Zoup!
1101 Vermont Ave NW,Washington DC, Washington DC, DC, 20005
Zoup! Menu
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Soup
Healthy Meal suggestions for Zoup!
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Soup
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Address :
1101 Vermont Ave NW,Washington DC
Washington DC, DC, 20005 - Phone (202) 682-9687
- Website https://www.zoup.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 8:00pm
- Mon : 11:00 am - 8:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Mike G.
Great soup, decent sanwiches, quick and convenient if you work downtown. Highly recommend for lunch during the week. Line never gets too out of control.
(4)Michael H.
Consistently happy with their soups. I love trying the samples because I often branch out to a new soup. I've never had a soup at Zoup that I didn't like. I usually order half the chicken Toscana sandwich. It's not consistent and is supposed to come on country French bread but sometimes comes on a sub roll. I don't know if it's because they frequently run out or what. That's my only complaint.
(4)Andrew M.
April 2013: Lunch at Zoup is a pretty good deal compared to most of the alternatives in the neighborhood. Being able to sample is nice, and although I haven't found any really special offerings, I've enjoyed the mulligatawny and the chicken corn chowder. The sourdough rolls are very tasty as well. The salads are also fairly substantial and are a pretty good deal compared to similar offering from, say, Chopt. September 2014: I'm giving them another star because their two-for-one deal is among the best cheap lunch options in the neighborhood: pick two from a side soup, a small salad, and a half sandwich, usually for $8.50-$9.50. I typically go with the tuna salad sandwich with lemon and capers and a salad to be named later.
(4)Jessica G.
I wish that I was updating this review to tell you that Zoup has gotten so much better, but I'm not. Today is the day that I break up with Zoup. They are consistently a mess in there, and honestly the soup is not good enough to fight for. Every time I order, I always order online as to bypass the line of tasters, and to know that my order will be ready for pick up at a specified time. Every single time that I do this, it's NEVER ready. I have never once showed up and had my soup ready, and I always give them a few minutes of leeway. While this is annoying, this is NOTHING compared to what happened today. I order a large French Onion soup today. That's all. No drink, no salad, no sandwich - nothing... just one large soup. When I walked in, I KNEW... There was a long line to taste/order, and a huge crowd of people waiting for their orders. I had to push and shove my way to the pick up register. I let the cashier know that I was here to pick up my order that I had paid for, and she just yells down the line that: Jessica is here to pick up her order! I understand that they are busy, and expect to wait a few minutes, however a few minutes turns into TWENTY minutes. I'm not even exaggerating. Twenty entire minutes for one large soup! I continue to check in with the cashier - especially after I see other people who have ordered online come in to pick up their orders after me, and they get their food before me. It's not like I ordered anything complicated, and after twenty minutes, there's no longer a line, and only a handful of us still waiting. The cashier tells me that she's only a cashier and she can't help me. Really? You can't wash your hands, put on a pair of gloves, and ladle my soup into a bowl? Because there was another cashier just standing there in case anyone else came in to order... Look, I get it. I've worked in foodservice before, and I know how much it sucks when you get unexpectedly busy - but waiting twenty minutes for a large soup and nothing else, after ordering online to be picked up at a specified time - is ridiculous. If this was the first time that this had happened, I wouldn't be so aggravated, but my soup is NEVER ready, and I always have to wait. Twenty minutes is where I draw the line, and the next time I want soup, I'll go next door to Au Bon Pain and eat their watered down soup that's been sitting out for 3 hours, because honestly, it's the same price, and I don't have to worry about waiting. Sorry Zoup, we are DONE.
(1)Becca B.
Honestly after reading reviews I was worried. I must have impeccable timing though because I was in and out of Zoup in 5 minutes with a bowl of soup amd fresh bread in hand. While walking from the Smithsonian area back to my hotel, I decided to hop into Zoup before going the last 2 blocks. There were a few lunchers dining in, 2 ordering, 2 tasting and a handful of people waiting near the drink stations. I bipassed the tasting because as soon as I saw Chicken Pot Pie I knew my choice was made. The cashier wasnt super friendly but eh, it was good enough. I guess she got my name off of my card (because they called me by name to pick up), although I didnt even notice her looking at it. The soup was fantastic. The french bread I got with it was warm and soft. Seriously I could have bought a gallon of that stuff if it would make it through the TSA. If you happen by this place when the lines are short, take advantage!
(5)Jose M.
The soups and service merit all the stars. I really like the soup selection here. It's almost impossible not to find a soup that will fill your belly for lunch. The place lets you sample soups liberally and that helps potentially indecisive people. Sourdough goes well with their soups. My personal favorite is probably the bison chili, since it's healthy and filling. The staff here are always oh so nice. The other day I was there in the evening and the employee sweeping the floor even stopped by my table to ask how everything was, and if I liked the food. It was very kind. The sandwiches and salads I've tried have all failed to impress. I really think a slightly better sandwich selection or salad mix would make this place shine. But, overall, I recommend it for the soups and the service.
(4)Kristine M.
2.5 stars: Tasty tasty (but not out of this world) soups for a premium price. Stopped by this place to fill up my tumtummy around 7pm on a weekday and the place looked like it was winding down. The outdoor seating was already placed away and I really wanted bread with my order but they only had oyster crackers and saltines (boohooooo). There were maybe 2 other patrons besides myself in a place with a lot of seating, so it felt a little dead. The soups and service was great, though. They're not using gourmet ingredients but they've got tasty and refreshing combinations (butternut squash, Indian lentil, cold gazpachos) and seafood soups (crab chowder, shrimp bisque) on the regular. I LOVE that it's part of their schtick to let you sample their soups. YES. PLEASE. The guy behind the counter was cordial and willing to explain the whole process to this newbie. My biggest problem is that my cup of crabby soup (as delicious as it was) with 2 bags of oyster crackers came to almost $7. That's almost like a Chipotle burrito or Sweetgreen salad, isn't it?! I just feel weird paying that much. If it was $3.50 or anything less than $5 this place would be a solid 4 stars, but it's the price here, unfortunately, that gives this place a "eehhhh, I don't know if I would come here again" rating.
(3)Mike D.
Liked the name so we stopped in. Great selection of soup. They have vegan and dairy free items. Service was slow, but staff was friendly and apologetic. Had the Mac and cheese bread bowl. This is my new favorite lunch. Kids had PB&J, and turkey club. They liked it! Good for a lunch or snack.
(3)Solomon D.
Had lunch at Zoup, and the soup was good. I had a lemon lentil (interesting combination of lemon and lentil) and a half Sonoma salad. This was just the right portion of food because I was going back to class and didn't want that heavy feeling which would have made me sleep in class.
(3)Jen R.
It was edible. Simply that. Ordered the 4 cheese melt. Seemed like they went so overboard on the bread that the cheese lost it's way. The loco burrito salad was decent. The ordering process was slightly confusing as a line formed around the soup sampling, but you could walk around to the register to order. They also happened to be out of some of the soups & we had to wait until they were ready, so getting food took a while. It wasn't an awful experience, but nothing positive enough that I would return.
(2)Angie T.
No soup nazis here! I love the way the restaurant is set up that you start out at the soup sampling station before making your decision to order. And there's no fuss from the staff as to how many you want to try. It actually seems to be encouraged. I signed up for their daily emails since they make their soup daily and what the offer changes every day. And when you sign up the first time they send you a Buy One Get One Free bowl of soup coupon which is totally worth it! It's a little pricier than your average quickie bowl of soup but its worth the extra dough because it's a bowl jam-packed full of deliciousness. I had their chicken pot pie which was pretty darn good with large chunks of potatoes and chicken. However, I didn't care for the strange crumble they sprinkled on top. I found it to be kind of strange. I was hoping for the flakey crust you would find on an actual chicken pot pie. The soup was still phenomenal. I would definitely go back for more. An extra piece of bread with a bowl of soup would be nice too. They offer a small roll with your soup but the size of their bowls are pretty significant and one roll just isn't enough.
(4)R. C.
On a cold night in DC we stop by here the soup was warm but the customer service was hotter.So friendly and pushing the samples.awesome first experience with my kids they love the chicken pot pie with goldfish and a Iuicebox with a grilled cheese for $4.75. Our server was Abhay top notch guy.
(5)Rachel O.
I work downtown at 15th and M. This is my absolutely go-to lunch spot because it's so convenient and I'm rarely disappointed. I like the variety of soups and being able to try any (and all) of them before deciding. This is pertinent and usually sways my decision. I usually do the try two and it always fills me up whether it is soup and a salad or soup and a sandwich.
(4)Eric B.
Avoid this place if you value your time. Food is OK. People are nice enough. But it took 20 min to make me a sandwich at 1:30 with virtually no one else there. Somehow they managed to lose my order.
(1)A. B.
Every soup I've had has been amazing. Highly highly recommend
(5)Renee H.
We visited Zoup! while staying at the Westin hotel for our staycation. We were immediately greeted and offered samples. I ordered their 4 cheese melt with a lobster bisque. I liked it. If I'm in the area where there is a Zoup! location I would go back. The location was pretty clean and the service was good.
(4)Jason Z.
It's edible and flavorful, and easy on the wallet. Came around their closing time, so that may affect the quality level of the food. I ordered the combo. A small soup and half a sandwich. New England clam chowder and the chicken toscana. The soup was pretty good, but they could've cleaned the clam a little better as there was a bit of sand in my palate. And the sandwich I had came straight from the fridge and popped it into a microwave. Didn't have an expectation going in here, so I wasn't really disappointed or anything. I was tired from a 4 hour drive and needed immediate food intake. It worked out okay.
(2)Joseph L.
I love how they let you sample their soups. Reliable service and seating for a lunch group or 4 or less. My chicken pot pie soup was great, and their other options looked (and smelled) great too.
(4)Rita K.
This place is more of a rating of 3.5 stars! Excellent place to grab a light lunch or breakfast. A block from the Hamilton Crowne Plaza (where we stayed at), I suggested my group to come here on 4th of July to grab a light lunch. It's very clean inside and you can sample as much soups as you want! They have tons of soups, salads, and sandwiches. There are meals to get 1/2 soups, 1/2 sandwiches ,etc for a great price. I sampled the spicy chili and it was so good, but I settled for the typical chicken noodle soup. Very tasty, clean, and it doesn't taste like it came from a can! I shared the full caesar salad with the bf (only $6) and it was a decent salad, nothing special. I recommend getting the half salad portion, its almost the same size as the full. A cup of soup (less than $5) and half a salad filled me up. All for a good price! Plus the worker was really friendly and patient when we took our time trying the various soups. So many selection!
(3)Morgan M.
I've heard ravings of their Mac n Cheese soup so I just had to try it. I opted for the Mac n Cheese soup and the four cheese melt (I'll eventually die of cheese overload). The four cheese melt was strange. It went on something similar to a baguette and was a bit tasteless. The soup was like Mac n Cheese with a lot of extra cheese. It's a good thing I really like cheese. Unfortunately, no one was overly friendly or helpful since it was my first time there. I'd only go back on a cold day and if I'm craving some soup.
(2)Maria G.
I accompanied my friend and fellow intern to this place yesterday so she could buy soup on our way home from work. The employee working was very nice and let us sample any soup we wanted which is exactly what made me come back TODAY in a little under 24 hours! The soups are hearty and delicious!!! And the wide variety attracts me more. Today I got Mexican chicken and it is delicious! I only assume that these soups come in already prepared and have been frozen or bagged but they still taste excellent compared to other places like this. I recommend trying the Mexican chicken, fired roasted red pepper, or the chicken pot pie. Really great place for lunch if you are tired of cosi or pret options.
(5)Stephanie I.
Love this place for lunch when I am working in DC. I am obsessed with soup so it was even more exciting to see that they have a soup tasting station. I always make sure to try some each time, but end up getting Chicken Pot Pie every time! It's just so good. The pie crust on top really completes the whole soup. I could see how the line may get backed up with people taking their time tasting soup. I always go in right before the lunch rush so I don't feel rushed or like I'm holding up the line. I really love their greek chicken sandwich too. So tasty! The bread is the best part. I am happy that I have another great option in DC for lunch!
(5)Andrew H.
I went around 2pm on MLK day and it was pretty quiet, so I was given quality service. The staff was friendly and the food was good. The soups were delicious, but the sandwich and the roll it came with were just standard quick serve cafe quality. With the wide variety of soups, I'll definitely be back.
(4)Kayci S.
First time going here today! I got half an Asian salad without chicken. When I opened the salad container it was literally separated to take up half the container which made me laugh. You'd think they'd invest in different sized containers! Either way, the dressing was good but the salad was nothing special and I wish they had shrimp or another option besides chicken. The "noodles" in the salad are so thin and chopped up that it barely makes a difference that they're even included which was disappointing. The salad comes with a side of bread; I got the sour dough and while it was good I wish they warmed it up or something or offered a different side option. Overall it was fine, it wasn't over priced and they offer a loyalty punch card!
