After seeing pictures of the soups, I had to try this place immediately! I was a little hesitant after seeing is located in the heart of Ybor, but I tried it anyway, and I was pleased. Started with the broccoli cheese soup, gorged myself with some chilli cheese fries, and finished with a Cuban sandwich. The soup was outstanding! Rich and creamy, and seasoned perfectly. The chilli cheese fries were pretty delicious, also. The fries were layered with generous portions of chilli and cheese. The Cuban sandwich was out of this world good! They cut it lengthwise, and serve it with a mojo dipping sauce which softens the bread just right. I recommend getting the mojo sauce spicy. Their take on a Cubana is the best I've had in the Bay Area (so far). It's loaded with generous portions of meats, dabbed with the right amounts of pickles & mustard, and a fairly large sandwich for a decent price. I will go back just for the Cuban, but all the food is really good here. The dining area is not big, but not real small either. It was really clean during my visit, and the service was fast and friendly. Overall, I had a great experience, I recommend checking this place out, and I will be back for sure!
(5)
J Z.
This place has an awesome cuban! I love the bread and the meats are high quality! The lobster bisque is awesome too! The potato salad is one of the best, I think they use greek yogurt which to me adds a nice little twist and makes it even a bit healthier! I love that they give you a side of mojo with the cuban too. The dip is crucial! They also carry a nice selection of craft beer which is great with a good sandwich! They are also super quick about getting food out to you which is nice for ybor! In and out with no problems. Staff seemed pretty friendly although I've had mixed service... Super rude waitress once and I had an awesome server last time. He was funny and going along with us since we were joking with him. Also knew the menu well too. Only downfall is last couple of times I have been with my gf and she has gotten the chicken gyro(has a different name) and its pretty inconsistent. First time it was really good and the last time it had way too much stadsiki (sp) sauce and the chicken was undercooked, a nice medium rare if you will... I will definitely come back though, hopefully with her so she can get a fully cooked chicken this time.
(4)
Mark H.
This place is dumb good. I've had their Cuban a few times and it's solid (if you like mojo), but the star of the show is THE DEB. This sandwich is a combination of delicious Italian meats, grilled up with banana peppers, Swiss, provolone and served on Cuban bread. Freaking hell, it's hot and tasty. The sandwich is not very large, so upgrade it to a platter if you're starving, otherwise you'll be hungry and pissed off. Order a hard rot beer too!
(4)
Mary M.
Brian was an excellent server and the food was delicious!! Very laid back environment with excellent food at great prices! Loved it!
(5)
Rachel I.
Pick up a hand rolled cigar next door, then enjoy it with an amazing Cuban sandwich open air on 7th ave. Awesome.
(5)
A. S.
I have to say I am not surprised with the experience. Good places to eat are few and far between in Ybor. The server was nice but slow. My potato soup had a layer of oil in the top like the cream separated. My sister vegetarian tomato had a meatball in it. The men said their sandwiches were good. It ended up being a seventy dollar meal that now has me writing a review while sitting on the toilet. I would not recommend it, nor will I return.
(1)
Nikki B.
Great soup and sandwiches!!! Cuban sandwich is crunchy, flavorful, and has a great dipping sauce! The Deb was equally delicious, a great twist on the classic Cuban! Waiter was friendly helpful and gave excellent suggestions! Glad we stopped in, can't wait to come back and try other foods!
(4)
Chelsea B.
This is the trifecta of tasty, interesting selection, and great atmosphere. I have had a ton of things on the menu, and never been disappointed. Sandwiches, soups, flatbread, sangria--interesting choices, yummy specials, and consistently fabulous. They have an interesting urban-homey vibe that fits perfectly with the area, and good prices to boot. I adore them. What to have, you ask? I say have it all! I am particularly fond of the (slightly nontraditional) pho, the lobsta seafood chowder (served with a side of fresh Cuban bread, of course), their meat-loaded chili, bacon baked potato tsoup, and most of their paninis. Oh, and one of the best Cubans in Ybor, let's not forget that. Top it off with beer or, better yet, sangria, and you have a place worthy of even out of town guests--my vegetarian friend from NYC is still talking about it a year later. No, really, it's that good--at prices they make me want to come every time I drive by!
(5)
Amanda W.
I got delivery, so I can't remark on the restaurant itself or the service. The cuban was very good! Good amount of meat, interesting/different sauce to dip it in. The broccoli potato cheddar soup was really awesome!! So creamy and thick. I think the bacon, potato and cheese just add to the scrumptious of it! Recommend.
(4)
William Y.
I always wanted to go to a place that has many soup options. Here is awesome....
(5)
Alon S.
Very friendly staff, good food. The Cuban was nothing to write home about was was as good as I've had.
(4)
Ms M L.
Best. Cuban. Sandwich. Ever! Mojo dip was so good, i can drink it all day. lol waitresses were nice and welcoming.
(5)
Helk A.
Dined with friends on a Saturday afternoon. I am no fan of the Cuban sandwich because my spouse & I have never eaten one that I could say that I would want to ever eat again. Stone Soup has the best Cuban sandwich & we will be coming back for more. The pulled pork , ham , pickle , crispness of bread was perfection. The dipping sauce provided was a perfect pairing. Our waitress was very cordial & explained the process of putting the sandwich together.
(5)
Victoria A.
Great sandwiches, good beer selection and friendly service. This small seemingly hole in the way was a hidden treasure.
(5)
Patrice F.
Absolutely love this place! A hidden gem in the middle of Ybor. Came here for lunch. I was a weekday. Wasn't too busy. You have to find your own seats. Ended up getting their lunch special. The soups are divine! The portions are great and the price is right! My fav was the loaded baked potato soup. Hearty and filling and I had the panini with my soup. It was delicious! My friend had the lobster soup and she loved it too along with a salad but the bowl was a bit flimsy and hard to cut the lettuce with. That was the only bad part. Overall we had a great time here. Staff was friendly and welcoming. I would def come back!
(5)
Eriq A.
Kris and Brian were excellent l. Good food. Must try the Mediterranean Flatbread with gyro meat!!!
(5)
Carey H.
The food is great but the service is VERY SLOW. I've gone a few times for lunch always hoping for better service but it's taken an hour or more every time. If you're not in any kind of hurry than it's great.
(3)
Melissa W.
My husband and I are first time customers. We stepped in for the live music and stayed for the atmosphere and delicious food. Highly recommend the $15 sangria pitchers, Manhattan gumbo, and traditional Cuban sandwich. The atmosphere is very chill with beautiful art and a contemporary interior design.
(5)
Roberto C.
A must stop when family visits! Cuban sandwich lives up to the awards! Pleasant staff and unique atmosphere. If you Can't make it to the restaurant they offer delivery with DoorstepDelivery.com
(5)
Kiara S.
Found out about this place by googling for soup. My boyfriend and I drove about 20 minutes to get here and we are glad we did. I got a special--Italian wedding soup, and he got the lobster chowder and a Cuban. Both were great. He got a side of Cajun cole slaw and said it was alright. The service was great, and the food was excellent. I would make the drive again. Also the art was an added bonus
(5)
Ken D.
Love the pho soup!:D So lets say grandma has passed...sorry. You know where to go for soup that fills that void.This is the spot.great people.Great food. nuf said.
(5)
Anthony S.
Soup is awesome, decor is crazy cool and funky. It's cold and this is the only thing I need in my life right now.
(5)
Kevin H.
I was out a few nights before and started shooting the shit with some random guy who runs this place. He suggested we come by before we left Tampa. I made sure I came in and I was not disappointed! Loved the food! Loved the atmosphere! Great staff very friendly across the board! They knew we had been out all weekend so they had us try a drink for recovery, it was delicious and it helped out so much! All my friends I was with all said their food was really good and glad we stopped in there. Keep up the good work!
The Lobster Chowder & Sangria were fantastic. Order the largest servings of each and enjoy. Nice place to sit and relax ... casual atmosphere with folk art on the walls. Service tends to be slow... but the food is very good. (Cool side note, for each bowl of soup sold they donate some soup to the homeless.)
(4)
Ryan H.
My wife and I come here at least once a month and we're never disappointed. The award winning cuban is excellent and the soups are great ĺjust to name a couple of items worth trying, I've never had anything here that wasn't great). Prices are very reasonable, we usually end up spending right around $20 with tip. Chef Goldberg has an awesome place here.
(5)
Amanda W.
Food is alright, but some of the worst service ive ever seen. Server forgot to ring in orders, ended up bringing out food late, and when she finally brought it out she didnt even look us in the eyes because she was too busy texting on her smartphone. Horrible service
(2)
Lindsay R.
Great chili, Cuban sandwich was okay - customer service was slow, they seemed irritated, and had to wait over 20 minutes for our bill- nothing outstanding. But for lunch it worked.
(3)
Frank H.
I ordered the Three Cheese Broccoli Soup. I would definitely go back. I have nothing negative to say about the place, only that I have walked up and down 7th maybe a hundred times and I don't know if my blinders were turned on but the place never caught my attention. The shape of the place is like a long rectangle, so it's hard to see from the street with so many other things distracting your attention. The food is excellent, they just need to make the place more visible so that tourists and locals alike can enjoy this fine establishment.
(5)
Xaxira V.
A whoooleee newwww wooooorrrld! Seriously though, since my last review it is like the staff is actually present and working. I don't have to ask for refills, they come around, and actually work while at work! My coworkers and I were legitimately shocked. I was like "maybe it's just an act." Nope, came back two times after that and they are still keeping it up. A little paranoid that they know who I am and are spitting in my food for the bad review I originally gave. Regardless, the food is tasty so spit in it all you want! (Just kidding, don't.) I haven't really paid too much attention to portions as I have stuck to soups/salads/sandwiches which are easy to make the same each time.
(4)
Daphne H.
Stopped in for the Cuban sandwich and was not disappointed. Large menu for those wanting something other than Cuban.
(4)
J M.
Great food! Awesome Cuban sandwich, The Chicken Soup was excellent, I rally enjoyed eh Matzo Ball Soup. Friendly service, had a hard time finding the place, small store front. I look forward to going back and trying it out again.
(4)
Marc C.
This place could be better. Menu is huge and looks great. Service was weak. Place was empty but it took forever (to get the wrong good). Plus it came out sporadically. Server didn't write the order down so she brought me a gyro versus a Cuban. She left my rice and beans (very good) while fixing the order. She also blamed me to saying "gyro" when I ordered and not a "Cuban". My wife ordered a Greek salad but was almost brought a Caesar. Tomatoes were terrible. Too much feta on the salad. Cuban was awesome. And coffee was good.
(3)
Sara O.
Good soup! Great service! Funky decor! Tomato basil soup and lobster bisque was on point!
(4)
Sarah W.
Having lived in tampa 5 years I had never had a cuban. Then I found this place. Cuban served with au jus. Can life get ant better. The most deliciousness that exploded in my mouth was beyond words. I coukd only smile before taking another bite. The taste profile was wicked good. Quality excellent and service was happy, fun. Add to the fact you can eat and watch the ybor shenanigans sitting outside. This is dinner and a live movie.
(5)
Glen C.
My friends said I had to come here for the best Cuban sandwich in the Tampa area, so I have to tell you if you're within 50 miles this place is a must stop, and not just for the Cuban, which really is beyond reproach. The owners will instantly be your best frîends; from the moment you arrive you feel like you belong. Don't miss this place if you're in the area
(5)
Cathie D.
Very cool place. My husband & I came here for an early dinner while staying in Ybor. I had the lobster bisque and a chicken gyro. The soup was good but a bit salty. The gyro was very good. Great choices of beer on the menu.
(4)
Jaime G.
I love this place! It reminds me of the little dive restaurants at home in Boston. Food is great, price is great, our waitress is super nice! The menu has a ton of variety, not just soup! Recommended!
(5)
David H.
Great food, but very slow service. Waitresses were apologetic, but that doesn't explain walking past us numerous times without acknowledging us. On the other hand, the Lobsta Seafood Chowder was excellent, as was my Cuban. Overall we liked it. Quirky decor and a nice vibe.
(4)
Damion H.
Nice place. Eclectic diner with cool artwork. The menu had a nice variety of soups, sandwiches, and salads. The lobster bisque was fresh, rich, and creamy. The coffee will wake you up. They have Coke with real sugar. The kabobs was a little under seasoned. Grilled Cheese sandwich was delicious. Staff was really nice and polite.
(5)
Sean A.
