Uncle Cheetah’s Soup Shop
1133 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49506
Uncle Cheetah’s Soup Shop Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Grand Rapids for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1133 Wealthy St SE
Grand Rapids, MI, 49506 - Phone (616) 451-4780
- Website https://unclecheetahs.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 8:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
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Ric D.
Second visit to Uncle Cheetah's, and I'm blown away! What's so good, you ask? A, 100% scratch-made soups, at least a dozen daily. That seems like a lot, but decision-making is simplified by being able to get a taste before you order. 2, 10 grilled cheese sandwiches (half or whole) many with the house boursin cheese. And choice of breads. Gamma, C, do you need more? First time I tried the classic grilled cheese (The Old Goat, white cheddar, goat cream cheese, fresh mozzarella, fresh rosemary, sea salt, and EVOO, on multigrain bread) and tomato soup (Tomato Saffron). Wow! They combined beautifully, childhood lunch on steroids! Today I had the Green Chili Chicken sandwich: char-grilled chicken, house Boursin cheese, fresh mozz, and charred green chili chutney on sourdough. For soup I chose the sweet potato and butternut squash, which was very good, sweet, savory, and satisfying. The sandwich again took things to another level. The crunchy sourdough easily held its own with the creamy mozz, the bright boursin, and the sweet and spicy chutney to bring it all together. The only thing I will do differently the next time I order it (and there will definitely be a next time) is to pair it with one of the salads, as the soup choice was a little too sweet to complement it well. But that soup will be sure calling my name on a cold, rainy fall day!
(5)Reid G.
A wrap and soup isn't normally my idea of a great lunch, until I discovered UCSS. Now it might be my ideal lunch. There are plenty of daily specials keeping things interesting, so you don't have to munch on the same thing everyday. I really can't think of a negative thing to say about this place. Go here - a lot.
(5)Amanda L.
They offer a wide variety of fresh, home-made soups in a wonderful, homey little shop. I especially like that they offer at least one vegetarian and/or gluten free option and although I'm not on either of these diets, I like trying these options as something new. They offer quite a large serving of soup so you may find you have some left over for a snack or a meal later. I highly recommend their grilled cheese sandwich too. It's a "adult" version with goat cheese and this amazing pesto. I always get a small cup of soup and a sandwich on the side and I'm stuffed by the end of the meal. My only complaint is that they serve the soup in paper to-go bowls. This may be helpful for them since some of their customers get their meals to go, however, I worry about the trash that all the paper bowls creates- It would be great if they offered a greener serving method.
(4)Jessica P.
I LOVE this restaurant. For me it's worth the $ for the occasional stop but don't get me wrong, I've been here many, many times. It's hard for me to say anything bad about this place because their food is so good.
(5)Cassi S.
First off, this is a tiny place with a fast pace "to go" feel. However the staff there were perfection, the soups amazing and the pretzel rolls oh so good. Two happy, bubbly young men greeted us when we walked in, they asked if we would like to try any soup and they were exited to share their favorites. They encourage you to try what ever soup you want and were all smiles and fun. They have a great selection of vegetarian and some gluten free soup (all great btw). Loved this place and will be back!!
(5)Christian B.
Twelve delicious, handcrafted soups made from the finest quality ingredients available from open to close, plus sandwiches and deserts, at very fair prices. Ace. There is no better soup in Grand Rapids. Period. Great for lunch, great for dinner, great for whenever. Everything is made fresh, from scratch, every day, using locally-sourced, wholesome ingredients. Staff will let you sample any of the twelve soups, but it won't help you make up your mind, because you'll want them all. You can also combine bowls half and half, letting you create your own flavors. Be aware that this place gets busy and crowded, but with good reason. The food here is worth fighting over, it's that good. Quit reading Yelp and go get some soup.
(5)Kyle T.
Very good variety of soups and grilled cheese sandwiches. All of the soups I tried were excellent. The atmosphere was nice, but I think it is intended to be more of a take out restaurant than a sit in. There were only a few seats and no bathroom. If you are looking for some great soups I would check this place out. Try the Ruben, it was awesome.
(4)Meredith E.
Really really good soup! My friend and I stopped in for dinner last night because soup sounded good after a cold rainy day (and also who can resist the name of this place?). We both had the chicken noodle soup and it was delicious! Perfectly seasoned and great chicken flavor for the broth. The noodle were obviously made at the restaurant and were like little spaetzle, very tender and good. There were real chunks of chicken and slices of carrots, onions, and celery. All were tender and very good. The people next to us had sandwiches which looked very good and different soups that made me want to try the other flavors. I will definitely be going back!
(5)Emily W.
You can sample as many soups as you want and they're all delicious! I had the "old goat" grilled cheese, which was also delicious.
(5)Elle M.
The old goat grilled cheese is probably one of the best things I've ever eaten but the customer service was horrible! The employees were rude and acted as though customer service wasn't important.
(3)Coryn R.
Best place for soup and salad in town. Cozy and laid back atmosphere, my only complaint is the limited seating but otherwise kudos to you guys!
(5)David S.
fantastic food, service and ambiance! lunch and winter spot. huge soup to-go is great for the week.
(5)Mark R.
Best soup place I've been to. Grilled cheese is delicious.... forgot which one I got. Tomato basil mozzarella one... definitely recommend. Samples of soup available.
(5)Jori S.
The soup selection is broad and some are quite tasty (like Big Country), while others are kind of weird or meh (like Roasted Red Pepper). This place is pretty overpriced for what you get. $7 for a fairly small soup and crackers was a bit high imo. The place had really cramped quarters so it's not very good for groups. I honestly don't plan on ever going back to Uncle Cheetah's Soup Shop, although their sister restaurant the Electric Cheetah is the best!!!
(2)Gabriela G.
You can sample all the soups you like. They are not stingy, like many frozen yogurt spots where you get to sample just one or two flavors, here they even let you sample the meat of the day. They obviously love what they are making and almost want everyone to experience it! Same owner as the Electric Cheetah, though a lot less pretentious. The inside is small, almost looks like a mini church basement with benches and communal tables. All orders are served to go, even if you chose to eat it there. Salads are served in plastic containers and soups in paper to go cups. This made me feel a bit rushed, like they were almost kicking me out, but i think it's just part of their style. More than 10 soup varieties, though only one was vegan. Quite a few vegetarian options if you don't mind heavy creams. Prices are fair. For a bowl of soup, a small salad and a soda: $16 WARNING: YUK for the salad dressings. While everything else is delicious and gourmet, the salad dressings are disgusting! like squirting ketchup on your salad or really chunky, super processed mayo dressings. GROSS! Luckily dressings always come on the side and you can chose how much of it, if any, you want to add to spoil your salad! Otherwise, salads were good. Plenty of fresh ingredients all thrown together chaotically into a plastic container. Specials look scrumptious: today's special: salmon tacos! I wasn't too hungry so i opted out of the special and went for soup and salad instead, but i did sit there a while contemplating if i had made the right decision since that salmon looked so juicy in all the right ways. They also had ham tacos as another special; now i don't eat ham and seldom eat pork but hearing the description of these tacos made me wish i was a fan of the oinksters! Cooked ham on the bone in sauce made my salivary glands water and my imagination run wild! Though same owner as Electric Cheetah, i'd much rather eat here again than the restaurant. Better food, slightly better prices (though not really), and a lot less pretentious and easy-going.
(4)Ran K.
Best soup in town! Every time I come here they have new soups for me to try. Very flavorful and great service. Their grilled cheese sandwiches are delicious too!
(5)Jeremy F.
Amazing! Love this place. Love the Curry Corn soup and the sandwiches .
(5)Ashley M.
1.Come here 2. Sample soup until you find your favorite 3. Eat soup with a pretzel roll ...and it will have been the best decision you've made in a long while. I seriously come here at least once a week. They always have 12 soups every day and rotate flavors. They post their soup menu updates on Facebook every day also, which is perfect for a soup fiend like myself to stalk when their favorite variety is available. Uncle Cheetah's staff is always extremely friendly and asks if you have questions. You're also able to sample whichever kind of soup you'd like before ordering. They have a grilled cheese sandwich menu and a summer menu including tacos/burritos/nachos. Everything here is delicious. There are always at least 2-3 vegan and vegetarian options available!
(5)Jason B.
If I could give this place 6 out of 5 stars I would. I am so in love with everything they have to offer. I'm from the Chicago area and spend a lot of time in Grand Rapids visiting my in-laws. What's also great is that not all of their soups are potato based because I'm off carbs for now, crazy I know, but I've lost 50 pounds. This place is like a warm hug full of soup and I will be returning often. The staff is also super friendly and helpful. So, do yourself a favor and visit this place. Everyone from little kids to older folks can enjoy great soup. Update: manners are free right? This place isn't the Soup Nazi's place from Seinfeld, right? I just don't get it. Seriously, the guy with the dark hair and beard had a real attitude problem. I went in one day and had a rather rude and short experience with Trevor (I believe that's his name), wrote it off as he was was having a bad day. It happens to everyone. However, I went in a second time and again and a third and I get a lot of attitude and he acts like he's doing me a favor by letting me purchase his soup. I was going to this place two and three times a week because of the location and quality of soup. Now. No thanks. I'm done. I'd give it one-star, but the soup is still good.
(2)Lorraine F.
Phenomenal! I got the Pig Newton sandwich and I'm officially in love! They have a huge selection of soups and sandwiches. Trevor (the cook) was extremely helpful and knew what my husband and I would enjoy. Definitely coming back!
(5)Sam K.
The soup will bring warmth, comfort, and happiness to you. I was told they have over a few hundred soup recipes but have 12 available each day. They will encourage you to sample some soups. Narrow down your choices to 2-3 and then ask for them. Anymore and your indecision will not flee from you. I found that a 12oz of a thick, hearty, creamy soup with a half sandwich is very filling. However, if you're very hungry, go for the 16oz, but I would get something brothy. Just remember, if you get a sandwich the order will take longer since they make each to order. Don't forget to check out the little chalkboard near the register, too! They usually have a special item worth looking into. Also, it's a small place but typically there is a nice turn around so by the time you order and your food is ready a spot will open up at the bar or a table. The Soup-Masters and Soup-Mistresses are very friendly and knowledgeable about their soups and sandwiches. Brace yourself, ask for a sample, and taste goodness and comfort in a soup.
(5)John P.
They keep coming up with these incredible soups. Had the beef brisket & bean this evening. It was excellent! Subtle smoke backdrop from the brisket brought it all together. Fresh baked roll, root beer, chicken wing special with Thai sauce made it great.
(5)Matt J.
Great soup, great food. Literally one of the slowest restaurants in GR though. If you dare come during the lunch hour expect a 30 minute wait to have them fill a container of soup for you. After a 15-20 minute wait to order. Also regularly mess up any customizations. But after the wait, and if your order is correct - it's really awesome. Fresh unique soups and salads. You can try something awesome and different every day. The grilled cheeses are usually very good as well. Simple and near perfect. Our office usually hits them up at least once a week, sometimes much more. Have to plan our timing accordingly though.
(3)Aaron H.
As one of my friends would say: "This is so good, i wanna punch myself in the face". This place is definitely self-face-punchable. One of my favorite types of culinary discoveries is a little hole in the wall that just blows you away with the food. This is such a place. I ordered the seafood bisque which was the best bisque I've tasted since regularly visiting Boston, and my wife ordered a "wimpy wellington" (I have no idea what exactly it was,but it was great). She had a sandwich that was boursin cheese and raspberry with a few other things and I had a pork slider with pickles and a cabbage and corn slaw. Everything was delicious. We also sampled numerous soups and were blown away by all of them (ginger carrot anyone?). The menu is unique, diverse, and the prices are very fair. You have choices of soup size and can even get half sandwiches which are plenty large. The inside is very small, so that can get a bit uncomfortable when the tables are full and people are milling about waiting for their food. They seem to try their best to streamline the ordering/pickup process without sacrificing food quality or their general good nature. Absolutely love it. Hope I get to punch myself in the face again soon.
(5)Trent M.
Delicious sandwiches and savory hot soup proved a welcome relief from the frigid winter weather. I ordered the pulled pork sliders, which were much bigger than usual "sliders." Accompanied by the tasty sweet potato black bean soup, the meal was filling and very satisfying. I was surprised to wait in line at 4:30 in the afternoon. It's a small place with about 6 tables and small bar. A good place for lunch or a quick hot dinner. Food: A Service: A- Atmosphere: A-
(4)Rene' J.
Having my Birthday lunch at my favorite Uncles! I love to choose from the fabulous soup selection and the sandwiches are delicious ! Fresh food in a casual comfortable place.
(5)Sara C.
We ducked into this little shop last Tuesday night seeking comfort food, and were not disappointed! On a cold night, this place is sooooo cozy with its steamed-up windows and delicious smells. At first we were confused about where to order - we had to order from the window in the back, not from the people working at the counter - but we figured it out eventually. They had like 10 different soups, and about half of them were vegan and/or gluten-free. The let you sample the soups, which is such a gift to the indecisive! :) We tried the Roasted Red Pepper soup and the Reuben soup. We also shared an amazing gourmet grilled cheese. I'm already thinking about what I'll order next time!
(4)Janna S.
I came here due to rave reviews. Oh boy, the soups that I've ordered was sooo salty and super sour! No flavors whatsoever. I mean, I love soups!! Any kinds of soup! But the soup that I had.. not so good.
(3)Kathleen T.
12 daily home made soups, picked from a 64 recipe rotation! How can you go wrong? This place is super cute and the food, oh my, it is beyond tasty. They even have gluten free, vegan and vegetarian soups and sandwiches. Oh and the list of gourmet grilled cheese will knock your socks off. It is a very laid back good vibe environment, so if you are an uptight impatient person well the service here will not be for you. They take their time and let you try as many of the soups as your heart desires. So if you need a little soul warming with soup lime grandma makes this is your place!
(5)David F.
