Souper Jenny

Stopped in here during the day while doing some Christmas shopping in Decatur. Had an absolutely delectable turkey wrap with avocado and pepper jack cheese, the kind of meal that leaves you thinking about it afterwards. I didn’t have any soup this time because the wrap was plenty for me, but I was certainly tempted — every one sounded delicious! Very happy, friendly, relaxed atmosphere. I’ll definitely have to come here more often!

Large and bright space (much better than the Buckhead location) in Decatur Square, with outdoor tables as well! I love having soup options that don’t all have cream bases (which seems to be the trend in other lunch places with soup). Fresh ingredients, chicken that is not cut into cubes or disintegrating into the broths, mix of textures (apple slices are regular features in sandwiches, for the crunch!), flavorful spreads (yum– Vidalia onion spread! Pesto!), hearty salads– all equal a great option for lunch. My favorite is the lunch combo, where you get a choice of two (bowl of soup, sandwich, salad) with a beverage and a cookie for $ 14.
I’ve tried countless types of soups, and while everyone’s tastes are subjective, I can say that the soup flavors here are not always your typical flavors and combinations that you see everywhere else, and I love that! They also have cool names sometimes… for instance, my stop on St Patricks Day yielded a bowl of «Lucky Chicken» (instead of plain old chicken shiitake & vegetable). Soups, sandwiches, salads are pre-​made for the day so you can’t really customize it (I don’t think… I’ve never tried) but there are usually at least three or four options of each and I always find at least two I like. The sandwiches come on a variety of bread– the last sandwich I had (grilled chicken) came on this fluffy ciabatta that was amazingly pillowy and soft. They also have had a Brussel sprout salad in the past that is to die for.
And I don’t know what kind of self-​control or small appetites other Unilocalers have where they can stretch a lunch combo into two meals… I definitely finish my lunch portions because I apparently have a healthy & enormous appetite, and the food is so delicious.
Would be great if Souper Jenny opened a tiny bit later so I can come in for dinner takeout after work, and if they open on Sundays so I can stock up for the week.

If your sign says you close at 9 pm, then you shouldn’t lock your door at 830 pm. Just saying. Not cool, Souper Jenny.

Stopped by yesterday to pick up lunch and dinner. My wrap was yummy (turkey and avocado), and the Brunswick stew was awesome. My hubbie’s wrap was missing the avocado but still very yummy (he was so focused on the stew I got the rest).
I did have a moment of sticker shock when the worker rang me up (~$ 30 for soup and sandwiches for two). Everything was delicious and I’ll visit again, and next time I won’t be surprised. We’ll be back for the Brunswick stew!

I love their My Dad’s turkey chili. A bowl is plenty. It is packed full of a couple types of beans and you would swear it was meat not turkey. We share the $ 14 lunch (we get salad and soup, choc chip cookie, 1 drink, fruit and a roll). Plenty for 2 people. I have tried Chicken Tortilla and Everything Veggie — these soups were great. Their cabbage/​chicken salad is very tasty. If you go during lunch get there early or they may run out of your fav.
The staff is friendly and helpful. (Love the WonderWoman apron!). Seating is limited inside (because they are usually busy), or you may share a table with someone — which is just fine. They also have lots of tables outside. It’s our go-​to place to grab a quick lunch between meetings.

Had the $ 14 lunch special (2 item combo with a drink, fresh fruit, and a cookie) with turkey chili and a pear pita. The turkey chili was absolutely delicious… maybe the best turkey chili I’ve had. The pear, brie, arugula, and jam pita was also really fresh and light. The staff was really friendly and my group really enjoyed our lunch. It wasn’t cheap but it’s all very fresh and local!

Great place for local purchased foods. Outside eating area. Staff is wonderful. Variety of homemade soups. And u like the cookies the best. Have money for parking charges.

They often run out of some of the soup options, but whatever they have… you’ll probably like it. This seems like a true community kitchen with a lot of heart. They’re really welcoming, and the food is healthy, wholesome, and filling. Their turkey chili warms the soul… and I don’t even like chili. Or turkey, really.

This place makes me so happy! I love every thing they serve. Everything. Like, whoa. Check it out. You’ll feel great too! Even their sweets are INCREDIBLE!

