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Category: Restaurants
Neighborhood: Near North SideChicago (Red)
Mon-Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
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two words: lobster bisque!
undecided? step up to the cauldrons and have as many free samples as you'd like. the best part is, soupbox rotates their soups every day; there's always twelve fresh soups to choose from - plus the daily special (two soups mixed together.) there's even a mini spice rack over by the check out if you feel like adding something to your soup. not sure if you feel like soupbox today? the soupbox website is always handily updated with what's on the menu that day so you can make the call before you head over.
additionally, they don't get stingy with the bread and the staff is always happy to see you. you won't find any soup nazis here!
Okay... maybe I am alone here.. but... it's just soup. Right? Just me?
The lobster bisque is good and the selection is alright, but I wish they had a chili or some kind of man soup to choose from.
Just what I need whenever I feel sickly or whenever the weather's really cold and I just want that bowl of soup to warm up my insides.
I had the chicken noodle soup today (but it seems like I get this one all the time since 3-4 blocks is a bit far on a chilly day -- and then I almost never find a seat). A bit oily, but I love that they use real chicken (or what taste like real chicken) as opposed to the chicken you'd find in Campbell or Progresso canned soups.
Their bread, though, is a bit hard. I'm not fond of them (they serve two types -- sourdough and multigrain, I think).
Last time I tried some kind of beef barley soup, and it was delicious. Reminded me of my mom's lamb stew... Mmm. The great thing about this place is that we can sample the soup in a little plastic soup if we're undecided. Plus, I loved having 12 different choices.
Torn between 3 and 4 stars but decided that I will give Soup Box the benefit of the doubt. (I'm a firm believer that broccoli cheddar soup should not be broccoli white cheddar soup. I don't know it just tastes too gourmet. Broccoli cheddar soup needs to be orange.)
Anyway, great place to get soup! (Or salad, I guess.) Mind you, my soup standards have never been high. But their clam chowder is delicious, as is their spicy mayan chicken something or other. And they are very nice and helpful and willing to let you try as many flavors as you want... In fact you could probably stand there and just keep trying flavors until you're full.
It's funny, because even as I only give soupbox 3 stars, I probably go here about 3 days a week. The soups are pretty good, but quite overpriced. But there really is something about getting to choose from 12 soups on a given chilly fall day. They are really nice about letting you try different soups and I think that I would have given them 5 stars if it wasn't just so expensive and if they had a few more soups that weren't cream based!
CAN'T GET ENOUGH!! I have never had a bad soup from here, and have tried a ton!
Like others have said, the prices are way too high for simply soup. Sure the soup is decent, but I've definitely had better lobster bisque. If that's their signature soup, then they might want to rethink the name. The bread is fresh enough, but I'd rather them knock $2 off the price of the soup than get "free" bread. They do have a good variety of soups though, so at least they've got that going for them...
Been wanting to try this place for quite awhile. The staff is extremely friendly and the soup was great. I don't live in the area, so it might be awhile before I go back, but I loved it.
Really, people? You're far too generous with your stars.
I had the beef stew and it was... decent. But I've cracked open cans with better soup. I suppose the sourdough bread was nice. Service was speedy.
My hypothesis is that most of the glowing reviews are written by stranded mid-winter travelers who were nursed back to health by Soupbox's food.
I mean, it's soup, people. Water + ??? = watery chow. Let's not go nuts here.
Soupbox cured my sore throat*
- Great variety
- Affordable prices
- They're not skimpy on the bread
- I got their "Rosemary Chicken & Dumplings" and while it was very good...there was one piece of chicken and no dumplings. It was 7:30 at night (on my break from class) so I'm guessing I got the last of the batch.
Moral of the story - if you go there after six make sure they're not scraping the bottom of the pot for your soup.
*I am not a medical professional
try the best mix in the world: chicken wild rice and thai cocunut curry chicken! if you are a skeptic, don't let that stop you from visiting Soupbox! You can sample the yummy soups to your heart's content until you find what you like. The multigrain bread is to die for! The super friendly server even offered me extra if I would like. Soupbox, you warmed my cold October bones! I'll be back many many times this winter!!
