Rusty Ladle
Soup restaurant · Outer Sunset ·
Homemade soups, stellar grilled cheese, and rotating specials
Homemade soups, stellar grilled cheese, and rotating specials
"When a 60-degree, misty July day has you questioning it all, lean into the gloom at Rusty Ladle. The Outer Sunset counter serves mostly soup, ideal for thawing out with a steamy liquid lunch. Get the tomato soup and a side of schiacciata for dipping, and remind yourself that despite days like these, you love living in a place with no real seasons." - patrick wong, julia chen 1
"This Outer Sunset counter is only about two things—soups and sandwiches—and both are done extremely well. It’s the ideal place for a quick lunch that won’t force a nap a couple of hours later. Just hop into one of the bar stools for the silky clam chowder and a mortadella sandwich, and contemplate finally springing for that immersion blender to try and replicate the experience at home." - julia chen 1, patrick wong, ricky rodriguez
"A soup-focused restaurant in the Outer Sunset just makes sense. The counter serves a rotating lineup with options like clam chowder, tomato soup with basil cream, and chicken noodle. All of them work especially well as internal space heaters on chilly days. Be sure to take off your soup blinders to give the sandwiches their due—the Schmelty with lacy cheese edges is excellent, as is the one with mortadella and a smear of olive spread." - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez
"Clam chowder is a fixture on the menu at this Outer Sunset counter with a rotating roster of soups, and we’re glad it is. The Bodega-style soup isn’t as thick or rich as some of the others in this guide, but it’s still silky and loaded up with clams, potatoes, and leeks. And they don’t skimp on the accoutrements—there are bacon bits on the side, jars of crackers on the bar, and hot sauce for an extra kick." - julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez
"Follow the scent of bubbling chowder to Rusty Ladle when a drinkable meal is in order. The Outer Sunset counter sticks to just two things: soups and sandwiches (but mostly soup), and it nails them both. Scooch into a bar stool, discuss the latest fog patterns with the friendly staff, and snuggle up with a liquid lunch. The menu always has Bodega-style clam chowder and a comforting, slightly sweet tomato soup, plus a few rotating specials like lentil spinach curry or chicken noodle soup with a zippy squeeze of lemon. For dipping, there are thick, olive-smeared mortadella sandwiches (they also have toasted schiacciata slices with butter). But the cheese-obsessed should opt for the Shmelty, an inside-out grilled cheese with crisp, lacy edges. photo credit: Carly Hackbarth photo credit: Carly Hackbarth Food Rundown Bodega Bay Style Clam Chowder This is lighter than other versions in the city, and we’re here for it. The soup still has a rich, silky texture and is packed with clams, potatoes, and leeks. Go to town with crackers and bacon bits, and slurp away. photo credit: Carly Hackbarth Tomato A simple (and vegan) soup done right. It’s slightly sweet, not too smooth and not too chunky, and brightened up with a drizzle of basil cream. photo credit: Carly Hackbarth La Magnifica Piled high with mortadella, olive salad, and provolone, this hefty sandwich is a filling lunch on its own. At $9 apiece, it’s also a great deal. photo credit: Carly Hackbarth Schmelty If you don’t run screaming at the sight of lactose, get this. Slices of bread are piled with a handful of cheese on each side, griddled until crispy, and, if you’d like, stuffed with kimchi and more cheese in the middle. photo credit: Carly Hackbarth" - Julia Chen
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