Was roaming Decatur one Saturday afternoon a few weeks or so ago with a friend and decided to stop in for lunch. It was well after 2 at this point, so a little of a late lunch, but there were still a good number of people there. Small place. Friendly atmosphere. Order at the counter place. The soups seemed to vary daily but I had the matzo ball soup with chicken (or it may have been turkey, I forget) and my friend got a kind of bean soup. Mine was really good and my friend was raving like it was the best soup she ever had!
While the soups come in 2 sizes, there is only one size bowl, so if you want the smaller size (which I did), they just fill it half way. Supposedly. I say supposedly, because she actually gave me like ¾ full. But I guess I’m not complaining =). Maybe her hand was heavy because it was last in the lunch hour. We also got «free» bread with our soup. She made it sound like she was gifting it to us, but perhaps it’s just supposed to come with your soup =).
Anyhoo. I don’t live in Decatur anymore, but if I’m ever in the area, or near one of the other locations, I’d definitely stop in again.

Grilled cheese night! Woohoo!
Came at about 6:30 pm on a Thursday and there were many kids running around with toys and crayons on the floor. Apparently this weekly event is meant to draw in families. Within an hour or so, the families left and it was quiet in the dining area.
I tried their pasta salad and I thought it was terrific. It comes in a big cup and I could see how it could be very filling.
For my «entrée», I opted for the Fancy Grilled Cheese (french dip with roast beef and provolone on multi grain bread with au jus sauce). This was made fresh and was warm and comforting. I bit into it and noticed the many ingredients. Thumbs up. That alone would not have filled me up so I got the combo with the soup. The goat cheese description drew me to the tomato basil soup. This was more sour than I’d like with little to no hint of goat cheese. Even if it didn’t have goat cheese, the tomato soup lacked the oomph that I was expecting. This was disappointing. The combo also comes with a cookie (two options, one of which being chocolate chip. I grabbed the other one for my coworker). It also came with a fruit (only small oranges were left by the time I came). The combo also comes with a soft drink (or tea). I tried the sweet tea but it was way too sweet so I added water. ¾ sweet tea + ¼ water = good combo.
It took me 40 minutes to get here, drive for another 5 – 10 minutes for parking only to settle for street parking. I might not drive this far on an empty stomach again. If in the area, I would come back to try Grilled Cheese night again among friends.

I’ve had Souper Jenny on my bookmarks for a long time. Lot’s of good reviews. Finally made it to this location for their Grilled Cheese night. So this review is based on that one experience
Oh, how disappointing.
I ordered the «Fancy» Grilled Cheese which really wasn’t a grilled cheese, but a roast beef melt. I have no problem with this. I was trying to get my protein in so I knew what I was getting into. I also ordered a bowl of tomato basil soup. All for $ 15.
The sandwich was ok. Honestly, I could have made a sandwich equally as good. It’s pretty much whole wheat grain bread, sandwich meat, cheese, and sauteed onions. I think the Cheesesteak melt at Waffle House is better
The tomato basil tasted like a standard tomato basil. I didn’t even want to finish it, but I was so hungry.
I also finished off my friends turkey chili b/​c I was still hungry and didnt want to finish my tomato basil. Like the tomato basil, it was pretty mediocre. It had a nice spicy kick to it, but really not very flavorful.
People I was with asked me where I’ve had a better grilled cheese & tomato basil soup, and I named a place in Baton Rouge. I mean it was at a bar that made their own focaccia bread. A BAR… making their own bread. And the tomato basil was unique, had a nice spicy flavor, and just overall leaps and bounds better.
I admitted I couldn’t think of any in other place in Atlanta that does grilled cheese better, but that’s because I’ve never ordered a grilled cheese sandwich in Atlanta. I’m a 190lb adult male… I typically tend not to order kids menu items unless it’s something special. And this was definitely nothing special.
And $ 15?! Really? They say on their website that part of the sales go towards different non-​profit organization. I hope $ 5 – 7 of what I paid is going towards these organizations, b/​c that meal wasn’t worth more than $ 8. For $ 15, I could have gone to Ted’s Montana Grill across the street or Taqueira Del Sol down the street and gotten better food.
They say you get a «Free» cookie and drink with your meal. No… for $ 15 I paid for that cookie and drink. I actually took two cookies. The hipster looking staff (who did give great service) gave me a look and whispered as I took the second cookie, buuuut didn’t care. Cookies weren’t that good. Was just craving sweets.
Oh and they want you to bust your own table.
I may give it another try, and get one of their standard sandwiches, but I’m not going to expect much.

