Diaspora Cafe

This humble unassuming place hooked us up with delicious burritos. However, would we return? Seattle is full of places! Yes we would! Why? My first image reveals the answers. First off, we initially went for a latte, I was curious about their food options though. We had their Yaoupon espresso and this review does not reflect that experience. More on that later. Moving on, we ordered a chorizo and a bacon burrito…thankfully! We almost only picked one. Both were great. Now I say this being a Chitown born and raised Mexicano. Was this traditional Mexican burrito? Certainly not as it was vegan. That being said the locally made tortillas were great and inside we found a delicious synergy of flavors with satiating spice (and yet not too spicy for the little ones) with the tofu scramble, potatoes, beans, veggies, etc. I can’t see which one was better…well maybe the bacon, I honestly would order both again. And all fam members enjoyed them, from parents to a 10-7-& 4 year olds. That was surprising. Pricing: $10ish dollars for each one and the sizing was good. I say this ordering a burrito from Bang Bang cafe for about double the price and just as good. Location: Georgetown! What a dope neighborhood! Georgetown is a unique and funky neighborhood we enjoy! 🅿️ by diaspora looks to be pretty easy, it is in the corner of intersecting streets yet not busy. It feels residential. Back to the latte. I maybe would give them another chance for coffee. We order the Yaupon and it’s tasted kind of like a chai tea. Moving forward, wonderful people, please give a description as this is a tea tasting drink, not a coffee tasting one. I would not order that again, cuz I’m a coffee person. If you’re a tea person, you may love it. That being said, when able to return I would order a burrito for all family members and ask them to switch out vegan cheese for regular cheese. Do yourself a favor and snag one! Hot Tips: *Grab burritos and check out Georgetown brewing as they are BYOF and a 2mins walk away. They offer root beer for kids and are very family friendly. *Take a walk around this hood and you might find their trailer park mall which has events on Sundays. * Matcha Man Ice Cream & Taiyaki is in the area and is great! *Check out the local record shop/book store! Enjoy!

What a cute place! It’s tucked in the Industrial District which I’m unfamiliar with but that adds to the charm. Cute little shop thats very affordable. They don’t offer a large variety but that’s what’s also adds to the greatness. They do what they do well. I got a Cuban sandwich and bag of chips but was almost swayed by the drink options. Next time!

Came here excited for soup and left more surprised by the sandwich. Nice lineup of hot sandwiches -I had the Cuban queso and it was as delicious as it sounded. Having the soup calendar posted online was cool although my only complaint is for a place called a soup stop I wish there were more soups! Combo is a good choice as you get a well sized macaroni salad (bonus points for making it with ditalini) and some cookies. Next time I’ll skip the full combo and just add soup. Will definitely be back.

Finally visited and they did not disappoint. As far as I know, they have been here awhile which made me think they might be stuck in the same types of food, but after looking at their online menu they keep things interesting with different soups and sandwiches. I ordered the sandwich special of grilled jerk chicken with Caribbean red cabbage slaw, grilled pineapple ring, and mango chutney on a grilled Grand Central Bakery rustic roll that came with Lect's own macaroni salad and pack of cookies. I added a cup of curried corn chowder for $3. Everything was delicious. I liked the combination of flavors and textures in the sandwich from the charred chicken and crunchy purple cabbage to the caramelized pineapple and tangy chutney. The soup was nice as well with a pronounced curry flavor. I also like how they seem to switch up the macaroni salads because the one I had was green tinged and other photos on Google show a different type of macaroni salad. One final note was that the guy who took my order seemed really kind and made the pickup order very easy. I really recommend Lect's.

Diaspora is a fantastic spot for breakfast or lunch! I tried the Georgetown Grinder, and it brought back fond memories of life on the East Coast. The yaupon drinks are a must-try – truly unique to Diaspora and absolutely delicious. They also offer drip coffee if that’s more your style, but I’ve found that yaupon provides steady energy and is gentler on my stomach than regular coffee. The food, drinks, and prices here are all excellent, and I’ll definitely be returning to this gem of a place!