(3)Sarah O.
I've been back a bunch of times and they still have line issues, but its still worth it. I just recently discovered that they serve breakfast too! I had the breakfast club egg bowl, which was egg, turkey sausage and 2 different kinds of cheese (it comes with bacon, but I omitted that). Surprisingly, it was REALLY good! I probably could have eaten another one, but at just about $5.50 a pop, I wasn't keen on spending $11 for breakfast. Either way it was delish and I know I will be back again to have another one. The service was speedy, but that may have been because there were only 3 of us in the place that early.
(4)Clifford D.
I went there during lunch rush hour and it was surprisingly empty (perhaps a warning sign?). I got a soup and a salad and I enjoyed both. I ordered a soda, and all the soda was flat. When I mentioned that to one of the cashiers, she sort of blew me off. I went back after I finished lunch to see if it had been fixed, and it hadn't. Overall I thought the food was good, prices reasonable, and the restaurant clean.
(3)Toya D.
Decent meal deals, considering the area. I paid $8 for a 1/2 sandwich (chicken toscana)and small bowl of soup (broccoli cheddar). It would've been nice if my soup was HOT and my sandwich had more than 5 slivers of grilled chicken in it. ...and YES, I counted! I do like that you can sample the soups. I wouldn't break my neck to go back here, but if I happen to come back, it would only be for the chicken and roasted garlic soup.
(2)Chris C.
I've only been to Zoup once and the soups that I sampled tasted pretty good. It was priced fairly too, so I was happy overall with my experience. I do wish the ordering process was a bit more effective since you can't order when you're sampling. It's an interesting concept but I do like the samples they offer. Nice touch.
(3)Casey K.
Good sandwiches and very reasonably priced. We did however wait about 20 min for our two sandwiches though when we went at 7:30P during the week... Not so stellar, but we will be back.
(3)Dana Z.
Oh, Zoup, why didn't you open while I was still working at 12th/L ?! Oh well, i got a chance to try it recently and I wish I had the chance to go back more often. I thought it was great. Now...the line was LONG! I went on a Thursday right around lunch time. I had the day off so I wasn't rushed, but I could see how the wait could be a problem if I had to be back at work at a certain time. You finally make your way up to the counter and you are able to sample the soups. I decided to get a side of the chicken chili and a half greek salad. The chili is labeled spicy but it wasn't the least bit spicy at all. Maybe it's spicy if you're a meow girl. The salad was good decent enough. But I was wishing I had more soup because it was really good. There are a ton of lunch options in the city and I could see myself going back here. They have healthy options which I appreciate. Just make sure you are able to stand the long lines or else order over the phone for pickup.
(4)Natacho K.
Forget Zoup!, how about Yuck! At least that was my experience when I ordered a cup of broccoli cheddar soup and a half of a turkey club sandwich. The soup had enough salt and cheese to assault my taste buds thoroughly. The turkey club was basically turkey, bacon, and one poor looking tomato that were all zapped in the microwave. Maybe I should have listened when they offered graciously to try a few free samples. Minus the food, the customer service was average (nothing to complain about). I'll continue to stick with my standby for soup and sandwiches, Devon and Blakely.
(2)Elsa M.
Well, they still need to work out the kinks a bit being a new operation. The entrance is crowded. The line is jumbled and unclear. And the workers are beyond stressed. And that was AFTER the lunch rush. All that said, I would go back. The soup was tasty and I found that there were plenty of low sodium, non-dairy, vegetarian options that still had FLAVOR. That's hard to do. Zoup serves up at least 12 different soups a day so there's plenty to choose from and it is much more reasonably priced that some of eateries in the area for the portion. Not fancy, but fit for a quick, healthy bite. P.S. They give you pretty nice paper bags with handles for carry-out. I know I am a nerd for appreciating that, but it's true. Totally reusable! lol!
(3)Stef S.
The ginger butternut squash soup was DELICIOUS. Just the right consistency. I could eat gallons of this. THe chicken pot pie? Meh and too salty. I love the diversity of soups available. The multigrain bread is delicious and warm. My main problem with the place is speed of service, as everyone else mentioned. It took 15 minutes to get my cup of soup to go. I don't want them to compromise quality for speed, but I think they should move more people to the order fulfillment side and perhaps cut down on the people providing samples or taking orders? Also the soup is pretty expensive. My 12oz cup of soup was $5. That's not okay for a to-go, fast-food place. I realize au bon pain is similarly expensive, but i would not call that an appropriate comparison. Bleh. If you were just slighhttllyy cheaper and faster, I would come here all the time!
(3)Tom M.
Staff gets five stars. They were very nice and friendly and served us even though they were closing up in a few minutes. The turkey club was ok. I have had better. Cheeseburger soup was so-so. Reasonably priced.
(2)Jason A.
Tasty, simple, and filling. That is, with the Try 2 Combo! My first experience with Zoup left me wanting. Sure, the soup was delicious, very delicious actually, but I didn't leave completely full and satisfied. Zoup is the kind of place where you need to use the Soup as a side to a sandwich or a salad to give you that "full and satisfied" feeling. I have been a great number of times. Each time, I make an effort to try a different soup. Every soup I have had is very, very tasty! Its a nice change-of-pace from the traditional sandwich/salad joints that are all over the area. You want a change in your normal, everyday routine? I suggest Zoup. they let you try any and all of their soups on the menu for the day. Definitely worth your business, and certainly worth giving a shot!
(4)Dionne L.
Catherine, Olga, Cheick, and other employees whose names I cannot remember... KUDOS, for always being attentive and greeting customers with a smile! I'm always pleased no matter what soup I order... Why? Because they had the brilliant idea of a sample station. You can taste as many soups as you care to try, before ordering, so you can make the perfect decision! I always get their Try two combo, and I've frequented enough to fill my punch card and earn a free meal! I love their tuna sandwich wrap, and the shrimp & crawfish étouffée. They have a great atmosphere for a quick lunch date, a business lunch meeting, or a lunch in solitude. If you've never been and you're looking for a different experience give Zoup! a try! tip: They have free wifi!
(5)Ashley P.
Zoup!, Zoup!, Zoup! Zoup! Zoup! Zoup! Sing that in your head like you would sing Shots, shots, shots shots shots shots, and you will know what I'm thinking every time I come here. And I don't even know why, as I don't drink! Anyways, this is my favorite go to lunch spot. They are consistently perfect, and that's hard to find these days. They have a plethora of soups, with some staples and other rotating favors. Lobster bisque is a favorite among the ladies at the office. Still, I find myself coming back to that chicken pot pie, every single time! It has real pie crust in the soup. So, it's not just oh this tastes like chicken pot pie my friends, this IS chicken pot pie! Their soups come with a choice of bread that they make in-house. my favorite is french, but my co-worker goes nuts for their sourdough. Everything I have had from here is well-seasoned. I recently ventured to try the pick two which comes out to $8.50 or so, and their turkey club on ciabatta is so stinking good! What makes this place even better is they let you, and encourage you to sample their soups before you order. Although it can hold the line up a bit, they still get you in and out of there quickly. The icing on the cake is how friendly and awesome the staff are. They are always friendly, patient, and make me that much more excited for lunch. I've put numerous co-workers on to this place. Zoup!
(5)Nick V.
Everyone likes a little bit of crunch in their chicken right?? Not just the first bite, but the second as well in my salad. Maybe they were trying to create an asian crunch in there? The salad was absolutely disgusting, so much so that I didn't even want to return it. The soup was decent, and I do like the ability to sample soups, so I could pop in here for a (veggie) soup in the winter.
(2)Nekea B.
I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by this place. It was very clean, and refreshing from eating at the same old places downtown. I have tried soups at Au Bon Pain, and Devon and Blakely here in the area. The soups are pretty good depending on the kind you get. With Devon and Blakely I find that it is a bit under seasoned to me. On to Zoup!!! I came in and was greeted with a smile and was asked if I wanted to sample any of their soups. I tried the shrimp and crawfish etouffee and was very pleased(nom nom). It had great aroma and texture. Nice hearty pieces of shrimp, and crawfish. You can sample your heart out of you want. So I tried the Chicken with roasted garlic, and that too was wonderful. I ordered a bowl of the shrimp and crawfish étouffée, and you get a choice of warm bread with it. Pricing was reasonable as well. The staff here are very friendly and aim to please. I must say that I will be returning to Zoup, it was YUMMERS!!!
(5)Athena T.
Lobster bisque was salty! Bread wasn't fresh....at all and the Greek chicken wrap was similar to that of a Subway shop. Eh. The only advantage I saw which is why I added another star is the idea of sampling the soups.
(2)Melissa M.
I heart Zoup! Its a nice change to your average lunch place that offers quite a bit of variety in a compact menu. The best part of Zoup!, by far the staff! Always so friendly and so patient! Honestly, can you imagine how obnoxious it is listening to customers sample soup all day? Slurping noises followed by indecisiveness, assault by ladle much? The menu always offers a few hearty, guilty pleasure soups (chicken pot pie, lobster bisque), healthier (summer veggie chop w/ chicken) and always multiple veggie options (veggie waves of grain, pumpkin pie, spicy black bean chili, split pea, etc.) with both hot and cold varieties of soup available. Soup options change daily, but you can check online before you go! Zoup! also offers at least 8 different sandwiches and 8 different salads. Including grilled cheese, mmmm! I highly suggest the pick 2 combo with soup and a salad or sandwich. Such a great lunch with a enough variety to leave you happy, all for under $10! Def worth checking out and I'm sure you'll be glad you did! One of the few chain restaurants that make you say Yay! I'm a fan!
(4)Lindsay D.
I love soup and salad for lunch, so when I saw this place under construction, I was desperate to try it. Today was the day. The line took about 30 minutes to get through, which is understandable, as a new business they're working out the kinks. However, after sampling 4 of their "homemade" soups, I was not impressed. The soups had vegetables that either came from a bag or can, not close to fresh. They are also super salty and under seasoned. My salad was also disappointing. Wilted lettuce and balsamic vinaigrette, where corn syrup was obviously the base. I hate to say it, but I've had a better meal at Panera Bread.
(2)Samuel M.
If you are a tourist in Washington, you don't know where to eat and its raining and you've been walking hours in museums and extreme weathers, this can be a cool option for lunch. Super cheap, an oriental salad with sesame dressing, a Minute Maid lemonade all you want to serve, with ice. This places deserve reviews in yelp cause you never now when they are gonna save your lunch, this place has healthy options. That cold lemonade was worth it. The girls that work in the cashier didn't understand anything i said, the other asked me sorry for the waiting. The bathroom was clean. It was raining so much outside that Zoup! gave us shelter and salad. Too hot for a soup, vegetarian options, thats cool. Not many spots to eat around this area. Fast food, nothing more to yelp about Zoup!.
(3)Stan A.
Decent food value and quite tasty. Soups taste home made (even though they can't be... hello? it's a chain. The sandwiches are more panini than Subway-like. Good though. They offer salads as well. A nice stop for lunch or an early, light supper. Will be back!
(3)Ningxi X.
I had a good first experience at Zoup two days ago when I wandered into the place from an interview I'd just had nearby. The girl behind the counter offered to let customers try several types of soup, although I only tried one before making up my mind to make a purchase. I asked to taste the crab bisque soup, and it was so delicious that I decided to buy a small cup of it though I'm definitely not a soup person and usually never drink soups at meals (it's too watery and liquid-y for me to feel like a solid meal). I had the combo and picked a side soup of crab bisque with a half southwestern turkey sandwich. Both items were heavily spiced, but tasty. The bill came out a little over $8, and I was quickly stuffed though I was starving when I first walked in. I imagine Zoup can be packed during lunch rush hour, but there were only two other customers when I went around 3:40. They have over 100 soups, and rotate the menu on a daily offering 12 soups on any given day. The address "1101 Vermont Ave" might be a bit misleading, since Zoup is actually located at the corner of L and 14th, almost a small block away from Vermont. Overall, Zoup might be a refreshing alternative for lunch goers who are tired with ABP, Corner Bakery Cafe, and Pret a Manger (like the crowds in Golden Triangle are). I guess it can indeed be an almost completely different world just few neighborhoods over in the same city. I was pleasantly surprised and delighted that I stumbled upon Zoup while in a different part of town the other day.
(4)Lisa C.
Really good soup if somewhat overpriced. You can sample as many soups as you'd like before ordering. The owner was great.
(4)Randy M.
Exactly as the 2 star review is described by Yelp... "Meh. I've experienced better." Lots of options for soup and salads. Nothing special, but decently priced. I wouldn't necessarily be excited about going again, but wouldn't avoid it if I was starving.
(2)Anjali B.