Some of the greatest soup I have ever eaten! The brainchild of Cory DeMint, owner of the sensational Electric Cheetah and the new project opening soon in Alger Heights, this soup shop was initially intended as a hangout for local foodies (with an Asian theme - it was called Electric Eel and had the best fruishi I've ever eaten), it has since become a destination for anyone who appreciates good soup. Start by sampling any of the soups on the menu before you make your final decision, add some deliciously sweet challah bread or a fresh pretzel roll, or mix it up by going with a phenomenal grilled cheese like nothing you have ever eaten before. I highly recommend the soup which bears the name I had the honor to have selected for it - A cheeseburger inspired beef and cheddar soup called "The J. Wellington Whimpy." Regardless of your choice, I promise you won't be disappointed.
(5)Erin E.
I have been wanting to come here for quite some time and finally went this evening. I gotta say, I was pretty disappointed. The service is nice enough and maybe I should try other items before writing them off completely. But, the soup was not at all what I thought it would be! I tried three different soups and wasn't fond of the two but the broth for the Wisconsin cheddar was good so I decided on that. When I got the soup I was not happy at all. The veggies were not cooked down enough. The potato was wayyy to hard for soup. It needed about another 30 min to get the softness a soup needs to make it yummy. And overall, the soup was bland. As was the other two I tried. I most likely will go back and try one of their sandwiches or perhaps one of their salads but honestly I don't think I will be back for a 7 dollar bowl of ok soup anytime soon.
(3)Ruth M.
Hubby and I stopped in for soup twice in the last month and we're delighted by the delicious soups we had. It's so nice to be able to taste a sample before ordering. The service was quick, even though the line looked long, and the employees were very patient in answering questions that they probably get asked all day long. No "soup nazi" here. Thank you Uncle Cheetah staff! We will return soon!
(5)George W.
I called today to place a to go order. The young man who answered informed me, "I'm sorry, we do not take orders over the phone". What kind of sandwich shop doesn't do orders to go? Thanks anyways, I'll call Jimmy John's. That way, I won't have to walk down to your restaurant and inconvenience you with my petty requests.
(1)Todd K.
Had to drop my rating since lately I've gotten several burnt sandwiches, food missing from my order, and long waits for my order to be filled. Lately, it seems like their service has been getting lax.
(3)Marc L.
Well I decided to give this place another try this week on one of these cold blustery evenings when soup just sounded good and I was hoping for something better than I could pull out of the cupboard. I tasted three soups and all were acceptable, mild in flavoring and I would unfortunately have to say maybe a smidge better than Campbell's but again I cant change my prior review and have to acknowledge that soup shop is certainly not what they used to be in terms of sophisticated complex well-developed flavors... Now it's just a disappointment I guess. I got a wrap as well that was okay and I only did that because friends who go there tell me how greasy the other sandwiches are. Sadly I'll give it probably another six months or year and then go back and hope that things have changed. After this visit I can't say they have.
(2)Dana V.
As many samples as you'd like! Go for the soup sampler-3 different kinds for $10!
(5)Tom S.
The best soup around period. Amazing selection. Reasonable prices. Very cozy. The only downside is long waits.
(5)Elyse A.
My husband and I stopped in for our first time on Labor Day. I have been following them on facebook for a while and have been dying to try their soups! I ordered the pumpkin chorizo (because the lobster bisque was out) & my husband got the roasted red pepper after sampling a few others. Both were AMAZING. I have been craving the pumpkin ever since! We also shared a Smoke Signal grilled cheese. Super delish, super HOT! the Jalapenos were pretty spicy. The staff was super friendly and the place was small but cute. I would highly recommended this place and already have a few times! We will be back!
(5)Andy O.
We had the the garage sale and pig newton sandwiches. we had the turkey dinner, jalapeño corn chowder and the bean and bacon soups. The pig newton was quite good, the garage sale was good also but very cheesy. However, that is what the sandwich is all about, but just be forewarned. Our 8 year old boy didn't care for it. The corn chowder soup was pretty good, the bean soup too salty and the turkey dinner soup too sweet. All in all, the selections were in entice but maybe a bit overdone on spices. We would try it again but try different things. Service was good and a funky atmosphere. A bit pricey.
(3)Carrie G.
About the only thing I truly miss about moving three hours away from GR is that I can no longer stop here a couple times a week. They always have amazing food! My favorite place to eat. I love their soups, their tacos, and most of all, their caramel malts. Yep you heard right. Caramel malt. They are A-mazing! A treat for the taste buds. Worth every penny! If you are thinking of stopping here, do it! But don't leave without a malt. You will thank me for this. :)
(5)Erika W.
5 stars for the food and service. 3 for the set-up and ordering procedure. At first I walked in to the eating area. I soon figured out that I needed to go a couple doors down to get my food. I couldn't believe that they have a completely unattended bathroom. I just moved from San Francisco and that would never work over there. There would be stinky vagrants shooting up in that bathroom in no time! Anyhow, I'm glad that I've now moved to a place where that's not such a problem. So I went over to the other part to order food. It's a little weird with the bar to the side and the bartenders/cooks getting soup samples for people. Then you order at a window and then stand around waiting for your order. I got my stuff take-out because the place was full and I could see I was going to have to go back over to the eating area to eat. I don't know if they will let you take dishes over to the other spot, but I don't like using unnecessary take-out supplies. I got the pumpkin chorizo soup which was fantastic. It came with a bun. The price was okay. A dollar cheaper and they would have my undying loyalty. They also have a good selection of fancy soda pop which I like. Anyhow, the food is great, but I am thinking the split-building thing is going to cause them nothing but problems. I hope they figure some way to improve that.
(4)Wade S.
The soup is fresh from scratch daily and amazing!! I would go again right now if I could! Doesn't get better than this! I have about five favorites!
(5)Katie C.
Alright. Comin' out of the woodwork to write this one. It won't be short and it won't be sweet: It's a nasty night. I'm not feeling great, hubby's trying to please me. Instead of a sit-down dinner, I suggest we try Uncle Cheetah's, since we've been to the Electric Cheetah and we liked it. We walk into the shop, about 7pm, and check out the board. At first it's not really clear how you order there--the person behind the counter seems to be the one you talk to, but then you realize there's a little hole in the wall to make your order at. We ask the soup counter gal for some samples, but 6 of the 12 soups listed for the day are no longer available. Umm, okay, cool. I decide on chicken noodle with spaetzle, hoping that this lack of choice will somehow be redeemed. Hubby gets some kind of scotch creamy chicken. We head over to order through the hole in the wall, and ask the gal sitting there how big the sandwiches are--specifically, if soup and a whole sandwich will be filling enough for dinner. She gives us a hand-approximation ("they're THIS big") of the size of the sandwiches, so I order a half, not being as hungry, and dude orders a whole, in addition to two small soups, and a diet root beer for me. Total? $27! Okay, so these sandwiches better be frickin' super. We get home, unwrap our respective grilled cheeses, and I kid you not, my husband's "whole" sandwich...is the size of my palm. Are you KIDDING me? $10 for a tiny ass "fancy" grilled cheese that not only is crazy small, but the bread is burnt black and the thing is dripping in grease?!? My "half" sandwich is a joke--perhaps because I could have eaten the entire thing in 2 bites, and I've got the burnt, greasy thing going on mine, too. At least my 2-biter was only $3 as opposed to 10. The soup? Meh. It was fine, definitely nothing special. But if you're a soup shop and you're open for dinner, maybe you should plan on making more soup? And if you sell grilled cheese sandwiches, maybe you could make them larger than the palm of my hand? Maybe we would be so hungry after just spending twenty-seven-fricking dollars on what was supposed to be our only dinner of the night? Geez. Rant? Over. Uncle Cheetah's again? No thanks.
(2)Lindsey T.
Amazing soups, sandwiches and wraps! Often busy during peak lunch and dinner times, however their staff always seems to handle it well and gets the orders out quickly! Daily soup menu can be found on their Facebook page and they're proficient at updating it throughout the day as soups sell out. Highly recommend!
(5)Brian S.
Uncle Cheetah's Soup Shop is an aptly-named lunch counter in the heart of Eastown, across from the Wealthy Theater and a few blocks down the street from its sister restaurant: the Electric Cheetah. It was once the home of the ill-fated Electric Eel, a noodle stand, but business has clearly benefited from the change of format. The atmosphere of Uncle Cheetah's can only be described as chaotic. The dining space inside is small, and patrons are typically packed in like sardines. There's very little room to move about, and there is no public restroom that I could see (isn't that illegal?). When I ate there, the back of my head was literally 1/2 an inch from the posterior of another patron standing in line. Long story short, it's crowded. Very, very, very, very crowded. If you value your personal space, get a to-go order, or sit outside in the back. The menu features the restaurants namesake: soup. With recipes ranging from the exotic to the familiar, most of the soups are either vegan, gluten-free, or both. In addition, there are a number of gourmet grilled-cheese sandwiches available (including chicken sliders on pretzel buns when I was there). Uncle Cheetah's doesn't seem that expensive at first. Soups range from $5 for a 12 oz cup to $11 for a 32 oz banquet-size container. All soups come with a bread roll as well. The soups are hearty and filling, so a 12 oz. is enough for most appetites. But add in drinks, sandwiches, and other goodies and you could end up hitting your bank account for $20-$30 if you bring a date. I only have one complaint about the soup. I had the white chicken chili, and it was way too spicy. I like spice in my food, but it really bugs me when people get into this mode where they make food spicy simply for the sake of it being spicy. I understand that chili should have a kick to it, but not so much that the only flavor my palette can detect is the inordinate amount of pepper in it. I tried my wife's curry soup, and it was much, much better. Less spicy, but more flavorful. I can't really say if this was a one-time occurrence or a problem with that recipe, but hey, that's my experience. My final criticism is the clumsy layout. When you walk in, there is a display counter to the right, and a pick-up window straight in front of you on the back wall. Now, logic would dictate that one would order at the display window, where you can actually see the food, and the menu (the menu is displayed right above the display counter, as well). Currently, orders are taken at the pick-up window in the back and picked up right at the entrance. This causes an incredible amount of unnecessary cross-traffic and crowding, as people picking up their orders have to force themselves through the line of people waiting to order to get their food. If the owner of this restaurant is reading this, please take my advice: move the register to the entrance and have customers pick up their food at the back window. Things will go a lot smoother. The excessive scoville rating of my Chili combined with the layout/atmosphere problems are why I can't give Uncle Cheetah's a five-star rating, but don't let that keep you away.
(4)Joshua S.
This place is amazing, when you walk in you're immediately greeted by whoever is behind the counter offering you samples of the dozen soups available at any one time. They offer Gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan options pretty much all of the time, and the staff knows exactly what's in each soup, which is great for those with food allergies. Much to my surprise the "garage' grilled cheese is probably one of the best sandwiches I've had in quite a long time. This place, for those of you that remember what the Electric Cheetah was like when it opened, it's like that. You walk in and you're treated like you matter, not like you're just another in a countless line of customers to cycle through the restaurant.
(5)Dennis S.
Stopped in while passing through on a business trip. As I contemplated the menu, the chef made a recommendation and I went with it. Jalapeno corn chowder and a Reuben. Soup had a nice flavor, not spicy at all. You gotta love the free samples. Awesome.
(4)Robert D.
We've been coming here for a year. The menu changes with the seasons and the staff has changed but its still one of my favorite places for comfort food. Love the soups and the grilled cheese sandwiches. Love the BBQ and smoke meats this summer too. It's small and can get crowded quickly during lunch. Some people might be turned off by the hole-in-the-wall appearance but that's part of its charm.
(5)Marie U.
Great concept; poor execution. I stopped in on a recent rainy day since I was early to an event in the area. From the outside, this place looked inviting. Inside, it's a different story. The place desperately needs to be redesigned. Everything about the way it's set up impedes traffic flow and makes for an angsty and unpleasant experience. I appreciate that they give samples, especially considering that the prices are high. But then I tried to place my order at the soup counter and was told pretty rudely that I needed to place my order over at a tiny window in a wall. Yes; okay, there is a sign at the window saying "Place orders here" but it's underneath a different flashing neon sign that takes your attention away from the "Place orders here" sign - so it may as well be invisible. I'm sure the workers here are tired of telling people where to order their food - and it shows. But it's not the customer's fault. Design the flow of the restaurant better, and these petty annoyances on both sides will disappear. There's a long counter with stools, which would be a convenient place for single people or people in a hurry to eat if it weren't filled with to-go customers waiting for their food. And waiting. It was like going to the post office: there seemed to be a lot of people there and no work getting done. The layout of the rest of the dining area, aside from the problem with the counter mentioned above, is awful. I love the idea of the bench and long community table. But again, the execution is poor. There are way too many tables crammed in here for it to be comfortable. The second row of tables makes it so that if you're sitting down, you're staring at the backs of all the people ordering / in line. Also, once I claimed a spot I then had to battle a) the people tasting samples, b) the people in line ordering food and c) the people who had ordered and were now waiting to get their food, in order to get my food. The food was delivered in a disposable bowl with a plastic spoon, and no plate for the sandwich even for a dine-in order, which is disappointing. I'm paying enough that I'd like some dignity with my meal, meaning a real bowl and spoon, and an inviting atmosphere to eat it in. The soup was WAY too salty; I knew that, having tasted it, and ordered it anyway because I kind of needed to get in and get out in a hurry and just wanted to order. The sandwich was good, but would have been better on a plate. Sustainable living; I support it! I ask for a ceramic mug at Starbucks if I'm going to stay there, because I like to cut down on waste. So, I implore the owners to redesign the place to improve every aspect of the experience. It wouldn't need to cost much. Just pay attention to the flow and the customer's experience. Probably won't return.
(1)Christopher T.
Great soup and sandwich place. Very creative concoctions with a variety of pairings. They rotate the menu with some regulars to count on. Opening up the overflow seating is quite nice because it can be very busy around lunch time. Fairly quick service and you can sample any soup which is quite helpful when indecision sets in.
(5)Michelle W.