What does one do when they discover they have strep throat? Drink soup, of course! Lucky for me, this was a Thursday and that means Souper Jenny is open late (until 9!!)
Driving in traffic SUCKS, and parking in Decatur SUCKS. But again, lucky for me, I took Marta and made it to Souper Jenny in 20mins for under $ 5. See, I’m already in a good mood!
I was surprised to see the store front run amuck with small children and families. Jenny’s has a combo — for ~$ 15 you get a bowl of soup, a sandwich, a cookie and a drink. It’s not well advertised so I ended up getting a cup of soup and a grilled cheese for about $ 10.
Since I was taking up a giant table for 6, I ordered before my friends came. Tomato basil with goat cheese and their traditional grilled cheese sandwich. I thought the tomato basil was interesting. It’s not as thick as some places and the goat cheese was definitely tangy at the end. The goat cheese flavor is pretty muted, but there if you know to look for it. I really liked my grilled cheese. The bread was buttery and they definitely don’t skimp you on cheese. The only way to eat a grilled cheese — crusts first, then the best part for last.
When my friends did end up filing in, one by one, I returned and got a second cup of soup — the famous, Dad’s turkey chili. This chili is pretty thick and spicy. Given that I was sick, I was looking for something more mild. I would have liked some crunchy French bread to scoop the chili on to any other day. Speaking of bread, they only have these yeast rolls with little oats on top. Now I’m not saying this bread isn’t good, but when I drink soup, I want some warm, crusty baguette to sop up that soup with. Mmmm. This bread was none of those things. Pretty dense and cold.
Other items I ended up sampling were the beef and barley soup and the pasta salad. The beef and barley was probably my favorite soup of the night. It has a very homey, hearty taste and it was chock full of comfortable veggies. The pasta salad only okay. Tasty at the time, but nothing for me to brag home about.
Seating is pretty small inside the establishment. Be ready to get friendly with your neighbors unless you come with an army of friends. Or rather, just not alone.
Be ready to play bus boy. Some people don’t like this but we are all big boys and girls, we know how to put away our dirty dishes!
As far as Souper Jenny goes, I’m a fan. A) because they really do have some good soups. B) because I can’t afford to be too picky. The only other place I know to go for soup is MetroFresh.
TLDR; Best you’ll get to a soup-​specialty place in ATL. Decent place to fill a craving for those cold winter days.

Definitely a comfy cozy place full of warm deliciousness. Especially on a cold day. Hubs and I have only been here twice, but both times were a great experience.
The first time I ordered the matzo ball soup and this time the chicken tortilla. I loved the matzo ball soup-​no complaints there at all. The chicken tortilla… meh, needed more cheese and a crunchy element would have been awesome. Maybe some cheese on top and some tortilla strips? They said they make the soup by simmering everything together but I couldn’t tell if there was any tortilla in the soup… or cheese…
All in all– the staff behind the counters are super friendly and nice. The set-​up is ideal (love that there is a no cell-​phone rule!). They are a bit pricey for the amount of food, but we love to support local businesses. Plus, the taxes are already included in the prices, so that may be why it seems pricey…:shrug:

Really disappointing. Both pretty expensive for a bowl of soup and so mediocre that we didn’t finish it. The tomato soup hardly had any flavor; it still had that tinny taste that under cooked canned tomatoes have. The vegetable soup was no better than canned.
On the plus side, the oatmeal cookies were good and the turkey chili was ok. For $ 35 though, the three of us could have gotten much better food at any number of other local spots.

Yesterday, I had a coworker RAVE about Souper Jenny (the one that just opened near Howell Mill on the West side). Being new to town, when someone recommends a restaurant, I typically just go so that I can familiarize myself with the area and food.
I had no idea that the restaurant closes early (i.e. not a dinner place), so when I pulled on the locked door, I was a little bummed that I would have to succumb to my leftovers. However, the owner unlocked the door and beckoned me back to pick out a quart of soup to simply take home… free of charge. Now that is some southern hospitality! After tasting the soup, I am blown away, such marvelous flavors. I can’t wait to go back, and will highly recommend any restaurant that goes out of their way; especially in a time when customer service has seemingly falled by the wayside.