I've been to Zoups twice now, and had pretty similar experiences both times. I go the black bean soup the first time and the soup salad combo this time, with the corn chowder and greek salad. Food: Both soups were adequate, neither of them blew me away. I like that you can sample as many as you want, and that they always have multiple vegetarian options. The salad was mediocre at best. Black not greek olives, a wilted hot pepper, sad lettuce. Not horrible, but certainly not great. Wait: I've gone right at noon both times, and have never had a problem with a wait, though I can see how it would get crazy. Staff: The staff have always been really helpful friendly. Five stars for them! Overall: Acceptable and better than ABP when you're desperate for soup, but not something I'll seek out all that often.
(3)AJ A.
Truthfully, there's nothing exciting about this place. And for something as simple as a menu of soups and sandwiches, it is a little pricey. And do yourself a favor and make certain to check out their website for the daily soup's nutritional values. Talk about gut-busters! The real sinker of this place is the staff's *terrible* customer service and their bad attitudes. Simply disappointing. Also, there's some sort of strange smell in here that makes me a little nauseous...
(1)Elizabeth K.
Stopped by here for lunch today. I have been looking for a reasonable alternative to the ABP that is next door-boy, do I hate it there. Anyway, it was pretty obvious that this is a new operation becasue I was greeted no less than half a dozen times by the time I walked out of there. With that said, I ordered a Cobb salad that was tasty and reasonably priced! I tossed the piece of french bread that came with the salad to the side-it really wasn't worth the calories. I will return to try their soups shortly!
(4)Mike W.
Overpriced bland soup. Sandwiches are over priced too.
(2)Josh B.
I was back in town for a conference, and I was starving by lunch time. I wanted to get away, and I saw Zoup as a chance to relax by myself. As it's already been written, the staff is very nice and cheerful, but the food is underwhelming. I had a 4 cheese melt and a cup of vegetarian split pea soup, which ran me $13.50. Not cheap, but if it's a good meal, that's ok. The problem is, it wasn't even an average meal. The pea soup had no flavor, and the 4 cheese melt wasn't much better. I could have walked to Shake Shack, and I should have. Give Zoup a pass. Mediocre food at high prices is all you get.
(2)Carla G.
Never again. Waited almost 25 minutes for half a salad, while the small waiting area continued to overcrowd with hungry and impatient customers. They call you buy name! Not a number, which can be confusing if there happens to be more than one John waiting...and there's bound to be more than one person with the same name considering how long it takes to get out your order !!! I'm sure the (new) restaurant is still working out the kinks, but i would rather spend my lunch hour having lunch not waiting on it...
(1)Todd J.
Not many spots to eat around this area, Zoup is definitely a welcomed addition. The soup and sandwiches are very decent. I'm also very impressed with how nice and professional the people behind the counter are.
(4)Dorit R.
They seem to be picking up the pace a little bit on the line although I am still waiting until its after the lunch rush or ordering my soup on the web (that system they have really well figured out). The main thing they need to do is to constantly tell people on lines that if they know what they want to order, move up and skip the "tasting" section. Or put up a sign at least! I really enjoyed to the spicy black bean chili on the menu yesterday and was hoping that it might last until today but it did not. I hope they bring it back soon! It was the best vegetarian soup I have had there and I come a few times a week. Also, I really appreciate that the website gives nutrition information about the soups but it should really include SODIUM as well. I think a lot of us are increasingly concerned about how much sodium we are getting in prepared foods. As far as price, it really pays to ask for one of their frequent customer cards (and you can get double punches on Mondays) and get on their email list. I just got a coupon for buy-one-get-one free. And if they are still not giving people a choice about whether they want bags or not when you order "to go" -- I don't know how they get away with that when other equally small businesses seem to have to charge for bags.
(4)Charmae W.
My first time visiting Zoup I was totally lost lol, there are so many options. The location was very clean and the service was great. One employee in particular Rena was very helpful so much so that im now a regular! She answered all my questions! I love this place.
(4)A J.
I am sad to say that my love for Zoup! has gradually faded due to inconsistent food quality. I would advise staying away from the soups. Instead, you should purchase the sandwiches and salads. As these food selections are of better quality. I've gotten several watered down soups with an obvious lack of protein. This problem is most evident during the busy lunch hour Monday through Friday. Please take the extra time and sample before buying the soup; otherwise you'll be utterly disappointed.
(2)Megan T.
I've been to Zoup 3-4 times so far, and it's a solid addition to the lunchtime scene in the area. - Wait: While others have mentioned the obscenely long wait, I haven't been more than 3 people behind the person ordering at the register. I work a block and a half away, and it has never taken me more than 15 minutes to walk there, get my food, and walk back. I normally go around noon, but I suppose it can get more crowded as the lunch rush goes on. - Food: I'll be the first to admit that the soup at Zoup can be hit or miss. I put it somewhere between ABP and Panera. I think everything at ABP tastes exactly the same, no matter what you do to it, and I could drink gallons of the Broccoli Cheese soup at Panera...so this fits right in between. My favorites are their Spicy Crab and Rice (which is not spicy at all, but I'll call it appropriately seasoned), which is a low calorie/fat alternative to my actual favorite -- their Lobster Bisque. Real chunks of lobster for 6? Sign me up please. I didn't like their chicken pot pie, I found it oddly flavored and very salty. They've had 2 chilled soups every time I've been there, and a wealth of options for vegetarians, vegans, and those watching their weight. I don't care that its going to be 91 degrees today, I'm going to Zoup.
(4)Rebecca G.
Zoup catered a work event for us last week and could not have been easier to work with. They were extremely responsive and easy to work with. The food was delicious--the soup got rave reviews (we had lobster bisque, clam chowder, and seven bean)--and they packed it with all of the utensils we would need, plus butter for the tasty rolls and dressing for the salad. It was also packed in a way that the soup stayed warm. HIGHLY recommended.
(5)Tom W.
I can't believe people have given this place four stars. Our office was so excited to get a soup place in our neighborhood, but man, what a let-down. I work across the street and have tried it three times. Three disappointing experiences. At first I blamed the experience on ordering the wrong soup. The second time I went, I ordered something different and I was equally, if not more disappointed. I have no idea why I went a third time. Never again. Their soups don't taste fresh, aren't well seasoned, overly salted. Palatable, sure, but when you have a place dedicated to soup, you expect great - maybe even sublime. I'd say mediocre at best.
(2)Susan M.
I had the southwest turkey sandwich as a wrap, and the turkey chili. The wrap was decent enough but it slightly reminded me of airport food. The turkey chili, however, was gross. It had a thin soupy consistency (it's a fine line between soup and chili, I know) and the flavors were bland and off. Don't think I'll be going back.
(2)Tiffany F.
Great lunch..very reasonable
(4)Niva M.
I've come here twice now- the first time I waited in line and the second time, I ordered online. Both times I waited, though ordering online was by far preferable. I am underwhelmed by the vegetarian sandwiches- tons of bread with barely anything on the inside. Where are the vegs in the California veg? There were two or three tiny pieces of romaine, like it was being saved. Not satisfying at all. The soups I've had are underwhelming. For $5 for a small, they really should be amazing- or at least better than Progresso. I hate to say it, but seriously save your money and pack from home, or save some time and go to Au Bon Pain for higher quality and more quantity. And srsly, I never thought I would say that as I avoid Au Bon Pain like the plague.
(2)Bill D.
I've been going by this place near my office for a couple of months. It was always way too packed to spend time waiting, but today I had a late lunch break so the place was nearly empty. It's hot, steamy summer weather in DC now, so what are they featuring? HOT soup--and I wanted something cool and refreshing. Gazpacho? Nope. Vichyssoise? What's that? Zoup started in Michigan and all their other outlets are in northern states where everyone loves soup all the time. I think they need to adapt their offerings to a summer variety fitting our DC climate -- I mean really, who wants hot soup when it is in the 90s and steamy? So I had one of the salads--while the ingredients were fresh enough, they were just dumped in a plastic bowl along with two containers of dressing. For the same price you'll get a hand-made and fresh-tossed salad along with fresh-baked bread at Cosi's around the corner. Meh says it all about Zoup...
(2)Eliza K.
This is one of my favorite lunch places in the neighborhood... the soup is very tasty, and I like the fact that I can sample before I order, since the soups change daily and I'm pretty picky. Service is pretty speedy most of the time as well (though the lunch rush impacts everyone). Reasonably priced.
(4)maNo S.
interesting salad, soup and sandwich spot. has a number of soups available daily and healthy sandwich options. ordered a chicken roasted pepper multigrain sandwich, which was very good, the lobster bisque soup(was ok) and a drink. not pricey. got there just in time because the place had a line out the door when i was sitting. but overall, not bad at all!
(3)Carolyn B.
I went a week after it opened. My co-worker's roll was moldy and they gave me balsamic dressing instead of the right dressing for the Asian salad. Unimpressive and overpriced.
(1)Jose M.
The soups and service merit all the stars. I really like the soup selection here. It's almost impossible not to find a soup that will fill your belly for lunch. The place lets you sample soups liberally and that helps potentially indecisive people. Sourdough goes well with their soups. My personal favorite is probably the bison chili, since it's healthy and filling. The staff here are always oh so nice. The other day I was there in the evening and the employee sweeping the floor even stopped by my table to ask how everything was, and if I liked the food. It was very kind. The sandwiches and salads I've tried have all failed to impress. I really think a slightly better sandwich selection or salad mix would make this place shine. But, overall, I recommend it for the soups and the service.
(4)Kristine M.
2.5 stars: Tasty tasty (but not out of this world) soups for a premium price. Stopped by this place to fill up my tumtummy around 7pm on a weekday and the place looked like it was winding down. The outdoor seating was already placed away and I really wanted bread with my order but they only had oyster crackers and saltines (boohooooo). There were maybe 2 other patrons besides myself in a place with a lot of seating, so it felt a little dead. The soups and service was great, though. They're not using gourmet ingredients but they've got tasty and refreshing combinations (butternut squash, Indian lentil, cold gazpachos) and seafood soups (crab chowder, shrimp bisque) on the regular. I LOVE that it's part of their schtick to let you sample their soups. YES. PLEASE. The guy behind the counter was cordial and willing to explain the whole process to this newbie. My biggest problem is that my cup of crabby soup (as delicious as it was) with 2 bags of oyster crackers came to almost $7. That's almost like a Chipotle burrito or Sweetgreen salad, isn't it?! I just feel weird paying that much. If it was $3.50 or anything less than $5 this place would be a solid 4 stars, but it's the price here, unfortunately, that gives this place a "eehhhh, I don't know if I would come here again" rating.
(3)Mike D.
Liked the name so we stopped in. Great selection of soup. They have vegan and dairy free items. Service was slow, but staff was friendly and apologetic. Had the Mac and cheese bread bowl. This is my new favorite lunch. Kids had PB&J, and turkey club. They liked it! Good for a lunch or snack.
(3)Solomon D.
Had lunch at Zoup, and the soup was good. I had a lemon lentil (interesting combination of lemon and lentil) and a half Sonoma salad. This was just the right portion of food because I was going back to class and didn't want that heavy feeling which would have made me sleep in class.
(3)Jessica G.
I wish that I was updating this review to tell you that Zoup has gotten so much better, but I'm not. Today is the day that I break up with Zoup. They are consistently a mess in there, and honestly the soup is not good enough to fight for. Every time I order, I always order online as to bypass the line of tasters, and to know that my order will be ready for pick up at a specified time. Every single time that I do this, it's NEVER ready. I have never once showed up and had my soup ready, and I always give them a few minutes of leeway. While this is annoying, this is NOTHING compared to what happened today. I order a large French Onion soup today. That's all. No drink, no salad, no sandwich - nothing... just one large soup. When I walked in, I KNEW... There was a long line to taste/order, and a huge crowd of people waiting for their orders. I had to push and shove my way to the pick up register. I let the cashier know that I was here to pick up my order that I had paid for, and she just yells down the line that: Jessica is here to pick up her order! I understand that they are busy, and expect to wait a few minutes, however a few minutes turns into TWENTY minutes. I'm not even exaggerating. Twenty entire minutes for one large soup! I continue to check in with the cashier - especially after I see other people who have ordered online come in to pick up their orders after me, and they get their food before me. It's not like I ordered anything complicated, and after twenty minutes, there's no longer a line, and only a handful of us still waiting. The cashier tells me that she's only a cashier and she can't help me. Really? You can't wash your hands, put on a pair of gloves, and ladle my soup into a bowl? Because there was another cashier just standing there in case anyone else came in to order... Look, I get it. I've worked in foodservice before, and I know how much it sucks when you get unexpectedly busy - but waiting twenty minutes for a large soup and nothing else, after ordering online to be picked up at a specified time - is ridiculous. If this was the first time that this had happened, I wouldn't be so aggravated, but my soup is NEVER ready, and I always have to wait. Twenty minutes is where I draw the line, and the next time I want soup, I'll go next door to Au Bon Pain and eat their watered down soup that's been sitting out for 3 hours, because honestly, it's the same price, and I don't have to worry about waiting. Sorry Zoup, we are DONE.