So freakin' good. I had the potato broccoli soup, my girlfriend had the lobster chowder, and we shared a grill cheese sandwich. She also enjoyed the freshly made sangria. Our server was (Dan) was excellent. Highly recommend!
(5)
Renee M.
Best Cuban sandwich in Ybor!! The staff is always so friendly, and the food is always on point!!!
(5)
Jason H.
[shoulder shrug] I came here once over the summer and had the Jeuben, a Jewish spin on the reuben that uses pastrami instead of corned beef. It was pretty good, nothing mind blowing. Nothing bad to say about this place, but as you can see it doesn't exactly inspire one to return.
(3)
Helene A.
The food was decent, except for a rotten side order of vegetables. However, the service was terrible. The waitress never wrote down our orders or asked us sizes of our orders. She brought us platters when we wanted single servings, never specifying. She got upset with us when we wanted adjustments (even though we didn't touch the extras). Then she only made one adjustment at a time, getting more upset and annoyed with us each time. This was the first time I didn't tip a waitress. I probably won't be returning.
(2)
Gabriel S.
Owney's BottomLine: A great and diverse menu, nice artsy atmosphere and good staff. The Italian antipasta Salad was fantastic! Other people were enjoying some GREAT looking sandwiches, but I stuck to my health goals and got the salad, which was really delicious. The Italian salad (large) was enough to fill me up, and featured fresh peppers, prosciutto, smoked ham, and an assortment of other tasty cheeses and meats. . you probably will go with the Cuban sandwich or some other delicious offering, but if you are hankering for a really good salad, you cant go wrong with the Italian.
(4)
Andy K.
Well this place sucked. I would give it 1 star, but the restaurant was clean. I forgot which sandwich I got here, because it didn't taste like anything. My cousin got something that he forgot too, and he hated it. I ended up getting a slice of pizza across the street. Just...don't go here.
(2)
Fabian M.
Every now and then I'm in the mood for "Chicken Soup for the soul," specially in hangover situations. I took 12 family members the day after a wedding to have some of the so much needed raise-me-from-the-dead soup to this place. The Mama's Chicken soup did it! very light and flavorful, according to their menu description it has a hit of coconut and ginger...very subtle. I wish they would have served it hot! hot!, not warm-hot. In the table some people had tomato-basil soup, Chili (made with roasted pork), French onion soup and Cheese-Broccoli soup (least popular at or table). We saw that the place has won awards for best Cuban sandwich at the Ybor city festivals so we tried them and they were really good!!! the sandwich is cut lengthwise so you have two narrow halves that are easy to dip in the mojo they serve it with. The food definitely deserve more than 3 stars, but it was Sunday and since the main chef wasn't there they didn't have many of their specialty soups in the menu. The service, although the waitress had good intentions, was slow and borderline rude. I chose the place so I felt I was hosting and I had to get up from the table many times to assist with the orders...there was only one more table at the restaurant!!! I will be back for sure, but not with a large crowd, and not on a Sunday... if needed, I will have Campbell's.
(3)
Sarah B.
For some reason; this was the only place in Ybor that had any Cuban food, which was quite unfortunate. So of course we ordered their Cuban sandwich and empanadas, all which were very tasty. They do have a Yelp deal for a free alcoholic drink if you ordered a meal, but unfortunately I couldn't drink. The place is small and has a retro look to it that we liked. Some of the Ybor tours stop there for lunch, so service around those times may be a little slow, but we really enjoyed the food, so wasn't a huge deal.
(4)
Marika S.
They always get my order correct, everybody has an awesome attitude that makes you feel welcomed no matter what you get! One of my favorite little shops here in ybor
(5)
Glenn G.
Great food. Wide selection. , wonderful staff!! Awesome soup! Nice break to ybor chain stuff!
(5)
Joe P.
Tried both the Cuban and the "Deb." Tough to pick a favorite. Both were far above average. Service was excellent. Very chill lunch spot. They even have games you can play while you wait (dominos, checkers, tabletop Pacman). It's definitely not flashy, but some of the best food in Ybor for the price. Almost everything is under $12.
(5)
Stephen V.
Still a hit after being a customer for years now. Had the new po' boy and my BF had the loaded potato soup with bacon. Still fresh, friendly and fast. Keep it up.
(5)
Krystal B.
I had lived in Tampa my entire life, and I was truly missing out on this place! I came back to town for a wedding, and we came through for lunch. I was impressed with the menu, the playlist, and the comfy booths with arcade games. It was a very fun lunch.
(4)
Malinda L.
I had to change my review after my most recent experience which definitely made up for the last time. The service this time was great, our server was attentive and very helpful. She even gave us a sample of the gumbo which tasted awesome. The previous time I was there, we had the worst service possible and we were the only ones in the place. This time was a million times better-really great. The people in my party got the Cuban sandwich, Chicken Souvlaki, chili, chili cheese fries and I got the matzo ball soup. Chicken souvlaki was freaking awesome-so good. I was really jealous that I did not order it. I almost stole it from my boyfriend. The Cuban looked great and our friend seemed to really enjoy it. The chili was a little on the thick side but tasted ok. The matzo ball soup was not great. It was basically just chicken broth with a giant matzo ball in it. I thought the menu said it was supposed to come with chicken but when I asked the server, she said no. (I should have ordered something else) The gumbo was amazing, incredibly spicy! I loved how spicy it was but a couple people in our party thought it was too spicy. Overall, I had a great experience and will definitely return. Makes up for my last experience, makes me think the owners really care about what their customers think.
(4)
Ashley B.
I work in Ybor, & when I venture out for food, I usually embark to the restaurant with not only the best food, but also the best service. Stone Soup is my go to for their CONSISTENT quality of both. Anyone that rates this place lower than five starts is insane. I've tried almost everything on the menu, and it's all (I repeat, ALL delicious). My favorite soup is the lobster bisque, followed closely by the French onion. The Cuban is one of the best you'll ever have in your life. The atmosphere is extremely laid back, so maybe that's why some people are disappointed by the lack of upscale dining trained waiters. They're all so friendly, wonderful & accommodating & I know I'll have a great experience with whoever waits on me every time. Thanks for all the great lunches, Stone Soup!
(5)
Allen M.
Excellent in food, service and atmosphere. The Soup is devine and the Cuban beats out even the Cuban restaurants. Enjoyed a wonderful experience with the staff as always. I look forward to my trips to Tampa and I always include a lunch or dinner with the "Soup People". Oh dear lord I can't forget the deep fried blue cheese burger....yes I said deep fried.
(5)
Andrew I.
The quality of the food here rates with the Columbia as the top on 7th Avenue. It never ceases to amaze me how this quaint little restaurant can compete with the big boys in Tampa. Kudos.
(5)
Anne H.
Wasn't that hungry so I ordered the lobster chowder and the appetizer dumplings. Both were amazing. Our entire party all raved about their selections. Thanks Stone Soup Company for the awesome food.
(5)
Donna M.
The Cuban is wonderful and the tomato basil soup is great. The sangria is wonderful. The owners are so friendly and the staff was great. We like to sit outside, but, seating is limited. It is our go to place when we want comfort food.
(4)
Jeffrey D.
Always try to stop here on my way through Ybor City. Great soup.
(4)
Michelle W.
I work in Ybor and love walking to this place for lunch. I have been a total of 4-5 in the last 3 months. The prices are reasonable - especially for the quality of food. I have had a lot of items off their menu, and I would have to rank everything 4/5 or 5/5 on the tastey scale. Pho Soup - really good Cuban - really good (especially with the mojo dipping sauce) Grilled Cheese - really good BBQ Po-boy - my husband said it was delicious Greek salad w/ gyro meat - only okay (And kinda expensive) I definitely recommend this place.
(4)
Leslie F.
Stone Soup began as one of Tampa's very first food trucks and has become so much more. A quirky little shop with a diverse menu that reads like a novel, it's the kind of place you visit over and over again. This company is especially cool as they are recognized for donating unused food as well as soup proceeds to homeless shelters. Big hats off for that one. As we walked inside, the chef/owner happily welcomed us to his humble abode. I gathered he spends way more time at Stone Soup than he does at his real life home. Sign of an awesome restaurant owner right there. The menu is extensive. There's seriously something for everyone here. We opted for the "Ex Wife Pasta" made with linguine, gyro meat, onions, tomatoes, red pepper, and feta, all tossed in a zesty homemade Greek dressing. Unique and downright luscious, I was drooling over this Greek Italian fusion as I ate it. Please order this dish and ask Chef/Owner Ilya about his ex-wife. You will be laughing, guaranteed. Then we tried "The Deb," named after his longtime mate. A sloppy and greasy mess, I couldn't get enough of the grilled Italian meats smothered in provolone and swiss. Pressed between buttered Cuban bread along with banana peppers and a balsamic drizzle, this unattractive sandwich was divine. We couldn't leave Stone Soup without some...you know, soup! I slurped up my Lobstah Seafood Bisque in seconds. Creamy and loaded with crab, lobster and a kick of Sherry, I was in my kind of food heaven. I must say, if there's one Ybor joint that goes overlooked underrated, it's Stone Soup Company. I will be singing their praises forever after this experience. Another eatery to add to the rotating list!
(4)
Jennifer C.
We ordered for lunch at the office. I got the Stoney Panini. It was one of the worst sandwiches I've had. The bread was tough, the prosciutto was gummy and my chicken breast had absolutely no flavor. The other girls were pleased with their soups and flatbread, but I think I will pass to try this again, for gross food - the tummy ache I received later on was not worth it :(
(2)
Fernando P.
Awesome location in a quaint hole in the wall. The service is superb. The food is delectable. If you order soup, a bowl is a MEAL. I would recommend this place to people and will come again.
(5)
Kristi P.
Every time I come, I try to get the New England Clam Chowder and they never have it. They do have Pho which I'm looking forward to trying. Everything I have ordered was delicious. The vibe is casual and although they don't sell liquor, their selection of beers is solid. Lots of local brews too. Great lunch spot.
(4)
Brett N.
Why 3 stars? Because I had myself some average food. --- --- --- 3 stars isn't a bad thing. 2 stars is bad. 1 star is awful. 3 is an alright joint. I feel bad giving 3 to a cool business that I desperately want to be a 4 or 5, but don't sweat it Stone Soup - a 3 isn't bad. I'll be back. I've had the Cubmanti and the Clam Chowder. The Cubmanti is a combination of Pittsburgh's famous sandwich - The Primanti, and Tampa's famous Cuban. It was tasty but a bit dry. That being said, the Primanti is a bit dry in itself, so I guess I can't knock Stone Soup. The Clam Chowder was very thin and not the rich and creamy I was expecting. If I were on a diet, this would be a great soup, but I wanted to get me some fat soup! I haven't ordered their ice cream yet, but they get bonus points for carrying Blue Bell - the greatest ice cream ever made. The people are nice, the concept is neat and the building is cool. See ya next time Stone Soup.
(3)
Xuan-Lise C.
Got to try this place from their food truck ordered the Cuban sandwich. I can't believe this place doesn't have a higher rating strictly based on the Cuban. The sandwich was amazing, The mojo sauce on the side give the sandwich so much flavor and keeps the pork in the sandwich not too wet. Pretty much have been dreaming of the sandwich since I've eaten it and will definitely track down their storefront for a repeat.
(5)
Stuart M.
Make sure you ask the staff what they like. There are things that aren't on the menu, Such as the "Greek burger." It is a burger made with Greek meat, hamburger meat and feta cheese in the beef sandwich Oh and I almost forgot... it's marinated in sangria!
(5)
Jenn F.
I eat lunch here every time I am in Ybor. I love the decor and the old brick walls on the inside - has very historic feel. The Greek salad WITH potato salad is excellent. The Cuban is very good as well . . . it comes with an au jus which was different than I was used to. Our waitress on my visit yesterday was terrible, though - another employee had to tell her to take our order after sitting there for 10+ minutes. Then she had to tell her to bring us our checks because she forgot. Either way, that didn't bother me because I am a patient person and was not in a hurry. If I had to be somewhere at a certain time, then that would be an issue, and it is also the reason I am giving this restaurant 4 stars instead of 5.
(4)
Jennifer B.
Here with my husband and toddler visiting my parents. Came to Ybor city and ate here! Best food ever! Must try the lobster soup! But the best part of the restaurant was our server Cindy! By far the BEST server ever! And the service was awesome! She was very friendly and down to earth! Ask to sit with her! We will definitely be back next time we visit! :) Thank You!
(5)
Mike S.
