Dining out: Soup’s On in Perry Hall
Gourmet food fast
by Celeste H. Breitenbach
news@timesheraldnews.com
What could be better to take the chill off a brisk autumn day than a bowl of good hot soup? Don’t have the time nor inclination to cook up a steaming potful on your own stove?
A variety of good as – or even better than – homemade in your own kitchen soups can be found right in our own neighborhood at Soup’s On, 9533 Belair Rd. A gal pal and I stopped in this week for lunch and found ourselves instant devotees of the Mullaney brothers’ tasty concoctions.
Identical twins Keith and Kevin grew up in the Mayfield area of Harford Road, but lived in California 25 years where they established their business before re-transplanting themselves to home turf.
Now, Times-Herald readers can enjoy the tasty treats that were long enjoyed by the Hollywood set including the likes of Michelle Pfeiffer, Lionel Richey, John Lithgow, Woody Harrelson and others who frequented their soup emporium.
We both went for the Combo ($7) from which we could choose a soup and salad or soup and sandwich.
I had an out-of-this-world-delicious Wild Mushroom Bisque made from shitake, cromini, porcini, button and oyster mushrooms finely minced in a porcini stock and a Salad of mixed field greens with walnuts, red grapes and goat cheese blended with a balsamic vinaigrette. I also ordered a Lemonade ($2) that had a touch of lime this day – delicious.
She had a “very thick, hearty, smooth” Lentil and Chard Soup with a Chicken Salad Sandwich that was “a wonderful chunky crispy roasted chicken breast” touched with a taste of tarragon. She also enjoyed a a Morroccan iced tea ($2) with no sweetener. “It didn’t need any,” she said.
Both soups came with several slices of an outstanding homemade crostini bread topped with oatmeal, sesame and poppy seeds.
The Pear with Belgian Chocolate and Roasted Hazelnuts dessert ($3 each) sounded too good to pass up so we each ordered one. What a surprise – albeit a super tasty one – to discover that this yummy special treat had been minced to a puree consistency.
Soup’s On is not fancy. There are only two tables. Most business is carry-out. Many customers order online and pick up a hearty lunch on their way to work. Because new soups are featured every day, there is no paper menu. The day’s offerings are posted above the counter where orders are placed. Any given day, there are about 25 varieties of soups both fresh or frozen.
We liked that everything at Soup’s On is natural. All the greens are organic. Vegan and vegetarian soups are a specialty.
“We’re trying to change the way Baltimore eats. This basically is gourmet fast food. Nothing is canned; we don’t even have a can opener. We are working with several local farmers because we want to support local businesses. (The soups are) all fresh stock and low salt, except for the French Onion. We use only one or two tablespoons of salt per gallon,” said Kevin Mullaney.
Since I don’t eat salt and usually eschew soups when I eat out because they always are too salty for my taste, I especially liked that fact.
Our more than satisfying and filling lunch came to $24 for two.
The Chicken Salad Sandwich was “so good” that my friend bought an extra to take home to her sister. I took a Lima Bean with Vegetable Soup to my lima-bean-loving guy and also a dessert for us to share.
Soup’s On is open Monday through Saturday from 11 to 7. To order online, go to soupsonbalto.com or call 410-248-0600.