BY KENDRA MURRAY
Although our winter started off pretty mildly, I’m currently staring out the window watching a heavy snowfall. I’ve accepted that fact that winter is finally here. What better way to warm up on a winter day than with a nice, hot bowl of soup? Destination Soups, situated in the heart of Downtown New Bedford is the perfect place for a winter warmer.
By the time I walked to Destination Soups from my car, my ears were red and my nose was frozen. Soup is exactly what I needed to take off the chill. Although I went in with the intention of ordering soup (and I did in the end), I did have a hard time choosing what I wanted to eat after looking over the extensive soup, salad, and sandwich offerings. I’m planning on heading back to try a bowl of macaroni and cheese (my weakness), which several folks have told me is “to die for.”
Ultimately I ordered a creamy tomato basil soup and a “Green Monster” grilled cheese, which was stuffed with lemony baby spinach. The soup was served with a huge piece of ciabatta bread, which I couldn’t even finish. Both items were delicious. Karen had great things to say about her meal, as well. She ordered the “El Guapo,” a grilled cheese stuffed with spicy black beans, avocado, and tomato. She also had the black bean soup topped with sour cream.
D Soups (what many regulars call the restaurant) serves chicken vegetable soup, creamy tomato basil soup, and gazpacho daily, and this is supplemented with several soup du jours. There are plenty of vegetarian and gluten free options for those with dietary restrictions.
We had stopped into D. Soups right at lunch time and it was hopping! There was a line to the door for the entirety of our lunch. The restaurant certainly keeps busy, serving an average of 200 people per day. I went back the next day after the lunch rush to chat a little bit with the owner, Devin Byrnes about his local sourcing.
It’s tough to find fresh local produce in the winter (aside from squash and root veggies), but Devin purchases a lot of local items from Apponagansett Farm in the summer. Apponagansett offers a high quality product…and they deliver! Devin cites distribution one of the biggest challenges with sourcing locally. Food that isn’t local is purchased through small, local distributors, including State Fruit. Devin realizes the important of supporting other New Bedford businesses and keeping money in the local economy. All of his employees, with the exception of one, are also from the city.
Destination Soups also does a lot of work within the community. Devin has partnered with local schools, donated to the Neediest Family Fund all seven years he has been in business, worked with Mercy Meals & More, and will often donate gift certificates. We also were pleased to have Destination Soups participate in our Farm to Tapas event last summer. D Soups is a great example of a business that tries its hardest to give back.
“Soup’s on” six days a week. Stop by Monday – Friday from 11 am – 9 pm or Saturday from 12 pm – 9 pm. Check out destinationsoups.com for daily specials (and to play a fun Destination Soups themed computer game!).