This is the best soup spot I have ever been to. this restaurant is so nice to order from because they have homemade unique flavored soups every day,their sandwiches are amazing, their rolls are amazing. when there’s so many places to eat that have heavy unhealthy options this Lecs soup stop provides a light but filling meal every time. I love this place could eat here multiple times a week

This is the best soup place I’ve found in the seattle area. I had the chicken pot pie soup with a mini grilled cheese on the side and it was delicious! I cannot wait to come back and try more soups.

I find every excuse I can to eat the best Cuban sandwich in the city! The crispy cheese-crusted pulled pork paninis and stand-your-spoon-in stews give any rainy Seattle day a run for its money.

Soup and bread isn't just for old time prisoners anymore. Now we can all enjoy delicious and comforting food too! Lect's Soup Stop is the opposite of the Soup Nazi seen on the old Seinfeld TV show. The staff is pleasant and the soups are superior. This was my first time here so as I told the counter lady this, she offered me a great description of the fares and even a couple samples of the soups I seemed most interested in. I chose the top item on the soup menu which was their Greek Lemon Soup (Avgolemono Soup). This soup was hearty, filling and very tasty. Afterwards, I had to look the soup up on the web to see how I could try to make it at home. Apparently, it is quite a staple in Greece. I added the mini panini bogo special the advertised in the window which is two slices of bread with a slice of American Cheese in-between and then panini grilled to perfection. These were great with my soup. They also offer several other sandwiches and salads on their menu. The soups switch out frequently with the Garden Vegetable being a permanent soup. Their building was an old train switching station in the heart of Georgetown and is charming. I checked out their website and found that Lect isn't someone's name but the 7028 Life Enhancement Charitable Trust, which assist local charities in their endeavors to provide assistance to our fellow citizens who need a hand. They are only open Mon-Fri from 10-3 which is perfect for this industrial type area. Now you can enjoy some great food and support a worthy cause! I will be back to try the other soups soon!

Wow this place is truly a gem. A rotating menu, that matches the season and temperature? Never knew I needed it more. I got the chicken bok choy soup today, and honestly might be one of the greatest soups I've had. It was so hearty, warming, and delicious. I was amazed. The service was super super sweet too. The two girls inside were quick, friendly, very polite, and lovely conversation. I think it took no longer than 3 minutes from me walking up to then leave with my order. With every soup there is a bread roll (with butter) and either chips or a cookie? The cookie was perfect too. Warm, texture was great, and nice chocolate. Definitely will be going back again. Will even get one of their espresso drinks too.

This was my first time trying Lect's and I couldn't have been more pleased! I heard about it online and when I checked the menu and saw beer brats & caramelized onion for today's soup, it became my mission to make it there before closing. This soup was amazing! Think of a french onion soup but with bratwursts and soo much flavor! The location is a cute little home-y spot with a walk-up window, which made it super quick and efficient to order and grab my food to-go. The service was excellent as well! A very friendly woman was working when I went and she was very quick with my order and still had a great attitude despite my arriving only about 15 minutes before closing. Will definitely be back!

Came in from out of town and wanted a quick sandwich. Good sized sandwich for a good price! Quick to get food as well.

How fortunate for us who work in Georgetown to have this soup/sandwich joint in the area...short walk for many. The soup is extraordinary- every sip full of rich flavor from fresh ingredients. Sandwiches really are a perfect lunch too. Hearty, handmade food at a simple, humble little pick up spot. Online ordering is available and keep an eye on the online soup calendar to see what they are serving that day.

My wife was craving soup on one of those typical gloomy Seattle days and, lucky for us, Lect's was close by to fulfill her soup needs. The location is quaint featuring a walk up and order experience and pustule seating around the space. Would be a great place to sit and eat on a sunny day, enjoying plenty of shade from the nearby trees. It's a great place to take food to go when you're on the run as well. The two people serving and creating the food are kind, patient, and efficient. The food was fantastic. With a rotating option of soup dependent on the day of the week, my wife absolutely loved her soup of choice and my BBQ pulled pork sandwich was both filling and delicious. Also, some of the best Mac salad I've enjoyed while staying in Seattle. All while being (very) reasonably priced. If you're in the mood for an amazing cup of soup or a great sandwich, this is your spot!

Absolutely disgusting. If you are trying to market a new way of brewing tea then don't call it espresso. Not a single thing indicated I was getting tea and not coffee.