I am truly surprised at the dramatic polarization of ratings by prior reviewers........many 5s matched by nearly as many 2s........love or hate. After several visits, I have noted some inconsistency but lean to the positive, possibly because I am a big soup lover. And this is my favorite soup place. Most of their soups are top of the line and I keep sampling new variations. Sandwiches try to be adventuresome, and several I tried are fine without being really memorable. Their "air fries" may be environmentally friendly and low-fat, but one try is enough for me. They also have a nice selection of gelatos that go very well with an expresso after eating. I have never had trouble with the service and have chatted with the Russian owner and staff, including some apparent family members. They are located in a tiny shotgun storefront at the West end of Ybor strip, with a few seats outside and limited booths inside. Parking is usual for Ybor hit-or-miss, but walking from a few blocks away and people watch...some look stranger than you.
(4)
Nat W.
I have to say i was very disappointed! I walked in with my husband around 11:30-12:00. There was only 1 customer and the tables were so dirty. They do not clean the tables at all. Some of the food we got were very nasty too. The french fries were so soggy and definitely sitting there for a while. I would say probably they were from former customer's plate! It was the worst french fries I have ever tasted, including fast food places! The pasta was overcooked and drenched in watery sauce. Waiters were not motivated, messed up our order and slow. I really hope that a man I saw coming out of the backside and asking another table if everything was okay was not the owner or the manager. Because if he was, then he should just close down the business. How could he let stuff like this happen in his presence? He obviously does not care about the quality of the food and service they provide to their customers.
(1)
Rodner S.
Little hole in the wall thar could easily be mistaken for a small deli shop. On the contrary, they have a great selection of entres, soups, sandwiches, pizza and more. I ordered there famous Cuban sandwich with mojo pork and salami...delicious! The tomato basil soup with sprinkled blue cheese is also very delectable. Must check out during lunch or dinner!
(4)
John R.
Service 10* Food 10* I've truly enjoyed every meal or to-go I have ever had or taken home from The Stone Soup Company. Since I've recently been on the cabbage soup diet, Stone Soup's "KGB Borscht" or "Thai Me Up" Laska soups have been great go-to items, supplemented nicely by the Chicken Shashlik appetizer. In my pre-diet days, the Cubemante sandwich, Lobsta Seafood Chowda and the "Ex-Wife Pasta" were faves. Great beer choices (love the Cigar City Jai Alai IPA) and the sangria by the pitcher is a steal. I'll have to try those "Redneck Crepes" some time. The owner's allowing local musicians a quaint venue to play at, is only exceeded by his unlimited support to the Tampa Bay area's homeless through weekly soup donations to local soup kitchens. Any service inconsistencies (it's hard to find/keep good staff) at Stone Soup I find tolerable, as dining there is a rewarding experience, knowing that each time I have a Stone soup, someone needing soup more than I do, gets some, too.
(5)
Ashley M.
Ordered this delivery- roasted chicken tenders in buffalo sauce and French onion soup. Service was fine, the soup was pretty good. However, avoid the roasted chicken. The buffalo sauce had a really strange flavor and was very oily. The chicken tasted like microwaved reheated nastiness. I would eat here again, but stick to the soup.
(3)
Michael P.
This place is very good. Food is prepared fresh, and the service is excellent. The ambiance is a mix of everything and they have outdoor seating in the heart of ybor city. Try the chicken kabob. They are amazing
(5)
Thomas C K.
Overpriced - the bowl was the size of a cup at best. I had the Borscht which was unlike any other Borscht soup I have ever had ( and I had many). It did not have any beets and was quite watery and tasteless. My wife had the Thai Chicken soup which was ok but also overpriced. This was a disappointment as I had hopes for this one. We will not be back.
(2)
Melody M.
Avoid this place. It is not worth dealing with the poor customer service, flies, long wait, or, as I experienced, the horribly rude manager. This is quite possibly the longest review ever written, but I'd read it in its entirety if you are considering a place to eat in Ybor. I visited this place for the first (and only) time approximately two weeks ago, after two of my friends found groupons online. I had a similar experience as another yelper. The customer service was the worst I have experienced and there were only about 4 other customers in the entire small restaurant. I'd comment on the taste of the soup, but I wouldn't know since I never got what I ordered... 1) It took approximately 20 minutes to order drinks. Nobody got refills on water the entire time. I asked once and never got it. 2) The waiter (who bless his heart was actually a nice guy) did not write down our orders, which of course included four of the 4-soup-samplers. I would have been extremely impressed if all of the orders were correct, but almost all of the orders were wrong. 3) The orders came out staggered over the course of an hour. There is no "waiting for your friends to get their food" with soup because you don't want your soup to get cold. 4) The chilli cheese fries were not good. 5) I never got my soup sampler. Thank goodness I also ordered the chilli cheese fries. 6) We were sitting near the open front door and there were flies in the air. There was also a fly that landed in my friend's wine glass. 7) After two of my friends informed the waiter that one of their four soup samplers were not what they ordered, he graciously apologized, as he should have done. BUT, then the manager came over, clearly agitated, asking what the problem was with us and our orders in an unacceptably RUDE tone, we responded that the waiter got our orders down wrong. There was no apology, no sensitivity, no decency - and, even more shocking, became agitated at me when I said I had not even gotten my meal!!!! He rudely walked away. Shortly after, the waiter (again, bless his heart) came up and explained that they had not yet made that many soup samplers at one time and their kitchen was not ready for it. He said that they would comp me a bowl of soup. I politely said, no thank you, as we had already been there two hours. This was something the manager should have done, not the waiter. 8) At the time the checks came, we asked that they be split. Yes, no server ever wants to do this. We've all waited tables at some point in our lives, but there was nothing on the menu disallowing this, and the waiter did not ask this when he first greeted the table. The manager became even more visibly agitated. Given that almost everyone ordered the same thing, it's not rocket science. Any functional restaurant should be able to handle this request without issue. Instead, it turned into another 25 minute ordeal. I think by this point our quick soup night had turned into a nearly 2.5 hour debacle. I was late to a birthday party that night and had not had my soup. 9) When I got my bill, they did not comp anything. Wah wah I know - but you'd think if I didn't get my meal they could at least cut out a $1.25 coke!!! :) 10) After we cleared out, I went to use the rest room one last time. I heard the manager say in a horrible tone to the waiter, "sweep up a bit, wipe the table, and then get the f**k out of here." Completely unacceptable, whether or not he knew there was a customer in the bathroom. You are the manager. Learn how to run your business, implement protocols for your servers, expect that a party over 2 is going to come in and order multiple soup samplers, and be gracious to them especially when you are a new business. 11) I believe the majority of us still tipped the waiter 15% because we felt so bad for him having to work there - although, a tip reflecting the quality of the service would be much much lower. The whole experience was horrible. There are way too many good places to go, to waste your time here.
(1)
Lisa R.
It's still good! Loved our waiter, we had fun joking around with him. The Cuban sandwich is SO recommended! Mainly roasted pork as opposed to mainly ham in all the other ones we eat - shout out to Las Americas on Hillsborough and West Tampa Sandwich Shop! They slice it lengthwise so you can dip it in the little bowl of home made meaty delicious mojo sauce. Wow! As usual I can't remember why Sam had, lol! However I do remember he enjoyed it and we left happy - just before the live poetry reading began, not really our thing. :)
(4)
Joshua K.
My girlfriend and I ended up stopping here by accident after a day trip to the Florida Aquarium. Turned out to be one of the best "food find" surprises I've enjoyed in awhile. We opted for the lunch special, which included choice of coffee, fresh squeezed "super" juice, or gelato, a soup choice and either a sandwich or salad. First, the soups: SSC's Broccoli Cheese Soup might be the best bcs I've ever eaten! Period. The combination of cheeses and veggies was just out of this world. Seriously, if you're fixing for some good cheesy loveliness, there is little better. On the other side of the table my better half enjoyed a great cup of lobster bisque. Another knock out soup that requires a quick word of warning. Stone's "premium" soups (of which the lobster bisque counts itself) cost a dollar more (but totally worth it!) Along with the soups, our meal came with a choice of sandwich or salad. We both opted for a sandwich and weren't disappointed. I ordered a modified version of Stone's "Cubanmanti," which is a cross between a traditional Cuban sandwich of pressed meat and cheese, with the extra additions of French fries and coleslaw. While I was tempted to run with the original, I exchanged the normal meats for straight proscuitto at no extra cost - a welcomed surprised. Our second sandwich was the Big Tuna, Stone Soup's take on the tuna melt. Now when I say these two sandwiches were out of this world, I'm not kidding. The mod-cubanmanti enjoyed some phenomenal flavors, from the smokeiness of the grill pressed fries, to the delicate taste of the homemade coleslaw. The sandwich was a perfect balance, with the homemade slaw in particular a nice touch. It was super flavorfull without being saturated, thereby keeping the cuban bread intact while I munched through. However, as good as my Cuban was, the Big Fish was a real gem. By far the most inspired tuna melt-like sandwich yet eaten. The Fish was served on pressed ciabatta bread and made with a mix of spices over provolone cheese. It is sooooo tasty. With the meal I opted for one of their fresh squeezed juices (not being a gelato guy.) What I drank was like fresh superfood. A combination of fruits blended into a seamless whole. Seriously, it was like drinking dessert. A must have if you're looking for a major antioxidant boost. While I didn't enjoy the gelato, my girlfriend said it was rich and sweet, (so basically what a gelato is supposed to be...) and came in a cute little authentic-inspired gelato cup. And the best part of the whole meal? It was under $25 for the two of us. A definite "go to" if you're looking for a great food in Ybor City day or night.
(5)
Renee S.
Service 10* Food was also good, although too hard to consider stars considering what we ordered So we wandered into this place while trolling through Ybor. We were really looking for a place to sit down to get a drink and an appetizer, so we wouldn't ruin our dinner. While standing outside looking at the menu, the scary-looking-but-friendly tattoo parlor guy next door really sold us on the place. I guzzled the huge glass of water quickly (wow its a HOT spring in Tampa this year!) and our extremely courteous waitress brought a second one right away. We only ordered the hummus and beverages. our dear sweet waitress was kind enough to ask me if i wanted a water to go.
(4)
Juliana S.
This was my FOURTH time being there. I kept giving them the benefit of the doubt because the first time was good but the following 3 times was a nightmare. The food is great but the service is beyond horrible ! I advise future customers to order takeout.
(1)
Joseph A.
When I got to Tampa on Saturday I had been recovering from a bout of food-poisoning, so all I wanted was soup. I went to Panera Bread and got some 'chicken soup' which was absolutely dreadful...really bland and thoughtless. (Why anyone goes to Panera is beyond me.). A few days later I went to The Stone Soup Company. Now I know that I should've gone there rather than Panera. This place really knows how to make soup! I wanted to taste more than one soup so I chose the "soup sampler": 4 soups for $6. 1) Chili: to die for. 2) Lobster chowder: delicious 3) Chicken noodle soup: wish I'd had that when I arrived. 4) Thai something-or-other: a little too sweet and the weakest of the four. I was feeling much better now, so I had more than the soup. The Deb sandwich was decadent and tasty. The Ex-Wife Pasta (but not on pasta this time, on french fries) was also criminally tasty. The mark of a good restaurant is when you can't wait to go back. Can't wait to go back.
(4)
Felix K.
They serve a pretty good Cuban sandwich version of the classic Rueben. The pastrami is lean.
(4)
Tom L.
we had their cuban at the cuban sandwhich festival and loved not only the sandwhich but the dipping sauce they serve with it. i have had many cubans here in the Tampa Bay area and this is one I have come back for. The name of the restaurant threw me a bit because I am not a soup person but the cuban sandwhich was outstanding!
(5)
Gingereee E.
Well, this place was bit of a joke. Way overpriced. I don't usually eat cubans, but since the waiter suggested it, since they were voted "Best in Tampa". They brought out a skinny sliced cuban in 2 pieces. Not even a full one, with fries, $8.00! Being a floridian, you know you can get a cuban just about anywhere, a full size one, for about $4.00. So, for double the price, you get half he sandwich, with a handful of fries. But forget about the cuban, the place was juts mediocre. Just because you are in Ybor, doesn't mean you charge an arm and a leg for your food. Oh, and stop trying to be so hipster-y, it's just not working.
(2)
Ebony G.
