what it costs at those expensive places. I don’t buy the lobster bisque every time I go, but once in awhile when I’m in the mood I do. Usually I just buy the daily special, which is the soup of the day (I had Italian Sausage yesterday), and then a sandwich (grilled cheese yesterday), and a pop, and I drop around $8 with tax. I think that’s reasonable for lunch in the Skyway if you’re not eating pizza or a sub. I admit the first time I went in it was because of Seinfeld, but I keep going back because it’s really good food. Au Bon Pain is all right too, at least for pastries. I also like that little hot dog place in Northstar. I can get lunch there for less than $5. But depending on my mood, I go different places. If I want soup, I go to Original Soupman.
February 18th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
This location is now closed.
February 18th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
I went by there Monday and thought they were closed for the holiday. When I went past today I knew the end had come.
Ok, I’ll be the first to say it…
“No soup for you”