Update: This giveaway is closed.
There’s nothing better to warm you up on a cold fall day than a bowl of soup. Piping hot and enticing, it is a bowl of heaven to those of us who are in need of nourishment and comfort. Caressing aromas fill up the air, great flavor expectations fuel up the appetites – all in all, it is the perfect setting for gourmands and gourmets alike. I am not a fan of soup in the summer, but during the cold season, soup becomes my usual go-to-lunch and dinner option. Give me a delicious soup and a glass of milk, and they’ll keep me warm and thankful forever ๐
As a big fan of fall soup flavors, I couldn’t be happier when I was contacted by Zoup! recently to taste some of their soups and bread boules and to host a giveaway. Zoup! is a chain of fast-casual eateries that offers twelve fresh soups daily as well as salads and sandwiches. Customer top soup picks include chicken potpie, lobster bisque and vegetarian split pea, but you can find your own favorite by sampling the soups before you order. You can have your soup served in a bowl or in a bread boule – as a matter of fact, Zoup! is renowned for their sourdough boules, which are brushed with extra virgin olive oil, topped with savory seasonings, and then toasted. To celebrate the arrival of the cold season, Zoup! is offering three special bread boules: Italian herb, olive oil & sea salt and parmesan garlic.
My friend Marina and I visited the Zoup! restaurant on Washington & Wells (one of the two Zoup! locations in downtown Chicago) on a chilly October afternoon. The light was poor and the weather was unfriendly outside, but once we stepped inside the restaurant, we felt at ease. The space was well compartmentalized and the cosy ambiance was charming.
A quick look at the menu and I realized things were getting serious: I was about to choose from among 12 soup varieties! Good range of options indeed:
These are just some of the soups they had available for us to try that day:
With so many options on the table, I thought it was great that Zoup! gave customers the chance to sample the soups before committing to any one in particular. After sampling several, I settled for the overstuffed bell pepper variety, and had it served in an Italian herb bread boule.
This soup was exactly as I had expected: loaded with bell peppers (one of my favorite veggies ever), carrots and celery, chock-full of ground meat, it provided spoonful after spoonful of consistently delicious and hearty goodness. As for the bread boule, the Italian herb seasoning was spot on – after all, I think you can never have enough oregano on your bread 😉
One look at this soup is all it takes to realize you’re in for a treat. Mmmmmmmm…
Soup #2 I sampled was Zoup!’s famous lobster bisque, served in a parmesan garlic bread boule. Meanwhile, my friend opted for macaroni&cheese served in an olive oil & sea salt boule.
Here’s manager Mariana bringing the dishes to our table:
Right off the bat, I fell in love with the cheesy richness of the parmesan garlic bread boule, whose decadent look made me look forward to the upcoming tasting experience:
Mellow, silky yet light like a dream, the bisque overflowed with big chunks of buttery lobster, which had good texture and was seasoned to perfection. As for the boule, it was gloriously thick, moist and satisfying, with just the right hint of garlicky flavor. It is advisable not to stay away from carbs during the cold season, and that’s exactly what I did: I devoured this bread slowly but surely, and my energy level picked up instantly – just in time to face the cold late afternoon outside.
It was raining heavily when my friend and I left Zoup!, and franchise owner Jim and manager Mariana kindly offered to host us for awhile longer. We really appreciated their gesture, but had to say goodbye regardless. With our bellies full of hearty food and our noses full of soup and bread aromas, we felt ready to conquer the unwavering city weather. We came, we sampled, we devoured – and we will definitely return to this location. After all, soup season has just started 😉
Zoup! is offering Chicago Loves Panini readers the chance to win one of five $25 Zoup! gift cards to try out delicious soups, bread boules and sandwiches this fall.
To enter the giveaway, leave a comment on this post and answer the following question: What’s your favorite soup?
Giveaway open to US residents only 18 years of age or older. One entry per person. Deadline for entries is 6PM central time on November 11, 2017. Five winners will be chosen on or around November 12, 2017 by using a random number generator and will have 72 hours to respond to the winner notification email. I reserve the right to pick alternative winners if the original winners do not contact me 72 hours after receipt of winner notification email.
Good luck!
*Disclaimer: Zoup! provided a complimentary tasting of their products to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Dpham
October 27, 2017I love the overstuffed peppers soup at Zoup!
Tabitha
October 29, 2017Their pumpkin pie bisque is my favorite!!! I wait for it all year
Jeffrey
October 29, 2017I love soup and feel that there is an occasion for just about any variety. With that said, my favorite is Italian Wedding Soup. We’ve never been to Zoup!, but after looking over their menu I’m gonna make a lunch date with my wife! Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
Pat
November 1, 2017My favorite soup is New England clam chowder.
Kimberly O
November 2, 2017I love the Chicken Pot Pie soup! Put any soup in a boule and I am all over it! Thanks!
Sandy H
November 2, 2017I love traditional chicken soup.
Fredrick Pauly
November 2, 2017Chicken Enchilada Soup
Talia
November 2, 2017My favorite soup is tortilla soup!
Char
November 2, 2017I love clam chowder, I love your blog. Thank you so much!!
Joy Q
November 2, 2017My favorite soup is the lobster bisque.
Lori Walker
November 4, 2017My favorite soup is chicken noodle.