Ahhhhh! I'm so torn! I will put aside my consumer marketing background that screams this place lacks a consistent and true identity which makes it easier to see why it's not the most talked about places in Ybor. With that said, I will say the interior is clean and interesting. Art work hangs on the walls, tvs from the ceilings and a couple of booths have video gaming capabilities. Nothing at all from what I expected viewing online. Not sure if this is a place to purposely meet a large group of friends, but if you're already down there you can most certainly pop in and find something to talk about. I was greeted fairly quickly by a young man who may have been new to the team after he realized my order was to go he was about to walk away when the waitress at the register informed him he should take my order. I believe the owner/manager must have realized the confusion and after my order was taken explained the loyalty program to me, etc. I waited 20 minutes for my to go order, which wasn't bad considering I didn't call ahead except I was thirsty and the two other parties who were also waiting were offered water. I watched them as they sipped theirs before I eventually asked for a cup when the waitress came over to assure me my order was on the way out. I received a to go cup with no lid that arrived when my order came out. I couldn't figure out why there were two to go boxes when I was walking out, but figured perhaps they didn't want the sauce from the air baked chicken tenders to get on my air baked fries. Nope... not the case. After I had gotten down the road I realized some poor person just lost their lunch because someone erroneously put it in my bag. The air baked chicken tenders were not how I expected. In taste they were ok alone, however, with the wing sauce.... the best tenders I've had in a while. The sauce was great! In spite of the fries being the item I had to wait on to leave, they were not piping hot. But they had flavor and were tasty. I am disappointed as I had hoped to find a place for lunch visits outside of Evos (who also offer air baked items) that I would keep in the dining out rotation. Truly this experience was the perfect storm of bad and great. I'm irritated, yet satisfied with the regular size portion. I'm not thrilled to add as a favorite, but I would say I'd go back and give them another chance to "wow" me in the future. I can't speak for the poor person who didn't get their sandwich which I can't eat and my brother is thrilled to do so. I guess $10 for two meals today wasn't a bad bargain??? :-/ Oh and the outside of the building is under construction. So make a note that it is directly next to King Coronas.
(3)
Mark S.
I met someone here for lunch who made a great observation, and one that's important in Ybor City..Stone Soup is close to easy parking. It's just around the corner from the parking garage on 15th St and is on the "quieter" end of 7th Avenue. Inside it's very cool, with the brick warehouse ethic that's ubiquitous in Ybor City. The place is part deli, with a counter you can go and order your food there, and part restaurant, with convenient booth or 4-top seating. Service was okay, the decor was good, the menu was pretty outstanding. I look for 2 things for lunch: 1. Vegetarian Food 2. Interesting Options I ordered the pesto linguini with portobelo mushrooms. It was served in a charming wooden bowl with 4 pieces of excellent, freshly made garlic bread. My lunch mate had a Reuben and coleslaw - both were good. On the negative side, it was hard to find the entrance due to scaffolding across the front of the building and they didn't have coffee made and ready..understandable, but hey..I love coffee, so it was important! I would not bring more than 4 people total, and then only if no one is too too big because the booths and tables are a little tight. I will definitely go back for SOUP next time!
(3)
Sadiya S.
I'm a Tampa local, and this is one of my staple go-to restaurants when I want to relax with a friend or two. It's very low key - they even have old school video games, dominoes and cards on the tables for you enjoy. The food is pretty good. I have never ordered something that I didn't like. I always have good service. The last time I was there (which was a couple of days ago) I was served by Alisha and she was very attentive and polite. This is great place to visit if you want a wide variety of dishes to choose from (pizza, soup, tacos, sandwiches, salads, burgers...) and you don't want to spend too much money. My meal is usually between $6 and $10.
(4)
Christopher J.
I wanted to have something light for dinner, soup! - I came across this restaurant in Ybor and what an awesome experience. The decor is rather interesting with a lot of vintage signage and large front windows that look out over Ybor's night life. Perfect setting for a casual dinner. The menu offered a wide variety of items, ranging from Kabobs, Salads, Cuban Sandwiches, Pastas, Deserts and you guessed it SOUPS! - All priced exceptional well, with the option of a full portion of small. They offer a limited selection of beer and alcoholic beverages, which in our case we don't drink much which was fine. I did try the $3.00 Cuba Libre - Delicious. Everything about this place was wonderful, we ordered the Lobsta Soup and Thai Me Up Laska Soup. Fantastic choices, highly recommend the Lobsta Soup. All in all, I feel that this place deserves a chance if you are in the area.
(4)
Lisa M.
LOVE their cuban sammie, one of the best I have ever had. The chicken tenders, krispy kreme donut sundae and pizza are also yummy! I really enjoy SSC!
(4)
Steve R.
Pretty sure I was the first customer when they opened in a little closet-sized space on 7th a few years ago. The owner was out there offering up samples. I'm a vegetarian and virtually all restaurant soups use chicken or beef stock or broth. But he was ready for me with a vegetarian KGB Borscht. All of the flavors just melded together perfectly. Really, it's by far the best soup I've ever had.
(5)
Katie B.
The first thing you see when you walk in the door to The Stone Soup Company is an autographed photo of the Soup Nazi. Now you know it's the real deal. Fortunately, the staff is much friendlier and no one was banned for any ordering mishaps. This is such a great little restaurant in the heart of Ybor; their soups and sandwiches are all unique and their own. The soups are made from scratch and for every cup of soup sold, another is donated to the homeless. What a great incentive to chow down on some Lobsta Chowda! I had the 3 Cheese Broccoli Please and it was wonderful. As a twist to the usual broccoli and cheese soup, this one was loaded with carrots and other veggies. The grilled cheese was also really good and, true to their style, different from your run-of-the-mill childhood classic. It comes on Cuban bread and is topped with garlic, fresh spinach, and tomatoes. They also have drink specials including $3 White Russians (made with a scoop of their homemade vanilla ice cream) and margaritas. They have live music and they're getting ready to start having wine tastings, mixers, and ethnic food nights. I loved the soup and the overall casual atmosphere. I'll definitely stop in for a cup of soup the next time I'm in the area.
(4)
Diana M.
Stone Soup Company was instantly inviting. I later realized that it was the owner that approached us outside and opened the door. But what I was immediately drawn in by was how good it smelled inside. It was exhausting walking up and down 7th Ave in search for a good place to eat for lunch. We stopped at a few places here and there, and one restaurant in particular smelled so badly of burned oil, that I couldn't even stay a while to look at the menu. Shortly after, we happened across The Stone Soup Company. It was such a relief to be greeted the way we were. Ilya Goldberg (the owner) has a heart for the community and good sense of what is quality food. It's really cool seeing someone take initiative in creating a solution for those who go hungry. For every cup of soup sold one is donated to the homeless. And all of it is made from scratch. I usually hate the smell of seafood, but the lobster I sensed was so pleasing that I had to have whatever it was. So I had their Lobsta Chowda and it was the best seafood soup I've had in a while. If you get a chance to eat here, definitely try their Cubemanti Sandwich. It's inspired by the Primanti Bros. You have the choice to put whatever freshly sliced meat you want, but just ask for the chef's choice. He'll hook you up. I'm definitely going back for more
(4)
Brandi H.
The Cuban is amazing and so is the Cuban bread pizza! Today was my second time here for lunch and I again left thinking it was delicious. Also, the French onion soup is pretty darn good
(4)
Courtney G.
What's not to love here? Quirky place, perfect location, owner is awesome all-around, and the menu is very diverse. I don't even really like soup but this place made me appreciate it - get the Thai soup and you'll be back.
(5)
Susan M.
I love Stone Soup. The first time we came here was because we had a Groupon for cooking lessons with Chef Ben. After that we have become regulars. We love the food but we love the restaurant's commitment to our community too. Good food and doing good, two things I love. All unused produce is turned into veggie soup and donated to local homeless shelters. I love this! Why throw away perfectly good food when it could feed someone in our own community who is hungry? Stone Soup is committed to using fresh ingredients and you can tell it when you taste the food. Our favorite is the Ex Wife Pasta....yummy gyro meat and a delicious sauce over pasta. It never fails. The restaurant is quirky, with interesting art work, open mic nights, live music, and the last time we were in they were doing Dia De Los Muertos face painting. Stone Soup is a great addition to Ybor and our community.
(4)
David V.
Atmosphere= awesome Food= ok Price= expensive for lunch that's what really hurts this review, the price
(3)
George S.
I was lucky enough to find this place looking for something else. What a great choice it turned out to be. Our server Sam gave some of the most personalized service I have received in a long time, making recommendations and catering them to each guest's preferences. The soups we tried ranged from good to awesome. The sandwiches were above par and the Pork with Black Beans & Spanish Rice is not to be missed. If you live or travel within 25 miles of Ybor City, this place will be worth your trip.
(5)
Jennifer B.
Really amazing french onion soup and they have a Cuban that is served with a mojo dip! I've never experienced the best service here, but the food makes up for it. With some unique menu items, you can always find something to try (and probably love)!
(4)
Shai J.
I'm not sure who thought it was a good idea to turn soup into sauce but it does not work, in fact it's quite gross. Nothing, and I mean nothing ordered was good. I was asked if I liked my meal, and I had to be honest and say no. I expected the meal to be removed, but instead I was asked what did I want them to do. At that point my fiance said he'll switch dishes with me (not that his was any better). He braved it and ate both our meals only to get home and have an upset stomach. I will never return the stone soup company and advise others to do the same, or at the very least, stick to the soup because the entrees are terrible.
(1)
Cory E.
This is a great Lunch spot, much more than just soups! My company has recently relocated from Downtown Tampa to Ybor City and Stone Soup is fast becoming one of the favorites for lunch. The Ybor Chili and "Thai" Me Up are two of my favorite soups on the menu; they also have great Pork Tacos and Sandwiches. I haven't found anything I don't like yet, and look forward to continuing to explore their Menu.
(4)
Paul S.
Pretty average fare. Stone Soup Company is a funky little hole-in-the-wall type of place, which lends it a certain charm. The food, however, was was just a notch above middle of the road. The sandwiches were fairly bland and uninspired, leaving little memory in their aftermath. The tomato soup (as part of an appetizer) was decent, with a more robust flavor than the sandwiches. It is probably the only thing here worth a try that we experienced, but be careful, it is NOT vegetarian friendly. The service was so-so, with our waiter seeming like he would definitely rather be doing something else, but making an effort of gritting his teeth and doing the work. The owner, who spent our entire meal chatting at a table by the entrance, seemed largely uninterested in the operation of his restaurant. He did ask us about our food on the way out and became surly and defensive when we expressed our displeasure at the quality of the food and the lack of disclosure of the non-vegetarian nature of the tomato soup on the appetizer menu. Overall, I would say to just skip this place and try one of the other small restaurants in Ybor, as there are quite a few bona fide gems in town.
(2)
Rachael N.
Went here for a birthday celebration, they close at 8p on thursdays but they stayed open until 10p by request to serve us. It is a charmingly urban space. They have a good selection of soups, appetizers, sandwiches and gelato. The chef likes to stay true to his healthy roots and sticks primarily to organic. They also give over leftover soup from the night to the homeless. I tried several of their soups and also enjoyed the big tuna. Absolutely delcious, everyone enjoyed their meal. They do not serve wine or beer but you can bring your own if you'd like, (which we did) and they would serve it for a fee. They don't serve their entire menu everyday because they are not popular enough to do so and not waste. They are truly about not wasting food. The waitress was extremely friendly, although a little slow to bring our food, granted it was the end of the night and we were a slightly large table. I ate my weight in garlic bread while waiting for my meal. I suppose that's why I had a terrible stomach ache the next morning- that and the exorbitant amount of wine I had that night. The place has games and free wifi. I am excited to come back alone or on a day date to enjoy my surroundings.
(4)
Owen M.
went for dinner. cheese bread was bland bland. they only had about a third of the beer selection that was stated on the menu. all 4 soups in the sampler were lukewarm at best and it took at least 20 minutes to get the sampler after our cheese bread. there was only 1 other table with customers. gyro was decent but nothing special and my girl's tuna melt was "weird and not good". Overall I'd say we ate 40% of our food and paid 42 dollars and some change.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Garage, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Bo W.