I would give this place a 5 for the soups, but a 2 for service. My husband and I thought it would be a great place to take our kids for lunch after ice skating around 2pm in the afternoon. The shop itself is very small, but there is a decent amount of seating for the space. Though it was consistently busy, we were able to get a seat. They had 12 different soups to offer, and a wide variety among flavors. We ordered a creamy potato soup, cabbage/kraut sausage soup, and a creamy curry based soup with rice, sweet potatoes and steak (Caliou?). All 3 were delicious, but the Caliou was by far was our favorite, with it having just enough spice, tender meat, and smooth creamy consistency. We also ordered 2 of their grilled cheese sandwiches and 3 molasses cookies. Service: The 1 cook behind the counter seemed over whelmed. The cashier came to assist her a couple of times, but I didn't get the impression that she really wanted to help. Since there were such a variety to choose from, I asked about 3 different types. At no point did the cashier inform me that you could sample soups. Another customer came in after we had ordered and had a few questions as well. Right away the cashier told her about sampling soup. Just a little disappointing that I wasn't told about that option. When my husband asked about getting a grilled cheese sandwich with out the 3 different types of cheese on it (he just wanted the base cheddar it comes with), the cashier seemed like this was some sort of inconvenience. Not sure why that was a problem, but it just set the mood. I didn't mind the wait (again, there were always people coming and going), but the lady who ordered behind us was upset because it was taking so long. She was on her lunch break and just wanted a bowl of soup. At one point she finally made her impatience clear (I think that with the amount of time she had to wait, she was justified), and finally got her lunch. I felt like the cook was a little rude to her, even though the lady had been pretty patient up to a point. Overall, I felt like the people working there were just inconvenienced by having customers, which is a bummer because other reviews I have read seem to say the opposite of this. I had really been looking forward to checking this soup shop out, but their bad moods just made the whole experience irritating. Honestly, this is a unique place to check out, but with so many other options in in just that section of town, I would choose somewhere else just based on service.
(2)Craig S.
$6 for an awesome cup of home made soup and a big hunk of locally baked bread. Staff is friendly and happy to let you try the soups to make sure you order one you like. Like them on Facebook to get daily updates on the soup du jour.
(4)Apryl C.
As great as the soup is, I go here for the grilled cheese. :) Great bread and great cheese, grilled on a sandwich press. Sometimes the simple things in life are the best. Yummy! The soup is great too. I really like that they post the soups that are available on Facebook every day and there is a wonderful variety of soups. Something for everyone. I have loved the cream of vegetable and seafood bisque. In the summer they have wonderful ice cream like carrot cake and vanilla bean twist. So good.
(5)Ashley M.
1.Come here 2. Sample soup until you find your favorite 3. Eat soup with a pretzel roll ...and it will have been the best decision you've made in a long while. I seriously come here at least once a week. They always have 12 soups every day and rotate flavors. They post their soup menu updates on Facebook every day also, which is perfect for a soup fiend like myself to stalk when their favorite variety is available. Uncle Cheetah's staff is always extremely friendly and asks if you have questions. You're also able to sample whichever kind of soup you'd like before ordering. They have a grilled cheese sandwich menu and a summer menu including tacos/burritos/nachos. Everything here is delicious. There are always at least 2-3 vegan and vegetarian options available!
(5)Kathleen T.
12 daily home made soups, picked from a 64 recipe rotation! How can you go wrong? This place is super cute and the food, oh my, it is beyond tasty. They even have gluten free, vegan and vegetarian soups and sandwiches. Oh and the list of gourmet grilled cheese will knock your socks off. It is a very laid back good vibe environment, so if you are an uptight impatient person well the service here will not be for you. They take their time and let you try as many of the soups as your heart desires. So if you need a little soul warming with soup lime grandma makes this is your place!
(5)Jason B.
If I could give this place 6 out of 5 stars I would. I am so in love with everything they have to offer. I'm from the Chicago area and spend a lot of time in Grand Rapids visiting my in-laws. What's also great is that not all of their soups are potato based because I'm off carbs for now, crazy I know, but I've lost 50 pounds. This place is like a warm hug full of soup and I will be returning often. The staff is also super friendly and helpful. So, do yourself a favor and visit this place. Everyone from little kids to older folks can enjoy great soup. Update: manners are free right? This place isn't the Soup Nazi's place from Seinfeld, right? I just don't get it. Seriously, the guy with the dark hair and beard had a real attitude problem. I went in one day and had a rather rude and short experience with Trevor (I believe that's his name), wrote it off as he was was having a bad day. It happens to everyone. However, I went in a second time and again and a third and I get a lot of attitude and he acts like he's doing me a favor by letting me purchase his soup. I was going to this place two and three times a week because of the location and quality of soup. Now. No thanks. I'm done. I'd give it one-star, but the soup is still good.
(2)Sam K.
The soup will bring warmth, comfort, and happiness to you. I was told they have over a few hundred soup recipes but have 12 available each day. They will encourage you to sample some soups. Narrow down your choices to 2-3 and then ask for them. Anymore and your indecision will not flee from you. I found that a 12oz of a thick, hearty, creamy soup with a half sandwich is very filling. However, if you're very hungry, go for the 16oz, but I would get something brothy. Just remember, if you get a sandwich the order will take longer since they make each to order. Don't forget to check out the little chalkboard near the register, too! They usually have a special item worth looking into. Also, it's a small place but typically there is a nice turn around so by the time you order and your food is ready a spot will open up at the bar or a table. The Soup-Masters and Soup-Mistresses are very friendly and knowledgeable about their soups and sandwiches. Brace yourself, ask for a sample, and taste goodness and comfort in a soup.
(5)John P.
They keep coming up with these incredible soups. Had the beef brisket & bean this evening. It was excellent! Subtle smoke backdrop from the brisket brought it all together. Fresh baked roll, root beer, chicken wing special with Thai sauce made it great.
(5)Aaron H.
As one of my friends would say: "This is so good, i wanna punch myself in the face". This place is definitely self-face-punchable. One of my favorite types of culinary discoveries is a little hole in the wall that just blows you away with the food. This is such a place. I ordered the seafood bisque which was the best bisque I've tasted since regularly visiting Boston, and my wife ordered a "wimpy wellington" (I have no idea what exactly it was,but it was great). She had a sandwich that was boursin cheese and raspberry with a few other things and I had a pork slider with pickles and a cabbage and corn slaw. Everything was delicious. We also sampled numerous soups and were blown away by all of them (ginger carrot anyone?). The menu is unique, diverse, and the prices are very fair. You have choices of soup size and can even get half sandwiches which are plenty large. The inside is very small, so that can get a bit uncomfortable when the tables are full and people are milling about waiting for their food. They seem to try their best to streamline the ordering/pickup process without sacrificing food quality or their general good nature. Absolutely love it. Hope I get to punch myself in the face again soon.
(5)Lorraine F.
Phenomenal! I got the Pig Newton sandwich and I'm officially in love! They have a huge selection of soups and sandwiches. Trevor (the cook) was extremely helpful and knew what my husband and I would enjoy. Definitely coming back!
(5)Trent M.
Delicious sandwiches and savory hot soup proved a welcome relief from the frigid winter weather. I ordered the pulled pork sliders, which were much bigger than usual "sliders." Accompanied by the tasty sweet potato black bean soup, the meal was filling and very satisfying. I was surprised to wait in line at 4:30 in the afternoon. It's a small place with about 6 tables and small bar. A good place for lunch or a quick hot dinner. Food: A Service: A- Atmosphere: A-
(4)David F.
Some of the greatest soup I have ever eaten! The brainchild of Cory DeMint, owner of the sensational Electric Cheetah and the new project opening soon in Alger Heights, this soup shop was initially intended as a hangout for local foodies (with an Asian theme - it was called Electric Eel and had the best fruishi I've ever eaten), it has since become a destination for anyone who appreciates good soup. Start by sampling any of the soups on the menu before you make your final decision, add some deliciously sweet challah bread or a fresh pretzel roll, or mix it up by going with a phenomenal grilled cheese like nothing you have ever eaten before. I highly recommend the soup which bears the name I had the honor to have selected for it - A cheeseburger inspired beef and cheddar soup called "The J. Wellington Whimpy." Regardless of your choice, I promise you won't be disappointed.
(5)Ruth M.
Hubby and I stopped in for soup twice in the last month and we're delighted by the delicious soups we had. It's so nice to be able to taste a sample before ordering. The service was quick, even though the line looked long, and the employees were very patient in answering questions that they probably get asked all day long. No "soup nazi" here. Thank you Uncle Cheetah staff! We will return soon!
(5)George W.
I called today to place a to go order. The young man who answered informed me, "I'm sorry, we do not take orders over the phone". What kind of sandwich shop doesn't do orders to go? Thanks anyways, I'll call Jimmy John's. That way, I won't have to walk down to your restaurant and inconvenience you with my petty requests.
(1)Todd K.
Had to drop my rating since lately I've gotten several burnt sandwiches, food missing from my order, and long waits for my order to be filled. Lately, it seems like their service has been getting lax.
(3)Marc L.
Well I decided to give this place another try this week on one of these cold blustery evenings when soup just sounded good and I was hoping for something better than I could pull out of the cupboard. I tasted three soups and all were acceptable, mild in flavoring and I would unfortunately have to say maybe a smidge better than Campbell's but again I cant change my prior review and have to acknowledge that soup shop is certainly not what they used to be in terms of sophisticated complex well-developed flavors... Now it's just a disappointment I guess. I got a wrap as well that was okay and I only did that because friends who go there tell me how greasy the other sandwiches are. Sadly I'll give it probably another six months or year and then go back and hope that things have changed. After this visit I can't say they have.
(2)Dana V.
As many samples as you'd like! Go for the soup sampler-3 different kinds for $10!
(5)Tom S.
The best soup around period. Amazing selection. Reasonable prices. Very cozy. The only downside is long waits.
(5)Elyse A.
My husband and I stopped in for our first time on Labor Day. I have been following them on facebook for a while and have been dying to try their soups! I ordered the pumpkin chorizo (because the lobster bisque was out) & my husband got the roasted red pepper after sampling a few others. Both were AMAZING. I have been craving the pumpkin ever since! We also shared a Smoke Signal grilled cheese. Super delish, super HOT! the Jalapenos were pretty spicy. The staff was super friendly and the place was small but cute. I would highly recommended this place and already have a few times! We will be back!
(5)Andy O.
We had the the garage sale and pig newton sandwiches. we had the turkey dinner, jalapeño corn chowder and the bean and bacon soups. The pig newton was quite good, the garage sale was good also but very cheesy. However, that is what the sandwich is all about, but just be forewarned. Our 8 year old boy didn't care for it. The corn chowder soup was pretty good, the bean soup too salty and the turkey dinner soup too sweet. All in all, the selections were in entice but maybe a bit overdone on spices. We would try it again but try different things. Service was good and a funky atmosphere. A bit pricey.
(3)Erin E.
I have been wanting to come here for quite some time and finally went this evening. I gotta say, I was pretty disappointed. The service is nice enough and maybe I should try other items before writing them off completely. But, the soup was not at all what I thought it would be! I tried three different soups and wasn't fond of the two but the broth for the Wisconsin cheddar was good so I decided on that. When I got the soup I was not happy at all. The veggies were not cooked down enough. The potato was wayyy to hard for soup. It needed about another 30 min to get the softness a soup needs to make it yummy. And overall, the soup was bland. As was the other two I tried. I most likely will go back and try one of their sandwiches or perhaps one of their salads but honestly I don't think I will be back for a 7 dollar bowl of ok soup anytime soon.
(3)Kyle T.
Very good variety of soups and grilled cheese sandwiches. All of the soups I tried were excellent. The atmosphere was nice, but I think it is intended to be more of a take out restaurant than a sit in. There were only a few seats and no bathroom. If you are looking for some great soups I would check this place out. Try the Ruben, it was awesome.
(4)Meredith E.
Really really good soup! My friend and I stopped in for dinner last night because soup sounded good after a cold rainy day (and also who can resist the name of this place?). We both had the chicken noodle soup and it was delicious! Perfectly seasoned and great chicken flavor for the broth. The noodle were obviously made at the restaurant and were like little spaetzle, very tender and good. There were real chunks of chicken and slices of carrots, onions, and celery. All were tender and very good. The people next to us had sandwiches which looked very good and different soups that made me want to try the other flavors. I will definitely be going back!
(5)Emily W.
You can sample as many soups as you want and they're all delicious! I had the "old goat" grilled cheese, which was also delicious.
(5)Elle M.
The old goat grilled cheese is probably one of the best things I've ever eaten but the customer service was horrible! The employees were rude and acted as though customer service wasn't important.
(3)Erika W.
5 stars for the food and service. 3 for the set-up and ordering procedure. At first I walked in to the eating area. I soon figured out that I needed to go a couple doors down to get my food. I couldn't believe that they have a completely unattended bathroom. I just moved from San Francisco and that would never work over there. There would be stinky vagrants shooting up in that bathroom in no time! Anyhow, I'm glad that I've now moved to a place where that's not such a problem. So I went over to the other part to order food. It's a little weird with the bar to the side and the bartenders/cooks getting soup samples for people. Then you order at a window and then stand around waiting for your order. I got my stuff take-out because the place was full and I could see I was going to have to go back over to the eating area to eat. I don't know if they will let you take dishes over to the other spot, but I don't like using unnecessary take-out supplies. I got the pumpkin chorizo soup which was fantastic. It came with a bun. The price was okay. A dollar cheaper and they would have my undying loyalty. They also have a good selection of fancy soda pop which I like. Anyhow, the food is great, but I am thinking the split-building thing is going to cause them nothing but problems. I hope they figure some way to improve that.
(4)Wade S.
The soup is fresh from scratch daily and amazing!! I would go again right now if I could! Doesn't get better than this! I have about five favorites!
(5)Gabriela G.
