Souper Jenny’s serves up the ultimate comfort food
By Gray Chapman
Tucked away in a tiny, low-profile shopping strip in Buckhead, Souper Jenny’s is a quintessential cozy nook. Then again, any restaurant that concentrates on serving classic comfort food is bound to be a comfortable place. The cheerful restaurant is well-equipped with a smiling staff determined to share the many joys of soup with each customer.
Souper Jenny’s has been perfecting the art of soup in Atlanta for nearly ten years, and their expertise shows in every spoonful. The menu changes every day, featuring everything from refined all-American classics (like their hearty vegetable soup, with ten different kinds of veggies) to cross-cultural recipes (their rendition of Albondigas, a Spanish soup with vegetables and turkey meatballs, is a favorite). Though the soup options change with each day, one daily staple is the “My Dad’s Turkey Chili”—a thick, hearty concoction that will warm you on the coldest of wintry days.
Of course, not everyone can survive on soup alone, so Souper Jenny’s also has a full selection of salads and sandwiches that are equally as wholesome and tasty. Welcome in the cool days of October with the autumnal Morgan’s Kale and Cabbage Salad, perfect for the fall with smoked gouda, apples and nuts. The classic Souper J Po Boy is a favorite, with layers of roasted turkey, salami and parmesan topped with tomato, peppers and arugula in a baguette. Or, induce after-school nostalgia with the timeless and tasty PB&J—with organic peanut butter and jelly on whole-wheat bread; it’s definitely a step up from Peter Pan and Smuckers.
There’s nothing like a good bowl of soup on a chilly day, but better yet is a delicious homemade bread to compliment it. That’s why Souper Jenny’s has paired up with local bakery Breadwinner to provide a selection of seasonal breads for their soup aficionados. Cranberry orange, pumpkin, apple-cinnamon-honey, even mocha chocolate chip — Breadwinner’s breads alone are a foodie’s dream, but when paired with one of Jenny’s artisan soups, it becomes an experience.
Now that the weather is getting cooler, the lines are getting longer — so long that they’re usually out the door during the lunch hour on weekdays. But the employees at Souper Jenny’s are seasoned pros at handling the hungry crowds, so chances are you won’t have to wait long. However, it isn’t rare to see a “special performance” from a few of the staff—many of them are involved in the local theater scene, and love to entertain the crowds with impromptu song and dance. It may be startling at first, but there’s nothing like an in-house performance to make the wait go by. Legend has it that if you join in, you’ll be rewarded with a free cookie (and trust me, those homemade cookies are worth it).
So whether you’re looking for a way to celebrate the beginning of autumn, or just looking for a cheerful spot to hunker down from the cold and enjoy a bowl of rosemary chicken and wild rice, you can find a home at Souper Jenny’s. The atmosphere of the café is so warm and hospitable, you might not want to leave (but when you do, bring back some chili for the rest of us).
Souper Jenny’s is located at 56 East Andrews Dr. For driving directions, a daily menu, and more information, visit them on the Web at www.souperjennyatl.com.
