There are plenty of soup shops across Boulder.
There are some foods that are innately associated with certain times of the year. For summer, that list includes hot dogs, hamburgers and tasty ice cream treats. For winter, on the other hand, that list has to include soup. Whether you enjoy tomato, broccoli or clam chowder, winter is the perfect time to enjoy a nice, comforting bowl of soup. Boulder is one city that certainly understands the power of soup, and the layers of white, fluffy snow that blanket the area each year serve as a perfect excuse to enjoy boatloads of soup.
Whether you’re a culinary student or just a fan in general, here are the best places for a hearty bowl of soup:
1. Two Spoons: There are a few classic food combinations that seem to be a hit no matter the consumer. For instance, peanut butter and jelly, or chocolate and marshmallow. The folks over at Two Spoons, meanwhile, offer up a slightly more unique pairing: soup and gelato. Whether you plan on just enjoying soup, or might leave room for some rich and creamy gelato, Two Spoons has a rather sizable menu. In all, the restaurant, which is only open a few hours a day Monday through Friday, has a total of eight small batch soups, each served with grilled Ciabatta from Spruce Confections. A few options include Chunky Chicken, Hearty Tomato, Moroccan Lentils, Mediterranean Tom and Art and a signature Manhattan Clam Chowder.
2. Croc Soup Co.: Whereas a place like Two Spoons is all about adding something new to the dining experience, Croc Soup Co. takes a much more traditional approach to soup. The restaurant serves just a few kinds of soup, but those blends feature organic ingredients. For tried and true classics, there is chicken noodle, tomato basil, chicken rice and chicken tortilla. Or, try one of Croc’s signature blends, like potato and cheese, chicken pot pie, broccoli gruyere and Croc Soup, a rich take on old-school Cajun gumbo. Of course, what better culinary pairing is there than a bowl of soup served alongside a fresh sandwich? Croc’s has a few tasty offerings, like the Flying Croc – which features smoked turkey – and the Cheesy Croc, which features provolone, mozzarella and Swiss.
3. Modmarket: Located at the 29th Street Mall, Modmarket serves up vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options. In fact, the restaurant is so committed to issues like sustainability and locally-sourced items that its website features a breakdown of each ingredient’s source and overall flavor panel. The menu itself is fairly expansive, with offerings like brick oven pizza, salads and sandwiches. If you’re a soup fan, though, you’ll definitely want to check out Modmarket’s rotating lineup. For fall 2015, the selection includes cashew butternut – which is low in fat and calories – creamy corn chowder – a perfect low sodium option – and green chicken chili, which has just a hint of spicy kick. Each bowl of soup is available as a vegan or vegetarian option, and comes with a slice of Izzio’s multigrain bread.
There are loads of other soup options across greater Boulder. Honorable mentions go to Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant, which features gluten-free soups; Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery, whose specialty is a vegetarian black bean soup; and the Organic Sandwich Company, which pairs its soup-and-salad combos with sides like spicy giardianara, pea shoots and slices of avocado.
