Soup's On

I loooove this place. On a chilly day, their inventive soups warm you from the inside out. It's small inside so be prepared to wait for a seat if it's busy, but it's worth it.

Try any soup that catches your fancy; I've tried four kinds now, and I haven't hated one yet. I mean, who knew that fried capers could make a potato soup taste like heaven? And I've never tasted such a delicious clam chowder!

Their salads are also awesome -- last time I had one with arugula, asparagus, goat cheese, and pistachios -- and their portions are healthy. I find that if I get a soup and a salad, I end up taking about half o my salad home after eating all of the soup and all of the bread.

Did I mention the yummy bread? And props to them for handing out Kerrygold Irish Butter for the bread. Nothing better than Irish butter on a roll. Absolutely nothing.

Awesome lunch place in Hampden!!

You can check out their weekly menu on their website. They've got 3 or more soups every day, 3 or more sandwiches, and usually 4 or more salads, plus a Quiche of the Day.

Everything is fresh, seasonal, and super delicious. I'm the type who can't feel satisfied with "just" soup, so I get a combo with a half sandwich or quiche.

I also recommend their homemade iced tea or lemonade. In the colder months, they have spiced cider and hot chocolate.

It's quick, delicious, and nutritious. Who could ask for more? Well...I did knock off one star because of the cramped space. I've never ever had an issue getting a seat, but it's always more comfortable to feel like you're not crowded.

So I live within walking distance of Soup's On, and on a chilly winter day all I crave is a hot bowl of soup and a small salad (for about $10). Their menu offerings change daily and can be found by checking their website before visiting, but I've never gone wrong with their soups, salads and their quiche of the day.

They will gladly pack up a to-go order quickly if you're on a lunch break too. You can purchase soup by the quart container as well if you find that you have a favorite you'd like to take home. This place really reminds me of some hole -in-the-wall, quaint NYC lunch spot and it's even better that it's built in to the first floor of one of the original rowhomes on The Avenue, with a front porch to sit in on a summer day, even.

This was the first trip in my "Which Soup's On is Better" experiment.

Here's the criteria:

Location: Right on the Ave, at the heart of Hampden. Great location for North Baltimorians, maybe not such much the ones downtown.

Staff: Two people working. Both nice. Maybe could have had one or two more people helping... it was really busy when we went in there and the wait was kind of long.

Soup: Good choices, all warm feeling winter soups. I got the fish chowder with prosciutto. Almost positive there was no prosciutto. It was only so-so.

Sandwiches: Chicken salad with apricots on a grainy bread with arugula. Good. Wish there was more of a selection... it's just that or tuna.

General Atmosphere: Cute! Soup is a cute food! Cute people eat soup! Bask in all its cuteness!

Price: Kinda pricey. Half a soup and sandwich is $10. Plus soda, $11. Not the best for daily lunches.

Was I Full: YES. Food coma status.

Found this place via a LivingSocial deal and so glad I did!

Delicious soups, hot bread and irish butter on the side, and a good variety of fresh salads. The staff are super welcoming and friendly as well, making a great lunch spot for indoor and outdoor seating. Must try the berry zinger lemonade! They give free refills on their drinks (which are only $2 anyhow)!

I only wish it were open later...

My wife and I love to find a reason to be near Hampden just so we can eat at Soup's On! Everything we've tried has been amazing.

The soups are incredible but I have to have either their chicken salad or tuna - I've never had a better tuna salad.

Luckily we've never been there when it's too busy so we've always found a seat - but there sure aren't many!

Been meaning to write for a while, because every time I snag soup here it is delicious and I'm a big fan of soup. Gotta say, much as I love Atwater's (and I do love Atwater's), Soup's On is neck and neck. Hot, cold, doesn't matter, they're all good. Major challenge is selecting among the day's offerings.

This time I had mushroom -- a rich bowl of the essence of the veggie. Dark and robust, smooth and complex enough that the last spoonful was just as happy an experience as the first.

And this sandwich that was summer itself -- a caprese with fresh mozzarella, tomato, and pesto on crusty bread, soaked just the right amount to be juicy and delish without becoming soggy or overwhelming.

Just wish they stayed open later.

Really tasty food and affordable but not for daily lunch.

Gave 4 stars since it is cramped( we sat in the clothes-n-accessories shop next door and ate) and has weird hours...open till 4 pm and closed on sundays!

update: I went to ask if I could redeem the balance on my living social deal and they flatly told me that the deal expired the day before. Given that the money was anyway paid to them the first time I used it, I thought it was unfair and a little mean to do that. Anyway!

If I could carry one restaurant around in my pocket and have it with me at all times this would be the place. I didn't like Baltimore until I found this place. Service is great (low maintenance, friendly, and fast), prices are great, food is amazing and fresh. I've only been there in the summer and never had the problems with seating that someone else mentioned. They even have outdoor seating. They change the menu so often that I could go there everyday and never get bored. Shhh...This place is a gem.

I had some of the best mushroom lentil soup here! It was so good I had to try to recreate it at home, since soups on is unfortunately not in my 'hood.