(1)Becca B.
Honestly after reading reviews I was worried. I must have impeccable timing though because I was in and out of Zoup in 5 minutes with a bowl of soup amd fresh bread in hand. While walking from the Smithsonian area back to my hotel, I decided to hop into Zoup before going the last 2 blocks. There were a few lunchers dining in, 2 ordering, 2 tasting and a handful of people waiting near the drink stations. I bipassed the tasting because as soon as I saw Chicken Pot Pie I knew my choice was made. The cashier wasnt super friendly but eh, it was good enough. I guess she got my name off of my card (because they called me by name to pick up), although I didnt even notice her looking at it. The soup was fantastic. The french bread I got with it was warm and soft. Seriously I could have bought a gallon of that stuff if it would make it through the TSA. If you happen by this place when the lines are short, take advantage!
(5)Jen R.
It was edible. Simply that. Ordered the 4 cheese melt. Seemed like they went so overboard on the bread that the cheese lost it's way. The loco burrito salad was decent. The ordering process was slightly confusing as a line formed around the soup sampling, but you could walk around to the register to order. They also happened to be out of some of the soups & we had to wait until they were ready, so getting food took a while. It wasn't an awful experience, but nothing positive enough that I would return.
(2)Angie T.
No soup nazis here! I love the way the restaurant is set up that you start out at the soup sampling station before making your decision to order. And there's no fuss from the staff as to how many you want to try. It actually seems to be encouraged. I signed up for their daily emails since they make their soup daily and what the offer changes every day. And when you sign up the first time they send you a Buy One Get One Free bowl of soup coupon which is totally worth it! It's a little pricier than your average quickie bowl of soup but its worth the extra dough because it's a bowl jam-packed full of deliciousness. I had their chicken pot pie which was pretty darn good with large chunks of potatoes and chicken. However, I didn't care for the strange crumble they sprinkled on top. I found it to be kind of strange. I was hoping for the flakey crust you would find on an actual chicken pot pie. The soup was still phenomenal. I would definitely go back for more. An extra piece of bread with a bowl of soup would be nice too. They offer a small roll with your soup but the size of their bowls are pretty significant and one roll just isn't enough.
(4)R. C.
On a cold night in DC we stop by here the soup was warm but the customer service was hotter.So friendly and pushing the samples.awesome first experience with my kids they love the chicken pot pie with goldfish and a Iuicebox with a grilled cheese for $4.75. Our server was Abhay top notch guy.
(5)Rachel O.
I work downtown at 15th and M. This is my absolutely go-to lunch spot because it's so convenient and I'm rarely disappointed. I like the variety of soups and being able to try any (and all) of them before deciding. This is pertinent and usually sways my decision. I usually do the try two and it always fills me up whether it is soup and a salad or soup and a sandwich.
(4)Eric B.
Avoid this place if you value your time. Food is OK. People are nice enough. But it took 20 min to make me a sandwich at 1:30 with virtually no one else there. Somehow they managed to lose my order.
(1)A. B.
Every soup I've had has been amazing. Highly highly recommend
(5)Renee H.
We visited Zoup! while staying at the Westin hotel for our staycation. We were immediately greeted and offered samples. I ordered their 4 cheese melt with a lobster bisque. I liked it. If I'm in the area where there is a Zoup! location I would go back. The location was pretty clean and the service was good.
(4)Jason Z.
It's edible and flavorful, and easy on the wallet. Came around their closing time, so that may affect the quality level of the food. I ordered the combo. A small soup and half a sandwich. New England clam chowder and the chicken toscana. The soup was pretty good, but they could've cleaned the clam a little better as there was a bit of sand in my palate. And the sandwich I had came straight from the fridge and popped it into a microwave. Didn't have an expectation going in here, so I wasn't really disappointed or anything. I was tired from a 4 hour drive and needed immediate food intake. It worked out okay.
(2)Mike G.
Great soup, decent sanwiches, quick and convenient if you work downtown. Highly recommend for lunch during the week. Line never gets too out of control.
(4)Michael H.
Consistently happy with their soups. I love trying the samples because I often branch out to a new soup. I've never had a soup at Zoup that I didn't like. I usually order half the chicken Toscana sandwich. It's not consistent and is supposed to come on country French bread but sometimes comes on a sub roll. I don't know if it's because they frequently run out or what. That's my only complaint.
(4)Andrew M.
April 2013: Lunch at Zoup is a pretty good deal compared to most of the alternatives in the neighborhood. Being able to sample is nice, and although I haven't found any really special offerings, I've enjoyed the mulligatawny and the chicken corn chowder. The sourdough rolls are very tasty as well. The salads are also fairly substantial and are a pretty good deal compared to similar offering from, say, Chopt. September 2014: I'm giving them another star because their two-for-one deal is among the best cheap lunch options in the neighborhood: pick two from a side soup, a small salad, and a half sandwich, usually for $8.50-$9.50. I typically go with the tuna salad sandwich with lemon and capers and a salad to be named later.
(4)Joseph L.
I love how they let you sample their soups. Reliable service and seating for a lunch group or 4 or less. My chicken pot pie soup was great, and their other options looked (and smelled) great too.
(4)Rita K.
This place is more of a rating of 3.5 stars! Excellent place to grab a light lunch or breakfast. A block from the Hamilton Crowne Plaza (where we stayed at), I suggested my group to come here on 4th of July to grab a light lunch. It's very clean inside and you can sample as much soups as you want! They have tons of soups, salads, and sandwiches. There are meals to get 1/2 soups, 1/2 sandwiches ,etc for a great price. I sampled the spicy chili and it was so good, but I settled for the typical chicken noodle soup. Very tasty, clean, and it doesn't taste like it came from a can! I shared the full caesar salad with the bf (only $6) and it was a decent salad, nothing special. I recommend getting the half salad portion, its almost the same size as the full. A cup of soup (less than $5) and half a salad filled me up. All for a good price! Plus the worker was really friendly and patient when we took our time trying the various soups. So many selection!
(3)Morgan M.
I've heard ravings of their Mac n Cheese soup so I just had to try it. I opted for the Mac n Cheese soup and the four cheese melt (I'll eventually die of cheese overload). The four cheese melt was strange. It went on something similar to a baguette and was a bit tasteless. The soup was like Mac n Cheese with a lot of extra cheese. It's a good thing I really like cheese. Unfortunately, no one was overly friendly or helpful since it was my first time there. I'd only go back on a cold day and if I'm craving some soup.
(2)Maria G.
I accompanied my friend and fellow intern to this place yesterday so she could buy soup on our way home from work. The employee working was very nice and let us sample any soup we wanted which is exactly what made me come back TODAY in a little under 24 hours! The soups are hearty and delicious!!! And the wide variety attracts me more. Today I got Mexican chicken and it is delicious! I only assume that these soups come in already prepared and have been frozen or bagged but they still taste excellent compared to other places like this. I recommend trying the Mexican chicken, fired roasted red pepper, or the chicken pot pie. Really great place for lunch if you are tired of cosi or pret options.
(5)Stephanie I.
Love this place for lunch when I am working in DC. I am obsessed with soup so it was even more exciting to see that they have a soup tasting station. I always make sure to try some each time, but end up getting Chicken Pot Pie every time! It's just so good. The pie crust on top really completes the whole soup. I could see how the line may get backed up with people taking their time tasting soup. I always go in right before the lunch rush so I don't feel rushed or like I'm holding up the line. I really love their greek chicken sandwich too. So tasty! The bread is the best part. I am happy that I have another great option in DC for lunch!
(5)Andrew H.
I went around 2pm on MLK day and it was pretty quiet, so I was given quality service. The staff was friendly and the food was good. The soups were delicious, but the sandwich and the roll it came with were just standard quick serve cafe quality. With the wide variety of soups, I'll definitely be back.
(4)Kayci S.
First time going here today! I got half an Asian salad without chicken. When I opened the salad container it was literally separated to take up half the container which made me laugh. You'd think they'd invest in different sized containers! Either way, the dressing was good but the salad was nothing special and I wish they had shrimp or another option besides chicken. The "noodles" in the salad are so thin and chopped up that it barely makes a difference that they're even included which was disappointing. The salad comes with a side of bread; I got the sour dough and while it was good I wish they warmed it up or something or offered a different side option. Overall it was fine, it wasn't over priced and they offer a loyalty punch card!
(3)Sarah O.
I've been back a bunch of times and they still have line issues, but its still worth it. I just recently discovered that they serve breakfast too! I had the breakfast club egg bowl, which was egg, turkey sausage and 2 different kinds of cheese (it comes with bacon, but I omitted that). Surprisingly, it was REALLY good! I probably could have eaten another one, but at just about $5.50 a pop, I wasn't keen on spending $11 for breakfast. Either way it was delish and I know I will be back again to have another one. The service was speedy, but that may have been because there were only 3 of us in the place that early.
(4)Clifford D.
I went there during lunch rush hour and it was surprisingly empty (perhaps a warning sign?). I got a soup and a salad and I enjoyed both. I ordered a soda, and all the soda was flat. When I mentioned that to one of the cashiers, she sort of blew me off. I went back after I finished lunch to see if it had been fixed, and it hadn't. Overall I thought the food was good, prices reasonable, and the restaurant clean.
(3)Toya D.
Decent meal deals, considering the area. I paid $8 for a 1/2 sandwich (chicken toscana)and small bowl of soup (broccoli cheddar). It would've been nice if my soup was HOT and my sandwich had more than 5 slivers of grilled chicken in it. ...and YES, I counted! I do like that you can sample the soups. I wouldn't break my neck to go back here, but if I happen to come back, it would only be for the chicken and roasted garlic soup.
(2)Chris C.
I've only been to Zoup once and the soups that I sampled tasted pretty good. It was priced fairly too, so I was happy overall with my experience. I do wish the ordering process was a bit more effective since you can't order when you're sampling. It's an interesting concept but I do like the samples they offer. Nice touch.
(3)Casey K.
Good sandwiches and very reasonably priced. We did however wait about 20 min for our two sandwiches though when we went at 7:30P during the week... Not so stellar, but we will be back.
(3)Dana Z.
Oh, Zoup, why didn't you open while I was still working at 12th/L ?! Oh well, i got a chance to try it recently and I wish I had the chance to go back more often. I thought it was great. Now...the line was LONG! I went on a Thursday right around lunch time. I had the day off so I wasn't rushed, but I could see how the wait could be a problem if I had to be back at work at a certain time. You finally make your way up to the counter and you are able to sample the soups. I decided to get a side of the chicken chili and a half greek salad. The chili is labeled spicy but it wasn't the least bit spicy at all. Maybe it's spicy if you're a meow girl. The salad was good decent enough. But I was wishing I had more soup because it was really good. There are a ton of lunch options in the city and I could see myself going back here. They have healthy options which I appreciate. Just make sure you are able to stand the long lines or else order over the phone for pickup.
(4)Natacho K.
Forget Zoup!, how about Yuck! At least that was my experience when I ordered a cup of broccoli cheddar soup and a half of a turkey club sandwich. The soup had enough salt and cheese to assault my taste buds thoroughly. The turkey club was basically turkey, bacon, and one poor looking tomato that were all zapped in the microwave. Maybe I should have listened when they offered graciously to try a few free samples. Minus the food, the customer service was average (nothing to complain about). I'll continue to stick with my standby for soup and sandwiches, Devon and Blakely.
(2)Elsa M.
Well, they still need to work out the kinks a bit being a new operation. The entrance is crowded. The line is jumbled and unclear. And the workers are beyond stressed. And that was AFTER the lunch rush. All that said, I would go back. The soup was tasty and I found that there were plenty of low sodium, non-dairy, vegetarian options that still had FLAVOR. That's hard to do. Zoup serves up at least 12 different soups a day so there's plenty to choose from and it is much more reasonably priced that some of eateries in the area for the portion. Not fancy, but fit for a quick, healthy bite. P.S. They give you pretty nice paper bags with handles for carry-out. I know I am a nerd for appreciating that, but it's true. Totally reusable! lol!
(3)Stef S.
The ginger butternut squash soup was DELICIOUS. Just the right consistency. I could eat gallons of this. THe chicken pot pie? Meh and too salty. I love the diversity of soups available. The multigrain bread is delicious and warm. My main problem with the place is speed of service, as everyone else mentioned. It took 15 minutes to get my cup of soup to go. I don't want them to compromise quality for speed, but I think they should move more people to the order fulfillment side and perhaps cut down on the people providing samples or taking orders? Also the soup is pretty expensive. My 12oz cup of soup was $5. That's not okay for a to-go, fast-food place. I realize au bon pain is similarly expensive, but i would not call that an appropriate comparison. Bleh. If you were just slighhttllyy cheaper and faster, I would come here all the time!