For something that's a million percent water, I just don't get how soup can be so much more expensive than, uh, real food. Don't get me wrong, soup is one of my favorite things ever. And it's definitely not bad here. But it was also like $7 (thanks a bunch, niche marketing) and didn't fill me up. That's ridiculous-- might as well go have an awesome sandwich instead. I'll sodium it up elsewhere next time.
OK I thought I needed to add to my review because I usually only eat their multigrain bread with my soup but I tried the cream of chicken wild rice with the sour dough bread and it was great! I usually do not really like sour dough bread, but I really liked their sour bread bowls it was awesome with the creamy soup. My friend tried their broccoli cheddar and that was also really good. I will probably be in their later today because I am craving the cream of chicken rice! so good!
soup was awesome! I loved the mulitgrain bread it was great!
Great place! The best part is, if you can't on one... YOU CAN MIX SOUPS!!! I'm totally a fan. I had also deliberated over getting the bread bowl (because who doesn't love a bread bowl) but then the guys were like, "Uh, you can get all the bread- either multi-grain or sourdough- you want... FOR FREE." It was a no-brainer. And, did I mention the bread is fresh?! Whoever thought soup could be so exciting! My one recommendation is to get there early. I had the signature lobster bisque and clam chowder thinking the clam chowder would thicken up the bisque a bit and it was still on the thin side... but I think it was because it was the end of the day. GO SOUP!!!
Yay for soup!
I have wanted to try this place for quite some time, but never have had the chance because I always forgot about it. However, now that I am a graduate student at Loyola's Water Tower Campus, I'm near here all the time! After much debate in the library over whether to go home and have a frozen burrito for lunch or walk over to Soupbox, my love for soup won me over, and onward I went.
I had previously checked out the soups available for the day online, but I was still partially overwhelmed when I walked in. Part of that could be that there is no actual counter when you first walk in and it can be a little confusing just staring at 12 different big tureens of soup and a guy behind them. Well, said guy asked me if I would like to try any of them, and the answer to that was YES. I first tried the broccoli cheddar, then the tomato basil bisque, then the chicken tortilla. However, while trying them, the nice guy behind the counter told me that mixing the broccoli cheddar and the tomato bisque was a surefire way to go. So I said I would have that, wanting to be adventurous, and not being able to make a decision, because really, I could have had all 12 of those soups easily, because I love soup. He asked me if I wanted to try the combination before I bought it, but I forgo that and just got it. A large, 16 oz. soup. At one point, I thought to myself, "maybe I should get the regular, since I'm not really hungry," but since I'm a fat person stuck in a skinny person's body, I decided to go for the large. And it was the right choice. Very delicious, basically just making it a broccoli cheddar tomato soup. I was drawn to the tomato soup because it was made with heirloom tomatoes, which are so delicious.
To top it off, it all comes with bread. which everyone has said. Also, there was a mix suggestion of the day that I didn't even notice until I was eating. If so, I probably would have tried it. I think the only thing about this place is that I want more than just one soup to try, even with the mixes, and I can't really afford to eat there everyday. But I probably could.
OMG! I love love love love love soup, hot or cold, I will eat soup any day. The soup box is intimate & cute and they have a giant variety of soup (duh!)...and plenty of it is vegetarian (major kudos for my soup loving but non-meat eating self). I'm not absolutely fond of the prices but they're pretty normal I guess. SOUP! Good SOUP! Go eat soup here! :)
Soup Box. You are the best. I'm eating your Chicken and Wild Rice Soup right now and it is !@#$ing delicious.Your lobster bisque is also a favorite of mine and I like your bread as well. You let me try the samples with no attitude and you let me pick out as many butters as I want from your butter jar. Both of these things help to make you the best soup place i've ever had some soup at.
Awesome Soups and fresh bread. Salad was nothing special.