You can sample all the soups you like. They are not stingy, like many frozen yogurt spots where you get to sample just one or two flavors, here they even let you sample the meat of the day. They obviously love what they are making and almost want everyone to experience it! Same owner as the Electric Cheetah, though a lot less pretentious. The inside is small, almost looks like a mini church basement with benches and communal tables. All orders are served to go, even if you chose to eat it there. Salads are served in plastic containers and soups in paper to go cups. This made me feel a bit rushed, like they were almost kicking me out, but i think it's just part of their style. More than 10 soup varieties, though only one was vegan. Quite a few vegetarian options if you don't mind heavy creams. Prices are fair. For a bowl of soup, a small salad and a soda: $16 WARNING: YUK for the salad dressings. While everything else is delicious and gourmet, the salad dressings are disgusting! like squirting ketchup on your salad or really chunky, super processed mayo dressings. GROSS! Luckily dressings always come on the side and you can chose how much of it, if any, you want to add to spoil your salad! Otherwise, salads were good. Plenty of fresh ingredients all thrown together chaotically into a plastic container. Specials look scrumptious: today's special: salmon tacos! I wasn't too hungry so i opted out of the special and went for soup and salad instead, but i did sit there a while contemplating if i had made the right decision since that salmon looked so juicy in all the right ways. They also had ham tacos as another special; now i don't eat ham and seldom eat pork but hearing the description of these tacos made me wish i was a fan of the oinksters! Cooked ham on the bone in sauce made my salivary glands water and my imagination run wild! Though same owner as Electric Cheetah, i'd much rather eat here again than the restaurant. Better food, slightly better prices (though not really), and a lot less pretentious and easy-going.
(4)Coryn R.
Best place for soup and salad in town. Cozy and laid back atmosphere, my only complaint is the limited seating but otherwise kudos to you guys!
(5)David S.
fantastic food, service and ambiance! lunch and winter spot. huge soup to-go is great for the week.
(5)Mark R.
Best soup place I've been to. Grilled cheese is delicious.... forgot which one I got. Tomato basil mozzarella one... definitely recommend. Samples of soup available.
(5)Carrie G.
About the only thing I truly miss about moving three hours away from GR is that I can no longer stop here a couple times a week. They always have amazing food! My favorite place to eat. I love their soups, their tacos, and most of all, their caramel malts. Yep you heard right. Caramel malt. They are A-mazing! A treat for the taste buds. Worth every penny! If you are thinking of stopping here, do it! But don't leave without a malt. You will thank me for this. :)
(5)Matt J.
Great soup, great food. Literally one of the slowest restaurants in GR though. If you dare come during the lunch hour expect a 30 minute wait to have them fill a container of soup for you. After a 15-20 minute wait to order. Also regularly mess up any customizations. But after the wait, and if your order is correct - it's really awesome. Fresh unique soups and salads. You can try something awesome and different every day. The grilled cheeses are usually very good as well. Simple and near perfect. Our office usually hits them up at least once a week, sometimes much more. Have to plan our timing accordingly though.
(3)Rene' J.
Having my Birthday lunch at my favorite Uncles! I love to choose from the fabulous soup selection and the sandwiches are delicious ! Fresh food in a casual comfortable place.
(5)Sara C.
We ducked into this little shop last Tuesday night seeking comfort food, and were not disappointed! On a cold night, this place is sooooo cozy with its steamed-up windows and delicious smells. At first we were confused about where to order - we had to order from the window in the back, not from the people working at the counter - but we figured it out eventually. They had like 10 different soups, and about half of them were vegan and/or gluten-free. The let you sample the soups, which is such a gift to the indecisive! :) We tried the Roasted Red Pepper soup and the Reuben soup. We also shared an amazing gourmet grilled cheese. I'm already thinking about what I'll order next time!
(4)Janna S.
I came here due to rave reviews. Oh boy, the soups that I've ordered was sooo salty and super sour! No flavors whatsoever. I mean, I love soups!! Any kinds of soup! But the soup that I had.. not so good.
(3)Jeff K.
This place has many soup and it is good soup and you should eat the soup! SOUP (a bit for grilled cheese and a cuppa soup, but is good) (did I mention the soup)
(5)Katie C.
Alright. Comin' out of the woodwork to write this one. It won't be short and it won't be sweet: It's a nasty night. I'm not feeling great, hubby's trying to please me. Instead of a sit-down dinner, I suggest we try Uncle Cheetah's, since we've been to the Electric Cheetah and we liked it. We walk into the shop, about 7pm, and check out the board. At first it's not really clear how you order there--the person behind the counter seems to be the one you talk to, but then you realize there's a little hole in the wall to make your order at. We ask the soup counter gal for some samples, but 6 of the 12 soups listed for the day are no longer available. Umm, okay, cool. I decide on chicken noodle with spaetzle, hoping that this lack of choice will somehow be redeemed. Hubby gets some kind of scotch creamy chicken. We head over to order through the hole in the wall, and ask the gal sitting there how big the sandwiches are--specifically, if soup and a whole sandwich will be filling enough for dinner. She gives us a hand-approximation ("they're THIS big") of the size of the sandwiches, so I order a half, not being as hungry, and dude orders a whole, in addition to two small soups, and a diet root beer for me. Total? $27! Okay, so these sandwiches better be frickin' super. We get home, unwrap our respective grilled cheeses, and I kid you not, my husband's "whole" sandwich...is the size of my palm. Are you KIDDING me? $10 for a tiny ass "fancy" grilled cheese that not only is crazy small, but the bread is burnt black and the thing is dripping in grease?!? My "half" sandwich is a joke--perhaps because I could have eaten the entire thing in 2 bites, and I've got the burnt, greasy thing going on mine, too. At least my 2-biter was only $3 as opposed to 10. The soup? Meh. It was fine, definitely nothing special. But if you're a soup shop and you're open for dinner, maybe you should plan on making more soup? And if you sell grilled cheese sandwiches, maybe you could make them larger than the palm of my hand? Maybe we would be so hungry after just spending twenty-seven-fricking dollars on what was supposed to be our only dinner of the night? Geez. Rant? Over. Uncle Cheetah's again? No thanks.
(2)Lindsey T.
Amazing soups, sandwiches and wraps! Often busy during peak lunch and dinner times, however their staff always seems to handle it well and gets the orders out quickly! Daily soup menu can be found on their Facebook page and they're proficient at updating it throughout the day as soups sell out. Highly recommend!
(5)Joshua S.
This place is amazing, when you walk in you're immediately greeted by whoever is behind the counter offering you samples of the dozen soups available at any one time. They offer Gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan options pretty much all of the time, and the staff knows exactly what's in each soup, which is great for those with food allergies. Much to my surprise the "garage' grilled cheese is probably one of the best sandwiches I've had in quite a long time. This place, for those of you that remember what the Electric Cheetah was like when it opened, it's like that. You walk in and you're treated like you matter, not like you're just another in a countless line of customers to cycle through the restaurant.
(5)Brian S.
Uncle Cheetah's Soup Shop is an aptly-named lunch counter in the heart of Eastown, across from the Wealthy Theater and a few blocks down the street from its sister restaurant: the Electric Cheetah. It was once the home of the ill-fated Electric Eel, a noodle stand, but business has clearly benefited from the change of format. The atmosphere of Uncle Cheetah's can only be described as chaotic. The dining space inside is small, and patrons are typically packed in like sardines. There's very little room to move about, and there is no public restroom that I could see (isn't that illegal?). When I ate there, the back of my head was literally 1/2 an inch from the posterior of another patron standing in line. Long story short, it's crowded. Very, very, very, very crowded. If you value your personal space, get a to-go order, or sit outside in the back. The menu features the restaurants namesake: soup. With recipes ranging from the exotic to the familiar, most of the soups are either vegan, gluten-free, or both. In addition, there are a number of gourmet grilled-cheese sandwiches available (including chicken sliders on pretzel buns when I was there). Uncle Cheetah's doesn't seem that expensive at first. Soups range from $5 for a 12 oz cup to $11 for a 32 oz banquet-size container. All soups come with a bread roll as well. The soups are hearty and filling, so a 12 oz. is enough for most appetites. But add in drinks, sandwiches, and other goodies and you could end up hitting your bank account for $20-$30 if you bring a date. I only have one complaint about the soup. I had the white chicken chili, and it was way too spicy. I like spice in my food, but it really bugs me when people get into this mode where they make food spicy simply for the sake of it being spicy. I understand that chili should have a kick to it, but not so much that the only flavor my palette can detect is the inordinate amount of pepper in it. I tried my wife's curry soup, and it was much, much better. Less spicy, but more flavorful. I can't really say if this was a one-time occurrence or a problem with that recipe, but hey, that's my experience. My final criticism is the clumsy layout. When you walk in, there is a display counter to the right, and a pick-up window straight in front of you on the back wall. Now, logic would dictate that one would order at the display window, where you can actually see the food, and the menu (the menu is displayed right above the display counter, as well). Currently, orders are taken at the pick-up window in the back and picked up right at the entrance. This causes an incredible amount of unnecessary cross-traffic and crowding, as people picking up their orders have to force themselves through the line of people waiting to order to get their food. If the owner of this restaurant is reading this, please take my advice: move the register to the entrance and have customers pick up their food at the back window. Things will go a lot smoother. The excessive scoville rating of my Chili combined with the layout/atmosphere problems are why I can't give Uncle Cheetah's a five-star rating, but don't let that keep you away.
(4)Marie U.
Great concept; poor execution. I stopped in on a recent rainy day since I was early to an event in the area. From the outside, this place looked inviting. Inside, it's a different story. The place desperately needs to be redesigned. Everything about the way it's set up impedes traffic flow and makes for an angsty and unpleasant experience. I appreciate that they give samples, especially considering that the prices are high. But then I tried to place my order at the soup counter and was told pretty rudely that I needed to place my order over at a tiny window in a wall. Yes; okay, there is a sign at the window saying "Place orders here" but it's underneath a different flashing neon sign that takes your attention away from the "Place orders here" sign - so it may as well be invisible. I'm sure the workers here are tired of telling people where to order their food - and it shows. But it's not the customer's fault. Design the flow of the restaurant better, and these petty annoyances on both sides will disappear. There's a long counter with stools, which would be a convenient place for single people or people in a hurry to eat if it weren't filled with to-go customers waiting for their food. And waiting. It was like going to the post office: there seemed to be a lot of people there and no work getting done. The layout of the rest of the dining area, aside from the problem with the counter mentioned above, is awful. I love the idea of the bench and long community table. But again, the execution is poor. There are way too many tables crammed in here for it to be comfortable. The second row of tables makes it so that if you're sitting down, you're staring at the backs of all the people ordering / in line. Also, once I claimed a spot I then had to battle a) the people tasting samples, b) the people in line ordering food and c) the people who had ordered and were now waiting to get their food, in order to get my food. The food was delivered in a disposable bowl with a plastic spoon, and no plate for the sandwich even for a dine-in order, which is disappointing. I'm paying enough that I'd like some dignity with my meal, meaning a real bowl and spoon, and an inviting atmosphere to eat it in. The soup was WAY too salty; I knew that, having tasted it, and ordered it anyway because I kind of needed to get in and get out in a hurry and just wanted to order. The sandwich was good, but would have been better on a plate. Sustainable living; I support it! I ask for a ceramic mug at Starbucks if I'm going to stay there, because I like to cut down on waste. So, I implore the owners to redesign the place to improve every aspect of the experience. It wouldn't need to cost much. Just pay attention to the flow and the customer's experience. Probably won't return.
(1)Christopher T.
Great soup and sandwich place. Very creative concoctions with a variety of pairings. They rotate the menu with some regulars to count on. Opening up the overflow seating is quite nice because it can be very busy around lunch time. Fairly quick service and you can sample any soup which is quite helpful when indecision sets in.
(5)Ric D.
Second visit to Uncle Cheetah's, and I'm blown away! What's so good, you ask? A, 100% scratch-made soups, at least a dozen daily. That seems like a lot, but decision-making is simplified by being able to get a taste before you order. 2, 10 grilled cheese sandwiches (half or whole) many with the house boursin cheese. And choice of breads. Gamma, C, do you need more? First time I tried the classic grilled cheese (The Old Goat, white cheddar, goat cream cheese, fresh mozzarella, fresh rosemary, sea salt, and EVOO, on multigrain bread) and tomato soup (Tomato Saffron). Wow! They combined beautifully, childhood lunch on steroids! Today I had the Green Chili Chicken sandwich: char-grilled chicken, house Boursin cheese, fresh mozz, and charred green chili chutney on sourdough. For soup I chose the sweet potato and butternut squash, which was very good, sweet, savory, and satisfying. The sandwich again took things to another level. The crunchy sourdough easily held its own with the creamy mozz, the bright boursin, and the sweet and spicy chutney to bring it all together. The only thing I will do differently the next time I order it (and there will definitely be a next time) is to pair it with one of the salads, as the soup choice was a little too sweet to complement it well. But that soup will be sure calling my name on a cold, rainy fall day!
(5)Reid G.
A wrap and soup isn't normally my idea of a great lunch, until I discovered UCSS. Now it might be my ideal lunch. There are plenty of daily specials keeping things interesting, so you don't have to munch on the same thing everyday. I really can't think of a negative thing to say about this place. Go here - a lot.
(5)Dennis S.
Stopped in while passing through on a business trip. As I contemplated the menu, the chef made a recommendation and I went with it. Jalapeno corn chowder and a Reuben. Soup had a nice flavor, not spicy at all. You gotta love the free samples. Awesome.
(4)Robert D.
We've been coming here for a year. The menu changes with the seasons and the staff has changed but its still one of my favorite places for comfort food. Love the soups and the grilled cheese sandwiches. Love the BBQ and smoke meats this summer too. It's small and can get crowded quickly during lunch. Some people might be turned off by the hole-in-the-wall appearance but that's part of its charm.
(5)Ven R.
Really fresh soups with a lot of variety to choose from for vegetarians like me. If you are overwhelmed with a names and offerings of soup, you can sample them before you place your order. Their roasted red-pepper soup is one of the best i have tasted. The grilled sandwich and $5 sundaes are good too. All in all, if you are soup and sandwich lover, this place is a must visit!
(4)Lisa P.
We LOVE Uncle Cheetahs Soup Shop! They are masters of great soups-- with new unexpected flavors. Sample some before you buy. It'll be hard to choose just one. Great sandwiches and amazing ice cream creations! Inexpensive! And...take home large family sizes! We get two or three different ones to try at home. Great meal conversations with the kids. Very affordable for very high quality!
(5)Michelle W.