After seeing pictures of the soups, I had to try this place immediately! I was a little hesitant after seeing is located in the heart of Ybor, but I tried it anyway, and I was pleased. Started with the broccoli cheese soup, gorged myself with some chilli cheese fries, and finished with a Cuban sandwich. The soup was outstanding! Rich and creamy, and seasoned perfectly. The chilli cheese fries were pretty delicious, also. The fries were layered with generous portions of chilli and cheese. The Cuban sandwich was out of this world good! They cut it lengthwise, and serve it with a mojo dipping sauce which softens the bread just right. I recommend getting the mojo sauce spicy. Their take on a Cubana is the best I've had in the Bay Area (so far). It's loaded with generous portions of meats, dabbed with the right amounts of pickles & mustard, and a fairly large sandwich for a decent price. I will go back just for the Cuban, but all the food is really good here. The dining area is not big, but not real small either. It was really clean during my visit, and the service was fast and friendly. Overall, I had a great experience, I recommend checking this place out, and I will be back for sure!
(5)J Z.
This place has an awesome cuban! I love the bread and the meats are high quality! The lobster bisque is awesome too! The potato salad is one of the best, I think they use greek yogurt which to me adds a nice little twist and makes it even a bit healthier! I love that they give you a side of mojo with the cuban too. The dip is crucial! They also carry a nice selection of craft beer which is great with a good sandwich! They are also super quick about getting food out to you which is nice for ybor! In and out with no problems. Staff seemed pretty friendly although I've had mixed service... Super rude waitress once and I had an awesome server last time. He was funny and going along with us since we were joking with him. Also knew the menu well too. Only downfall is last couple of times I have been with my gf and she has gotten the chicken gyro(has a different name) and its pretty inconsistent. First time it was really good and the last time it had way too much stadsiki (sp) sauce and the chicken was undercooked, a nice medium rare if you will... I will definitely come back though, hopefully with her so she can get a fully cooked chicken this time.
(4)Mark H.
This place is dumb good. I've had their Cuban a few times and it's solid (if you like mojo), but the star of the show is THE DEB. This sandwich is a combination of delicious Italian meats, grilled up with banana peppers, Swiss, provolone and served on Cuban bread. Freaking hell, it's hot and tasty. The sandwich is not very large, so upgrade it to a platter if you're starving, otherwise you'll be hungry and pissed off. Order a hard rot beer too!
(4)Mary M.
Brian was an excellent server and the food was delicious!! Very laid back environment with excellent food at great prices! Loved it!
(5)Rachel I.
Pick up a hand rolled cigar next door, then enjoy it with an amazing Cuban sandwich open air on 7th ave. Awesome.
(5)A. S.
I have to say I am not surprised with the experience. Good places to eat are few and far between in Ybor. The server was nice but slow. My potato soup had a layer of oil in the top like the cream separated. My sister vegetarian tomato had a meatball in it. The men said their sandwiches were good. It ended up being a seventy dollar meal that now has me writing a review while sitting on the toilet. I would not recommend it, nor will I return.
(1)Nikki B.
Great soup and sandwiches!!! Cuban sandwich is crunchy, flavorful, and has a great dipping sauce! The Deb was equally delicious, a great twist on the classic Cuban! Waiter was friendly helpful and gave excellent suggestions! Glad we stopped in, can't wait to come back and try other foods!
(4)Chelsea B.
This is the trifecta of tasty, interesting selection, and great atmosphere. I have had a ton of things on the menu, and never been disappointed. Sandwiches, soups, flatbread, sangria--interesting choices, yummy specials, and consistently fabulous. They have an interesting urban-homey vibe that fits perfectly with the area, and good prices to boot. I adore them. What to have, you ask? I say have it all! I am particularly fond of the (slightly nontraditional) pho, the lobsta seafood chowder (served with a side of fresh Cuban bread, of course), their meat-loaded chili, bacon baked potato tsoup, and most of their paninis. Oh, and one of the best Cubans in Ybor, let's not forget that. Top it off with beer or, better yet, sangria, and you have a place worthy of even out of town guests--my vegetarian friend from NYC is still talking about it a year later. No, really, it's that good--at prices they make me want to come every time I drive by!
(5)Amanda W.
I got delivery, so I can't remark on the restaurant itself or the service. The cuban was very good! Good amount of meat, interesting/different sauce to dip it in. The broccoli potato cheddar soup was really awesome!! So creamy and thick. I think the bacon, potato and cheese just add to the scrumptious of it! Recommend.
(4)William Y.
I always wanted to go to a place that has many soup options. Here is awesome....
(5)Alon S.
Very friendly staff, good food. The Cuban was nothing to write home about was was as good as I've had.
(4)Ms M L.
Best. Cuban. Sandwich. Ever! Mojo dip was so good, i can drink it all day. lol waitresses were nice and welcoming.
(5)Helk A.
Dined with friends on a Saturday afternoon. I am no fan of the Cuban sandwich because my spouse & I have never eaten one that I could say that I would want to ever eat again. Stone Soup has the best Cuban sandwich & we will be coming back for more. The pulled pork , ham , pickle , crispness of bread was perfection. The dipping sauce provided was a perfect pairing. Our waitress was very cordial & explained the process of putting the sandwich together.
(5)Victoria A.
Great sandwiches, good beer selection and friendly service. This small seemingly hole in the way was a hidden treasure.
(5)Patrice F.
Absolutely love this place! A hidden gem in the middle of Ybor. Came here for lunch. I was a weekday. Wasn't too busy. You have to find your own seats. Ended up getting their lunch special. The soups are divine! The portions are great and the price is right! My fav was the loaded baked potato soup. Hearty and filling and I had the panini with my soup. It was delicious! My friend had the lobster soup and she loved it too along with a salad but the bowl was a bit flimsy and hard to cut the lettuce with. That was the only bad part. Overall we had a great time here. Staff was friendly and welcoming. I would def come back!
(5)Eriq A.
Kris and Brian were excellent l. Good food. Must try the Mediterranean Flatbread with gyro meat!!!
(5)Carey H.
The food is great but the service is VERY SLOW. I've gone a few times for lunch always hoping for better service but it's taken an hour or more every time. If you're not in any kind of hurry than it's great.
(3)Melissa W.
My husband and I are first time customers. We stepped in for the live music and stayed for the atmosphere and delicious food. Highly recommend the $15 sangria pitchers, Manhattan gumbo, and traditional Cuban sandwich. The atmosphere is very chill with beautiful art and a contemporary interior design.
(5)Roberto C.
A must stop when family visits! Cuban sandwich lives up to the awards! Pleasant staff and unique atmosphere. If you Can't make it to the restaurant they offer delivery with DoorstepDelivery.com
(5)Kiara S.
Found out about this place by googling for soup. My boyfriend and I drove about 20 minutes to get here and we are glad we did. I got a special--Italian wedding soup, and he got the lobster chowder and a Cuban. Both were great. He got a side of Cajun cole slaw and said it was alright. The service was great, and the food was excellent. I would make the drive again. Also the art was an added bonus
(5)Ken D.
Love the pho soup!:D So lets say grandma has passed...sorry. You know where to go for soup that fills that void.This is the spot.great people.Great food. nuf said.
(5)Anthony S.
Soup is awesome, decor is crazy cool and funky. It's cold and this is the only thing I need in my life right now.
(5)Kevin H.
I was out a few nights before and started shooting the shit with some random guy who runs this place. He suggested we come by before we left Tampa. I made sure I came in and I was not disappointed! Loved the food! Loved the atmosphere! Great staff very friendly across the board! They knew we had been out all weekend so they had us try a drink for recovery, it was delicious and it helped out so much! All my friends I was with all said their food was really good and glad we stopped in there. Keep up the good work!
(5)Steve E.
Monday afternoon and the Stone Soup Company's food truck was parked a few blocks from my home in Carrollwood, so I decided to stop for lunch while I was out running errands. I've eaten at their café in Tampa several times over the past few years, but this was my first time ordering from the truck. They're known for their Cuban sandwiches, wide variety of soups, and salads at the café. The menu at the truck is obviously limited, but they were offering Cubans and their version of a Philly Cheesesteak. I started with a cup of their chili which was Italian sausage, ground beef, and pulled Cuban mojo pork, slow-simmered in a hearty chili sauce and served with Cheddar cheese sauce. The mixture of traditional chili sauce, Italian and Cuban meats was delicious! The chef on the truck told me that their Philly was the second-most popular sandwich (behind the Cuban), and so I decided to give that a try. The sandwich was made with grilled thinly-sliced strips of steak with onions and cheese sauce served on a Cuban roll. Again, another winner! If you happen to see the Stone Soup food truck then I highly recommend trying either of these two excellent sandwiches.
(4)Linda H.
The Lobster Chowder & Sangria were fantastic. Order the largest servings of each and enjoy. Nice place to sit and relax ... casual atmosphere with folk art on the walls. Service tends to be slow... but the food is very good. (Cool side note, for each bowl of soup sold they donate some soup to the homeless.)
(4)Ryan H.
My wife and I come here at least once a month and we're never disappointed. The award winning cuban is excellent and the soups are great ĺjust to name a couple of items worth trying, I've never had anything here that wasn't great). Prices are very reasonable, we usually end up spending right around $20 with tip. Chef Goldberg has an awesome place here.
(5)Amanda W.
Food is alright, but some of the worst service ive ever seen. Server forgot to ring in orders, ended up bringing out food late, and when she finally brought it out she didnt even look us in the eyes because she was too busy texting on her smartphone. Horrible service
(2)Lindsay R.
Great chili, Cuban sandwich was okay - customer service was slow, they seemed irritated, and had to wait over 20 minutes for our bill- nothing outstanding. But for lunch it worked.
(3)Frank H.
I ordered the Three Cheese Broccoli Soup. I would definitely go back. I have nothing negative to say about the place, only that I have walked up and down 7th maybe a hundred times and I don't know if my blinders were turned on but the place never caught my attention. The shape of the place is like a long rectangle, so it's hard to see from the street with so many other things distracting your attention. The food is excellent, they just need to make the place more visible so that tourists and locals alike can enjoy this fine establishment.
(5)Xaxira V.
A whoooleee newwww wooooorrrld! Seriously though, since my last review it is like the staff is actually present and working. I don't have to ask for refills, they come around, and actually work while at work! My coworkers and I were legitimately shocked. I was like "maybe it's just an act." Nope, came back two times after that and they are still keeping it up. A little paranoid that they know who I am and are spitting in my food for the bad review I originally gave. Regardless, the food is tasty so spit in it all you want! (Just kidding, don't.) I haven't really paid too much attention to portions as I have stuck to soups/salads/sandwiches which are easy to make the same each time.
(4)Daphne H.
Stopped in for the Cuban sandwich and was not disappointed. Large menu for those wanting something other than Cuban.
(4)J M.
Great food! Awesome Cuban sandwich, The Chicken Soup was excellent, I rally enjoyed eh Matzo Ball Soup. Friendly service, had a hard time finding the place, small store front. I look forward to going back and trying it out again.
(4)Marc C.
This place could be better. Menu is huge and looks great. Service was weak. Place was empty but it took forever (to get the wrong good). Plus it came out sporadically. Server didn't write the order down so she brought me a gyro versus a Cuban. She left my rice and beans (very good) while fixing the order. She also blamed me to saying "gyro" when I ordered and not a "Cuban". My wife ordered a Greek salad but was almost brought a Caesar. Tomatoes were terrible. Too much feta on the salad. Cuban was awesome. And coffee was good.
(3)Sara O.
Good soup! Great service! Funky decor! Tomato basil soup and lobster bisque was on point!
(4)Sarah W.
Having lived in tampa 5 years I had never had a cuban. Then I found this place. Cuban served with au jus. Can life get ant better. The most deliciousness that exploded in my mouth was beyond words. I coukd only smile before taking another bite. The taste profile was wicked good. Quality excellent and service was happy, fun. Add to the fact you can eat and watch the ybor shenanigans sitting outside. This is dinner and a live movie.
(5)Glen C.
My friends said I had to come here for the best Cuban sandwich in the Tampa area, so I have to tell you if you're within 50 miles this place is a must stop, and not just for the Cuban, which really is beyond reproach. The owners will instantly be your best frîends; from the moment you arrive you feel like you belong. Don't miss this place if you're in the area
(5)Cathie D.
Very cool place. My husband & I came here for an early dinner while staying in Ybor. I had the lobster bisque and a chicken gyro. The soup was good but a bit salty. The gyro was very good. Great choices of beer on the menu.
(4)Jaime G.
I love this place! It reminds me of the little dive restaurants at home in Boston. Food is great, price is great, our waitress is super nice! The menu has a ton of variety, not just soup! Recommended!
(5)David H.