I ordered this place on DoorDash when I was sick and it was perfect. Checked their website for their soup of the day and immediately ordered it. Who doesn't love soup and sandwiches. Such a comforting meal and will definitely stop by in person to check this place out.

Lect's was amazing, this new shop owner/makeover no longer is. Way more $, more limited menu. Bummed to lose a good place in the neighborhood. Wont be back.

I've been meaning to come here for so long, but it's a little far from me and they're only opened on the weekdays. I finally remembered and made it down here. I checked the soup calendar and was excited for their choices that day. The guy that took my order was super friendly. I ordered 2 bacon and corn chowders along with a caprese sandwich. The food came out in about 5 minutes. They do have picnic tables outside their stand that would have been nice to eat at (on a nice day while practicing safe/cautious social distancing and cleaning). When I got home, I tried the soup. The soup is pretty big and comes with a roll. The bacon and corn chowder was very tasty, super flavorful. The bacon was very good, almost like a ham. There were a lot more veggies in it (corn, celery, etc) then just corn too. The caprese sandwich was good! Well cooked. It came with a macaroni salad and packaged cookies, that was average. I do like that they include a small side and dessert with the sandwiches. It's a little hard for me to get down here on a weekday, but they do have very tasty soup! It's a good price for the amount you get. Check their soup calendar to see what day catches your eye. I still want to try their chicken pot pie soup and their broccoli & cheddar.

What a great find. I no longer live in Washington state but I came back to visit some friends and was craving soup. I don't know how I missed this cute place while living in Seattle. I usually make my own soup because that way I know what is going into it; but the soup here is Just delicious! I had the Tomato Basil Bisque and it just had the perfect tomato flavor to it. If I am ever in Washington again I will go back and I highly recommend!

This place is great! I have been to a nearby business twice in the last few years, and there is never any doubt what we are getting for lunch. Soup stop! This time I had the Thai Chicken Soup which was an amazing elixir of chicken, mushrooms, onions, and Thai basil in a cream based (coconut milk? idk) broth. Served with a delicious not too crusty roll and butter it is a perfect light lunch. Others loved their half sandwich, soup, and macaroni salads.

Perhaps the best smoked salmon chowder I've EVER had. Actually, since none of the other smoked salmon chowders are memorable, I dub this THEE best smoked salmon chowder I've ever had! Lect's is an unassuming little shack in north Georgetown, seemingly in the middle of nowhere. I happened to stop by during a quiet, post-lunch hour while I was running errands downtown. Soups come with bread and butter and the Cesar salad I had was crisp and perfectly seasoned. Speaking of perfectly seasoned, both soups I tried were totally on point. I visited on an off hour, on an off day. I imagine that during lunchtime it might be hard to find parking since the area is both residential and industrial at the same time. And I'm sure it gets busy--but let me tell you, it's worth the wait. Get the punchcard if you have regular access to the area!

Well 8 years ago I rated this little establishment for the first time and was a frequent "souper" . Im going to miss Lects, such a great place.

Really excited for the new addition of Yaupon Espresso and the care of much loved Lect's Soup Shop by the amazing folks from Diaspora Cafe starting next week! Can't wait!

Perfect spot for soup & sandwich. Quick stop and the food was delicious. Definitely going to go back on a rainy day. Sandwich was made to order and the woman behind the counter was pleasant and helpful with questions we had. A+

I keep coming back... It was so good the first time that I forgot to take a picture... I just ate my food up! Soup is flavor full! Their sandwiches are mouth-watering. They come up with different new special for their soups AND sandwiches. Do not be fooled by the appearance of this place... Looking like a simple small shack... Amazing food comes out of this place!

Stop by Lect's Soup Stop to get 2 of Lunch here. Open 10am-3pm. Take to go~ or benches are available behind place. I Ordered Chicken Minestrone & Brazilian Chicken stews. All soups include a Grand Central Bakery como roll and butter. Both soups are great taste and no salty too. There is a monthly soup calendar at order windows area so check it out!