It is cheap, but I'm a growing boy and easily polished off a large soup and a large salad, which cost me $13. So i wouldn't say way cheaper than other spots, but definitely healthier. BIG UP
definitely good, but they lose a star b/c its just too expensive for soup. if yo ugo anywhere else, you'd get double that amount for the price.
i had the lobster bisque mixed w/ clam chowder and it was excellent
It was around 8 pm and my friends and me were getting pretty cold and hungry after wandering the Magnificent Mile. None of us at the time knew where to grab a cheap meal that wasn't from McDonald's, some grease spoon, or Jimmy Johns.
Luckily, we stumbled on Soupbox and experienced food euphoria. The soup was good and satisfied our hunger, the staff friendly, and we each paid under $8.
I ordered a cup of New England clam chowder after some serious deliberations and sampling. Speaking of which, you can try samples of all of their soups. Don't make a decision until you've tried them all!
I wish I had gotten a bigger bowl of soup! The clam chowder was creamy, rich and filled me up nicely. I also like how Soupbox gives you a big side of sourdough bread, but you can ask for more for free.
Although the prices have gone up since I first came to Soupbox, I still think their food is well worth a visit.
Way overpriced. Go home and crack open a can of Cambell's Chunky.
Cough, cough. Sniff, sniff.
Does anyone else have a neverending cold this winter? Darn Chicago winters!
On cold days and/or sicky days nothing beats some soup from Soupbox. I stopped in here yesterday, my first time at this particular location, to get something to soothe my throat. And there were so many soups to choose from! While I love their lobster bisque, I decided to go with some good old chicken noodle soup. The stuff that mom makes when you're not feeling well...well, maybe your mom cause I can't remember the last time (if any) mine made chicken noodle soup.
I got a large thinking I'd save some for the next day, but it felt so good on my raw throat that I couldn't help, but eat it all. Awww, yes...Soupbox...the cure for surviving winters in Chicago
As I sit at my desk in my pj's, eating left over mac n' cheese, and boo hooing about not being able to shake whatever it is that's making me sick I began to think of Soupbox. Oooo, Soupbox what I would do for you right now.
I really like soupbox, but can only go a few times a year & only when its cold out. The soups are really heavy & filling, which is exactly what you want on one of those winter wonderland nights in Chicago. Right now I am craving some good ol' fashioned Chicken Noodle from Soupbox.
...Just took another bite of my mac n' cheese & decided I am in dire need of some chickie noddie.
Anyway wanna bring me some?!
I stumbled across this place when meeting a friend for lunch last November, and I really liked this minimalist, simple, and inexpensive idea! Great for the college student on a budget visiting the Loop.
Strengths:
1.) The soups are delicious, and there is a rotating menu. There are around 12 soups to choose from on any given day!
2.) Affordable! A regular bowl will cost around five dollars and it is very filling, and really helps on those nippy Chicago winter days.
3.) Near the Water Tower and the many stores, and the Chicago Red Line station.
4.) They give you free bread with your soup! It is delicous.
5.) Their decor is simple, yet feels very welcoming. The staff is also very nice.
Areas for improvement:
1.) It would be nice if they would use cardboard instead of styrofoam for their disposable bowls. It's better for the earth. I understand the whole hot liquid thing, but maybe the "to-go" orders could be styrofoam, and those who eat at the restaurant could use sturdy cardboard? I think Wendy's does this with their chili, but I am not sure. Just a suggestion.
Soupbox, you disappointed me.
Maybe it was because I went at 4pm, but my soup wasn't that hot, or that good tasting. And the bread was a little hard to eat. And almost $7 for a small cup of soup, a piece of bread, and a small drink?
No thanks!
I haven't had a bad soup yet, the multi grain bread is always fresh, and I'm becoming a regular since I just moved nearby. The service is friendly and helpful. I can always find something on the menu that I want. I hope they add dessert for the winter season other than the gelato. The price can't be beat for healthy food.
