Your guide to tasty soups in Chicago
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Tomato bisque at The Exchange. Photo: Carrie Shepherd/Axios
February is always a great month to find a good, hot soup to push you through to spring.
- Here are some tasty (and local) soup options for you:
The Exchange
224 S. Michigan Ave.
We're with Bania, soup's not a meal (IYKYK). But the creamy tomato bisque ($5) at The Exchange in the Loop can definitely fill you up for lunch.
- It's topped with parmesan croutons and heavy cream that add to the richness.
Publican Quality Meats
825 W. Fulton Market
There's no other way to say it: The ribollita at Publican Quality Meats in Fulton Market is goooooood.
- Kale, sausage and beans do the trick for a cold winter day ($5 cup, $8 bowl).
Hoanh Long
6148 N. Lincoln Ave.
The pho tai beef noodle soup ($12.95) at Peterson Park's Hoanh Long boasts a rich, Christmas spice-laden broth that's only gotten better over the years.
- Dress it up with fresh basil, bean sprouts, lime and their fiery house-made satay sauce, and you have yourself the best pho in Chicago.
Jimmy Bannos' Gumbo
Trogo Kitchen (2545 W. Diversey Ave., 2nd floor)
The famed Chicago restaurant "Heaven on Seven" may have closed its doors during the pandemic, but Chicago chef Jimmy Bannos has made his gumbo available at certain stores, especially around Mardi Gras.
- According to our reader Robert W., you can get a "quart/half gallon/gallon from time to time out of Trogo Kitchen and Market and is part of the "Gumbo for Good" charity program at Daisy's Po Boy and Tavern. Get it when you can!"
3rd Coast Cafe
1260 N. Dearborn St.
We've raved over the scones at the cozy Gold Coast neighborhood cafe, but Axios reader Colleen M. raves over the soups. You can warm up with a vegetable or lentil, or even a beef stew.