Great food, but very slow service. Waitresses were apologetic, but that doesn't explain walking past us numerous times without acknowledging us. On the other hand, the Lobsta Seafood Chowder was excellent, as was my Cuban. Overall we liked it. Quirky decor and a nice vibe.
(4)Damion H.
Nice place. Eclectic diner with cool artwork. The menu had a nice variety of soups, sandwiches, and salads. The lobster bisque was fresh, rich, and creamy. The coffee will wake you up. They have Coke with real sugar. The kabobs was a little under seasoned. Grilled Cheese sandwich was delicious. Staff was really nice and polite.
(5)Sean A.
So freakin' good. I had the potato broccoli soup, my girlfriend had the lobster chowder, and we shared a grill cheese sandwich. She also enjoyed the freshly made sangria. Our server was (Dan) was excellent. Highly recommend!
(5)Renee M.
Best Cuban sandwich in Ybor!! The staff is always so friendly, and the food is always on point!!!
(5)Jason H.
[shoulder shrug] I came here once over the summer and had the Jeuben, a Jewish spin on the reuben that uses pastrami instead of corned beef. It was pretty good, nothing mind blowing. Nothing bad to say about this place, but as you can see it doesn't exactly inspire one to return.
(3)Helene A.
The food was decent, except for a rotten side order of vegetables. However, the service was terrible. The waitress never wrote down our orders or asked us sizes of our orders. She brought us platters when we wanted single servings, never specifying. She got upset with us when we wanted adjustments (even though we didn't touch the extras). Then she only made one adjustment at a time, getting more upset and annoyed with us each time. This was the first time I didn't tip a waitress. I probably won't be returning.
(2)Gabriel S.
Owney's BottomLine: A great and diverse menu, nice artsy atmosphere and good staff. The Italian antipasta Salad was fantastic! Other people were enjoying some GREAT looking sandwiches, but I stuck to my health goals and got the salad, which was really delicious. The Italian salad (large) was enough to fill me up, and featured fresh peppers, prosciutto, smoked ham, and an assortment of other tasty cheeses and meats. . you probably will go with the Cuban sandwich or some other delicious offering, but if you are hankering for a really good salad, you cant go wrong with the Italian.
(4)Andy K.
Well this place sucked. I would give it 1 star, but the restaurant was clean. I forgot which sandwich I got here, because it didn't taste like anything. My cousin got something that he forgot too, and he hated it. I ended up getting a slice of pizza across the street. Just...don't go here.
(2)Fabian M.
Every now and then I'm in the mood for "Chicken Soup for the soul," specially in hangover situations. I took 12 family members the day after a wedding to have some of the so much needed raise-me-from-the-dead soup to this place. The Mama's Chicken soup did it! very light and flavorful, according to their menu description it has a hit of coconut and ginger...very subtle. I wish they would have served it hot! hot!, not warm-hot. In the table some people had tomato-basil soup, Chili (made with roasted pork), French onion soup and Cheese-Broccoli soup (least popular at or table). We saw that the place has won awards for best Cuban sandwich at the Ybor city festivals so we tried them and they were really good!!! the sandwich is cut lengthwise so you have two narrow halves that are easy to dip in the mojo they serve it with. The food definitely deserve more than 3 stars, but it was Sunday and since the main chef wasn't there they didn't have many of their specialty soups in the menu. The service, although the waitress had good intentions, was slow and borderline rude. I chose the place so I felt I was hosting and I had to get up from the table many times to assist with the orders...there was only one more table at the restaurant!!! I will be back for sure, but not with a large crowd, and not on a Sunday... if needed, I will have Campbell's.
(3)Sarah B.
For some reason; this was the only place in Ybor that had any Cuban food, which was quite unfortunate. So of course we ordered their Cuban sandwich and empanadas, all which were very tasty. They do have a Yelp deal for a free alcoholic drink if you ordered a meal, but unfortunately I couldn't drink. The place is small and has a retro look to it that we liked. Some of the Ybor tours stop there for lunch, so service around those times may be a little slow, but we really enjoyed the food, so wasn't a huge deal.
(4)Marika S.
They always get my order correct, everybody has an awesome attitude that makes you feel welcomed no matter what you get! One of my favorite little shops here in ybor
(5)Glenn G.
Great food. Wide selection. , wonderful staff!! Awesome soup! Nice break to ybor chain stuff!
(5)Joe P.
Tried both the Cuban and the "Deb." Tough to pick a favorite. Both were far above average. Service was excellent. Very chill lunch spot. They even have games you can play while you wait (dominos, checkers, tabletop Pacman). It's definitely not flashy, but some of the best food in Ybor for the price. Almost everything is under $12.
(5)Stephen V.
Still a hit after being a customer for years now. Had the new po' boy and my BF had the loaded potato soup with bacon. Still fresh, friendly and fast. Keep it up.
(5)Krystal B.
I had lived in Tampa my entire life, and I was truly missing out on this place! I came back to town for a wedding, and we came through for lunch. I was impressed with the menu, the playlist, and the comfy booths with arcade games. It was a very fun lunch.
(4)Malinda L.
I had to change my review after my most recent experience which definitely made up for the last time. The service this time was great, our server was attentive and very helpful. She even gave us a sample of the gumbo which tasted awesome. The previous time I was there, we had the worst service possible and we were the only ones in the place. This time was a million times better-really great. The people in my party got the Cuban sandwich, Chicken Souvlaki, chili, chili cheese fries and I got the matzo ball soup. Chicken souvlaki was freaking awesome-so good. I was really jealous that I did not order it. I almost stole it from my boyfriend. The Cuban looked great and our friend seemed to really enjoy it. The chili was a little on the thick side but tasted ok. The matzo ball soup was not great. It was basically just chicken broth with a giant matzo ball in it. I thought the menu said it was supposed to come with chicken but when I asked the server, she said no. (I should have ordered something else) The gumbo was amazing, incredibly spicy! I loved how spicy it was but a couple people in our party thought it was too spicy. Overall, I had a great experience and will definitely return. Makes up for my last experience, makes me think the owners really care about what their customers think.
(4)Ashley B.
I work in Ybor, & when I venture out for food, I usually embark to the restaurant with not only the best food, but also the best service. Stone Soup is my go to for their CONSISTENT quality of both. Anyone that rates this place lower than five starts is insane. I've tried almost everything on the menu, and it's all (I repeat, ALL delicious). My favorite soup is the lobster bisque, followed closely by the French onion. The Cuban is one of the best you'll ever have in your life. The atmosphere is extremely laid back, so maybe that's why some people are disappointed by the lack of upscale dining trained waiters. They're all so friendly, wonderful & accommodating & I know I'll have a great experience with whoever waits on me every time. Thanks for all the great lunches, Stone Soup!
(5)Allen M.
Excellent in food, service and atmosphere. The Soup is devine and the Cuban beats out even the Cuban restaurants. Enjoyed a wonderful experience with the staff as always. I look forward to my trips to Tampa and I always include a lunch or dinner with the "Soup People". Oh dear lord I can't forget the deep fried blue cheese burger....yes I said deep fried.
(5)Andrew I.
The quality of the food here rates with the Columbia as the top on 7th Avenue. It never ceases to amaze me how this quaint little restaurant can compete with the big boys in Tampa. Kudos.
(5)Anne H.
Wasn't that hungry so I ordered the lobster chowder and the appetizer dumplings. Both were amazing. Our entire party all raved about their selections. Thanks Stone Soup Company for the awesome food.
(5)Donna M.
The Cuban is wonderful and the tomato basil soup is great. The sangria is wonderful. The owners are so friendly and the staff was great. We like to sit outside, but, seating is limited. It is our go to place when we want comfort food.
(4)Jeffrey D.
Always try to stop here on my way through Ybor City. Great soup.
(4)Michelle W.
I work in Ybor and love walking to this place for lunch. I have been a total of 4-5 in the last 3 months. The prices are reasonable - especially for the quality of food. I have had a lot of items off their menu, and I would have to rank everything 4/5 or 5/5 on the tastey scale. Pho Soup - really good Cuban - really good (especially with the mojo dipping sauce) Grilled Cheese - really good BBQ Po-boy - my husband said it was delicious Greek salad w/ gyro meat - only okay (And kinda expensive) I definitely recommend this place.
(4)Leslie F.
Stone Soup began as one of Tampa's very first food trucks and has become so much more. A quirky little shop with a diverse menu that reads like a novel, it's the kind of place you visit over and over again. This company is especially cool as they are recognized for donating unused food as well as soup proceeds to homeless shelters. Big hats off for that one. As we walked inside, the chef/owner happily welcomed us to his humble abode. I gathered he spends way more time at Stone Soup than he does at his real life home. Sign of an awesome restaurant owner right there. The menu is extensive. There's seriously something for everyone here. We opted for the "Ex Wife Pasta" made with linguine, gyro meat, onions, tomatoes, red pepper, and feta, all tossed in a zesty homemade Greek dressing. Unique and downright luscious, I was drooling over this Greek Italian fusion as I ate it. Please order this dish and ask Chef/Owner Ilya about his ex-wife. You will be laughing, guaranteed. Then we tried "The Deb," named after his longtime mate. A sloppy and greasy mess, I couldn't get enough of the grilled Italian meats smothered in provolone and swiss. Pressed between buttered Cuban bread along with banana peppers and a balsamic drizzle, this unattractive sandwich was divine. We couldn't leave Stone Soup without some...you know, soup! I slurped up my Lobstah Seafood Bisque in seconds. Creamy and loaded with crab, lobster and a kick of Sherry, I was in my kind of food heaven. I must say, if there's one Ybor joint that goes overlooked underrated, it's Stone Soup Company. I will be singing their praises forever after this experience. Another eatery to add to the rotating list!
(4)Jennifer C.
We ordered for lunch at the office. I got the Stoney Panini. It was one of the worst sandwiches I've had. The bread was tough, the prosciutto was gummy and my chicken breast had absolutely no flavor. The other girls were pleased with their soups and flatbread, but I think I will pass to try this again, for gross food - the tummy ache I received later on was not worth it :(
(2)Fernando P.
Awesome location in a quaint hole in the wall. The service is superb. The food is delectable. If you order soup, a bowl is a MEAL. I would recommend this place to people and will come again.
(5)Kristi P.
Every time I come, I try to get the New England Clam Chowder and they never have it. They do have Pho which I'm looking forward to trying. Everything I have ordered was delicious. The vibe is casual and although they don't sell liquor, their selection of beers is solid. Lots of local brews too. Great lunch spot.
(4)Brett N.
Why 3 stars? Because I had myself some average food. --- --- --- 3 stars isn't a bad thing. 2 stars is bad. 1 star is awful. 3 is an alright joint. I feel bad giving 3 to a cool business that I desperately want to be a 4 or 5, but don't sweat it Stone Soup - a 3 isn't bad. I'll be back. I've had the Cubmanti and the Clam Chowder. The Cubmanti is a combination of Pittsburgh's famous sandwich - The Primanti, and Tampa's famous Cuban. It was tasty but a bit dry. That being said, the Primanti is a bit dry in itself, so I guess I can't knock Stone Soup. The Clam Chowder was very thin and not the rich and creamy I was expecting. If I were on a diet, this would be a great soup, but I wanted to get me some fat soup! I haven't ordered their ice cream yet, but they get bonus points for carrying Blue Bell - the greatest ice cream ever made. The people are nice, the concept is neat and the building is cool. See ya next time Stone Soup.
(3)Xuan-Lise C.
Got to try this place from their food truck ordered the Cuban sandwich. I can't believe this place doesn't have a higher rating strictly based on the Cuban. The sandwich was amazing, The mojo sauce on the side give the sandwich so much flavor and keeps the pork in the sandwich not too wet. Pretty much have been dreaming of the sandwich since I've eaten it and will definitely track down their storefront for a repeat.
(5)Stuart M.
Make sure you ask the staff what they like. There are things that aren't on the menu, Such as the "Greek burger." It is a burger made with Greek meat, hamburger meat and feta cheese in the beef sandwich Oh and I almost forgot... it's marinated in sangria!
(5)Jenn F.
I eat lunch here every time I am in Ybor. I love the decor and the old brick walls on the inside - has very historic feel. The Greek salad WITH potato salad is excellent. The Cuban is very good as well . . . it comes with an au jus which was different than I was used to. Our waitress on my visit yesterday was terrible, though - another employee had to tell her to take our order after sitting there for 10+ minutes. Then she had to tell her to bring us our checks because she forgot. Either way, that didn't bother me because I am a patient person and was not in a hurry. If I had to be somewhere at a certain time, then that would be an issue, and it is also the reason I am giving this restaurant 4 stars instead of 5.