Soupbox is fine, nothing special. The one thing that really stands out, like most others have mentioned, is how friendly and conversational the employees are. And you don't even have to ask for samples--they nearly force them on you.
The lobster bisque is good, but I am lucky if I get one tiny morsel of lobster in it every time. The beer/cheese/bacon is decent, but Foodlife's is better (though lacks the bacon).
The hunk of Italian bread? Outstanding. More carbs, please!
Is there better soup out there? Probably.
But for $6, can I get really ridiculously friendly/awesome service and a cup of LOBSTER BISQUE (or Tomato Tortellini, mmmmm) anywhere else in River North?
Probably not.
I love SoupBox. Twelve kinds of soup - every day, and the nicest employees ever. And RIGHT next to the Chicago stop on the red line, too.
I am a regular at Soupbox, since I live in the area. I frequently stop by Soupbox before I hop on the Red Line to get to my office.
I appreciate Soupbox for the variety of soups that they offer. There are usually 12 soups out on the counter at any moment, and I can always find at least one in the rotation that I'm in the mood for. I frequently go for the "roadhouse" beef chili, Rosemary chicken dumpling, "old-fashioned" (creamy) chicken dumpling, Bayou chicken & sausage gumbo, chicken noodle, or chicken & wild rice. They seem to have a wide variety of soups for anyone's taste, and with 12 choices out at any one time, there is always something for everyone.
They always offer bread (Italian or multigrain) with the soup, and they have self-serve fountain drinks. I haven't tried their salads, as that's not my thing.
Soup is my favorite variety of food. It is like a hug from someone wearing a very cozy sweater, but it's in a bowl and you can eat it. Yum.
Soupbox has a wide variety of soups to choose from every day. If I HAD to complain, I would say that the focus is normally on tomato-based and cream-based soups, leaving out broth-based soups. However, it's normally yummy and cheap, too. You can sample anything before you order, and they're normally playing some decent music. It's a good place to park for a half hour break from holiday shopping.
Soupbox is a great spot to stop and warm up with delicious soups. One of the great features is the ability to taste soups before you buy them, so you know exactly what you're getting.
On my first visit, I got a bread bowl of the "Hearty Vegetable", which was entirely too much food. Next time, I will probably get a normal cup (still 16 oz), which comes with bread on the side. This will save a couple bucks, helping to bring the price in line with "cheap lunch". Because their soups are priced differently depending on the type, you can walk out for 5 bucks for veggies and water, or 12 bucks for gumbo and soda.
One negative note though, is that the staff seemed to be composed primarily of college teens completely disinterested in making the visit a warm and welcoming one. Not that I can blame them, but the management may want to consider bolstering their spirit, or hiring those interested in seeing the success of the place.
It's a bit of a walk from my work, but I'd definitely make the haul up there again, and try something new.
Every cream based soup I've had here is very good. Note for those who haven't been here yet that you can mix any of the soups together, which sometimes produces really tasty results. Only problem is that virtually all of the soups are somewhat expensive.
I have recently become a soup connoisseur in my own mind.
I went in here during the lunch rush, but these guys are pros and the long line didn't take any time to get through at all. This restaurant has some of the best lobster bisque I have ever had. So rich, so creamy, so delicious. Nummy in my tummy! Sick comfort food at its finest. And seeing their nutrition is posted online, not nearly as bad for you as I thought it would be. The bread is really good too.
Skip it.
I'd say my experience with Soupbox should warrant about a two-star review, but I'm going to give them an extra star because of the customer-friendly policy of letting you taste the soup before you order it. I tried the "beef stew" and the potato bacon, and ended up going with chicken and wild rice. They all have that fast-foody, gooey sort of taste to them. They give you a decent sized hunk of bread, but it's pretty airy and cheapo feeling. I also had a salad, which was nothing special... and they didn't give me enough dressing.