I would give this place a 5 for the soups, but a 2 for service. My husband and I thought it would be a great place to take our kids for lunch after ice skating around 2pm in the afternoon. The shop itself is very small, but there is a decent amount of seating for the space. Though it was consistently busy, we were able to get a seat. They had 12 different soups to offer, and a wide variety among flavors. We ordered a creamy potato soup, cabbage/kraut sausage soup, and a creamy curry based soup with rice, sweet potatoes and steak (Caliou?). All 3 were delicious, but the Caliou was by far was our favorite, with it having just enough spice, tender meat, and smooth creamy consistency. We also ordered 2 of their grilled cheese sandwiches and 3 molasses cookies. Service: The 1 cook behind the counter seemed over whelmed. The cashier came to assist her a couple of times, but I didn't get the impression that she really wanted to help. Since there were such a variety to choose from, I asked about 3 different types. At no point did the cashier inform me that you could sample soups. Another customer came in after we had ordered and had a few questions as well. Right away the cashier told her about sampling soup. Just a little disappointing that I wasn't told about that option. When my husband asked about getting a grilled cheese sandwich with out the 3 different types of cheese on it (he just wanted the base cheddar it comes with), the cashier seemed like this was some sort of inconvenience. Not sure why that was a problem, but it just set the mood. I didn't mind the wait (again, there were always people coming and going), but the lady who ordered behind us was upset because it was taking so long. She was on her lunch break and just wanted a bowl of soup. At one point she finally made her impatience clear (I think that with the amount of time she had to wait, she was justified), and finally got her lunch. I felt like the cook was a little rude to her, even though the lady had been pretty patient up to a point. Overall, I felt like the people working there were just inconvenienced by having customers, which is a bummer because other reviews I have read seem to say the opposite of this. I had really been looking forward to checking this soup shop out, but their bad moods just made the whole experience irritating. Honestly, this is a unique place to check out, but with so many other options in in just that section of town, I would choose somewhere else just based on service.
(2)Paul N.
Isn't the key to success supposed to be: Find out what you do really well and keep doing it! Instead of thickening broth with a grease and flour emulsion, Uncle Cheetah makes REAL soup from REAL ingredients. Favs so far: Greek Lemon with Wilted Spinach and Rice Tomatillo Soup w. Pico de Gallo Jalapeno Corn Chowder Sweet Potato Black Bean Potato Goat Cheese Mulligatawny Enjoy.
(5)Amanda L.
They offer a wide variety of fresh, home-made soups in a wonderful, homey little shop. I especially like that they offer at least one vegetarian and/or gluten free option and although I'm not on either of these diets, I like trying these options as something new. They offer quite a large serving of soup so you may find you have some left over for a snack or a meal later. I highly recommend their grilled cheese sandwich too. It's a "adult" version with goat cheese and this amazing pesto. I always get a small cup of soup and a sandwich on the side and I'm stuffed by the end of the meal. My only complaint is that they serve the soup in paper to-go bowls. This may be helpful for them since some of their customers get their meals to go, however, I worry about the trash that all the paper bowls creates- It would be great if they offered a greener serving method.
(4)Jessica P.
I LOVE this restaurant. For me it's worth the $ for the occasional stop but don't get me wrong, I've been here many, many times. It's hard for me to say anything bad about this place because their food is so good.
(5)Cassi S.
First off, this is a tiny place with a fast pace "to go" feel. However the staff there were perfection, the soups amazing and the pretzel rolls oh so good. Two happy, bubbly young men greeted us when we walked in, they asked if we would like to try any soup and they were exited to share their favorites. They encourage you to try what ever soup you want and were all smiles and fun. They have a great selection of vegetarian and some gluten free soup (all great btw). Loved this place and will be back!!
(5)Jori S.
The soup selection is broad and some are quite tasty (like Big Country), while others are kind of weird or meh (like Roasted Red Pepper). This place is pretty overpriced for what you get. $7 for a fairly small soup and crackers was a bit high imo. The place had really cramped quarters so it's not very good for groups. I honestly don't plan on ever going back to Uncle Cheetah's Soup Shop, although their sister restaurant the Electric Cheetah is the best!!!
(2)Craig S.
$6 for an awesome cup of home made soup and a big hunk of locally baked bread. Staff is friendly and happy to let you try the soups to make sure you order one you like. Like them on Facebook to get daily updates on the soup du jour.
(4)Apryl C.
As great as the soup is, I go here for the grilled cheese. :) Great bread and great cheese, grilled on a sandwich press. Sometimes the simple things in life are the best. Yummy! The soup is great too. I really like that they post the soups that are available on Facebook every day and there is a wonderful variety of soups. Something for everyone. I have loved the cream of vegetable and seafood bisque. In the summer they have wonderful ice cream like carrot cake and vanilla bean twist. So good.
(5)Lauren C.
Thanks yelpers for an awesome recommendation! We discovered this little gem on a road trip through Michigan, and liked it so much, we drove almost 2 hours back to Grand Rapids to visit it's sister shop, The Electric Cheetah. Tasty soups, explicitly labeled gluten-free.... I was in heaven! I had the seafood chowder which was rich and flavorful, with a side of the Ka-Kaw-Ka-Kaw! salad (many of the menu items come from Arrested Development references... bonus!!), which was one of the best salads I've had in awhile. But yet again, every Michigan salad I had on our trip (3 or so?) was the best salad I ever had. They really like their greens up there! Anyway, they have a full, extensive ice cream menu as well. Weird, right?! A soup shop with ice cream?? Yes, Michigan is rife with salads and ice cream shops. They know what's up up there. Definitely recommend this place. If you're up for salads, soup, sandwiches, or ice cream, you need to check it out. Gluten free friends: The only trouble I had with this place is that while the soups are listed as GF, the ice cream and salads are not. So... eat those items at your own risk? Or hope that the servers know what's in the dishes.
(5)Amy B.
Finally! After hearing so many positives about this newer lunch spot we made it! Place was hoppin @ lunchtime today! My husband and I landed around noon and by 12:15 we were lovingly slurping our choices. I had the Rueben soup and a grilled cheese with chicken salad sandwich on yummy crunchy multigrain bread. The bread is 2/3 of a sandwich so for a sandwich to be worthy the bread has to be good- this bread is EXCELLENT! (Comes from the Nantucket bakery next to Martha's Vineyard) My soup was also a winter hit. Warm, smooth and interesting. Carrots, celery, saurkraut, corned beef and swiss cheese = comfort food on a dreary day. Highly recommend this new to me spot. 12 soups daily a handful of sandwich choices and a cozy storefront. Check it out the next time you want to warm up.
(4)Michael W.
The absolute soup and sandwich standard.
(5)Alice G.
I can't say enough positive things about the soup shop. The selection of soups are amazing. When you walk in the staff always is offering soup samples, which makes it so great to try different flavors of the soup. My personal favorites are the Pumpkin Chorizo and the Butternut Squash Bisque. The sandwichs are perfet to go with the soups, the favorite sandwich is the garage sale and is a grilled cheese with all their cheeses One word - AMAZING!! If you go at noon, it is very busy, so be prepared as the space is smaller. I would go everyday if I could.
(5)Cherry S.
process. "is that order for here or to go?" it doesn't matter, actually, because whether you dine in or not, you will get it in plastic containers, with plastic silverware (even if your order doesn't require it.) for a neighborhood that is trying to be progressive, this one is a let down. and if you care, you should take your plastic home with you because when we asked the server, she said, "sorry, we don't have a way to do that right now". i came last year, and nothing had changed...which means they are not exactly looking to change their system anytime soon. food. it's good. and i've been there a few times, and so had the friends with me. and they have malts and ice cream on the menu now, which would make it a fun destination for a summer bike ride because it's close to so many other shops. but the food is not anything memorable. by that i mean i've had better...and you do have choices along the street to pick from. so i' wouldn't go back there intentionally. service. okay. don't come here if you are in a hurry. the last two times i was there the orders took forever. and they weren't busy! i was asked if i wanted my food to go twice! (i'm hoping that was just a bad day, and the girl was training, and her supervisor was new to helping behind the counter.) and so was the person after me. and to be honest, not that friendly. the vibe gives it that down-to-earth feel, even the cramped-ness of the room, and the shared tables is european style...but the folks behind the counter have a "too cool for school" air.
(2)Kylie H.
I love this soup shop! Last winter my friends and I called almost everyday to see if they had the beef stroganoff soup, our favorite, and even on days when they didn't I would still go in to try something else. The staff is always extremely friendly and helpful, recommending their favorite soups, telling you the ingredients, and offering samples so choosing what soup to get is easier, except deciding on just one is the tough part. Definitely one of my favorite go to places on a cold day!
(5)rachel f.
Great soup. Just really great soup!
(5)Eric S.
Good soup place. I've been there twice in the last two weeks. They have a variety of soups, and will let you try a sample of any of them. You get a 16 oz soup (with roll) for $6 ($7 for the premium soups). Not a bad price for the quality of the ingredients. It's a small place, so getting take-out is suggested.
(3)Derek Z.
Really damn good soup. They have twelve soups daily and the list will rotate frequently. They post this menu online as well. electriccheetah.com/uncl… On that site, it also shows the local businesses they themselves use, as well. The service was very friendly and after i stared at the menu, the young lady asked if i wanted to sample any of the soups. Some of the soups that caught my eye were saffron tomato bisque and sweet black bean chili, but i sampled their Reuben soup and then tried the stroganoff soup. Before pouring the sample of the stroganoff soup she explained how when you order a portion of the soup they add the egg noodles then, so that way they still have the proper texture. Loved that. They clearly think about how to deliver the best product to the customer. No mushy egg noodles here. I chose the medium stroganoff, and a half of a grilled cheese with white cheddar and goat cheese, drizzled with olive oil, sea salt and herbs on dill bread. My lunch clocked in at about eleven dollars in total. The whole grilled cheese is $6, half $3. The soups--12 oz=$5, 16 oz=$7, 32 oz=$11. All the soups are made from scratch and the variety of breads were good as well. There are also tons of options for vegans, vegetarians and gluten-free; but, who cares about them...
(5)Kelly H.
12 soups all the time (some seem to be standards that are there all the time, while others seem to change more often), plus salads, grilled cheese, and some homemade desserts & ice cream. They frequently offer some soups that are dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegetarian (sometimes vegan) too. They post the daily soups on their Facebook page, but don't be surprised if it doesn't match completely with what's available when you get there, as the menu changes as they sell out. On our first visit, I had a cup of the squash soup, which was perfect for a fall day. My boyfriend had the lobster bisque in a bread bowl. They serve the cup of soup separately from the bread bowl, since the bread bowls don't hold much soup - so while a little strange at first, I appreciated their logic. My boyfriend's not a huge soup fan, so I didn't expect much from his response, but he really seemed to enjoy it and now looks forward to going back to get the lobster bisque. Typical to some of their other restaurants, service ranged from wonderfully helpful & friendly to not so much... Definitely recommend checking it out.
(4)K J.
One of our newest favorites! We've been in at least three times in the two weeks since UC's opened. Never been disappointed! Great variety, good value, friendly fast service. Even some gluten-free and vegetarian (and vegan?) options. Love.
(5)Jordan O.
Rude Staff - sorry uncle cheetah.
(2)Amanda V.
best soup I've ever had! the staff is always incredibly nice. honestly one of the best restaurants in grand rapids.
(5)Christian B.
Twelve delicious, handcrafted soups made from the finest quality ingredients available from open to close, plus sandwiches and deserts, at very fair prices. Ace. There is no better soup in Grand Rapids. Period. Great for lunch, great for dinner, great for whenever. Everything is made fresh, from scratch, every day, using locally-sourced, wholesome ingredients. Staff will let you sample any of the twelve soups, but it won't help you make up your mind, because you'll want them all. You can also combine bowls half and half, letting you create your own flavors. Be aware that this place gets busy and crowded, but with good reason. The food here is worth fighting over, it's that good. Quit reading Yelp and go get some soup.
(5)Ran K.
Best soup in town! Every time I come here they have new soups for me to try. Very flavorful and great service. Their grilled cheese sandwiches are delicious too!
(5)Jeremy F.
Amazing! Love this place. Love the Curry Corn soup and the sandwiches .
(5)Lauren C.
Thanks yelpers for an awesome recommendation! We discovered this little gem on a road trip through Michigan, and liked it so much, we drove almost 2 hours back to Grand Rapids to visit it's sister shop, The Electric Cheetah. Tasty soups, explicitly labeled gluten-free.... I was in heaven! I had the seafood chowder which was rich and flavorful, with a side of the Ka-Kaw-Ka-Kaw! salad (many of the menu items come from Arrested Development references... bonus!!), which was one of the best salads I've had in awhile. But yet again, every Michigan salad I had on our trip (3 or so?) was the best salad I ever had. They really like their greens up there! Anyway, they have a full, extensive ice cream menu as well. Weird, right?! A soup shop with ice cream?? Yes, Michigan is rife with salads and ice cream shops. They know what's up up there. Definitely recommend this place. If you're up for salads, soup, sandwiches, or ice cream, you need to check it out. Gluten free friends: The only trouble I had with this place is that while the soups are listed as GF, the ice cream and salads are not. So... eat those items at your own risk? Or hope that the servers know what's in the dishes.
(5)Amy B.
Finally! After hearing so many positives about this newer lunch spot we made it! Place was hoppin @ lunchtime today! My husband and I landed around noon and by 12:15 we were lovingly slurping our choices. I had the Rueben soup and a grilled cheese with chicken salad sandwich on yummy crunchy multigrain bread. The bread is 2/3 of a sandwich so for a sandwich to be worthy the bread has to be good- this bread is EXCELLENT! (Comes from the Nantucket bakery next to Martha's Vineyard) My soup was also a winter hit. Warm, smooth and interesting. Carrots, celery, saurkraut, corned beef and swiss cheese = comfort food on a dreary day. Highly recommend this new to me spot. 12 soups daily a handful of sandwich choices and a cozy storefront. Check it out the next time you want to warm up.
(4)Michael W.
The absolute soup and sandwich standard.
(5)Alice G.
I can't say enough positive things about the soup shop. The selection of soups are amazing. When you walk in the staff always is offering soup samples, which makes it so great to try different flavors of the soup. My personal favorites are the Pumpkin Chorizo and the Butternut Squash Bisque. The sandwichs are perfet to go with the soups, the favorite sandwich is the garage sale and is a grilled cheese with all their cheeses One word - AMAZING!! If you go at noon, it is very busy, so be prepared as the space is smaller. I would go everyday if I could.
