When Pennsylvania winters chill you to the bone, what better than a nice, steaming bowl of soup to warm up from head to toe? Soup is one of the ultimate comfort foods. A whole meal in a single vessel that goes down easy, soft and melded, and gives us that home-cooked feeling. Soups and stews run the gamut from creamy to brothy and chunky to smooth, and we all have our favorites. For your winter warm up, we’ve got 10 Pennsylvania-made soups that you’ve got to try.
Pho at Saigon Nights (Erie)
Those in the know, pho. This Vietnamese soup (Vietnam’s national dish) will light up taste buds you didn’t even know you had. The broth is deeply rich, made with slowly simmered beef bones and aromatic spices like cloves, ginger and coriander. Once ready, the broth is poured over thin rice noodles and thinly sliced meat (often beef or chicken), then topped with herbs and veggies like cilantro, bean sprouts and onions and dashed with flavor enhancers like hoisin and Sriracha sauce. Nga Rastatter, owner of Saigon Nights, moved from Vietnam to the U.S. in 2007. She makes her pho from scratch, and customers hail it as the best in town. There are a handful to choose from, depending on your broth and protein preferences. If you’re feeling indecisive, we’ll choose pho you: try #16, Pho Dac Biet, made with thinly sliced rare eye-round steak, brisket and meatballs and thank us later. 2430 W. 8th St., Erie; (814) 449-6013.
Baked French Onion Soup at Table 105 (Kane)
Table 105 is a rustic taproom and eatery in the Allegheny National Forest serving fresh farm to table dishes like artisan pizza, steaks, seafood and pasta. But before you get to those, order a bowl of soup from Table 105’s kettle. The baked French onion soup is a fan favorite, with its thick, chewy layer of Swiss baked over a mouthwatering broth full of sweet, tangy onions. You’ll feeling warm and toasty in no time. 105 N. Fraley St., Kane; (814) 561-1515.
Chicken & Dumpling Soup at Carmi Soul Food (Pittsburgh)
If you can think of anything more cozy than a steaming bowl of chicken and dumpling soup, we’re all ears! Family owned Pittsburgh eatery Carmi Soul Food, designated “Best Soul Food in the Burgh,” does this dish right, with tender pieces of chicken and soft dumplings plus carrots and corn in a creamy, savory broth. Customers rave about this dish, with local reviewer Toya Dean’s saying, “Those drop dumplings took me back to grandma’s house.”
The chicken and dumpling soup can act as the warm up (literally) to entrees like chicken and waffles, or take center stage in a big, steaming bowl. It’s available for dine-in, takeout or delivery. 1219 Federal St., Pittsburgh; (412) 231-0100.
Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice by Soup Guy (Harrisburg)
Adam Weaver aka Soup Guy has found his niche in rave-worthy scratch soups made daily and rotated on a menu that changes every week. Pre-order Weaver’s soups online in quart or pint sizes for pickup at Charlton United Methodist Church at 3 or 6 p.m. and enjoy! Try everything from beef vegetable to broccoli cheddar and goulash, depending on the offerings that week. We asked Weaver for his top soup and there was no question: Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice is the customer favorite! You can follow Soup Guy on Facebook for late-breaking soupdates and special events. 5920 Jonestown Rd., Harrisburg; (717) 884-8491.
Tomato Bisque at Home 231 (Harrisburg)
If you’re looking for modern comfort food in and around Harrisburg, be sure to dine at Home 231, which serves brunch, lunch and dinner at its cozy downtown location. Enjoy menu items like Reuben and Peking duck sandwiches, smoked short rib and Thai green curry. But first? Soup. Tomato bisque, to be exact. Home 231 is known for this zesty, savory lunch item, which is served with aromatic basil oil and a baguette. Pair it with chewy, gooey grilled cheese and call it a day! 231 North St., Harrisburg; (717) 232-4665.