(4)Jennifer B.
Here with my husband and toddler visiting my parents. Came to Ybor city and ate here! Best food ever! Must try the lobster soup! But the best part of the restaurant was our server Cindy! By far the BEST server ever! And the service was awesome! She was very friendly and down to earth! Ask to sit with her! We will definitely be back next time we visit! :) Thank You!
(5)Mike S.
I am truly surprised at the dramatic polarization of ratings by prior reviewers........many 5s matched by nearly as many 2s........love or hate. After several visits, I have noted some inconsistency but lean to the positive, possibly because I am a big soup lover. And this is my favorite soup place. Most of their soups are top of the line and I keep sampling new variations. Sandwiches try to be adventuresome, and several I tried are fine without being really memorable. Their "air fries" may be environmentally friendly and low-fat, but one try is enough for me. They also have a nice selection of gelatos that go very well with an expresso after eating. I have never had trouble with the service and have chatted with the Russian owner and staff, including some apparent family members. They are located in a tiny shotgun storefront at the West end of Ybor strip, with a few seats outside and limited booths inside. Parking is usual for Ybor hit-or-miss, but walking from a few blocks away and people watch...some look stranger than you.
(4)Nat W.
I have to say i was very disappointed! I walked in with my husband around 11:30-12:00. There was only 1 customer and the tables were so dirty. They do not clean the tables at all. Some of the food we got were very nasty too. The french fries were so soggy and definitely sitting there for a while. I would say probably they were from former customer's plate! It was the worst french fries I have ever tasted, including fast food places! The pasta was overcooked and drenched in watery sauce. Waiters were not motivated, messed up our order and slow. I really hope that a man I saw coming out of the backside and asking another table if everything was okay was not the owner or the manager. Because if he was, then he should just close down the business. How could he let stuff like this happen in his presence? He obviously does not care about the quality of the food and service they provide to their customers.
(1)Rodner S.
Little hole in the wall thar could easily be mistaken for a small deli shop. On the contrary, they have a great selection of entres, soups, sandwiches, pizza and more. I ordered there famous Cuban sandwich with mojo pork and salami...delicious! The tomato basil soup with sprinkled blue cheese is also very delectable. Must check out during lunch or dinner!
(4)John R.
Service 10* Food 10* I've truly enjoyed every meal or to-go I have ever had or taken home from The Stone Soup Company. Since I've recently been on the cabbage soup diet, Stone Soup's "KGB Borscht" or "Thai Me Up" Laska soups have been great go-to items, supplemented nicely by the Chicken Shashlik appetizer. In my pre-diet days, the Cubemante sandwich, Lobsta Seafood Chowda and the "Ex-Wife Pasta" were faves. Great beer choices (love the Cigar City Jai Alai IPA) and the sangria by the pitcher is a steal. I'll have to try those "Redneck Crepes" some time. The owner's allowing local musicians a quaint venue to play at, is only exceeded by his unlimited support to the Tampa Bay area's homeless through weekly soup donations to local soup kitchens. Any service inconsistencies (it's hard to find/keep good staff) at Stone Soup I find tolerable, as dining there is a rewarding experience, knowing that each time I have a Stone soup, someone needing soup more than I do, gets some, too.
(5)Ashley M.
Ordered this delivery- roasted chicken tenders in buffalo sauce and French onion soup. Service was fine, the soup was pretty good. However, avoid the roasted chicken. The buffalo sauce had a really strange flavor and was very oily. The chicken tasted like microwaved reheated nastiness. I would eat here again, but stick to the soup.
(3)Michael P.
This place is very good. Food is prepared fresh, and the service is excellent. The ambiance is a mix of everything and they have outdoor seating in the heart of ybor city. Try the chicken kabob. They are amazing
(5)Thomas C K.
Overpriced - the bowl was the size of a cup at best. I had the Borscht which was unlike any other Borscht soup I have ever had ( and I had many). It did not have any beets and was quite watery and tasteless. My wife had the Thai Chicken soup which was ok but also overpriced. This was a disappointment as I had hopes for this one. We will not be back.
(2)Melody M.
Avoid this place. It is not worth dealing with the poor customer service, flies, long wait, or, as I experienced, the horribly rude manager. This is quite possibly the longest review ever written, but I'd read it in its entirety if you are considering a place to eat in Ybor. I visited this place for the first (and only) time approximately two weeks ago, after two of my friends found groupons online. I had a similar experience as another yelper. The customer service was the worst I have experienced and there were only about 4 other customers in the entire small restaurant. I'd comment on the taste of the soup, but I wouldn't know since I never got what I ordered... 1) It took approximately 20 minutes to order drinks. Nobody got refills on water the entire time. I asked once and never got it. 2) The waiter (who bless his heart was actually a nice guy) did not write down our orders, which of course included four of the 4-soup-samplers. I would have been extremely impressed if all of the orders were correct, but almost all of the orders were wrong. 3) The orders came out staggered over the course of an hour. There is no "waiting for your friends to get their food" with soup because you don't want your soup to get cold. 4) The chilli cheese fries were not good. 5) I never got my soup sampler. Thank goodness I also ordered the chilli cheese fries. 6) We were sitting near the open front door and there were flies in the air. There was also a fly that landed in my friend's wine glass. 7) After two of my friends informed the waiter that one of their four soup samplers were not what they ordered, he graciously apologized, as he should have done. BUT, then the manager came over, clearly agitated, asking what the problem was with us and our orders in an unacceptably RUDE tone, we responded that the waiter got our orders down wrong. There was no apology, no sensitivity, no decency - and, even more shocking, became agitated at me when I said I had not even gotten my meal!!!! He rudely walked away. Shortly after, the waiter (again, bless his heart) came up and explained that they had not yet made that many soup samplers at one time and their kitchen was not ready for it. He said that they would comp me a bowl of soup. I politely said, no thank you, as we had already been there two hours. This was something the manager should have done, not the waiter. 8) At the time the checks came, we asked that they be split. Yes, no server ever wants to do this. We've all waited tables at some point in our lives, but there was nothing on the menu disallowing this, and the waiter did not ask this when he first greeted the table. The manager became even more visibly agitated. Given that almost everyone ordered the same thing, it's not rocket science. Any functional restaurant should be able to handle this request without issue. Instead, it turned into another 25 minute ordeal. I think by this point our quick soup night had turned into a nearly 2.5 hour debacle. I was late to a birthday party that night and had not had my soup. 9) When I got my bill, they did not comp anything. Wah wah I know - but you'd think if I didn't get my meal they could at least cut out a $1.25 coke!!! :) 10) After we cleared out, I went to use the rest room one last time. I heard the manager say in a horrible tone to the waiter, "sweep up a bit, wipe the table, and then get the f**k out of here." Completely unacceptable, whether or not he knew there was a customer in the bathroom. You are the manager. Learn how to run your business, implement protocols for your servers, expect that a party over 2 is going to come in and order multiple soup samplers, and be gracious to them especially when you are a new business. 11) I believe the majority of us still tipped the waiter 15% because we felt so bad for him having to work there - although, a tip reflecting the quality of the service would be much much lower. The whole experience was horrible. There are way too many good places to go, to waste your time here.
(1)Lisa R.
It's still good! Loved our waiter, we had fun joking around with him. The Cuban sandwich is SO recommended! Mainly roasted pork as opposed to mainly ham in all the other ones we eat - shout out to Las Americas on Hillsborough and West Tampa Sandwich Shop! They slice it lengthwise so you can dip it in the little bowl of home made meaty delicious mojo sauce. Wow! As usual I can't remember why Sam had, lol! However I do remember he enjoyed it and we left happy - just before the live poetry reading began, not really our thing. :)
(4)Joshua K.
My girlfriend and I ended up stopping here by accident after a day trip to the Florida Aquarium. Turned out to be one of the best "food find" surprises I've enjoyed in awhile. We opted for the lunch special, which included choice of coffee, fresh squeezed "super" juice, or gelato, a soup choice and either a sandwich or salad. First, the soups: SSC's Broccoli Cheese Soup might be the best bcs I've ever eaten! Period. The combination of cheeses and veggies was just out of this world. Seriously, if you're fixing for some good cheesy loveliness, there is little better. On the other side of the table my better half enjoyed a great cup of lobster bisque. Another knock out soup that requires a quick word of warning. Stone's "premium" soups (of which the lobster bisque counts itself) cost a dollar more (but totally worth it!) Along with the soups, our meal came with a choice of sandwich or salad. We both opted for a sandwich and weren't disappointed. I ordered a modified version of Stone's "Cubanmanti," which is a cross between a traditional Cuban sandwich of pressed meat and cheese, with the extra additions of French fries and coleslaw. While I was tempted to run with the original, I exchanged the normal meats for straight proscuitto at no extra cost - a welcomed surprised. Our second sandwich was the Big Tuna, Stone Soup's take on the tuna melt. Now when I say these two sandwiches were out of this world, I'm not kidding. The mod-cubanmanti enjoyed some phenomenal flavors, from the smokeiness of the grill pressed fries, to the delicate taste of the homemade coleslaw. The sandwich was a perfect balance, with the homemade slaw in particular a nice touch. It was super flavorfull without being saturated, thereby keeping the cuban bread intact while I munched through. However, as good as my Cuban was, the Big Fish was a real gem. By far the most inspired tuna melt-like sandwich yet eaten. The Fish was served on pressed ciabatta bread and made with a mix of spices over provolone cheese. It is sooooo tasty. With the meal I opted for one of their fresh squeezed juices (not being a gelato guy.) What I drank was like fresh superfood. A combination of fruits blended into a seamless whole. Seriously, it was like drinking dessert. A must have if you're looking for a major antioxidant boost. While I didn't enjoy the gelato, my girlfriend said it was rich and sweet, (so basically what a gelato is supposed to be...) and came in a cute little authentic-inspired gelato cup. And the best part of the whole meal? It was under $25 for the two of us. A definite "go to" if you're looking for a great food in Ybor City day or night.
(5)Renee S.
Service 10* Food was also good, although too hard to consider stars considering what we ordered So we wandered into this place while trolling through Ybor. We were really looking for a place to sit down to get a drink and an appetizer, so we wouldn't ruin our dinner. While standing outside looking at the menu, the scary-looking-but-friendly tattoo parlor guy next door really sold us on the place. I guzzled the huge glass of water quickly (wow its a HOT spring in Tampa this year!) and our extremely courteous waitress brought a second one right away. We only ordered the hummus and beverages. our dear sweet waitress was kind enough to ask me if i wanted a water to go.
(4)Juliana S.
This was my FOURTH time being there. I kept giving them the benefit of the doubt because the first time was good but the following 3 times was a nightmare. The food is great but the service is beyond horrible ! I advise future customers to order takeout.
(1)Joseph A.
When I got to Tampa on Saturday I had been recovering from a bout of food-poisoning, so all I wanted was soup. I went to Panera Bread and got some 'chicken soup' which was absolutely dreadful...really bland and thoughtless. (Why anyone goes to Panera is beyond me.). A few days later I went to The Stone Soup Company. Now I know that I should've gone there rather than Panera. This place really knows how to make soup! I wanted to taste more than one soup so I chose the "soup sampler": 4 soups for $6. 1) Chili: to die for. 2) Lobster chowder: delicious 3) Chicken noodle soup: wish I'd had that when I arrived. 4) Thai something-or-other: a little too sweet and the weakest of the four. I was feeling much better now, so I had more than the soup. The Deb sandwich was decadent and tasty. The Ex-Wife Pasta (but not on pasta this time, on french fries) was also criminally tasty. The mark of a good restaurant is when you can't wait to go back. Can't wait to go back.
(4)Felix K.
They serve a pretty good Cuban sandwich version of the classic Rueben. The pastrami is lean.
(4)Tom L.
we had their cuban at the cuban sandwhich festival and loved not only the sandwhich but the dipping sauce they serve with it. i have had many cubans here in the Tampa Bay area and this is one I have come back for. The name of the restaurant threw me a bit because I am not a soup person but the cuban sandwhich was outstanding!
(5)Gingereee E.