(3)Tom M.
Staff gets five stars. They were very nice and friendly and served us even though they were closing up in a few minutes. The turkey club was ok. I have had better. Cheeseburger soup was so-so. Reasonably priced.
(2)Jason A.
Tasty, simple, and filling. That is, with the Try 2 Combo! My first experience with Zoup left me wanting. Sure, the soup was delicious, very delicious actually, but I didn't leave completely full and satisfied. Zoup is the kind of place where you need to use the Soup as a side to a sandwich or a salad to give you that "full and satisfied" feeling. I have been a great number of times. Each time, I make an effort to try a different soup. Every soup I have had is very, very tasty! Its a nice change-of-pace from the traditional sandwich/salad joints that are all over the area. You want a change in your normal, everyday routine? I suggest Zoup. they let you try any and all of their soups on the menu for the day. Definitely worth your business, and certainly worth giving a shot!
(4)Dionne L.
Catherine, Olga, Cheick, and other employees whose names I cannot remember... KUDOS, for always being attentive and greeting customers with a smile! I'm always pleased no matter what soup I order... Why? Because they had the brilliant idea of a sample station. You can taste as many soups as you care to try, before ordering, so you can make the perfect decision! I always get their Try two combo, and I've frequented enough to fill my punch card and earn a free meal! I love their tuna sandwich wrap, and the shrimp & crawfish étouffée. They have a great atmosphere for a quick lunch date, a business lunch meeting, or a lunch in solitude. If you've never been and you're looking for a different experience give Zoup! a try! tip: They have free wifi!
(5)Ashley P.
Zoup!, Zoup!, Zoup! Zoup! Zoup! Zoup! Sing that in your head like you would sing Shots, shots, shots shots shots shots, and you will know what I'm thinking every time I come here. And I don't even know why, as I don't drink! Anyways, this is my favorite go to lunch spot. They are consistently perfect, and that's hard to find these days. They have a plethora of soups, with some staples and other rotating favors. Lobster bisque is a favorite among the ladies at the office. Still, I find myself coming back to that chicken pot pie, every single time! It has real pie crust in the soup. So, it's not just oh this tastes like chicken pot pie my friends, this IS chicken pot pie! Their soups come with a choice of bread that they make in-house. my favorite is french, but my co-worker goes nuts for their sourdough. Everything I have had from here is well-seasoned. I recently ventured to try the pick two which comes out to $8.50 or so, and their turkey club on ciabatta is so stinking good! What makes this place even better is they let you, and encourage you to sample their soups before you order. Although it can hold the line up a bit, they still get you in and out of there quickly. The icing on the cake is how friendly and awesome the staff are. They are always friendly, patient, and make me that much more excited for lunch. I've put numerous co-workers on to this place. Zoup!
(5)Nick V.
Everyone likes a little bit of crunch in their chicken right?? Not just the first bite, but the second as well in my salad. Maybe they were trying to create an asian crunch in there? The salad was absolutely disgusting, so much so that I didn't even want to return it. The soup was decent, and I do like the ability to sample soups, so I could pop in here for a (veggie) soup in the winter.
(2)Nekea B.
I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by this place. It was very clean, and refreshing from eating at the same old places downtown. I have tried soups at Au Bon Pain, and Devon and Blakely here in the area. The soups are pretty good depending on the kind you get. With Devon and Blakely I find that it is a bit under seasoned to me. On to Zoup!!! I came in and was greeted with a smile and was asked if I wanted to sample any of their soups. I tried the shrimp and crawfish etouffee and was very pleased(nom nom). It had great aroma and texture. Nice hearty pieces of shrimp, and crawfish. You can sample your heart out of you want. So I tried the Chicken with roasted garlic, and that too was wonderful. I ordered a bowl of the shrimp and crawfish étouffée, and you get a choice of warm bread with it. Pricing was reasonable as well. The staff here are very friendly and aim to please. I must say that I will be returning to Zoup, it was YUMMERS!!!
(5)Athena T.
Lobster bisque was salty! Bread wasn't fresh....at all and the Greek chicken wrap was similar to that of a Subway shop. Eh. The only advantage I saw which is why I added another star is the idea of sampling the soups.
(2)Melissa M.
I heart Zoup! Its a nice change to your average lunch place that offers quite a bit of variety in a compact menu. The best part of Zoup!, by far the staff! Always so friendly and so patient! Honestly, can you imagine how obnoxious it is listening to customers sample soup all day? Slurping noises followed by indecisiveness, assault by ladle much? The menu always offers a few hearty, guilty pleasure soups (chicken pot pie, lobster bisque), healthier (summer veggie chop w/ chicken) and always multiple veggie options (veggie waves of grain, pumpkin pie, spicy black bean chili, split pea, etc.) with both hot and cold varieties of soup available. Soup options change daily, but you can check online before you go! Zoup! also offers at least 8 different sandwiches and 8 different salads. Including grilled cheese, mmmm! I highly suggest the pick 2 combo with soup and a salad or sandwich. Such a great lunch with a enough variety to leave you happy, all for under $10! Def worth checking out and I'm sure you'll be glad you did! One of the few chain restaurants that make you say Yay! I'm a fan!
(4)Lindsay D.
I love soup and salad for lunch, so when I saw this place under construction, I was desperate to try it. Today was the day. The line took about 30 minutes to get through, which is understandable, as a new business they're working out the kinks. However, after sampling 4 of their "homemade" soups, I was not impressed. The soups had vegetables that either came from a bag or can, not close to fresh. They are also super salty and under seasoned. My salad was also disappointing. Wilted lettuce and balsamic vinaigrette, where corn syrup was obviously the base. I hate to say it, but I've had a better meal at Panera Bread.
(2)Samuel M.
If you are a tourist in Washington, you don't know where to eat and its raining and you've been walking hours in museums and extreme weathers, this can be a cool option for lunch. Super cheap, an oriental salad with sesame dressing, a Minute Maid lemonade all you want to serve, with ice. This places deserve reviews in yelp cause you never now when they are gonna save your lunch, this place has healthy options. That cold lemonade was worth it. The girls that work in the cashier didn't understand anything i said, the other asked me sorry for the waiting. The bathroom was clean. It was raining so much outside that Zoup! gave us shelter and salad. Too hot for a soup, vegetarian options, thats cool. Not many spots to eat around this area. Fast food, nothing more to yelp about Zoup!.
(3)Stan A.
Decent food value and quite tasty. Soups taste home made (even though they can't be... hello? it's a chain. The sandwiches are more panini than Subway-like. Good though. They offer salads as well. A nice stop for lunch or an early, light supper. Will be back!
(3)Ningxi X.
I had a good first experience at Zoup two days ago when I wandered into the place from an interview I'd just had nearby. The girl behind the counter offered to let customers try several types of soup, although I only tried one before making up my mind to make a purchase. I asked to taste the crab bisque soup, and it was so delicious that I decided to buy a small cup of it though I'm definitely not a soup person and usually never drink soups at meals (it's too watery and liquid-y for me to feel like a solid meal). I had the combo and picked a side soup of crab bisque with a half southwestern turkey sandwich. Both items were heavily spiced, but tasty. The bill came out a little over $8, and I was quickly stuffed though I was starving when I first walked in. I imagine Zoup can be packed during lunch rush hour, but there were only two other customers when I went around 3:40. They have over 100 soups, and rotate the menu on a daily offering 12 soups on any given day. The address "1101 Vermont Ave" might be a bit misleading, since Zoup is actually located at the corner of L and 14th, almost a small block away from Vermont. Overall, Zoup might be a refreshing alternative for lunch goers who are tired with ABP, Corner Bakery Cafe, and Pret a Manger (like the crowds in Golden Triangle are). I guess it can indeed be an almost completely different world just few neighborhoods over in the same city. I was pleasantly surprised and delighted that I stumbled upon Zoup while in a different part of town the other day.
(4)Lisa C.
Really good soup if somewhat overpriced. You can sample as many soups as you'd like before ordering. The owner was great.
(4)Randy M.
Exactly as the 2 star review is described by Yelp... "Meh. I've experienced better." Lots of options for soup and salads. Nothing special, but decently priced. I wouldn't necessarily be excited about going again, but wouldn't avoid it if I was starving.
(2)Anjali B.
I've been to Zoups twice now, and had pretty similar experiences both times. I go the black bean soup the first time and the soup salad combo this time, with the corn chowder and greek salad. Food: Both soups were adequate, neither of them blew me away. I like that you can sample as many as you want, and that they always have multiple vegetarian options. The salad was mediocre at best. Black not greek olives, a wilted hot pepper, sad lettuce. Not horrible, but certainly not great. Wait: I've gone right at noon both times, and have never had a problem with a wait, though I can see how it would get crazy. Staff: The staff have always been really helpful friendly. Five stars for them! Overall: Acceptable and better than ABP when you're desperate for soup, but not something I'll seek out all that often.
(3)AJ A.
Truthfully, there's nothing exciting about this place. And for something as simple as a menu of soups and sandwiches, it is a little pricey. And do yourself a favor and make certain to check out their website for the daily soup's nutritional values. Talk about gut-busters! The real sinker of this place is the staff's *terrible* customer service and their bad attitudes. Simply disappointing. Also, there's some sort of strange smell in here that makes me a little nauseous...
(1)Elizabeth K.
Stopped by here for lunch today. I have been looking for a reasonable alternative to the ABP that is next door-boy, do I hate it there. Anyway, it was pretty obvious that this is a new operation becasue I was greeted no less than half a dozen times by the time I walked out of there. With that said, I ordered a Cobb salad that was tasty and reasonably priced! I tossed the piece of french bread that came with the salad to the side-it really wasn't worth the calories. I will return to try their soups shortly!
(4)Mike W.
Overpriced bland soup. Sandwiches are over priced too.
(2)Josh B.
I was back in town for a conference, and I was starving by lunch time. I wanted to get away, and I saw Zoup as a chance to relax by myself. As it's already been written, the staff is very nice and cheerful, but the food is underwhelming. I had a 4 cheese melt and a cup of vegetarian split pea soup, which ran me $13.50. Not cheap, but if it's a good meal, that's ok. The problem is, it wasn't even an average meal. The pea soup had no flavor, and the 4 cheese melt wasn't much better. I could have walked to Shake Shack, and I should have. Give Zoup a pass. Mediocre food at high prices is all you get.
(2)Carla G.
Never again. Waited almost 25 minutes for half a salad, while the small waiting area continued to overcrowd with hungry and impatient customers. They call you buy name! Not a number, which can be confusing if there happens to be more than one John waiting...and there's bound to be more than one person with the same name considering how long it takes to get out your order !!! I'm sure the (new) restaurant is still working out the kinks, but i would rather spend my lunch hour having lunch not waiting on it...
(1)Todd J.
Not many spots to eat around this area, Zoup is definitely a welcomed addition. The soup and sandwiches are very decent. I'm also very impressed with how nice and professional the people behind the counter are.
(4)Dorit R.
They seem to be picking up the pace a little bit on the line although I am still waiting until its after the lunch rush or ordering my soup on the web (that system they have really well figured out). The main thing they need to do is to constantly tell people on lines that if they know what they want to order, move up and skip the "tasting" section. Or put up a sign at least! I really enjoyed to the spicy black bean chili on the menu yesterday and was hoping that it might last until today but it did not. I hope they bring it back soon! It was the best vegetarian soup I have had there and I come a few times a week. Also, I really appreciate that the website gives nutrition information about the soups but it should really include SODIUM as well. I think a lot of us are increasingly concerned about how much sodium we are getting in prepared foods. As far as price, it really pays to ask for one of their frequent customer cards (and you can get double punches on Mondays) and get on their email list. I just got a coupon for buy-one-get-one free. And if they are still not giving people a choice about whether they want bags or not when you order "to go" -- I don't know how they get away with that when other equally small businesses seem to have to charge for bags.
(4)Charmae W.
My first time visiting Zoup I was totally lost lol, there are so many options. The location was very clean and the service was great. One employee in particular Rena was very helpful so much so that im now a regular! She answered all my questions! I love this place.
(4)A J.
I am sad to say that my love for Zoup! has gradually faded due to inconsistent food quality. I would advise staying away from the soups. Instead, you should purchase the sandwiches and salads. As these food selections are of better quality. I've gotten several watered down soups with an obvious lack of protein. This problem is most evident during the busy lunch hour Monday through Friday. Please take the extra time and sample before buying the soup; otherwise you'll be utterly disappointed.
(2)Megan T.