Moore’s Seafood Soup by Men in the Kitchen (York)
Seafood fans, look no further for a bowl of soup that goes the distance. Men in the Kitchen‘s Moore’s Seafood Soup is a hearty bisque loaded with crustaceans – crab, lobster and shrimp to be precise. It’s a great entry into the delights of this Cajun fusion menu with such bites as salmon grilled cheese, jumbo lump crab cakes and shrimp po’ boy sandwich. Men in the Kitchen also has Fish Fry Fridays with fried fish and two side dishes on special. 555 Ryan Run Rd., Suite P, York; (717) 747-3651.
Hungarian Goulash at Paprikas (Hellertown)
In Medieval times, Hungarian shepherds warmed themselves with steaming bowls of goulash, and we can understand why. This incredibly hearty soup is made with meat, chopped vegetables and paprika for an epic thaw. At Paprikas in Allentown, enjoy your own personal cauldron of goulash that will warm you to the bones. Paprika’s Hungarian Goulash is a tomato and paprika-based red soup with cubed, stewed pork, carrots, potatoes and parsley. Sit down and enjoy or take it to go. 1180 Main St., Hellertown; (610) 838-6570.
Tuscan Sausage at Zuppa Del Giorno (Scranton)
Enjoy incredible soups that change every day at Zuppa Del Giorno. Follow its Facebook and Instagram pages to stay in-the-know, and take advantage of “Thirty Thursday” deals of 30% off gift cards. While it’s hard to pick just one soup from this beloved eatery (Thai coconut chicken and Italian wedding soup are sure bets), the Tuscan Sausage stands out as an ideal winter warmer. It’s chock full of nutrients with a tomato-y broth with carrots, spinach and white beans, plus ditalini pasta and ground sausage to bring it all together. 517 Ash St. #500, Scranton; (570) 341-5507.
Mushroom Soup at Margie’s Cuisine (Chadds Ford)
Much like with cheesesteaks in Philadelphia, having the best mushroom soup in the Kennett Square area is a big deal. Many locals feel that this designation belongs to Margie’s Cuisine, a cute and cozy cafe and market nestled inside a converted carriage house that oozes farmhouse charm with its checkerboard floor, nostalgic vintage furnishings and artisanal sundry goods. On the menu you’ll find Columbian staples like pan-fried cornmeal arepas and baked empanadas and American comfort food like a chicken salad sandwich with cranberries, pecans and feta on a croissant. But, we digress. The mushroom soup is our focus, and it’s fantastic, with deeply rich flavors, just the right level of creaminess, and heaps of tasty, meaty ‘shrooms. Enjoy a delightful crock during during lunch hours any day but Monday. 880 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford; (610) 228-0405.
Old-Fashioned Hearty Chicken Noodle at Talula’s Daily (Philadelphia)
Talula’s Daily is a sunny, casual cafe and grocer by day, supper club by night and the Philly iteration of renowned Talula’s Table in Kennett Square. Cozy up at a farmhouse table or grab your soup to-go. Either way, it delivers big on fresh, home cooked flavors. Talula’s Daily offers a variety of soups like ginger squash, roasted tomato and curried lentil and many are vegan, vegetarian and/or gluten-free that you can pair with fresh-baked breads for the ultimate warm up. We’d suggest the menu staple, Old-Fashioned Hearty Chicken Noodle. It’s like the chicken noodle soup of childhood, but turned up a few notches in the right direction, with a deeply savory broth, hunks of tender chicken and hearty veggies adding depth and nutrients. Find Talula’s Daily adjacent to Washington Square Park, a hop and a skip away from Center City. 208 W. Washington Square, Philadelphia; (215) 592-6555.
We want to know where you get your favorite winter soups! Tell us in the comments or join the conversation on PA Eats’ Facebook and Instagram pages.
- Feature photo: Talula's Daily
- Assorted soup photo: Bigstock
- All other photos: Courtesy of the respective businesses