This review is long overdue as Lect's has been around have of forever and we have occasionally stopped for food for over ten years! Lect's is off to itself on a triangular piece of property near the old railroad track. The only reason we don't frequent more often is it is a bit off the beaten track. Not hard to get to but a place that can be forgotten about. Today it was a rainy afternoon and just seemed right for soup so we stopped by in the way home (Lect's is essentially a glorified shack. There is a window for orders, no inside for waiting or eating, no covered outdoor seating). They have a monthly soup calendar on line in addition to a chicken and veggie soup daily. So today we ordered chicken with wild rice , chicken and veggie and Thai chicken soup. They also have great sandwiches which I almost always skip because their soups are so darn filling. Every time we taste our soups we cannot believe we do not stop at least weekly. Just perfect solution for a rainy day. We highly recommend!

Such good sandwiches, prices, quality, I even like that you can sit outside when it's nice and read. The wait is never long, staff is so friendly! I would highly recommend for anyone looking for a quick meal. And they add extras to your meal like a cookie. My to go lunch place!

The Soup Master Lect creates incredibly delicious soups in this hut by the Georgetown Brewery. Should you find yourself in the industrial area make sure you drive up for a bowl of soup. I was fortunate enough to locate a business dedicated to the culinary art of soup making.Not to many business focus entirely on soup as the meal, yet Lect's lives and dies by the bowl. Peek on there website to preview the master soup menu for the entire month. One of my favorites is the chicken tortilla soup and Lect does not go cheap on the bird. Every bowl of soup I've ever consumed is packed pull of meat and goodies. All soups include a Grand Central Bakery como roll and butter to mop up the bottom of your bowl with. Leaving just a drop of soup would be sinful. My only wish is they would have some of Georgetown Brewery's beer on tap. Oh well a man can dream can't he? However this is a lunch you really wanna try, it's so yum yum.

So I'm kinda mad at this place for not doing more advertising. I've been in the area for almost a year and I only found it on DoorDash because I wanted soup. Sandwich was delicious - perfect amount of cheese, veggies and spread. Soup was also delicious - not overly salty and full of flavor. The surprise was the mac salad - I love mustardy or vinegary salads and it is absolutely the best mac salad I have ever had! I can't wait to try more of their soups and sandwiches!

Been meaning to stop here for years and finally did today. Ordered the corn and bacon chowder which was delicious and it came with a great roll. Nice and thick, not greasy and was so filling. Split a special sandwich- Jerk chicken with pickled cabbage and grilled pineapple. It was juicy and delicious. Would order again. I will definitely be back to try more soups and sandwiches soon.

Update: I've been back here many many times since my last review. Staff is always friendly and fast. Some of my favorites or the Thai style chicken has amazing flavor, chicken pot pie, Italian wedding are great. All have loads of veggies in them, they don't skim on that. My boss, assistant and I stop by here a few times a month! Such a cute lil shop near my work. I heard about it from a coworker and have visited 3 times. The 1st time I tried their sandwich special which was a pastrami sandwich with sriracha cream cheese and caramelized onions (yum!!!). The second was their cheddar broccoli soup, I was a dope and didn't notice the wording since it does say GT brewery cheddar broccoli. It was a bit bitter for my liking but it's to be expected. The 3rd time I tried their chicken pot pie soup, delicious! The bread they provide with the soup is soft. When you order a sandwich you get a Mac salad and cookies. Each time I visited I had a different cashier. As previous people mentioned, it's hit or miss. The first girl was super sweet and helpful, the 2nd seemed like I ruined her day by arriving, the 3rd was neutral. The service was fast. I was never there longer than a few minutes. I was able to park next to the stand. They put up a canopy for the days that it was raining so customers wouldn't get soaked while they wait, which I thought was considerate! They also have a punch card system, i believe the 10th stamp you get a free soup!

warm soup and for a good cause! I have been spending a lot of time down in Georgetown lately. Lect has been a nice little find in this corner of Seattle. Basically a tiny shack with take out only. They have few park benches around but thats about it. The soups are pretty tasty and somewhat creative. The italian sausage and squash soup comes to mind. I also can't resist the miniature grilled cheese panini you can also get with your soup. The sandwiches I have had are of the deli variety and don't stand out as much as their soup. Check them out!

I always came to Lect's Soup whenever I didn't bring my lunch. Everything is good here, especially the soup, and the staff is always welcoming and friendly.

Lect's is awesome! I had an AMAZING Cuban sandwich. It was excellent and juicy. Much better than just slices of ham. I added some Greek Leno rice soup which was delish. The service was great. I ordered ahead and it was ready for pickup. The staff was super friendly and fun. Great spot for a quick lunch.