I've been to Zoup 3-4 times so far, and it's a solid addition to the lunchtime scene in the area. - Wait: While others have mentioned the obscenely long wait, I haven't been more than 3 people behind the person ordering at the register. I work a block and a half away, and it has never taken me more than 15 minutes to walk there, get my food, and walk back. I normally go around noon, but I suppose it can get more crowded as the lunch rush goes on. - Food: I'll be the first to admit that the soup at Zoup can be hit or miss. I put it somewhere between ABP and Panera. I think everything at ABP tastes exactly the same, no matter what you do to it, and I could drink gallons of the Broccoli Cheese soup at Panera...so this fits right in between. My favorites are their Spicy Crab and Rice (which is not spicy at all, but I'll call it appropriately seasoned), which is a low calorie/fat alternative to my actual favorite -- their Lobster Bisque. Real chunks of lobster for 6? Sign me up please. I didn't like their chicken pot pie, I found it oddly flavored and very salty. They've had 2 chilled soups every time I've been there, and a wealth of options for vegetarians, vegans, and those watching their weight. I don't care that its going to be 91 degrees today, I'm going to Zoup.
(4)Rebecca G.
Zoup catered a work event for us last week and could not have been easier to work with. They were extremely responsive and easy to work with. The food was delicious--the soup got rave reviews (we had lobster bisque, clam chowder, and seven bean)--and they packed it with all of the utensils we would need, plus butter for the tasty rolls and dressing for the salad. It was also packed in a way that the soup stayed warm. HIGHLY recommended.
(5)Tom W.
I can't believe people have given this place four stars. Our office was so excited to get a soup place in our neighborhood, but man, what a let-down. I work across the street and have tried it three times. Three disappointing experiences. At first I blamed the experience on ordering the wrong soup. The second time I went, I ordered something different and I was equally, if not more disappointed. I have no idea why I went a third time. Never again. Their soups don't taste fresh, aren't well seasoned, overly salted. Palatable, sure, but when you have a place dedicated to soup, you expect great - maybe even sublime. I'd say mediocre at best.
(2)Susan M.
I had the southwest turkey sandwich as a wrap, and the turkey chili. The wrap was decent enough but it slightly reminded me of airport food. The turkey chili, however, was gross. It had a thin soupy consistency (it's a fine line between soup and chili, I know) and the flavors were bland and off. Don't think I'll be going back.
(2)Tiffany F.
Great lunch..very reasonable
(4)Niva M.
I've come here twice now- the first time I waited in line and the second time, I ordered online. Both times I waited, though ordering online was by far preferable. I am underwhelmed by the vegetarian sandwiches- tons of bread with barely anything on the inside. Where are the vegs in the California veg? There were two or three tiny pieces of romaine, like it was being saved. Not satisfying at all. The soups I've had are underwhelming. For $5 for a small, they really should be amazing- or at least better than Progresso. I hate to say it, but seriously save your money and pack from home, or save some time and go to Au Bon Pain for higher quality and more quantity. And srsly, I never thought I would say that as I avoid Au Bon Pain like the plague.
(2)Bill D.
I've been going by this place near my office for a couple of months. It was always way too packed to spend time waiting, but today I had a late lunch break so the place was nearly empty. It's hot, steamy summer weather in DC now, so what are they featuring? HOT soup--and I wanted something cool and refreshing. Gazpacho? Nope. Vichyssoise? What's that? Zoup started in Michigan and all their other outlets are in northern states where everyone loves soup all the time. I think they need to adapt their offerings to a summer variety fitting our DC climate -- I mean really, who wants hot soup when it is in the 90s and steamy? So I had one of the salads--while the ingredients were fresh enough, they were just dumped in a plastic bowl along with two containers of dressing. For the same price you'll get a hand-made and fresh-tossed salad along with fresh-baked bread at Cosi's around the corner. Meh says it all about Zoup...
(2)Eliza K.
This is one of my favorite lunch places in the neighborhood... the soup is very tasty, and I like the fact that I can sample before I order, since the soups change daily and I'm pretty picky. Service is pretty speedy most of the time as well (though the lunch rush impacts everyone). Reasonably priced.
(4)maNo S.
interesting salad, soup and sandwich spot. has a number of soups available daily and healthy sandwich options. ordered a chicken roasted pepper multigrain sandwich, which was very good, the lobster bisque soup(was ok) and a drink. not pricey. got there just in time because the place had a line out the door when i was sitting. but overall, not bad at all!
(3)Carolyn B.
I went a week after it opened. My co-worker's roll was moldy and they gave me balsamic dressing instead of the right dressing for the Asian salad. Unimpressive and overpriced.
(1)Jose M.
The soups and service merit all the stars. I really like the soup selection here. It's almost impossible not to find a soup that will fill your belly for lunch. The place lets you sample soups liberally and that helps potentially indecisive people. Sourdough goes well with their soups. My personal favorite is probably the bison chili, since it's healthy and filling. The staff here are always oh so nice. The other day I was there in the evening and the employee sweeping the floor even stopped by my table to ask how everything was, and if I liked the food. It was very kind. The sandwiches and salads I've tried have all failed to impress. I really think a slightly better sandwich selection or salad mix would make this place shine. But, overall, I recommend it for the soups and the service.
(4)Kristine M.
2.5 stars: Tasty tasty (but not out of this world) soups for a premium price. Stopped by this place to fill up my tumtummy around 7pm on a weekday and the place looked like it was winding down. The outdoor seating was already placed away and I really wanted bread with my order but they only had oyster crackers and saltines (boohooooo). There were maybe 2 other patrons besides myself in a place with a lot of seating, so it felt a little dead. The soups and service was great, though. They're not using gourmet ingredients but they've got tasty and refreshing combinations (butternut squash, Indian lentil, cold gazpachos) and seafood soups (crab chowder, shrimp bisque) on the regular. I LOVE that it's part of their schtick to let you sample their soups. YES. PLEASE. The guy behind the counter was cordial and willing to explain the whole process to this newbie. My biggest problem is that my cup of crabby soup (as delicious as it was) with 2 bags of oyster crackers came to almost $7. That's almost like a Chipotle burrito or Sweetgreen salad, isn't it?! I just feel weird paying that much. If it was $3.50 or anything less than $5 this place would be a solid 4 stars, but it's the price here, unfortunately, that gives this place a "eehhhh, I don't know if I would come here again" rating.
(3)Mike D.
Liked the name so we stopped in. Great selection of soup. They have vegan and dairy free items. Service was slow, but staff was friendly and apologetic. Had the Mac and cheese bread bowl. This is my new favorite lunch. Kids had PB&J, and turkey club. They liked it! Good for a lunch or snack.
(3)Solomon D.
Had lunch at Zoup, and the soup was good. I had a lemon lentil (interesting combination of lemon and lentil) and a half Sonoma salad. This was just the right portion of food because I was going back to class and didn't want that heavy feeling which would have made me sleep in class.
(3)Jen R.
It was edible. Simply that. Ordered the 4 cheese melt. Seemed like they went so overboard on the bread that the cheese lost it's way. The loco burrito salad was decent. The ordering process was slightly confusing as a line formed around the soup sampling, but you could walk around to the register to order. They also happened to be out of some of the soups & we had to wait until they were ready, so getting food took a while. It wasn't an awful experience, but nothing positive enough that I would return.
(2)Jessica G.
I wish that I was updating this review to tell you that Zoup has gotten so much better, but I'm not. Today is the day that I break up with Zoup. They are consistently a mess in there, and honestly the soup is not good enough to fight for. Every time I order, I always order online as to bypass the line of tasters, and to know that my order will be ready for pick up at a specified time. Every single time that I do this, it's NEVER ready. I have never once showed up and had my soup ready, and I always give them a few minutes of leeway. While this is annoying, this is NOTHING compared to what happened today. I order a large French Onion soup today. That's all. No drink, no salad, no sandwich - nothing... just one large soup. When I walked in, I KNEW... There was a long line to taste/order, and a huge crowd of people waiting for their orders. I had to push and shove my way to the pick up register. I let the cashier know that I was here to pick up my order that I had paid for, and she just yells down the line that: Jessica is here to pick up her order! I understand that they are busy, and expect to wait a few minutes, however a few minutes turns into TWENTY minutes. I'm not even exaggerating. Twenty entire minutes for one large soup! I continue to check in with the cashier - especially after I see other people who have ordered online come in to pick up their orders after me, and they get their food before me. It's not like I ordered anything complicated, and after twenty minutes, there's no longer a line, and only a handful of us still waiting. The cashier tells me that she's only a cashier and she can't help me. Really? You can't wash your hands, put on a pair of gloves, and ladle my soup into a bowl? Because there was another cashier just standing there in case anyone else came in to order... Look, I get it. I've worked in foodservice before, and I know how much it sucks when you get unexpectedly busy - but waiting twenty minutes for a large soup and nothing else, after ordering online to be picked up at a specified time - is ridiculous. If this was the first time that this had happened, I wouldn't be so aggravated, but my soup is NEVER ready, and I always have to wait. Twenty minutes is where I draw the line, and the next time I want soup, I'll go next door to Au Bon Pain and eat their watered down soup that's been sitting out for 3 hours, because honestly, it's the same price, and I don't have to worry about waiting. Sorry Zoup, we are DONE.
(1)Becca B.
Honestly after reading reviews I was worried. I must have impeccable timing though because I was in and out of Zoup in 5 minutes with a bowl of soup amd fresh bread in hand. While walking from the Smithsonian area back to my hotel, I decided to hop into Zoup before going the last 2 blocks. There were a few lunchers dining in, 2 ordering, 2 tasting and a handful of people waiting near the drink stations. I bipassed the tasting because as soon as I saw Chicken Pot Pie I knew my choice was made. The cashier wasnt super friendly but eh, it was good enough. I guess she got my name off of my card (because they called me by name to pick up), although I didnt even notice her looking at it. The soup was fantastic. The french bread I got with it was warm and soft. Seriously I could have bought a gallon of that stuff if it would make it through the TSA. If you happen by this place when the lines are short, take advantage!
(5)Angie T.
No soup nazis here! I love the way the restaurant is set up that you start out at the soup sampling station before making your decision to order. And there's no fuss from the staff as to how many you want to try. It actually seems to be encouraged. I signed up for their daily emails since they make their soup daily and what the offer changes every day. And when you sign up the first time they send you a Buy One Get One Free bowl of soup coupon which is totally worth it! It's a little pricier than your average quickie bowl of soup but its worth the extra dough because it's a bowl jam-packed full of deliciousness. I had their chicken pot pie which was pretty darn good with large chunks of potatoes and chicken. However, I didn't care for the strange crumble they sprinkled on top. I found it to be kind of strange. I was hoping for the flakey crust you would find on an actual chicken pot pie. The soup was still phenomenal. I would definitely go back for more. An extra piece of bread with a bowl of soup would be nice too. They offer a small roll with your soup but the size of their bowls are pretty significant and one roll just isn't enough.
(4)R. C.
On a cold night in DC we stop by here the soup was warm but the customer service was hotter.So friendly and pushing the samples.awesome first experience with my kids they love the chicken pot pie with goldfish and a Iuicebox with a grilled cheese for $4.75. Our server was Abhay top notch guy.
(5)Rachel O.
I work downtown at 15th and M. This is my absolutely go-to lunch spot because it's so convenient and I'm rarely disappointed. I like the variety of soups and being able to try any (and all) of them before deciding. This is pertinent and usually sways my decision. I usually do the try two and it always fills me up whether it is soup and a salad or soup and a sandwich.
(4)Eric B.
Avoid this place if you value your time. Food is OK. People are nice enough. But it took 20 min to make me a sandwich at 1:30 with virtually no one else there. Somehow they managed to lose my order.
(1)A. B.
Every soup I've had has been amazing. Highly highly recommend
(5)Renee H.
We visited Zoup! while staying at the Westin hotel for our staycation. We were immediately greeted and offered samples. I ordered their 4 cheese melt with a lobster bisque. I liked it. If I'm in the area where there is a Zoup! location I would go back. The location was pretty clean and the service was good.
(4)Jason Z.
It's edible and flavorful, and easy on the wallet. Came around their closing time, so that may affect the quality level of the food. I ordered the combo. A small soup and half a sandwich. New England clam chowder and the chicken toscana. The soup was pretty good, but they could've cleaned the clam a little better as there was a bit of sand in my palate. And the sandwich I had came straight from the fridge and popped it into a microwave. Didn't have an expectation going in here, so I wasn't really disappointed or anything. I was tired from a 4 hour drive and needed immediate food intake. It worked out okay.
(2)Mike G.
Great soup, decent sanwiches, quick and convenient if you work downtown. Highly recommend for lunch during the week. Line never gets too out of control.
(4)Michael H.
Consistently happy with their soups. I love trying the samples because I often branch out to a new soup. I've never had a soup at Zoup that I didn't like. I usually order half the chicken Toscana sandwich. It's not consistent and is supposed to come on country French bread but sometimes comes on a sub roll. I don't know if it's because they frequently run out or what. That's my only complaint.