(5)Paul N.
Isn't the key to success supposed to be: Find out what you do really well and keep doing it! Instead of thickening broth with a grease and flour emulsion, Uncle Cheetah makes REAL soup from REAL ingredients. Favs so far: Greek Lemon with Wilted Spinach and Rice Tomatillo Soup w. Pico de Gallo Jalapeno Corn Chowder Sweet Potato Black Bean Potato Goat Cheese Mulligatawny Enjoy.
(5)Jeff K.
This place has many soup and it is good soup and you should eat the soup! SOUP (a bit for grilled cheese and a cuppa soup, but is good) (did I mention the soup)
(5)Ven R.
Really fresh soups with a lot of variety to choose from for vegetarians like me. If you are overwhelmed with a names and offerings of soup, you can sample them before you place your order. Their roasted red-pepper soup is one of the best i have tasted. The grilled sandwich and $5 sundaes are good too. All in all, if you are soup and sandwich lover, this place is a must visit!
(4)Lisa P.
We LOVE Uncle Cheetahs Soup Shop! They are masters of great soups-- with new unexpected flavors. Sample some before you buy. It'll be hard to choose just one. Great sandwiches and amazing ice cream creations! Inexpensive! And...take home large family sizes! We get two or three different ones to try at home. Great meal conversations with the kids. Very affordable for very high quality!
(5)Cherry S.
process. "is that order for here or to go?" it doesn't matter, actually, because whether you dine in or not, you will get it in plastic containers, with plastic silverware (even if your order doesn't require it.) for a neighborhood that is trying to be progressive, this one is a let down. and if you care, you should take your plastic home with you because when we asked the server, she said, "sorry, we don't have a way to do that right now". i came last year, and nothing had changed...which means they are not exactly looking to change their system anytime soon. food. it's good. and i've been there a few times, and so had the friends with me. and they have malts and ice cream on the menu now, which would make it a fun destination for a summer bike ride because it's close to so many other shops. but the food is not anything memorable. by that i mean i've had better...and you do have choices along the street to pick from. so i' wouldn't go back there intentionally. service. okay. don't come here if you are in a hurry. the last two times i was there the orders took forever. and they weren't busy! i was asked if i wanted my food to go twice! (i'm hoping that was just a bad day, and the girl was training, and her supervisor was new to helping behind the counter.) and so was the person after me. and to be honest, not that friendly. the vibe gives it that down-to-earth feel, even the cramped-ness of the room, and the shared tables is european style...but the folks behind the counter have a "too cool for school" air.
(2)Kylie H.
I love this soup shop! Last winter my friends and I called almost everyday to see if they had the beef stroganoff soup, our favorite, and even on days when they didn't I would still go in to try something else. The staff is always extremely friendly and helpful, recommending their favorite soups, telling you the ingredients, and offering samples so choosing what soup to get is easier, except deciding on just one is the tough part. Definitely one of my favorite go to places on a cold day!
(5)rachel f.
Great soup. Just really great soup!
(5)Eric S.
Good soup place. I've been there twice in the last two weeks. They have a variety of soups, and will let you try a sample of any of them. You get a 16 oz soup (with roll) for $6 ($7 for the premium soups). Not a bad price for the quality of the ingredients. It's a small place, so getting take-out is suggested.
(3)Derek Z.
Really damn good soup. They have twelve soups daily and the list will rotate frequently. They post this menu online as well. electriccheetah.com/uncl… On that site, it also shows the local businesses they themselves use, as well. The service was very friendly and after i stared at the menu, the young lady asked if i wanted to sample any of the soups. Some of the soups that caught my eye were saffron tomato bisque and sweet black bean chili, but i sampled their Reuben soup and then tried the stroganoff soup. Before pouring the sample of the stroganoff soup she explained how when you order a portion of the soup they add the egg noodles then, so that way they still have the proper texture. Loved that. They clearly think about how to deliver the best product to the customer. No mushy egg noodles here. I chose the medium stroganoff, and a half of a grilled cheese with white cheddar and goat cheese, drizzled with olive oil, sea salt and herbs on dill bread. My lunch clocked in at about eleven dollars in total. The whole grilled cheese is $6, half $3. The soups--12 oz=$5, 16 oz=$7, 32 oz=$11. All the soups are made from scratch and the variety of breads were good as well. There are also tons of options for vegans, vegetarians and gluten-free; but, who cares about them...
(5)Kelly H.
12 soups all the time (some seem to be standards that are there all the time, while others seem to change more often), plus salads, grilled cheese, and some homemade desserts & ice cream. They frequently offer some soups that are dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegetarian (sometimes vegan) too. They post the daily soups on their Facebook page, but don't be surprised if it doesn't match completely with what's available when you get there, as the menu changes as they sell out. On our first visit, I had a cup of the squash soup, which was perfect for a fall day. My boyfriend had the lobster bisque in a bread bowl. They serve the cup of soup separately from the bread bowl, since the bread bowls don't hold much soup - so while a little strange at first, I appreciated their logic. My boyfriend's not a huge soup fan, so I didn't expect much from his response, but he really seemed to enjoy it and now looks forward to going back to get the lobster bisque. Typical to some of their other restaurants, service ranged from wonderfully helpful & friendly to not so much... Definitely recommend checking it out.
(4)K J.
One of our newest favorites! We've been in at least three times in the two weeks since UC's opened. Never been disappointed! Great variety, good value, friendly fast service. Even some gluten-free and vegetarian (and vegan?) options. Love.
(5)Jordan O.
Rude Staff - sorry uncle cheetah.
(2)Amanda V.
best soup I've ever had! the staff is always incredibly nice. honestly one of the best restaurants in grand rapids.
(5)Erika W.
5 stars for the food and service. 3 for the set-up and ordering procedure. At first I walked in to the eating area. I soon figured out that I needed to go a couple doors down to get my food. I couldn't believe that they have a completely unattended bathroom. I just moved from San Francisco and that would never work over there. There would be stinky vagrants shooting up in that bathroom in no time! Anyhow, I'm glad that I've now moved to a place where that's not such a problem. So I went over to the other part to order food. It's a little weird with the bar to the side and the bartenders/cooks getting soup samples for people. Then you order at a window and then stand around waiting for your order. I got my stuff take-out because the place was full and I could see I was going to have to go back over to the eating area to eat. I don't know if they will let you take dishes over to the other spot, but I don't like using unnecessary take-out supplies. I got the pumpkin chorizo soup which was fantastic. It came with a bun. The price was okay. A dollar cheaper and they would have my undying loyalty. They also have a good selection of fancy soda pop which I like. Anyhow, the food is great, but I am thinking the split-building thing is going to cause them nothing but problems. I hope they figure some way to improve that.
(4)Wade S.
The soup is fresh from scratch daily and amazing!! I would go again right now if I could! Doesn't get better than this! I have about five favorites!
(5)Gabriela G.
You can sample all the soups you like. They are not stingy, like many frozen yogurt spots where you get to sample just one or two flavors, here they even let you sample the meat of the day. They obviously love what they are making and almost want everyone to experience it! Same owner as the Electric Cheetah, though a lot less pretentious. The inside is small, almost looks like a mini church basement with benches and communal tables. All orders are served to go, even if you chose to eat it there. Salads are served in plastic containers and soups in paper to go cups. This made me feel a bit rushed, like they were almost kicking me out, but i think it's just part of their style. More than 10 soup varieties, though only one was vegan. Quite a few vegetarian options if you don't mind heavy creams. Prices are fair. For a bowl of soup, a small salad and a soda: $16 WARNING: YUK for the salad dressings. While everything else is delicious and gourmet, the salad dressings are disgusting! like squirting ketchup on your salad or really chunky, super processed mayo dressings. GROSS! Luckily dressings always come on the side and you can chose how much of it, if any, you want to add to spoil your salad! Otherwise, salads were good. Plenty of fresh ingredients all thrown together chaotically into a plastic container. Specials look scrumptious: today's special: salmon tacos! I wasn't too hungry so i opted out of the special and went for soup and salad instead, but i did sit there a while contemplating if i had made the right decision since that salmon looked so juicy in all the right ways. They also had ham tacos as another special; now i don't eat ham and seldom eat pork but hearing the description of these tacos made me wish i was a fan of the oinksters! Cooked ham on the bone in sauce made my salivary glands water and my imagination run wild! Though same owner as Electric Cheetah, i'd much rather eat here again than the restaurant. Better food, slightly better prices (though not really), and a lot less pretentious and easy-going.
(4)Ashley M.
1.Come here 2. Sample soup until you find your favorite 3. Eat soup with a pretzel roll ...and it will have been the best decision you've made in a long while. I seriously come here at least once a week. They always have 12 soups every day and rotate flavors. They post their soup menu updates on Facebook every day also, which is perfect for a soup fiend like myself to stalk when their favorite variety is available. Uncle Cheetah's staff is always extremely friendly and asks if you have questions. You're also able to sample whichever kind of soup you'd like before ordering. They have a grilled cheese sandwich menu and a summer menu including tacos/burritos/nachos. Everything here is delicious. There are always at least 2-3 vegan and vegetarian options available!
(5)Kathleen T.
12 daily home made soups, picked from a 64 recipe rotation! How can you go wrong? This place is super cute and the food, oh my, it is beyond tasty. They even have gluten free, vegan and vegetarian soups and sandwiches. Oh and the list of gourmet grilled cheese will knock your socks off. It is a very laid back good vibe environment, so if you are an uptight impatient person well the service here will not be for you. They take their time and let you try as many of the soups as your heart desires. So if you need a little soul warming with soup lime grandma makes this is your place!
(5)Jason B.
If I could give this place 6 out of 5 stars I would. I am so in love with everything they have to offer. I'm from the Chicago area and spend a lot of time in Grand Rapids visiting my in-laws. What's also great is that not all of their soups are potato based because I'm off carbs for now, crazy I know, but I've lost 50 pounds. This place is like a warm hug full of soup and I will be returning often. The staff is also super friendly and helpful. So, do yourself a favor and visit this place. Everyone from little kids to older folks can enjoy great soup. Update: manners are free right? This place isn't the Soup Nazi's place from Seinfeld, right? I just don't get it. Seriously, the guy with the dark hair and beard had a real attitude problem. I went in one day and had a rather rude and short experience with Trevor (I believe that's his name), wrote it off as he was was having a bad day. It happens to everyone. However, I went in a second time and again and a third and I get a lot of attitude and he acts like he's doing me a favor by letting me purchase his soup. I was going to this place two and three times a week because of the location and quality of soup. Now. No thanks. I'm done. I'd give it one-star, but the soup is still good.
(2)Sam K.
The soup will bring warmth, comfort, and happiness to you. I was told they have over a few hundred soup recipes but have 12 available each day. They will encourage you to sample some soups. Narrow down your choices to 2-3 and then ask for them. Anymore and your indecision will not flee from you. I found that a 12oz of a thick, hearty, creamy soup with a half sandwich is very filling. However, if you're very hungry, go for the 16oz, but I would get something brothy. Just remember, if you get a sandwich the order will take longer since they make each to order. Don't forget to check out the little chalkboard near the register, too! They usually have a special item worth looking into. Also, it's a small place but typically there is a nice turn around so by the time you order and your food is ready a spot will open up at the bar or a table. The Soup-Masters and Soup-Mistresses are very friendly and knowledgeable about their soups and sandwiches. Brace yourself, ask for a sample, and taste goodness and comfort in a soup.
(5)John P.
They keep coming up with these incredible soups. Had the beef brisket & bean this evening. It was excellent! Subtle smoke backdrop from the brisket brought it all together. Fresh baked roll, root beer, chicken wing special with Thai sauce made it great.
(5)Matt J.
Great soup, great food. Literally one of the slowest restaurants in GR though. If you dare come during the lunch hour expect a 30 minute wait to have them fill a container of soup for you. After a 15-20 minute wait to order. Also regularly mess up any customizations. But after the wait, and if your order is correct - it's really awesome. Fresh unique soups and salads. You can try something awesome and different every day. The grilled cheeses are usually very good as well. Simple and near perfect. Our office usually hits them up at least once a week, sometimes much more. Have to plan our timing accordingly though.
(3)Aaron H.
As one of my friends would say: "This is so good, i wanna punch myself in the face". This place is definitely self-face-punchable. One of my favorite types of culinary discoveries is a little hole in the wall that just blows you away with the food. This is such a place. I ordered the seafood bisque which was the best bisque I've tasted since regularly visiting Boston, and my wife ordered a "wimpy wellington" (I have no idea what exactly it was,but it was great). She had a sandwich that was boursin cheese and raspberry with a few other things and I had a pork slider with pickles and a cabbage and corn slaw. Everything was delicious. We also sampled numerous soups and were blown away by all of them (ginger carrot anyone?). The menu is unique, diverse, and the prices are very fair. You have choices of soup size and can even get half sandwiches which are plenty large. The inside is very small, so that can get a bit uncomfortable when the tables are full and people are milling about waiting for their food. They seem to try their best to streamline the ordering/pickup process without sacrificing food quality or their general good nature. Absolutely love it. Hope I get to punch myself in the face again soon.
(5)Lorraine F.
Phenomenal! I got the Pig Newton sandwich and I'm officially in love! They have a huge selection of soups and sandwiches. Trevor (the cook) was extremely helpful and knew what my husband and I would enjoy. Definitely coming back!
(5)Trent M.
Delicious sandwiches and savory hot soup proved a welcome relief from the frigid winter weather. I ordered the pulled pork sliders, which were much bigger than usual "sliders." Accompanied by the tasty sweet potato black bean soup, the meal was filling and very satisfying. I was surprised to wait in line at 4:30 in the afternoon. It's a small place with about 6 tables and small bar. A good place for lunch or a quick hot dinner. Food: A Service: A- Atmosphere: A-
(4)Rene' J.
Having my Birthday lunch at my favorite Uncles! I love to choose from the fabulous soup selection and the sandwiches are delicious ! Fresh food in a casual comfortable place.
(5)Sara C.