Lect's is a perfect spot for lunch especially on rainy Seattle days. My favorite is the Italian Wedding soup.

This place is bomb. The soups are QUALITY. Seriously, delicious. They have around 4 a day, plus everything is pretty cheap. I've had the chicken curry and a pulled pork spicy something... delicious. Plus I'm hooked on the Cuban sandwich. You get macaroni, soup, sandwich and cookie for $13 bucks! Comon! Update here: I just finished a cup of that pork spicy soup.. whatever it's name, very tasty. May this business prosper!

Being a part of Yelp has it's benefits. I had a craving for soup one day at lunch and looked on Yelp to see if there was anything nearby and discovered this wonderful little place. Located a little off the main streets, but still easy to find. Just a small place with a couple of outside tables that serves up some of the best soup I have had recently and throw in a grilled cheese panini all for under $8, how can you go wrong. The bowl of Chicken broccoli and cheese soup was great and with the sandwich a great lunch all served up in a nice to go box.

I asked the people if this place any good before I placed the order. Never paid attention to this small house like place selling good soups, and sandwiches. I love any chowders. I ordered the combo soup and sandich, with Grilled Caprese with mozzarella, basil presto, tomato on a "Bolo" roll. It was hot and tasty. I loved it the first bite. Corn chowder is OK, I've had better ones, perhaps the soup base is on the higher MSG side? The Macaroni salad was pretty good as well. For $9, a hot and hearty meal, that is not bad. They open 10 am - 3 pm only.M-F A point is taken away that I had to stand in the rain in a long line............ Server was friendly though. Will go back to try other item very soon.

The people working were so nice! I got the veggie garden and it was very filling. My husband got the Thai soup and also loved it. Didn't care to much for the bread tho

I was instantly glad with my decision to try this soup stand. It's a little out of the way but once there, the shop was absolutely awesome! I tried the Brazilian Chicken Stew and the panini. Both were incredible! What an awesome gem in Georgetown. The food was superb and the staff were extremely friendly. 10/10!

This place is dope!! I've ordered twice this week from them. I LOVE soup and im super happy it changes day to day. 2 different sandwiches thus far as well as their soups. Both were mad tasty and were delivered hot and quickly.

I can not believe that this place has been near my job the whole time and I didn't know about it. Coworker and I went there on a Cold rainy Seattle day we got the the soup of the day and a sandwich each. It was sooooo amazing I will be back for more.

As a native New Englander, I was doubtful anyone in the Pacific Northwest could do justice to clam chowder. I just picked up a cup from Lect's and it was so good, and so fresh, I felt I was back on Cape Cod. The soup had fresh potatoes, fresh parsley, and real ingredients. As homemade as it gets. And delicious. I can't wait to try more of their soups when in the area.

Cute little spot with outside seating. Staff is very friendly. Prices are a bit on the ridiculous side of things. Got a bowl of broccoli cheddar bacon soup with a roll and it cost around $8.50. Soup itself was oily. I'd rather just go to Panera and get their broccoli cheddar for $6. Edit: I very much appreciate the response, that was very kind of you. Thank you for explaining why the cost is what it is and offering up a recipe. I will come back again and try something new.

Pork posole: just as good as the one i make at home, which is pretty darn good! Grilled Muffalleta: perfect! Macaroni salad: yummy Cookies: can't go wrong with famous amos! Awesome little lunch spot in Georgetown.

What can I say? I love this place! Whenever traveling south of Seattle I make the detour to grab lunch here. A great place to sit with coworkers and grab lunch outside on a sunny day or quickly grab your food to go when the weather is wet. The sandwiches are good but the soup always steals the show. I go out of my way to find good soup joints and even though I've found a few great ones between Tacoma and Mount Vernon this one is by far the best.

I just grabbed a BBQ sandwich and a bowl of beef pot pie soup from Lect's. The price was great: $7 for sandwich, mac salad, and cookies and $5 for a bowl of soup with a roll. However, the food, as one reviewer puts it, was just OK. The pulled pork was a bit dry, and neither the pork nor the sauce have much flavor. I was expecting a flakey crust from a pot pie soup, but the top tasted like an Oyster cracker and the individual ingredients didn't stand out in any way. I might go again and try another soup cause the price was right, but I wouldn't go out of my way.

