Best spots for soup

As the chilly, gray winter weather makes way for the sunny skies of spring, I am trying to pack in as much of my favorite cold-weather foods as possible. Bring on the soups, chilis and stews before that summer heat settles in, that's what I say!  

There are so many things to love about soup – it's a warm, hearty, complete meal that fits inside one bowl. Leaving a large pot of made-from-scratch soup on the stove on a winter day is one of my favorite ways to celebrate the least celebrated season of the year, but ordering soup at a restaurant can often be a disappointing experience.

Too much broth, too much salt and not enough flavor plagues too many cups of soup du jour, but there are some places in the Triangle where you can always rely on a scrumptious spot of soup.

With three locations around the Triangle, Village Deli is a wonderful place to grab a quick lunch or dinner. In fact, with a location near the WRAL studio, it's a frequent stop for me when I'm feeling like a deli sandwich and a piping hot cup of soup. I particularly like their chili, which is filled with meat, chunks of tomatoes and beans in a slightly spicy, slightly sweet broth. It is just as good as homemade.

I just recently discovered this place, even though it's been open in downtown Raleigh for 20 years. Though it specializes in catering, Square Rabbit does have a cafe where they serve up a different soup daily. They always have something new steaming on the stove, so it's well worth going back frequently. 

On Franklin Street in the heart of downtown Chapel Hill, I have long heard about this Tar Heel favorite sandwich shop. Their gourmet sandwiches are unique and tasty, as is their selection of soups. Using creative flavor profiles based on a vast array of the world's foods, Sandwhich always has a soup and sandwich pairing that will delight the palette – the question is which?

Foster's Market is a special place. Its country decor with a hodge podge of outdoor seating, down-home cooking using fresh, local ingredients and tons of food options, the soup is easy to overlook. But skipping it is a mistake. Foster's doesn't stray too far from the soup staples, the stuff your grandmother used to make, but they do it well. I'm particularly partial to the chicken and wild rice.

What do you think? Where are your favorite soup places in the Triangle?