(4)Andrew M.
April 2013: Lunch at Zoup is a pretty good deal compared to most of the alternatives in the neighborhood. Being able to sample is nice, and although I haven't found any really special offerings, I've enjoyed the mulligatawny and the chicken corn chowder. The sourdough rolls are very tasty as well. The salads are also fairly substantial and are a pretty good deal compared to similar offering from, say, Chopt. September 2014: I'm giving them another star because their two-for-one deal is among the best cheap lunch options in the neighborhood: pick two from a side soup, a small salad, and a half sandwich, usually for $8.50-$9.50. I typically go with the tuna salad sandwich with lemon and capers and a salad to be named later.
(4)Joseph L.
I love how they let you sample their soups. Reliable service and seating for a lunch group or 4 or less. My chicken pot pie soup was great, and their other options looked (and smelled) great too.
(4)Rita K.
This place is more of a rating of 3.5 stars! Excellent place to grab a light lunch or breakfast. A block from the Hamilton Crowne Plaza (where we stayed at), I suggested my group to come here on 4th of July to grab a light lunch. It's very clean inside and you can sample as much soups as you want! They have tons of soups, salads, and sandwiches. There are meals to get 1/2 soups, 1/2 sandwiches ,etc for a great price. I sampled the spicy chili and it was so good, but I settled for the typical chicken noodle soup. Very tasty, clean, and it doesn't taste like it came from a can! I shared the full caesar salad with the bf (only $6) and it was a decent salad, nothing special. I recommend getting the half salad portion, its almost the same size as the full. A cup of soup (less than $5) and half a salad filled me up. All for a good price! Plus the worker was really friendly and patient when we took our time trying the various soups. So many selection!
(3)Morgan M.
I've heard ravings of their Mac n Cheese soup so I just had to try it. I opted for the Mac n Cheese soup and the four cheese melt (I'll eventually die of cheese overload). The four cheese melt was strange. It went on something similar to a baguette and was a bit tasteless. The soup was like Mac n Cheese with a lot of extra cheese. It's a good thing I really like cheese. Unfortunately, no one was overly friendly or helpful since it was my first time there. I'd only go back on a cold day and if I'm craving some soup.
(2)Maria G.
I accompanied my friend and fellow intern to this place yesterday so she could buy soup on our way home from work. The employee working was very nice and let us sample any soup we wanted which is exactly what made me come back TODAY in a little under 24 hours! The soups are hearty and delicious!!! And the wide variety attracts me more. Today I got Mexican chicken and it is delicious! I only assume that these soups come in already prepared and have been frozen or bagged but they still taste excellent compared to other places like this. I recommend trying the Mexican chicken, fired roasted red pepper, or the chicken pot pie. Really great place for lunch if you are tired of cosi or pret options.
(5)Stephanie I.
Love this place for lunch when I am working in DC. I am obsessed with soup so it was even more exciting to see that they have a soup tasting station. I always make sure to try some each time, but end up getting Chicken Pot Pie every time! It's just so good. The pie crust on top really completes the whole soup. I could see how the line may get backed up with people taking their time tasting soup. I always go in right before the lunch rush so I don't feel rushed or like I'm holding up the line. I really love their greek chicken sandwich too. So tasty! The bread is the best part. I am happy that I have another great option in DC for lunch!
(5)Andrew H.
I went around 2pm on MLK day and it was pretty quiet, so I was given quality service. The staff was friendly and the food was good. The soups were delicious, but the sandwich and the roll it came with were just standard quick serve cafe quality. With the wide variety of soups, I'll definitely be back.
(4)Kayci S.
First time going here today! I got half an Asian salad without chicken. When I opened the salad container it was literally separated to take up half the container which made me laugh. You'd think they'd invest in different sized containers! Either way, the dressing was good but the salad was nothing special and I wish they had shrimp or another option besides chicken. The "noodles" in the salad are so thin and chopped up that it barely makes a difference that they're even included which was disappointing. The salad comes with a side of bread; I got the sour dough and while it was good I wish they warmed it up or something or offered a different side option. Overall it was fine, it wasn't over priced and they offer a loyalty punch card!
(3)Sarah O.
I've been back a bunch of times and they still have line issues, but its still worth it. I just recently discovered that they serve breakfast too! I had the breakfast club egg bowl, which was egg, turkey sausage and 2 different kinds of cheese (it comes with bacon, but I omitted that). Surprisingly, it was REALLY good! I probably could have eaten another one, but at just about $5.50 a pop, I wasn't keen on spending $11 for breakfast. Either way it was delish and I know I will be back again to have another one. The service was speedy, but that may have been because there were only 3 of us in the place that early.
(4)Clifford D.
I went there during lunch rush hour and it was surprisingly empty (perhaps a warning sign?). I got a soup and a salad and I enjoyed both. I ordered a soda, and all the soda was flat. When I mentioned that to one of the cashiers, she sort of blew me off. I went back after I finished lunch to see if it had been fixed, and it hadn't. Overall I thought the food was good, prices reasonable, and the restaurant clean.
(3)Toya D.
Decent meal deals, considering the area. I paid $8 for a 1/2 sandwich (chicken toscana)and small bowl of soup (broccoli cheddar). It would've been nice if my soup was HOT and my sandwich had more than 5 slivers of grilled chicken in it. ...and YES, I counted! I do like that you can sample the soups. I wouldn't break my neck to go back here, but if I happen to come back, it would only be for the chicken and roasted garlic soup.
(2)Chris C.
I've only been to Zoup once and the soups that I sampled tasted pretty good. It was priced fairly too, so I was happy overall with my experience. I do wish the ordering process was a bit more effective since you can't order when you're sampling. It's an interesting concept but I do like the samples they offer. Nice touch.
(3)Dana Z.
Oh, Zoup, why didn't you open while I was still working at 12th/L ?! Oh well, i got a chance to try it recently and I wish I had the chance to go back more often. I thought it was great. Now...the line was LONG! I went on a Thursday right around lunch time. I had the day off so I wasn't rushed, but I could see how the wait could be a problem if I had to be back at work at a certain time. You finally make your way up to the counter and you are able to sample the soups. I decided to get a side of the chicken chili and a half greek salad. The chili is labeled spicy but it wasn't the least bit spicy at all. Maybe it's spicy if you're a meow girl. The salad was good decent enough. But I was wishing I had more soup because it was really good. There are a ton of lunch options in the city and I could see myself going back here. They have healthy options which I appreciate. Just make sure you are able to stand the long lines or else order over the phone for pickup.
(4)Natacho K.
Forget Zoup!, how about Yuck! At least that was my experience when I ordered a cup of broccoli cheddar soup and a half of a turkey club sandwich. The soup had enough salt and cheese to assault my taste buds thoroughly. The turkey club was basically turkey, bacon, and one poor looking tomato that were all zapped in the microwave. Maybe I should have listened when they offered graciously to try a few free samples. Minus the food, the customer service was average (nothing to complain about). I'll continue to stick with my standby for soup and sandwiches, Devon and Blakely.
(2)Elsa M.
Well, they still need to work out the kinks a bit being a new operation. The entrance is crowded. The line is jumbled and unclear. And the workers are beyond stressed. And that was AFTER the lunch rush. All that said, I would go back. The soup was tasty and I found that there were plenty of low sodium, non-dairy, vegetarian options that still had FLAVOR. That's hard to do. Zoup serves up at least 12 different soups a day so there's plenty to choose from and it is much more reasonably priced that some of eateries in the area for the portion. Not fancy, but fit for a quick, healthy bite. P.S. They give you pretty nice paper bags with handles for carry-out. I know I am a nerd for appreciating that, but it's true. Totally reusable! lol!
(3)Stef S.
The ginger butternut squash soup was DELICIOUS. Just the right consistency. I could eat gallons of this. THe chicken pot pie? Meh and too salty. I love the diversity of soups available. The multigrain bread is delicious and warm. My main problem with the place is speed of service, as everyone else mentioned. It took 15 minutes to get my cup of soup to go. I don't want them to compromise quality for speed, but I think they should move more people to the order fulfillment side and perhaps cut down on the people providing samples or taking orders? Also the soup is pretty expensive. My 12oz cup of soup was $5. That's not okay for a to-go, fast-food place. I realize au bon pain is similarly expensive, but i would not call that an appropriate comparison. Bleh. If you were just slighhttllyy cheaper and faster, I would come here all the time!
(3)Tom M.
Staff gets five stars. They were very nice and friendly and served us even though they were closing up in a few minutes. The turkey club was ok. I have had better. Cheeseburger soup was so-so. Reasonably priced.
(2)Casey K.
Good sandwiches and very reasonably priced. We did however wait about 20 min for our two sandwiches though when we went at 7:30P during the week... Not so stellar, but we will be back.
(3)Jason A.
Tasty, simple, and filling. That is, with the Try 2 Combo! My first experience with Zoup left me wanting. Sure, the soup was delicious, very delicious actually, but I didn't leave completely full and satisfied. Zoup is the kind of place where you need to use the Soup as a side to a sandwich or a salad to give you that "full and satisfied" feeling. I have been a great number of times. Each time, I make an effort to try a different soup. Every soup I have had is very, very tasty! Its a nice change-of-pace from the traditional sandwich/salad joints that are all over the area. You want a change in your normal, everyday routine? I suggest Zoup. they let you try any and all of their soups on the menu for the day. Definitely worth your business, and certainly worth giving a shot!
(4)Dionne L.
Catherine, Olga, Cheick, and other employees whose names I cannot remember... KUDOS, for always being attentive and greeting customers with a smile! I'm always pleased no matter what soup I order... Why? Because they had the brilliant idea of a sample station. You can taste as many soups as you care to try, before ordering, so you can make the perfect decision! I always get their Try two combo, and I've frequented enough to fill my punch card and earn a free meal! I love their tuna sandwich wrap, and the shrimp & crawfish étouffée. They have a great atmosphere for a quick lunch date, a business lunch meeting, or a lunch in solitude. If you've never been and you're looking for a different experience give Zoup! a try! tip: They have free wifi!
(5)Ashley P.
Zoup!, Zoup!, Zoup! Zoup! Zoup! Zoup! Sing that in your head like you would sing Shots, shots, shots shots shots shots, and you will know what I'm thinking every time I come here. And I don't even know why, as I don't drink! Anyways, this is my favorite go to lunch spot. They are consistently perfect, and that's hard to find these days. They have a plethora of soups, with some staples and other rotating favors. Lobster bisque is a favorite among the ladies at the office. Still, I find myself coming back to that chicken pot pie, every single time! It has real pie crust in the soup. So, it's not just oh this tastes like chicken pot pie my friends, this IS chicken pot pie! Their soups come with a choice of bread that they make in-house. my favorite is french, but my co-worker goes nuts for their sourdough. Everything I have had from here is well-seasoned. I recently ventured to try the pick two which comes out to $8.50 or so, and their turkey club on ciabatta is so stinking good! What makes this place even better is they let you, and encourage you to sample their soups before you order. Although it can hold the line up a bit, they still get you in and out of there quickly. The icing on the cake is how friendly and awesome the staff are. They are always friendly, patient, and make me that much more excited for lunch. I've put numerous co-workers on to this place. Zoup!
(5)Nick V.
Everyone likes a little bit of crunch in their chicken right?? Not just the first bite, but the second as well in my salad. Maybe they were trying to create an asian crunch in there? The salad was absolutely disgusting, so much so that I didn't even want to return it. The soup was decent, and I do like the ability to sample soups, so I could pop in here for a (veggie) soup in the winter.
(2)Nekea B.
I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by this place. It was very clean, and refreshing from eating at the same old places downtown. I have tried soups at Au Bon Pain, and Devon and Blakely here in the area. The soups are pretty good depending on the kind you get. With Devon and Blakely I find that it is a bit under seasoned to me. On to Zoup!!! I came in and was greeted with a smile and was asked if I wanted to sample any of their soups. I tried the shrimp and crawfish etouffee and was very pleased(nom nom). It had great aroma and texture. Nice hearty pieces of shrimp, and crawfish. You can sample your heart out of you want. So I tried the Chicken with roasted garlic, and that too was wonderful. I ordered a bowl of the shrimp and crawfish étouffée, and you get a choice of warm bread with it. Pricing was reasonable as well. The staff here are very friendly and aim to please. I must say that I will be returning to Zoup, it was YUMMERS!!!
(5)Athena T.
Lobster bisque was salty! Bread wasn't fresh....at all and the Greek chicken wrap was similar to that of a Subway shop. Eh. The only advantage I saw which is why I added another star is the idea of sampling the soups.
(2)Melissa M.