In the category of soup, sandwich and salad lunch spots, Souper Jenny tops the list. Cool vibe, nice space, friendly people and. there was something else … Oh, yeah — the food is souptacular.
Chicken noodle soup — groovy, not too salty or anything else bad. All good.
Kale caesar salad — if I were a rabbit, I would demand this
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie — if I were a monster, I would demand this
Plus, it’s in the middle of Decatur, which means you can take a stroll afterwards and check out all kinds of nifty things. The Save the Ta-Ta’s people were out disturbing the peace today. :)

If I ever found a genie and was granted three wishes, my first wish would be a total no-​brainer:
I would wish for Souper Jenny to be open ²⁴⁄₇.
My other two wishes would be for:
— A paid-​for residence within drooling distance of Souper Jenny
— a gift card that never runs out with which to buy Souper Jenny soup
So I’ll keep my eyes peeled for magic lamps at my local thrift store or bazaar.
In the meantime, I really do lament that SJ isn’t open later. I never get to Decatur from work in time to pick up some soup to-​go. I managed to make it here for the first time on a recent Saturday and I was blown away. Here are some of the soups I tried:
Chicken tortilla — such deep rich flavor, you could tell this soup had been simmering for a while
Curried cauliflower — good curry flavor but not too overwhelming
Tomato with goat cheese — nice tang of goat cheese hits you right away
Chicken salad — complex flavors that all work, cranberry and tarragon stood out
Lamb moussaka — prominent lamb flavor, I thought it was perfectly seasoned but my SO thought it was bland (this is a guy who salts his fries before trying them, just to give you an indication of how wrong he is)
Split pea — actually, I personally think mine beat SJ’s (please don’t send a mob!) by juuuuuust a hair. Probably because I’m pretty sure this one is vegetarian.
The last two soups I picked up to-​go after dining in. I mean, it’s GENIUS. Soups always taste better a day or two later. So eat delicious soup in the restaurant, and then take a couple of containers to-​go for even more delicious soup later!
Souper Jenny, please come be my personal chef. I can’t pay you, but I will love you forever! Oh wait, maybe that’s what I should ask the genie for. Duh. That opens up two wishes, one to banish telemarketers and the other to make Idris Elba my personal bodyguard. Mmmmm.

«Isn’t it just soup and a sandwich?» Ummmm NO!
It’s THE place your friends are referring to when they say they want something different, fresh, AND delish! Somewhere that has a cutey sportin’ a Wonder Woman apron as he rings up your order; somewhere that sales soup allllllll year long!
SAMMICH: Grilled chicken, arugula & cheese on pretzel roll.
WRAP: Fried green tomato with pimento cheese all tucked inside a warm pita… Ridicu-​Lish!
SOUPS: Matzo ball & chicken, chicken noodle (I likessss the chicken); Cajun Black Eyed Pea, and Turkey Chili.
Sooooo to answer your question; No, it is absolutely not just soup and a sandwich; its pure, unadulterated goodness that makes your belly smile and your soul dance!

Once upon a time, soup and bread was my favorite meal in the world. Within the same magical land rested Souper Jenny… and there was much rejoicing throughout the land.
Welcome to Decatur, Souper Jenny. If you haven’t had a chance to check out the location in Buckhead up to this point, you’re now in luck — Jenny just doubled your pleasure. Her soups are awesome. I’ve tried many before and there is always a great variety of vegan, vegetarian, and meat options.
I had a bowl of the Indian Mushroom on opening day at this location. It was delicious. Brothy, packed with different mushrooms, veggies, and tons of spices. Perfectly paired with my veggie and hummus pita. Everything was fantastically delicious and presented beautifully.
The thing I love most about this location is that you can see almost everything happening before you — chickens roasting in the oven, induction burners with huge stock pots and steel paddles stirring soups, staff preparing salads and prepping veg. It’s a wonderfully welcoming environment and they serve such an incredibly simple product that makes everyone so happy.
I can’t wait to come back. I know the menu will mirror Buckhead in some ways and I’m excited to see how it will evolve over time. Love having Souper Jenny closer to home!
(Note: This location accepts credit cards!)