Joan’s on Third
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Where else can you get a hot, delicious bowl of puréed celery soup? NOWHERE! The soup of the day at Joan’s (with locations in West Hollywood and Studio City) rarely disappoints. Varieties (some vegan) include delicious roasted corn, hearty corn chowder, zucchini with jack cheese, old-fashioned vegetables, broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, tomato basil, butternut squash, carrot, mushroom, beef or veg chile, and lentil. A bowl’s about $10, or you can take a quart to go for $15. Buy it fresh that day, or find it in their frozen section and warm it up later. They even offer a matzo bowl soup during holidays.
Stanley’s
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This Sherman Oaks staple stews up some of the most mouthwatering soups in the Valley, accompanied by crazy good, warm sourdough bread to boot! It doesn’t get better than this (not even in San Francisco!). The soup choices ($9.50) vary with the day and season but are all exceptional. My fave is the freshly roasted corn chowder, though you can’t go wrong with the creamy tomato. And don’t forget to order the best-grilled artichoke appetizer! It comes with an exceptional chipotle aioli sauce and is well worth every penny of the $15.50 price. If it’s a salad you want with your soup, try Amy’s Grapefruit Salad, made with butter lettuce, avocado, grapefruit, shredded chicken, sesame seeds, and cashews, tossed with homemade sesame seed dressing.
Fresh Corn Grill
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You can’t go wrong with the soup options at Fresh Corn Grill, but I have to say I go nutty for the Butternut Squash, a tasty purée so deliciously perfect, that it makes my heart go pitter-patter. Of course, they’re L.A.-famous for their fresh Corn Chowder, which is more soupy than chowder, in my opinion, albeit gratifying (just a warning not to expect a thick bowl you can stick a fork into). The Broccoli and Chicken Vegetable soups are also worth mentioning. You can order by the cup or by the bowl for under $8, at locations including Westwood and West Hollywood.
Santa Monica Seafood Café
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You say your tummy’s aching for yummy seafood chowder? Then head over to the cozy Santa Monica Seafood Café on Wilshire Blvd., nestled within the famous seafood market, or in Costa Mesa. There, you can choose one of three phenomenal fresh soups: Creamy New England Clam Chowder (a family recipe made with ocean clams, potatoes, onions and celery and cream), Red Manhattan Clam Chowder (made with ocean clams, plum tomatoes, potatoes, celery, onions and oregano), and Savory Fish Chowder (my personal favorite, made with an assortment of fish with potatoes, corn and onions in an aromatic Finfish and tomato broth.) While you’re at it, ask for a plate of crispy Calamari Fritti, lightly breaded and served with a spicy tomato sauce and lemon aioli.
Exotic Thai Café
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Since opening its first location in Agoura Hills in 1990, the award-winning Exotic Thai Café has been consistently serving up some of the most delicious Thai soups this side of the Pacific. My favorite: Tom Yum Goong, a spicy broth made with shrimp, mushrooms, and lemongrass ($12), that’s more than enough to share (I order it MILD, and it still has plenty of zing!). If you prefer chicken, get Tom Yum Gai ($10). Feeling adventurous? Tom Ka soup, a sweet and sour broth, made with coconut milk and mushrooms, includes your choice of shrimp, chicken, veggies, or tofu. The menu also offers Exotic Wonton Soup, with sliced BBQ pork and mixed vegetables ($10), as well as a massive Seafood Hot Pot Soup, with several varieties of seafood ($24.) Other locations include Woodland Hills, Thousand Oaks, and Ojai.
Fabrocini on the Glen
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Mamma Mia! The place to find Italian soups reminiscent of the Old Country is Fabrocini’s, nestled off Mulholland and Beverly Glen Canyon. They offer a variety of delicious zuppe, such as Home Style Vegetable, Pasta E Fabiola (Pasta, cannellini beans and Parmigiano with tomato and chicken broth), Stracciatella (Chicken broth with baby spinach, egg drop, and vermicelli), Minestrone Classic Italian soup (made with beef broth), my personal favorite Zuppa Di Clams (Fresh and chopped clams with herbs in a red clam broth,” and Escarole and Beans (Cannellini beans with chicken stock and parmesan cheese.) Along with an order of garlic bread and a glass of fine wine, it’s living the dolce vita (especially if you’re seated in the romantic patio.)
Tender Greens
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A big bowl of Tender Green’s Green Pozole, a tasty Mexican soup made with an abundant amount of shredded chicken, hominy (a large kernel corn), and tomatillos (small green tomatoes), is a meal in itself, for under $10 bucks! Much leaner than traditional homemade pork pozole, this healthier version of the hearty soup doesn’t skip on taste or texture! It comes garnished with chopped onions, cabbage, radish, and cilantro, just like the real deal. With locations all over California, it’s a quick stop for a full tummy. Hard to believe, but the bowls only got 145 calories! If you’re a soup and salad type, they’ve got a fab spinach salad with goat cheese and almond slivers that pairs nicely with the 123-calorie cup of soup. They also have a Roasted Tomato Soup, if that’s more your thing, and a Rustic Chicken Soup, with potato, carrot, celery, onion, and thyme.
Casa Vega
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Want Albondigas soup just like Grandma’s? Then head over to Casa Vega in Sherman Oaks! This hearty, tasty Mexican soup is made fresh daily with little beef meatballs and lots of carrots, potatoes, celery, green onion, and savory spices. (Cup $9.50 / Bowl $12). It’s delicious, nutritious, and sticks to a time-proven recipe. (The only difference is my Grandmother swapped out potatoes for a bit of white rice in the broth.) What could be better than that? Maybe add a fresh blended strawberry margarita, or a basket of warm tortilla chips and some mouth-watering guacamole, made tableside! And if you just must, get the flan or the world-famous churros for dessert. Who could blame you?
Porto’s Bakery and Cafe
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The seasonal soups at Porto’s are exceptional, and affordable (around $6), and for a couple of bucks more, they’ll serve it in a freshly made sourdough bowl that’s a meal unto itself. The Rustic Potato Leak (a blend of tender leeks, cauliflower, and potato slices, simmered in creamy vegetable stock and topped with housemade herb oil) is delicious, as is the Cauliflower Broccoli (with bits of bacon), and the yummy Clam Chowder. If you’re yearning for Black Bean soup (Cuban-style black beans simmered with roasted peppers, potatoes, Spanish seasonings, and finished with pickled red peppers and fresh cilantro), they make that too! Locations include Burbank, Glendale, Northridge, Buena Park, Downey, West Covina, and a new one opening at Downtown Disney!
Bazille
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Who knew that tucked away inside Nordstrom in Canoga Park, we’d find a soup so delicious, it baffles the mind? Seriously, the creamy Chicken Pot Pie Soup (served on alternating Fridays) at Bazille is that good! Check out Bazilles in Thousand Oaks, Torrance, Newport Beach, and San Diego. Made with tender chicken, carrots, mushrooms, and more, they even top off the perfectly seasoned soup with rosemary shortbread croutons, which takes it to a whole other level of deliciousness. The café also serves other varying top-notch soups by the cup or bowl, including Crab Bisque and French Onion. Depending on the day, the soup du jour includes Baked Potato, Chicken Tomatillo, Roma Tomato Basil, Chicken Tortilla, Chowder, or White Bean.