I heart Zoup! Its a nice change to your average lunch place that offers quite a bit of variety in a compact menu. The best part of Zoup!, by far the staff! Always so friendly and so patient! Honestly, can you imagine how obnoxious it is listening to customers sample soup all day? Slurping noises followed by indecisiveness, assault by ladle much? The menu always offers a few hearty, guilty pleasure soups (chicken pot pie, lobster bisque), healthier (summer veggie chop w/ chicken) and always multiple veggie options (veggie waves of grain, pumpkin pie, spicy black bean chili, split pea, etc.) with both hot and cold varieties of soup available. Soup options change daily, but you can check online before you go! Zoup! also offers at least 8 different sandwiches and 8 different salads. Including grilled cheese, mmmm! I highly suggest the pick 2 combo with soup and a salad or sandwich. Such a great lunch with a enough variety to leave you happy, all for under $10! Def worth checking out and I'm sure you'll be glad you did! One of the few chain restaurants that make you say Yay! I'm a fan!
(4)Lindsay D.
I love soup and salad for lunch, so when I saw this place under construction, I was desperate to try it. Today was the day. The line took about 30 minutes to get through, which is understandable, as a new business they're working out the kinks. However, after sampling 4 of their "homemade" soups, I was not impressed. The soups had vegetables that either came from a bag or can, not close to fresh. They are also super salty and under seasoned. My salad was also disappointing. Wilted lettuce and balsamic vinaigrette, where corn syrup was obviously the base. I hate to say it, but I've had a better meal at Panera Bread.
(2)Samuel M.
If you are a tourist in Washington, you don't know where to eat and its raining and you've been walking hours in museums and extreme weathers, this can be a cool option for lunch. Super cheap, an oriental salad with sesame dressing, a Minute Maid lemonade all you want to serve, with ice. This places deserve reviews in yelp cause you never now when they are gonna save your lunch, this place has healthy options. That cold lemonade was worth it. The girls that work in the cashier didn't understand anything i said, the other asked me sorry for the waiting. The bathroom was clean. It was raining so much outside that Zoup! gave us shelter and salad. Too hot for a soup, vegetarian options, thats cool. Not many spots to eat around this area. Fast food, nothing more to yelp about Zoup!.
(3)Ningxi X.
I had a good first experience at Zoup two days ago when I wandered into the place from an interview I'd just had nearby. The girl behind the counter offered to let customers try several types of soup, although I only tried one before making up my mind to make a purchase. I asked to taste the crab bisque soup, and it was so delicious that I decided to buy a small cup of it though I'm definitely not a soup person and usually never drink soups at meals (it's too watery and liquid-y for me to feel like a solid meal). I had the combo and picked a side soup of crab bisque with a half southwestern turkey sandwich. Both items were heavily spiced, but tasty. The bill came out a little over $8, and I was quickly stuffed though I was starving when I first walked in. I imagine Zoup can be packed during lunch rush hour, but there were only two other customers when I went around 3:40. They have over 100 soups, and rotate the menu on a daily offering 12 soups on any given day. The address "1101 Vermont Ave" might be a bit misleading, since Zoup is actually located at the corner of L and 14th, almost a small block away from Vermont. Overall, Zoup might be a refreshing alternative for lunch goers who are tired with ABP, Corner Bakery Cafe, and Pret a Manger (like the crowds in Golden Triangle are). I guess it can indeed be an almost completely different world just few neighborhoods over in the same city. I was pleasantly surprised and delighted that I stumbled upon Zoup while in a different part of town the other day.
(4)Lisa C.
Really good soup if somewhat overpriced. You can sample as many soups as you'd like before ordering. The owner was great.
(4)Randy M.
Exactly as the 2 star review is described by Yelp... "Meh. I've experienced better." Lots of options for soup and salads. Nothing special, but decently priced. I wouldn't necessarily be excited about going again, but wouldn't avoid it if I was starving.
(2)Anjali B.
I've been to Zoups twice now, and had pretty similar experiences both times. I go the black bean soup the first time and the soup salad combo this time, with the corn chowder and greek salad. Food: Both soups were adequate, neither of them blew me away. I like that you can sample as many as you want, and that they always have multiple vegetarian options. The salad was mediocre at best. Black not greek olives, a wilted hot pepper, sad lettuce. Not horrible, but certainly not great. Wait: I've gone right at noon both times, and have never had a problem with a wait, though I can see how it would get crazy. Staff: The staff have always been really helpful friendly. Five stars for them! Overall: Acceptable and better than ABP when you're desperate for soup, but not something I'll seek out all that often.
(3)AJ A.
Truthfully, there's nothing exciting about this place. And for something as simple as a menu of soups and sandwiches, it is a little pricey. And do yourself a favor and make certain to check out their website for the daily soup's nutritional values. Talk about gut-busters! The real sinker of this place is the staff's *terrible* customer service and their bad attitudes. Simply disappointing. Also, there's some sort of strange smell in here that makes me a little nauseous...
(1)Stan A.
Decent food value and quite tasty. Soups taste home made (even though they can't be... hello? it's a chain. The sandwiches are more panini than Subway-like. Good though. They offer salads as well. A nice stop for lunch or an early, light supper. Will be back!
(3)Elizabeth K.
Stopped by here for lunch today. I have been looking for a reasonable alternative to the ABP that is next door-boy, do I hate it there. Anyway, it was pretty obvious that this is a new operation becasue I was greeted no less than half a dozen times by the time I walked out of there. With that said, I ordered a Cobb salad that was tasty and reasonably priced! I tossed the piece of french bread that came with the salad to the side-it really wasn't worth the calories. I will return to try their soups shortly!
(4)Mike W.
Overpriced bland soup. Sandwiches are over priced too.
(2)Josh B.
I was back in town for a conference, and I was starving by lunch time. I wanted to get away, and I saw Zoup as a chance to relax by myself. As it's already been written, the staff is very nice and cheerful, but the food is underwhelming. I had a 4 cheese melt and a cup of vegetarian split pea soup, which ran me $13.50. Not cheap, but if it's a good meal, that's ok. The problem is, it wasn't even an average meal. The pea soup had no flavor, and the 4 cheese melt wasn't much better. I could have walked to Shake Shack, and I should have. Give Zoup a pass. Mediocre food at high prices is all you get.
(2)Carla G.
Never again. Waited almost 25 minutes for half a salad, while the small waiting area continued to overcrowd with hungry and impatient customers. They call you buy name! Not a number, which can be confusing if there happens to be more than one John waiting...and there's bound to be more than one person with the same name considering how long it takes to get out your order !!! I'm sure the (new) restaurant is still working out the kinks, but i would rather spend my lunch hour having lunch not waiting on it...
(1)Todd J.
Not many spots to eat around this area, Zoup is definitely a welcomed addition. The soup and sandwiches are very decent. I'm also very impressed with how nice and professional the people behind the counter are.
(4)Dorit R.
They seem to be picking up the pace a little bit on the line although I am still waiting until its after the lunch rush or ordering my soup on the web (that system they have really well figured out). The main thing they need to do is to constantly tell people on lines that if they know what they want to order, move up and skip the "tasting" section. Or put up a sign at least! I really enjoyed to the spicy black bean chili on the menu yesterday and was hoping that it might last until today but it did not. I hope they bring it back soon! It was the best vegetarian soup I have had there and I come a few times a week. Also, I really appreciate that the website gives nutrition information about the soups but it should really include SODIUM as well. I think a lot of us are increasingly concerned about how much sodium we are getting in prepared foods. As far as price, it really pays to ask for one of their frequent customer cards (and you can get double punches on Mondays) and get on their email list. I just got a coupon for buy-one-get-one free. And if they are still not giving people a choice about whether they want bags or not when you order "to go" -- I don't know how they get away with that when other equally small businesses seem to have to charge for bags.
(4)Charmae W.
My first time visiting Zoup I was totally lost lol, there are so many options. The location was very clean and the service was great. One employee in particular Rena was very helpful so much so that im now a regular! She answered all my questions! I love this place.
(4)A J.
I am sad to say that my love for Zoup! has gradually faded due to inconsistent food quality. I would advise staying away from the soups. Instead, you should purchase the sandwiches and salads. As these food selections are of better quality. I've gotten several watered down soups with an obvious lack of protein. This problem is most evident during the busy lunch hour Monday through Friday. Please take the extra time and sample before buying the soup; otherwise you'll be utterly disappointed.
(2)Megan T.
I've been to Zoup 3-4 times so far, and it's a solid addition to the lunchtime scene in the area. - Wait: While others have mentioned the obscenely long wait, I haven't been more than 3 people behind the person ordering at the register. I work a block and a half away, and it has never taken me more than 15 minutes to walk there, get my food, and walk back. I normally go around noon, but I suppose it can get more crowded as the lunch rush goes on. - Food: I'll be the first to admit that the soup at Zoup can be hit or miss. I put it somewhere between ABP and Panera. I think everything at ABP tastes exactly the same, no matter what you do to it, and I could drink gallons of the Broccoli Cheese soup at Panera...so this fits right in between. My favorites are their Spicy Crab and Rice (which is not spicy at all, but I'll call it appropriately seasoned), which is a low calorie/fat alternative to my actual favorite -- their Lobster Bisque. Real chunks of lobster for 6? Sign me up please. I didn't like their chicken pot pie, I found it oddly flavored and very salty. They've had 2 chilled soups every time I've been there, and a wealth of options for vegetarians, vegans, and those watching their weight. I don't care that its going to be 91 degrees today, I'm going to Zoup.
(4)Rebecca G.
Zoup catered a work event for us last week and could not have been easier to work with. They were extremely responsive and easy to work with. The food was delicious--the soup got rave reviews (we had lobster bisque, clam chowder, and seven bean)--and they packed it with all of the utensils we would need, plus butter for the tasty rolls and dressing for the salad. It was also packed in a way that the soup stayed warm. HIGHLY recommended.
(5)Tom W.
I can't believe people have given this place four stars. Our office was so excited to get a soup place in our neighborhood, but man, what a let-down. I work across the street and have tried it three times. Three disappointing experiences. At first I blamed the experience on ordering the wrong soup. The second time I went, I ordered something different and I was equally, if not more disappointed. I have no idea why I went a third time. Never again. Their soups don't taste fresh, aren't well seasoned, overly salted. Palatable, sure, but when you have a place dedicated to soup, you expect great - maybe even sublime. I'd say mediocre at best.
(2)Susan M.
I had the southwest turkey sandwich as a wrap, and the turkey chili. The wrap was decent enough but it slightly reminded me of airport food. The turkey chili, however, was gross. It had a thin soupy consistency (it's a fine line between soup and chili, I know) and the flavors were bland and off. Don't think I'll be going back.
(2)Tiffany F.
Great lunch..very reasonable
(4)Niva M.
I've come here twice now- the first time I waited in line and the second time, I ordered online. Both times I waited, though ordering online was by far preferable. I am underwhelmed by the vegetarian sandwiches- tons of bread with barely anything on the inside. Where are the vegs in the California veg? There were two or three tiny pieces of romaine, like it was being saved. Not satisfying at all. The soups I've had are underwhelming. For $5 for a small, they really should be amazing- or at least better than Progresso. I hate to say it, but seriously save your money and pack from home, or save some time and go to Au Bon Pain for higher quality and more quantity. And srsly, I never thought I would say that as I avoid Au Bon Pain like the plague.
(2)Bill D.
I've been going by this place near my office for a couple of months. It was always way too packed to spend time waiting, but today I had a late lunch break so the place was nearly empty. It's hot, steamy summer weather in DC now, so what are they featuring? HOT soup--and I wanted something cool and refreshing. Gazpacho? Nope. Vichyssoise? What's that? Zoup started in Michigan and all their other outlets are in northern states where everyone loves soup all the time. I think they need to adapt their offerings to a summer variety fitting our DC climate -- I mean really, who wants hot soup when it is in the 90s and steamy? So I had one of the salads--while the ingredients were fresh enough, they were just dumped in a plastic bowl along with two containers of dressing. For the same price you'll get a hand-made and fresh-tossed salad along with fresh-baked bread at Cosi's around the corner. Meh says it all about Zoup...
(2)Eliza K.
This is one of my favorite lunch places in the neighborhood... the soup is very tasty, and I like the fact that I can sample before I order, since the soups change daily and I'm pretty picky. Service is pretty speedy most of the time as well (though the lunch rush impacts everyone). Reasonably priced.
(4)maNo S.
interesting salad, soup and sandwich spot. has a number of soups available daily and healthy sandwich options. ordered a chicken roasted pepper multigrain sandwich, which was very good, the lobster bisque soup(was ok) and a drink. not pricey. got there just in time because the place had a line out the door when i was sitting. but overall, not bad at all!
(3)Carolyn B.
I went a week after it opened. My co-worker's roll was moldy and they gave me balsamic dressing instead of the right dressing for the Asian salad. Unimpressive and overpriced.
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