Nana's Soup House, Wedgewood

A bowl of soup is one of my all-time favorite meals on the planet. I have collected recipes for years and regularly spend entire Sundays waiting for a hearty stew to finish simmering on the stove or tending to a delicate bisque. There are times, however, when chopping, waiting, and fishing a bay leaf from a pot full of spinach, carrots, onions and leeks before running it all through the food processor requires more energy than I am willing to invest into a single meal. These are the times when I fall to my knees and thank the soup gods for Nana's Soup House. Because let's be honest, a warm hug from Campbell's, bursting with salt plus a trace of tin can, is mmmmm...not good.

Nana's ambiance is exactly what one might expect at a soup house (dark walls, heavy wooden booths, mix-matched silverware) while the menu reads like Pulitzer-worthy literature for the soup lover. Served in a cup, bowl or "big bowl," the soups du jour change, but my regular favorites are lentil and brown rice, corn chowder and the ever spicy, ever belly warming southwest chicken fiesta. Nana's always offers vegan and vegetarian options and nearly all of the soups contain no flour. Green salads are fresh and plentiful, and the grilled "Nan-wiches" are served on focaccia bread and make for delicious dunking.

Take note: Nana's has a daily happy hour with specials on beer and wine, and Thursday nights offer live performances from local musicians.

Nana's Soup House
3418 NE 55th Street
(206) 523-9053