"The Soup Peddler has cornered Austin’s somewhat limited soup market. There are six locations making reliably good bowls of tomato basil, chicken with rice, mulligatawny, bone broth, and various daily specials. You can get them for dinner, but it’s really more of a lunch situation—light, inexpensive, and satisfying. The restaurants tend to be small, like this takeout window off of South 1st St., and everything is served in to-go containers. The menu also has a few grilled cheese sandwiches that are nothing special, but we dig The Soup Peddler’s smoothies, some of which have fun musical names like Magic Carpet Ride and Paisley Park. Food Rundown photo credit: RICHARD CASTEEL Mulligatawny Seinfeld obsessives can rejoice—this thick Indian soup is the best of The Soup Peddler’s daily lineup. The lentils, potatoes, curry powder, and other ingredients make for the kind of stew you could imagine savoring in a toasty cabin after a long wintry hike. photo credit: RICHARD CASTEEL Tomato Basil This is more garlicky and less cream-focused than many tomato soups, so it might not be for everyone. Like us, for example. The flavors are striking at first, but a whole bowl of them can be a bit much. photo credit: RICHARD CASTEEL Chicken Soup With Rice A nice, classic option with all the usual suspects—carrots, onions, celery, and a strong dose of pepper. You don’t have to be sick on the couch watching The Price Is Right to appreciate it, but it doesn’t hurt. photo credit: RICHARD CASTEEL Cheddar Grilled Cheese Like we said, nothing special. But a grilled cheese doesn't have to be special to get the job done, and The Soup Peddler has several variations, including one with turkey, cilantro pesto, and pepper jack. photo credit: RICHARD CASTEEL Tropicalia Smoothie There’s no definitive best smoothie here, but this bright green potion featuring kale, mango, banana, and more is a nice example of The Soup Peddler’s drinks. Just like at JuiceLand, Wonky Blends, or pretty much any smoothie bar on Earth, they’re not exactly cheap—a 24-ounce large can cost as much as $11.25—but you’re in good hands when you want some blended fruit and bee pollen extract." - Matthew Jacobs