I was expecting to really enjoy the soup at a place that specializes in it, so I was pretty disappointed. You can get better soups at other places, like Potbelly for instance. You can also get it cheaper. Five bucks for a cup of not-so-hot soup is a little bit of a rip-off. I probably should have had the lobster bisque, which I see is a little bit of a Yelper favorite. And I'd probably appreciate this place more if I was a vegetarian--they seemed to make an effort to have a solid number of veggie options. But since I didn't and I'm not... meh.
made it to soupbox as early in my trip as i can. mmmm lobster bisque. also got turned onto chicken wild rice, which i like too... maybe the two together next time... love.
**for the sake of full disclosure, on the visit after this one, i did get a free meal. i know i know, it affects my impartiality, but who turns down free good food. (free bad food, i have been known to resist those...)
If I can give them another star, I would. I love every soup I've tried here but especially the… Read more »
I was out late in the area and needed sustenance for the bus ride/ EL back home, what's a boy to do? Deciding to give Soupbox a try, the two workers were like "sup bra!" and "bra, want a sample?". Refreshing! Cranking Wilco is always a nice touch in my book as well. I didn't need a sample, I saw Authentic Chicken Tortilla Soup on the menu.
Soup comes with a fat slab of bread for eating and dipping and the boys comped me a drink. "Thanks bra!" The Tortilla soup had just the right amount of spice and the chicken to broth-ratio was right on! (It's soup science....E=MCampbell's squared!) I slopped up the last of it with the hearty crusty bread and was off, riding the 66 Chicago bus with a smile. Which is quite an accomplishment.
I came with a friend one weekend and brought another friend the next weekend. I really liked this place. Somehow my breadbowl and a drink come put to about $10, but whatev's I really like the lobster bisque and it's filling, which is a problem, because it's so good that I just have to finish. The staff is also really nice. They seem tired of dealing with people sometimes, but in a way you can understand when you come in and a group of tools are hitting on a some toolettes hardcore and disturbing EVERYONE around them in the process (just happened once though).
Anyways, I like the soup and I like the staff. I recommend it, esp. for lunch.
I love broccoli cheddar soup but some places use chicken broth which is not cool. Its not necessary to use chicken broth and Soupbox understands this. Hehe. Anyways, I was craving soup for the past 4 days and decided that I was finally going to stop by Soupbox and get some broccoli cheddar. Mmm...yummers!!! I got there and saw all the different vegetarian options. I wanted to try all of them!!! But simply stuck with the broccoli. I got a medium with a nice sized piece of italian bread. They also offer multi-grain bread now!! Sweet.
My soup was awesome. Actual big pieces of broccoli were swimming in there which excited me. I loved it. Two thirds of the way through the cup I was full. The prices are great for soup this awesome. Their staff is also very friendly which is always a plus. RUN AND GET SOUP!!!
I just love when I'm out running errands on my lunch break and I come across the Soup Box. I sometimes forget about it, since it's not conveniently located near my place of employment. But it's always a sweet surprise when I rediscover it!
The line is usually long, but moves quickly. This is an extremely small joint and it often reminds me of the ever so popular soup kitchen from Seinfield--minus the Soup Nazi. The staff are very friendly and I get the impression that they enjoy working there (it's always nice to know they aren't spitting in your soup!). Once, while I was in line to pay, their credit card machine crapped out. I had no cash. The cashier could have said "No soup for you!" But instead he gave me my soup free of charge. Free lunch always makes me extra happy :)
I have never been disappointed with my soup here and I can't really complain about the prices. Sure, it's just soup and maybe soup should be cheaper... but if it will fill me up, then its worth the same price as a sandwich to me!
Soup! Salad! FREE SAMPLES!! Gratis!! Woo!
Big fan of this location, the people that work here always seem happy to let me sample all I please, oh and believe me, I do please to try. The soup is hot, fast, and the salad is fresh and SO super yummy.
I recommend the Tomato Basil soup with the Apple Berry salad. Its always does a body good!
Soupbox for the soul!!!
Free Spring Rolls or Egg Rolls
Neighborhood: South Loop
All You Can Eat Special
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