We ducked into this little shop last Tuesday night seeking comfort food, and were not disappointed! On a cold night, this place is sooooo cozy with its steamed-up windows and delicious smells. At first we were confused about where to order - we had to order from the window in the back, not from the people working at the counter - but we figured it out eventually. They had like 10 different soups, and about half of them were vegan and/or gluten-free. The let you sample the soups, which is such a gift to the indecisive! :) We tried the Roasted Red Pepper soup and the Reuben soup. We also shared an amazing gourmet grilled cheese. I'm already thinking about what I'll order next time!
(4)Janna S.
I came here due to rave reviews. Oh boy, the soups that I've ordered was sooo salty and super sour! No flavors whatsoever. I mean, I love soups!! Any kinds of soup! But the soup that I had.. not so good.
(3)David F.
Some of the greatest soup I have ever eaten! The brainchild of Cory DeMint, owner of the sensational Electric Cheetah and the new project opening soon in Alger Heights, this soup shop was initially intended as a hangout for local foodies (with an Asian theme - it was called Electric Eel and had the best fruishi I've ever eaten), it has since become a destination for anyone who appreciates good soup. Start by sampling any of the soups on the menu before you make your final decision, add some deliciously sweet challah bread or a fresh pretzel roll, or mix it up by going with a phenomenal grilled cheese like nothing you have ever eaten before. I highly recommend the soup which bears the name I had the honor to have selected for it - A cheeseburger inspired beef and cheddar soup called "The J. Wellington Whimpy." Regardless of your choice, I promise you won't be disappointed.
(5)Erin E.
I have been wanting to come here for quite some time and finally went this evening. I gotta say, I was pretty disappointed. The service is nice enough and maybe I should try other items before writing them off completely. But, the soup was not at all what I thought it would be! I tried three different soups and wasn't fond of the two but the broth for the Wisconsin cheddar was good so I decided on that. When I got the soup I was not happy at all. The veggies were not cooked down enough. The potato was wayyy to hard for soup. It needed about another 30 min to get the softness a soup needs to make it yummy. And overall, the soup was bland. As was the other two I tried. I most likely will go back and try one of their sandwiches or perhaps one of their salads but honestly I don't think I will be back for a 7 dollar bowl of ok soup anytime soon.
(3)Ruth M.
Hubby and I stopped in for soup twice in the last month and we're delighted by the delicious soups we had. It's so nice to be able to taste a sample before ordering. The service was quick, even though the line looked long, and the employees were very patient in answering questions that they probably get asked all day long. No "soup nazi" here. Thank you Uncle Cheetah staff! We will return soon!
(5)George W.
I called today to place a to go order. The young man who answered informed me, "I'm sorry, we do not take orders over the phone". What kind of sandwich shop doesn't do orders to go? Thanks anyways, I'll call Jimmy John's. That way, I won't have to walk down to your restaurant and inconvenience you with my petty requests.
(1)Todd K.
Had to drop my rating since lately I've gotten several burnt sandwiches, food missing from my order, and long waits for my order to be filled. Lately, it seems like their service has been getting lax.
(3)Marc L.
Well I decided to give this place another try this week on one of these cold blustery evenings when soup just sounded good and I was hoping for something better than I could pull out of the cupboard. I tasted three soups and all were acceptable, mild in flavoring and I would unfortunately have to say maybe a smidge better than Campbell's but again I cant change my prior review and have to acknowledge that soup shop is certainly not what they used to be in terms of sophisticated complex well-developed flavors... Now it's just a disappointment I guess. I got a wrap as well that was okay and I only did that because friends who go there tell me how greasy the other sandwiches are. Sadly I'll give it probably another six months or year and then go back and hope that things have changed. After this visit I can't say they have.
(2)Dana V.
As many samples as you'd like! Go for the soup sampler-3 different kinds for $10!
(5)Tom S.
The best soup around period. Amazing selection. Reasonable prices. Very cozy. The only downside is long waits.
(5)Elyse A.
My husband and I stopped in for our first time on Labor Day. I have been following them on facebook for a while and have been dying to try their soups! I ordered the pumpkin chorizo (because the lobster bisque was out) & my husband got the roasted red pepper after sampling a few others. Both were AMAZING. I have been craving the pumpkin ever since! We also shared a Smoke Signal grilled cheese. Super delish, super HOT! the Jalapenos were pretty spicy. The staff was super friendly and the place was small but cute. I would highly recommended this place and already have a few times! We will be back!
(5)Andy O.
We had the the garage sale and pig newton sandwiches. we had the turkey dinner, jalapeño corn chowder and the bean and bacon soups. The pig newton was quite good, the garage sale was good also but very cheesy. However, that is what the sandwich is all about, but just be forewarned. Our 8 year old boy didn't care for it. The corn chowder soup was pretty good, the bean soup too salty and the turkey dinner soup too sweet. All in all, the selections were in entice but maybe a bit overdone on spices. We would try it again but try different things. Service was good and a funky atmosphere. A bit pricey.
(3)Christian B.
Twelve delicious, handcrafted soups made from the finest quality ingredients available from open to close, plus sandwiches and deserts, at very fair prices. Ace. There is no better soup in Grand Rapids. Period. Great for lunch, great for dinner, great for whenever. Everything is made fresh, from scratch, every day, using locally-sourced, wholesome ingredients. Staff will let you sample any of the twelve soups, but it won't help you make up your mind, because you'll want them all. You can also combine bowls half and half, letting you create your own flavors. Be aware that this place gets busy and crowded, but with good reason. The food here is worth fighting over, it's that good. Quit reading Yelp and go get some soup.
(5)Kyle T.
Very good variety of soups and grilled cheese sandwiches. All of the soups I tried were excellent. The atmosphere was nice, but I think it is intended to be more of a take out restaurant than a sit in. There were only a few seats and no bathroom. If you are looking for some great soups I would check this place out. Try the Ruben, it was awesome.
(4)Meredith E.
Really really good soup! My friend and I stopped in for dinner last night because soup sounded good after a cold rainy day (and also who can resist the name of this place?). We both had the chicken noodle soup and it was delicious! Perfectly seasoned and great chicken flavor for the broth. The noodle were obviously made at the restaurant and were like little spaetzle, very tender and good. There were real chunks of chicken and slices of carrots, onions, and celery. All were tender and very good. The people next to us had sandwiches which looked very good and different soups that made me want to try the other flavors. I will definitely be going back!
(5)Emily W.
You can sample as many soups as you want and they're all delicious! I had the "old goat" grilled cheese, which was also delicious.
(5)Elle M.
The old goat grilled cheese is probably one of the best things I've ever eaten but the customer service was horrible! The employees were rude and acted as though customer service wasn't important.
(3)Coryn R.
Best place for soup and salad in town. Cozy and laid back atmosphere, my only complaint is the limited seating but otherwise kudos to you guys!
(5)David S.
fantastic food, service and ambiance! lunch and winter spot. huge soup to-go is great for the week.
(5)Mark R.
Best soup place I've been to. Grilled cheese is delicious.... forgot which one I got. Tomato basil mozzarella one... definitely recommend. Samples of soup available.
(5)Carrie G.
About the only thing I truly miss about moving three hours away from GR is that I can no longer stop here a couple times a week. They always have amazing food! My favorite place to eat. I love their soups, their tacos, and most of all, their caramel malts. Yep you heard right. Caramel malt. They are A-mazing! A treat for the taste buds. Worth every penny! If you are thinking of stopping here, do it! But don't leave without a malt. You will thank me for this. :)
(5)Ran K.
Best soup in town! Every time I come here they have new soups for me to try. Very flavorful and great service. Their grilled cheese sandwiches are delicious too!
(5)Jeremy F.
Amazing! Love this place. Love the Curry Corn soup and the sandwiches .
(5)Lindsey T.
Amazing soups, sandwiches and wraps! Often busy during peak lunch and dinner times, however their staff always seems to handle it well and gets the orders out quickly! Daily soup menu can be found on their Facebook page and they're proficient at updating it throughout the day as soups sell out. Highly recommend!
(5)Katie C.
Alright. Comin' out of the woodwork to write this one. It won't be short and it won't be sweet: It's a nasty night. I'm not feeling great, hubby's trying to please me. Instead of a sit-down dinner, I suggest we try Uncle Cheetah's, since we've been to the Electric Cheetah and we liked it. We walk into the shop, about 7pm, and check out the board. At first it's not really clear how you order there--the person behind the counter seems to be the one you talk to, but then you realize there's a little hole in the wall to make your order at. We ask the soup counter gal for some samples, but 6 of the 12 soups listed for the day are no longer available. Umm, okay, cool. I decide on chicken noodle with spaetzle, hoping that this lack of choice will somehow be redeemed. Hubby gets some kind of scotch creamy chicken. We head over to order through the hole in the wall, and ask the gal sitting there how big the sandwiches are--specifically, if soup and a whole sandwich will be filling enough for dinner. She gives us a hand-approximation ("they're THIS big") of the size of the sandwiches, so I order a half, not being as hungry, and dude orders a whole, in addition to two small soups, and a diet root beer for me. Total? $27! Okay, so these sandwiches better be frickin' super. We get home, unwrap our respective grilled cheeses, and I kid you not, my husband's "whole" sandwich...is the size of my palm. Are you KIDDING me? $10 for a tiny ass "fancy" grilled cheese that not only is crazy small, but the bread is burnt black and the thing is dripping in grease?!? My "half" sandwich is a joke--perhaps because I could have eaten the entire thing in 2 bites, and I've got the burnt, greasy thing going on mine, too. At least my 2-biter was only $3 as opposed to 10. The soup? Meh. It was fine, definitely nothing special. But if you're a soup shop and you're open for dinner, maybe you should plan on making more soup? And if you sell grilled cheese sandwiches, maybe you could make them larger than the palm of my hand? Maybe we would be so hungry after just spending twenty-seven-fricking dollars on what was supposed to be our only dinner of the night? Geez. Rant? Over. Uncle Cheetah's again? No thanks.
(2)Joshua S.
This place is amazing, when you walk in you're immediately greeted by whoever is behind the counter offering you samples of the dozen soups available at any one time. They offer Gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan options pretty much all of the time, and the staff knows exactly what's in each soup, which is great for those with food allergies. Much to my surprise the "garage' grilled cheese is probably one of the best sandwiches I've had in quite a long time. This place, for those of you that remember what the Electric Cheetah was like when it opened, it's like that. You walk in and you're treated like you matter, not like you're just another in a countless line of customers to cycle through the restaurant.
(5)Ric D.
Second visit to Uncle Cheetah's, and I'm blown away! What's so good, you ask? A, 100% scratch-made soups, at least a dozen daily. That seems like a lot, but decision-making is simplified by being able to get a taste before you order. 2, 10 grilled cheese sandwiches (half or whole) many with the house boursin cheese. And choice of breads. Gamma, C, do you need more? First time I tried the classic grilled cheese (The Old Goat, white cheddar, goat cream cheese, fresh mozzarella, fresh rosemary, sea salt, and EVOO, on multigrain bread) and tomato soup (Tomato Saffron). Wow! They combined beautifully, childhood lunch on steroids! Today I had the Green Chili Chicken sandwich: char-grilled chicken, house Boursin cheese, fresh mozz, and charred green chili chutney on sourdough. For soup I chose the sweet potato and butternut squash, which was very good, sweet, savory, and satisfying. The sandwich again took things to another level. The crunchy sourdough easily held its own with the creamy mozz, the bright boursin, and the sweet and spicy chutney to bring it all together. The only thing I will do differently the next time I order it (and there will definitely be a next time) is to pair it with one of the salads, as the soup choice was a little too sweet to complement it well. But that soup will be sure calling my name on a cold, rainy fall day!
(5)Reid G.
A wrap and soup isn't normally my idea of a great lunch, until I discovered UCSS. Now it might be my ideal lunch. There are plenty of daily specials keeping things interesting, so you don't have to munch on the same thing everyday. I really can't think of a negative thing to say about this place. Go here - a lot.
(5)Ven R.
Really fresh soups with a lot of variety to choose from for vegetarians like me. If you are overwhelmed with a names and offerings of soup, you can sample them before you place your order. Their roasted red-pepper soup is one of the best i have tasted. The grilled sandwich and $5 sundaes are good too. All in all, if you are soup and sandwich lover, this place is a must visit!
(4)Lisa P.
We LOVE Uncle Cheetahs Soup Shop! They are masters of great soups-- with new unexpected flavors. Sample some before you buy. It'll be hard to choose just one. Great sandwiches and amazing ice cream creations! Inexpensive! And...take home large family sizes! We get two or three different ones to try at home. Great meal conversations with the kids. Very affordable for very high quality!
(5)Brian S.
Uncle Cheetah's Soup Shop is an aptly-named lunch counter in the heart of Eastown, across from the Wealthy Theater and a few blocks down the street from its sister restaurant: the Electric Cheetah. It was once the home of the ill-fated Electric Eel, a noodle stand, but business has clearly benefited from the change of format. The atmosphere of Uncle Cheetah's can only be described as chaotic. The dining space inside is small, and patrons are typically packed in like sardines. There's very little room to move about, and there is no public restroom that I could see (isn't that illegal?). When I ate there, the back of my head was literally 1/2 an inch from the posterior of another patron standing in line. Long story short, it's crowded. Very, very, very, very crowded. If you value your personal space, get a to-go order, or sit outside in the back. The menu features the restaurants namesake: soup. With recipes ranging from the exotic to the familiar, most of the soups are either vegan, gluten-free, or both. In addition, there are a number of gourmet grilled-cheese sandwiches available (including chicken sliders on pretzel buns when I was there). Uncle Cheetah's doesn't seem that expensive at first. Soups range from $5 for a 12 oz cup to $11 for a 32 oz banquet-size container. All soups come with a bread roll as well. The soups are hearty and filling, so a 12 oz. is enough for most appetites. But add in drinks, sandwiches, and other goodies and you could end up hitting your bank account for $20-$30 if you bring a date. I only have one complaint about the soup. I had the white chicken chili, and it was way too spicy. I like spice in my food, but it really bugs me when people get into this mode where they make food spicy simply for the sake of it being spicy. I understand that chili should have a kick to it, but not so much that the only flavor my palette can detect is the inordinate amount of pepper in it. I tried my wife's curry soup, and it was much, much better. Less spicy, but more flavorful. I can't really say if this was a one-time occurrence or a problem with that recipe, but hey, that's my experience. My final criticism is the clumsy layout. When you walk in, there is a display counter to the right, and a pick-up window straight in front of you on the back wall. Now, logic would dictate that one would order at the display window, where you can actually see the food, and the menu (the menu is displayed right above the display counter, as well). Currently, orders are taken at the pick-up window in the back and picked up right at the entrance. This causes an incredible amount of unnecessary cross-traffic and crowding, as people picking up their orders have to force themselves through the line of people waiting to order to get their food. If the owner of this restaurant is reading this, please take my advice: move the register to the entrance and have customers pick up their food at the back window. Things will go a lot smoother. The excessive scoville rating of my Chili combined with the layout/atmosphere problems are why I can't give Uncle Cheetah's a five-star rating, but don't let that keep you away.