Well, this place was bit of a joke. Way overpriced. I don't usually eat cubans, but since the waiter suggested it, since they were voted "Best in Tampa". They brought out a skinny sliced cuban in 2 pieces. Not even a full one, with fries, $8.00! Being a floridian, you know you can get a cuban just about anywhere, a full size one, for about $4.00. So, for double the price, you get half he sandwich, with a handful of fries. But forget about the cuban, the place was juts mediocre. Just because you are in Ybor, doesn't mean you charge an arm and a leg for your food. Oh, and stop trying to be so hipster-y, it's just not working.
(2)Ebony G.
Ahhhhh! I'm so torn! I will put aside my consumer marketing background that screams this place lacks a consistent and true identity which makes it easier to see why it's not the most talked about places in Ybor. With that said, I will say the interior is clean and interesting. Art work hangs on the walls, tvs from the ceilings and a couple of booths have video gaming capabilities. Nothing at all from what I expected viewing online. Not sure if this is a place to purposely meet a large group of friends, but if you're already down there you can most certainly pop in and find something to talk about. I was greeted fairly quickly by a young man who may have been new to the team after he realized my order was to go he was about to walk away when the waitress at the register informed him he should take my order. I believe the owner/manager must have realized the confusion and after my order was taken explained the loyalty program to me, etc. I waited 20 minutes for my to go order, which wasn't bad considering I didn't call ahead except I was thirsty and the two other parties who were also waiting were offered water. I watched them as they sipped theirs before I eventually asked for a cup when the waitress came over to assure me my order was on the way out. I received a to go cup with no lid that arrived when my order came out. I couldn't figure out why there were two to go boxes when I was walking out, but figured perhaps they didn't want the sauce from the air baked chicken tenders to get on my air baked fries. Nope... not the case. After I had gotten down the road I realized some poor person just lost their lunch because someone erroneously put it in my bag. The air baked chicken tenders were not how I expected. In taste they were ok alone, however, with the wing sauce.... the best tenders I've had in a while. The sauce was great! In spite of the fries being the item I had to wait on to leave, they were not piping hot. But they had flavor and were tasty. I am disappointed as I had hoped to find a place for lunch visits outside of Evos (who also offer air baked items) that I would keep in the dining out rotation. Truly this experience was the perfect storm of bad and great. I'm irritated, yet satisfied with the regular size portion. I'm not thrilled to add as a favorite, but I would say I'd go back and give them another chance to "wow" me in the future. I can't speak for the poor person who didn't get their sandwich which I can't eat and my brother is thrilled to do so. I guess $10 for two meals today wasn't a bad bargain??? :-/ Oh and the outside of the building is under construction. So make a note that it is directly next to King Coronas.
(3)Mark S.
I met someone here for lunch who made a great observation, and one that's important in Ybor City..Stone Soup is close to easy parking. It's just around the corner from the parking garage on 15th St and is on the "quieter" end of 7th Avenue. Inside it's very cool, with the brick warehouse ethic that's ubiquitous in Ybor City. The place is part deli, with a counter you can go and order your food there, and part restaurant, with convenient booth or 4-top seating. Service was okay, the decor was good, the menu was pretty outstanding. I look for 2 things for lunch: 1. Vegetarian Food 2. Interesting Options I ordered the pesto linguini with portobelo mushrooms. It was served in a charming wooden bowl with 4 pieces of excellent, freshly made garlic bread. My lunch mate had a Reuben and coleslaw - both were good. On the negative side, it was hard to find the entrance due to scaffolding across the front of the building and they didn't have coffee made and ready..understandable, but hey..I love coffee, so it was important! I would not bring more than 4 people total, and then only if no one is too too big because the booths and tables are a little tight. I will definitely go back for SOUP next time!
(3)Sadiya S.
I'm a Tampa local, and this is one of my staple go-to restaurants when I want to relax with a friend or two. It's very low key - they even have old school video games, dominoes and cards on the tables for you enjoy. The food is pretty good. I have never ordered something that I didn't like. I always have good service. The last time I was there (which was a couple of days ago) I was served by Alisha and she was very attentive and polite. This is great place to visit if you want a wide variety of dishes to choose from (pizza, soup, tacos, sandwiches, salads, burgers...) and you don't want to spend too much money. My meal is usually between $6 and $10.
(4)Christopher J.
I wanted to have something light for dinner, soup! - I came across this restaurant in Ybor and what an awesome experience. The decor is rather interesting with a lot of vintage signage and large front windows that look out over Ybor's night life. Perfect setting for a casual dinner. The menu offered a wide variety of items, ranging from Kabobs, Salads, Cuban Sandwiches, Pastas, Deserts and you guessed it SOUPS! - All priced exceptional well, with the option of a full portion of small. They offer a limited selection of beer and alcoholic beverages, which in our case we don't drink much which was fine. I did try the $3.00 Cuba Libre - Delicious. Everything about this place was wonderful, we ordered the Lobsta Soup and Thai Me Up Laska Soup. Fantastic choices, highly recommend the Lobsta Soup. All in all, I feel that this place deserves a chance if you are in the area.
(4)Lisa M.
LOVE their cuban sammie, one of the best I have ever had. The chicken tenders, krispy kreme donut sundae and pizza are also yummy! I really enjoy SSC!
(4)Steve R.
Pretty sure I was the first customer when they opened in a little closet-sized space on 7th a few years ago. The owner was out there offering up samples. I'm a vegetarian and virtually all restaurant soups use chicken or beef stock or broth. But he was ready for me with a vegetarian KGB Borscht. All of the flavors just melded together perfectly. Really, it's by far the best soup I've ever had.
(5)Katie B.
The first thing you see when you walk in the door to The Stone Soup Company is an autographed photo of the Soup Nazi. Now you know it's the real deal. Fortunately, the staff is much friendlier and no one was banned for any ordering mishaps. This is such a great little restaurant in the heart of Ybor; their soups and sandwiches are all unique and their own. The soups are made from scratch and for every cup of soup sold, another is donated to the homeless. What a great incentive to chow down on some Lobsta Chowda! I had the 3 Cheese Broccoli Please and it was wonderful. As a twist to the usual broccoli and cheese soup, this one was loaded with carrots and other veggies. The grilled cheese was also really good and, true to their style, different from your run-of-the-mill childhood classic. It comes on Cuban bread and is topped with garlic, fresh spinach, and tomatoes. They also have drink specials including $3 White Russians (made with a scoop of their homemade vanilla ice cream) and margaritas. They have live music and they're getting ready to start having wine tastings, mixers, and ethnic food nights. I loved the soup and the overall casual atmosphere. I'll definitely stop in for a cup of soup the next time I'm in the area.
(4)Diana M.
Stone Soup Company was instantly inviting. I later realized that it was the owner that approached us outside and opened the door. But what I was immediately drawn in by was how good it smelled inside. It was exhausting walking up and down 7th Ave in search for a good place to eat for lunch. We stopped at a few places here and there, and one restaurant in particular smelled so badly of burned oil, that I couldn't even stay a while to look at the menu. Shortly after, we happened across The Stone Soup Company. It was such a relief to be greeted the way we were. Ilya Goldberg (the owner) has a heart for the community and good sense of what is quality food. It's really cool seeing someone take initiative in creating a solution for those who go hungry. For every cup of soup sold one is donated to the homeless. And all of it is made from scratch. I usually hate the smell of seafood, but the lobster I sensed was so pleasing that I had to have whatever it was. So I had their Lobsta Chowda and it was the best seafood soup I've had in a while. If you get a chance to eat here, definitely try their Cubemanti Sandwich. It's inspired by the Primanti Bros. You have the choice to put whatever freshly sliced meat you want, but just ask for the chef's choice. He'll hook you up. I'm definitely going back for more
(4)Brandi H.
The Cuban is amazing and so is the Cuban bread pizza! Today was my second time here for lunch and I again left thinking it was delicious. Also, the French onion soup is pretty darn good
(4)Courtney G.
What's not to love here? Quirky place, perfect location, owner is awesome all-around, and the menu is very diverse. I don't even really like soup but this place made me appreciate it - get the Thai soup and you'll be back.
(5)Susan M.
I love Stone Soup. The first time we came here was because we had a Groupon for cooking lessons with Chef Ben. After that we have become regulars. We love the food but we love the restaurant's commitment to our community too. Good food and doing good, two things I love. All unused produce is turned into veggie soup and donated to local homeless shelters. I love this! Why throw away perfectly good food when it could feed someone in our own community who is hungry? Stone Soup is committed to using fresh ingredients and you can tell it when you taste the food. Our favorite is the Ex Wife Pasta....yummy gyro meat and a delicious sauce over pasta. It never fails. The restaurant is quirky, with interesting art work, open mic nights, live music, and the last time we were in they were doing Dia De Los Muertos face painting. Stone Soup is a great addition to Ybor and our community.
(4)David V.
Atmosphere= awesome Food= ok Price= expensive for lunch that's what really hurts this review, the price
(3)George S.
I was lucky enough to find this place looking for something else. What a great choice it turned out to be. Our server Sam gave some of the most personalized service I have received in a long time, making recommendations and catering them to each guest's preferences. The soups we tried ranged from good to awesome. The sandwiches were above par and the Pork with Black Beans & Spanish Rice is not to be missed. If you live or travel within 25 miles of Ybor City, this place will be worth your trip.
(5)Jennifer B.
Really amazing french onion soup and they have a Cuban that is served with a mojo dip! I've never experienced the best service here, but the food makes up for it. With some unique menu items, you can always find something to try (and probably love)!
(4)Shai J.
I'm not sure who thought it was a good idea to turn soup into sauce but it does not work, in fact it's quite gross. Nothing, and I mean nothing ordered was good. I was asked if I liked my meal, and I had to be honest and say no. I expected the meal to be removed, but instead I was asked what did I want them to do. At that point my fiance said he'll switch dishes with me (not that his was any better). He braved it and ate both our meals only to get home and have an upset stomach. I will never return the stone soup company and advise others to do the same, or at the very least, stick to the soup because the entrees are terrible.
(1)Cory E.
This is a great Lunch spot, much more than just soups! My company has recently relocated from Downtown Tampa to Ybor City and Stone Soup is fast becoming one of the favorites for lunch. The Ybor Chili and "Thai" Me Up are two of my favorite soups on the menu; they also have great Pork Tacos and Sandwiches. I haven't found anything I don't like yet, and look forward to continuing to explore their Menu.
(4)Paul S.
Pretty average fare. Stone Soup Company is a funky little hole-in-the-wall type of place, which lends it a certain charm. The food, however, was was just a notch above middle of the road. The sandwiches were fairly bland and uninspired, leaving little memory in their aftermath. The tomato soup (as part of an appetizer) was decent, with a more robust flavor than the sandwiches. It is probably the only thing here worth a try that we experienced, but be careful, it is NOT vegetarian friendly. The service was so-so, with our waiter seeming like he would definitely rather be doing something else, but making an effort of gritting his teeth and doing the work. The owner, who spent our entire meal chatting at a table by the entrance, seemed largely uninterested in the operation of his restaurant. He did ask us about our food on the way out and became surly and defensive when we expressed our displeasure at the quality of the food and the lack of disclosure of the non-vegetarian nature of the tomato soup on the appetizer menu. Overall, I would say to just skip this place and try one of the other small restaurants in Ybor, as there are quite a few bona fide gems in town.
(2)Rachael N.
Went here for a birthday celebration, they close at 8p on thursdays but they stayed open until 10p by request to serve us. It is a charmingly urban space. They have a good selection of soups, appetizers, sandwiches and gelato. The chef likes to stay true to his healthy roots and sticks primarily to organic. They also give over leftover soup from the night to the homeless. I tried several of their soups and also enjoyed the big tuna. Absolutely delcious, everyone enjoyed their meal. They do not serve wine or beer but you can bring your own if you'd like, (which we did) and they would serve it for a fee. They don't serve their entire menu everyday because they are not popular enough to do so and not waste. They are truly about not wasting food. The waitress was extremely friendly, although a little slow to bring our food, granted it was the end of the night and we were a slightly large table. I ate my weight in garlic bread while waiting for my meal. I suppose that's why I had a terrible stomach ache the next morning- that and the exorbitant amount of wine I had that night. The place has games and free wifi. I am excited to come back alone or on a day date to enjoy my surroundings.
(4)Owen M.
went for dinner. cheese bread was bland bland. they only had about a third of the beer selection that was stated on the menu. all 4 soups in the sampler were lukewarm at best and it took at least 20 minutes to get the sampler after our cheese bread. there was only 1 other table with customers. gyro was decent but nothing special and my girl's tuna melt was "weird and not good". Overall I'd say we ate 40% of our food and paid 42 dollars and some change.
(2)