Alexandra Y
November 4, 2017My favorite soup is broccoli cheddar.
Danielle
November 4, 2017I make a cauliflower soup that is pretty amazing.
Ann Fantom
November 5, 2017My favorite soup is chicken corn soup
kim brooks
November 5, 2017my favorite soup would be cream of crab soup with crackers ! i could eat it every day!
Shannon Baas
November 5, 2017I like French onion.
Cynthia C
November 5, 2017My favorite is Italian Wedding Soup.
Tari Lawson
November 5, 2017My favorite soup is Italian wedding soup.
AliceC
November 5, 2017I like a lot of soups. Maybe a Corn Chowder or a Goulash Soup.
Suzanne
November 5, 2017Cream of broccoli
Ashley C
November 5, 2017I love a delicious taco soup
Cassandra
November 5, 2017I like the Lobster Bisque, Chicken Tortilla, and Cajun Chicken & Sausage Gumbo.
kathy Agate
November 5, 2017I enjoy all warm soups in the winter, but chicken noodle is my favorite
frank agate
November 5, 2017Lentil soup is my favorite
Adrienne Gordon
November 5, 2017I like chicken tortilla.
Traci
November 5, 2017Lobster Bisque and Clam Chowder are my favorite soups!
Pat Schwab
November 5, 2017There are so many choices. I like the chicken pot pie. Thanks
Maria S
November 6, 2017I love broccoli chicken!
Aaron
November 6, 2017My favorite soup is split pea.
Tom Bellamy
November 6, 2017My favorite soup is vegetable.
Tracy Pryor
November 6, 2017My favorite soup is crab bisque.
Susan Smith
November 6, 2017My favorite soup is chicken noodle.
elizabeth miller
November 6, 2017My favorite soup is bean and ham. Yum!!
Kimmy Ripley
November 7, 2017I don’t know… that’s a tough question! Either lobster bisque or clam chowder!
Monique Rizzo
November 7, 2017Brocolli Cheddar is my favorite.
Thank you for the giveaway ๐
Erica B.
November 8, 2017I like tomato soup.
susan smoaks
November 8, 2017right now i really love lentil soup. i eat it almost everyday.
Jen R
November 9, 2017I love tomato soups the most. A cream type tomato soup with croutons is wonderful.
Lisa V.
November 9, 2017I like a Maryland Cream of Crab soup.
Jennifer H.
November 9, 2017I like cream of broccoli.
John H.
November 9, 2017I like potato soup.
Carol
November 10, 2017I like bean soup.
amy guillaume linderman
November 10, 2017i really love broccoli cheese soup….my mouth is watering from your descriptions
Janice Crespo
November 10, 2017I’ve never tried their soup. While they aren’t exactly close to me, they are about an hour or so away near my best friend of 52 years so …. it would make a great place to visit. Hopefully, they carry New England Clam Chowder – my absolute favorite soup!
Annmarie W.
November 10, 2017My favorite soup is cheese broccoli! But I love so many different soups: Italian Wedding soup, baked potato soup, tomato, chicken enchilada soup…
Adrianne B
November 10, 2017My favorite soup is broccoi cheddar!
Amber cheras
November 10, 2017Bacon potato soup is my favorite
angie w
November 10, 2017My favorite is roasted broccoli and cheddar or black bean. Thanks!
Peggy Rydzewski
November 10, 2017my homemade cheese potatoes bacon soup.
Lynne T
November 10, 2017My favorite soup is Matzoh Ball.
Shauna
November 10, 2017My favorite soup is the Chicken Pot Pie soup at Zoup! I love this place. It’s a great spot to grab some soup to take home and enjoy. Thanks for the chance!
jeremy mclaughlin
November 10, 2017Favorite is chicken noodle.
Angelica Dimeo
November 10, 2017I have never been to zoup but my favorite soup is tomato bisque
Angela Thomas
November 10, 2017My favorite soup is Taco Soup, so yummy and perfect for fall and winter!
Yona Williams
November 10, 2017I love creamy soups, like broccoli cheese soup.
Kelly Skibbe
November 10, 2017My favorite is french onion soup. I love Zoup!!! There is one near my work in Downer’s Grove and it is so perfect for this time of year!
Audra
November 10, 2017I love broccoli cheese soup
KENNETH OHL
November 10, 2017I love clam chowder
Kevin
November 10, 2017I like tomato soup.
Edie
November 10, 2017I enjoy a nice bowl of French onion soup.
meredith
November 11, 2017I really love a good autumn soup or butternut squash
Renee Rousseau
November 11, 2017Crab Chowder is my favorite soup! When I make Crab Chowder it is usually more of a potato bisque with Crab to avoid using the heavy cream.
Lisa V.
November 11, 2017Cream of broccoli soup – yum!
Julie R
November 11, 2017Homemade chicken soup with shells is my favorite
kelly woods
November 11, 2017Chicken Noodle yum yum
Sheree
November 11, 2017My favorite is broccoli cheese
Kurt H
November 11, 2017I love lobster bisque!
Tracy Shafer
November 11, 2017I love their lobster bisque
Ina Fowler
November 11, 2017I’m a soupaholic love โค๏ธ all and eat soup everyday!
Laurie Emerson
November 11, 2017My favorite soup is Lobster Bisque.