First time trying this place the sandwich is divine and the macaroni salad is very tangy i will have the Cuban sandwich again and recommend it for everyone two thumbs up from me

Went here for a random lunch stop and at first it didnt look like much. when we walked up we were greeted by the friendliest employee Martin. We asked what he would recommend and he was totally honest and asked whether we were starving or just wanted a light snack. I was starving and so he recommended the Cuban Nacho sandwich and my wife wasn't so hungry so she got the caprise sandwich and goodness it was not a disappointment at all! this place looks small but looks can be deceiving and it packs a big punch of flavorful food! On top of the great employees like martin!! would recommend this spot anytime of the day!

This is my go to place for lunch. I love-love their soup menu. They are so fresh and yummy. Their service is pretty quick. Not much wait time. They also have a punch card, you get a soup free after 10 buys. They have a pretty decent sandwich menu and the prices are reasonable. Keep it up guys!!!

Been twice, so I know it wasn't a fluke. Chicken curry soup w/ basmati rice was filling, flavorful, and hot. Definitely tasted home made. Nacho Cuban press was a gut bomb but it was also awesome and totally hit the spot. It's clear the panini press is well seasoned. The staff are always courteous and the food comes out as soon as possible. If you work in this area or have a hankering for soup, this is your place.

I was so surprised to receive a response to my YELP posting request to make the GT Brew Broc/Cheddar soup without bacon! Today was the day it was supposed to happen....and when I got there...they had a batch, bacon free, ready to go! :) Thanks for listening to your customers and trying something different! I just wanted to tell you that the soup is totally delicious ad I really like the fact that I can now taste the broccoli and not the bacon! Very good soup ~ again! :)

I love soup! Therefore I love this place. Even better that it's very close to work. I think they have the best vegetarian soup. They have all kinds of veggies in it. They also have other soups and panini's. They are all very good too but I'm stuck on the veggie soup. They have a frequent buyer's card where your 10th soup is free. Instead of having you hold on to your card, they have a card holder by the window for you to store it. This is great because with all the cards I have to carry, I'll probably lose it or not waste time to look for it. Everyone is super nice and sassy and the service is super quick every time. The only thing is that you have to walk up to the window to order your food, and when it's freezing and windy... you'll experience all that in full force being out side. Oh but today, my coworker tried the corn chowder and it wasn't as thick as we thought it would be... it was watered down. Still good, but not the best.

A great addition to the Georgetown neighborhood and just a couple blocks from my work. This little stand has a daily soup from Split Pea with Ham to Smoked Salmon Chowder. They serve Country Vegetable everyday for the veggie folks too. However, the most delicious soup is the Georgetown Beer Broccoli/Cheddar Bacon. OMG. Amazing. However, I don't know how you could go wrong with those ingredients. For $5 (includes tax) you get about 2 cups of soup, a roll, pat of butter, and a nice container to bring back to your work. They are also starting to serve other items like BBQ pulled pork sandwiches and chicken salad wraps ($7 but includes macaroni salad and cookie). They post the soup schedule on the website. Also, I think the profits go to local charities and the leftover soup goes to shelters. So while you are getting fat on beer cheesy soup you know it's all for a good cause.

At the 1998 Grammy Awards Aretha Franklin stepped in at the last minute to sing "Nessun Dorma" for Luciano Pavarotti. Lect's Soup Stop puts that performance in a cup and calls it Loaded Potato. Nothing but jaw-dropping chunky bites of luxury in these Styrofoam bowls. On a clammy fall day I picnicked at one of the Stop's several outdoor tables. The wind whipped my book's pages. Leaves fell into my lunch. My butt was cold and wet. Awesome. This is opera for stonemasons. After finishing my meal and while drafting this post, Chef Charles introduced himself and poked me for some commentary. I told him to look for an Aretha reference on Yelp. As I started the car to leave, he waved an envelope at me and yelled, "Hey Gary, I got some mail from from Yelp!" I love coincidences and Lect's soup. Comes with a hard roll, butter and assertive attitude.

Food is great, I rarely ever actually get soup. Lect's rotates it's menu all the time. If you're on a budget, this place can cost you up to $10 per meal. The guys working here don't accept tips, but instead donations for a local charity they support. No frills, no bullshit. I like that.