(4)Marie U.
Great concept; poor execution. I stopped in on a recent rainy day since I was early to an event in the area. From the outside, this place looked inviting. Inside, it's a different story. The place desperately needs to be redesigned. Everything about the way it's set up impedes traffic flow and makes for an angsty and unpleasant experience. I appreciate that they give samples, especially considering that the prices are high. But then I tried to place my order at the soup counter and was told pretty rudely that I needed to place my order over at a tiny window in a wall. Yes; okay, there is a sign at the window saying "Place orders here" but it's underneath a different flashing neon sign that takes your attention away from the "Place orders here" sign - so it may as well be invisible. I'm sure the workers here are tired of telling people where to order their food - and it shows. But it's not the customer's fault. Design the flow of the restaurant better, and these petty annoyances on both sides will disappear. There's a long counter with stools, which would be a convenient place for single people or people in a hurry to eat if it weren't filled with to-go customers waiting for their food. And waiting. It was like going to the post office: there seemed to be a lot of people there and no work getting done. The layout of the rest of the dining area, aside from the problem with the counter mentioned above, is awful. I love the idea of the bench and long community table. But again, the execution is poor. There are way too many tables crammed in here for it to be comfortable. The second row of tables makes it so that if you're sitting down, you're staring at the backs of all the people ordering / in line. Also, once I claimed a spot I then had to battle a) the people tasting samples, b) the people in line ordering food and c) the people who had ordered and were now waiting to get their food, in order to get my food. The food was delivered in a disposable bowl with a plastic spoon, and no plate for the sandwich even for a dine-in order, which is disappointing. I'm paying enough that I'd like some dignity with my meal, meaning a real bowl and spoon, and an inviting atmosphere to eat it in. The soup was WAY too salty; I knew that, having tasted it, and ordered it anyway because I kind of needed to get in and get out in a hurry and just wanted to order. The sandwich was good, but would have been better on a plate. Sustainable living; I support it! I ask for a ceramic mug at Starbucks if I'm going to stay there, because I like to cut down on waste. So, I implore the owners to redesign the place to improve every aspect of the experience. It wouldn't need to cost much. Just pay attention to the flow and the customer's experience. Probably won't return.
(1)rachel f.
Great soup. Just really great soup!
(5)Eric S.
Good soup place. I've been there twice in the last two weeks. They have a variety of soups, and will let you try a sample of any of them. You get a 16 oz soup (with roll) for $6 ($7 for the premium soups). Not a bad price for the quality of the ingredients. It's a small place, so getting take-out is suggested.
(3)Christopher T.
Great soup and sandwich place. Very creative concoctions with a variety of pairings. They rotate the menu with some regulars to count on. Opening up the overflow seating is quite nice because it can be very busy around lunch time. Fairly quick service and you can sample any soup which is quite helpful when indecision sets in.
(5)Amanda L.
They offer a wide variety of fresh, home-made soups in a wonderful, homey little shop. I especially like that they offer at least one vegetarian and/or gluten free option and although I'm not on either of these diets, I like trying these options as something new. They offer quite a large serving of soup so you may find you have some left over for a snack or a meal later. I highly recommend their grilled cheese sandwich too. It's a "adult" version with goat cheese and this amazing pesto. I always get a small cup of soup and a sandwich on the side and I'm stuffed by the end of the meal. My only complaint is that they serve the soup in paper to-go bowls. This may be helpful for them since some of their customers get their meals to go, however, I worry about the trash that all the paper bowls creates- It would be great if they offered a greener serving method.
(4)Jessica P.
I LOVE this restaurant. For me it's worth the $ for the occasional stop but don't get me wrong, I've been here many, many times. It's hard for me to say anything bad about this place because their food is so good.
(5)Cassi S.
First off, this is a tiny place with a fast pace "to go" feel. However the staff there were perfection, the soups amazing and the pretzel rolls oh so good. Two happy, bubbly young men greeted us when we walked in, they asked if we would like to try any soup and they were exited to share their favorites. They encourage you to try what ever soup you want and were all smiles and fun. They have a great selection of vegetarian and some gluten free soup (all great btw). Loved this place and will be back!!
(5)Jori S.
The soup selection is broad and some are quite tasty (like Big Country), while others are kind of weird or meh (like Roasted Red Pepper). This place is pretty overpriced for what you get. $7 for a fairly small soup and crackers was a bit high imo. The place had really cramped quarters so it's not very good for groups. I honestly don't plan on ever going back to Uncle Cheetah's Soup Shop, although their sister restaurant the Electric Cheetah is the best!!!
(2)Dennis S.
Stopped in while passing through on a business trip. As I contemplated the menu, the chef made a recommendation and I went with it. Jalapeno corn chowder and a Reuben. Soup had a nice flavor, not spicy at all. You gotta love the free samples. Awesome.
(4)Robert D.
We've been coming here for a year. The menu changes with the seasons and the staff has changed but its still one of my favorite places for comfort food. Love the soups and the grilled cheese sandwiches. Love the BBQ and smoke meats this summer too. It's small and can get crowded quickly during lunch. Some people might be turned off by the hole-in-the-wall appearance but that's part of its charm.
(5)Lauren C.
Thanks yelpers for an awesome recommendation! We discovered this little gem on a road trip through Michigan, and liked it so much, we drove almost 2 hours back to Grand Rapids to visit it's sister shop, The Electric Cheetah. Tasty soups, explicitly labeled gluten-free.... I was in heaven! I had the seafood chowder which was rich and flavorful, with a side of the Ka-Kaw-Ka-Kaw! salad (many of the menu items come from Arrested Development references... bonus!!), which was one of the best salads I've had in awhile. But yet again, every Michigan salad I had on our trip (3 or so?) was the best salad I ever had. They really like their greens up there! Anyway, they have a full, extensive ice cream menu as well. Weird, right?! A soup shop with ice cream?? Yes, Michigan is rife with salads and ice cream shops. They know what's up up there. Definitely recommend this place. If you're up for salads, soup, sandwiches, or ice cream, you need to check it out. Gluten free friends: The only trouble I had with this place is that while the soups are listed as GF, the ice cream and salads are not. So... eat those items at your own risk? Or hope that the servers know what's in the dishes.
(5)Amy B.
Finally! After hearing so many positives about this newer lunch spot we made it! Place was hoppin @ lunchtime today! My husband and I landed around noon and by 12:15 we were lovingly slurping our choices. I had the Rueben soup and a grilled cheese with chicken salad sandwich on yummy crunchy multigrain bread. The bread is 2/3 of a sandwich so for a sandwich to be worthy the bread has to be good- this bread is EXCELLENT! (Comes from the Nantucket bakery next to Martha's Vineyard) My soup was also a winter hit. Warm, smooth and interesting. Carrots, celery, saurkraut, corned beef and swiss cheese = comfort food on a dreary day. Highly recommend this new to me spot. 12 soups daily a handful of sandwich choices and a cozy storefront. Check it out the next time you want to warm up.
(4)Michael W.
The absolute soup and sandwich standard.
(5)Michelle W.
I would give this place a 5 for the soups, but a 2 for service. My husband and I thought it would be a great place to take our kids for lunch after ice skating around 2pm in the afternoon. The shop itself is very small, but there is a decent amount of seating for the space. Though it was consistently busy, we were able to get a seat. They had 12 different soups to offer, and a wide variety among flavors. We ordered a creamy potato soup, cabbage/kraut sausage soup, and a creamy curry based soup with rice, sweet potatoes and steak (Caliou?). All 3 were delicious, but the Caliou was by far was our favorite, with it having just enough spice, tender meat, and smooth creamy consistency. We also ordered 2 of their grilled cheese sandwiches and 3 molasses cookies. Service: The 1 cook behind the counter seemed over whelmed. The cashier came to assist her a couple of times, but I didn't get the impression that she really wanted to help. Since there were such a variety to choose from, I asked about 3 different types. At no point did the cashier inform me that you could sample soups. Another customer came in after we had ordered and had a few questions as well. Right away the cashier told her about sampling soup. Just a little disappointing that I wasn't told about that option. When my husband asked about getting a grilled cheese sandwich with out the 3 different types of cheese on it (he just wanted the base cheddar it comes with), the cashier seemed like this was some sort of inconvenience. Not sure why that was a problem, but it just set the mood. I didn't mind the wait (again, there were always people coming and going), but the lady who ordered behind us was upset because it was taking so long. She was on her lunch break and just wanted a bowl of soup. At one point she finally made her impatience clear (I think that with the amount of time she had to wait, she was justified), and finally got her lunch. I felt like the cook was a little rude to her, even though the lady had been pretty patient up to a point. Overall, I felt like the people working there were just inconvenienced by having customers, which is a bummer because other reviews I have read seem to say the opposite of this. I had really been looking forward to checking this soup shop out, but their bad moods just made the whole experience irritating. Honestly, this is a unique place to check out, but with so many other options in in just that section of town, I would choose somewhere else just based on service.
(2)Craig S.
$6 for an awesome cup of home made soup and a big hunk of locally baked bread. Staff is friendly and happy to let you try the soups to make sure you order one you like. Like them on Facebook to get daily updates on the soup du jour.
(4)Apryl C.
As great as the soup is, I go here for the grilled cheese. :) Great bread and great cheese, grilled on a sandwich press. Sometimes the simple things in life are the best. Yummy! The soup is great too. I really like that they post the soups that are available on Facebook every day and there is a wonderful variety of soups. Something for everyone. I have loved the cream of vegetable and seafood bisque. In the summer they have wonderful ice cream like carrot cake and vanilla bean twist. So good.
(5)Alice G.
I can't say enough positive things about the soup shop. The selection of soups are amazing. When you walk in the staff always is offering soup samples, which makes it so great to try different flavors of the soup. My personal favorites are the Pumpkin Chorizo and the Butternut Squash Bisque. The sandwichs are perfet to go with the soups, the favorite sandwich is the garage sale and is a grilled cheese with all their cheeses One word - AMAZING!! If you go at noon, it is very busy, so be prepared as the space is smaller. I would go everyday if I could.
(5)Paul N.
Isn't the key to success supposed to be: Find out what you do really well and keep doing it! Instead of thickening broth with a grease and flour emulsion, Uncle Cheetah makes REAL soup from REAL ingredients. Favs so far: Greek Lemon with Wilted Spinach and Rice Tomatillo Soup w. Pico de Gallo Jalapeno Corn Chowder Sweet Potato Black Bean Potato Goat Cheese Mulligatawny Enjoy.
(5)Jeff K.
This place has many soup and it is good soup and you should eat the soup! SOUP (a bit for grilled cheese and a cuppa soup, but is good) (did I mention the soup)
(5)Cherry S.
process. "is that order for here or to go?" it doesn't matter, actually, because whether you dine in or not, you will get it in plastic containers, with plastic silverware (even if your order doesn't require it.) for a neighborhood that is trying to be progressive, this one is a let down. and if you care, you should take your plastic home with you because when we asked the server, she said, "sorry, we don't have a way to do that right now". i came last year, and nothing had changed...which means they are not exactly looking to change their system anytime soon. food. it's good. and i've been there a few times, and so had the friends with me. and they have malts and ice cream on the menu now, which would make it a fun destination for a summer bike ride because it's close to so many other shops. but the food is not anything memorable. by that i mean i've had better...and you do have choices along the street to pick from. so i' wouldn't go back there intentionally. service. okay. don't come here if you are in a hurry. the last two times i was there the orders took forever. and they weren't busy! i was asked if i wanted my food to go twice! (i'm hoping that was just a bad day, and the girl was training, and her supervisor was new to helping behind the counter.) and so was the person after me. and to be honest, not that friendly. the vibe gives it that down-to-earth feel, even the cramped-ness of the room, and the shared tables is european style...but the folks behind the counter have a "too cool for school" air.
(2)Kylie H.
I love this soup shop! Last winter my friends and I called almost everyday to see if they had the beef stroganoff soup, our favorite, and even on days when they didn't I would still go in to try something else. The staff is always extremely friendly and helpful, recommending their favorite soups, telling you the ingredients, and offering samples so choosing what soup to get is easier, except deciding on just one is the tough part. Definitely one of my favorite go to places on a cold day!
(5)Derek Z.
Really damn good soup. They have twelve soups daily and the list will rotate frequently. They post this menu online as well. electriccheetah.com/uncl… On that site, it also shows the local businesses they themselves use, as well. The service was very friendly and after i stared at the menu, the young lady asked if i wanted to sample any of the soups. Some of the soups that caught my eye were saffron tomato bisque and sweet black bean chili, but i sampled their Reuben soup and then tried the stroganoff soup. Before pouring the sample of the stroganoff soup she explained how when you order a portion of the soup they add the egg noodles then, so that way they still have the proper texture. Loved that. They clearly think about how to deliver the best product to the customer. No mushy egg noodles here. I chose the medium stroganoff, and a half of a grilled cheese with white cheddar and goat cheese, drizzled with olive oil, sea salt and herbs on dill bread. My lunch clocked in at about eleven dollars in total. The whole grilled cheese is $6, half $3. The soups--12 oz=$5, 16 oz=$7, 32 oz=$11. All the soups are made from scratch and the variety of breads were good as well. There are also tons of options for vegans, vegetarians and gluten-free; but, who cares about them...
(5)Kelly H.
12 soups all the time (some seem to be standards that are there all the time, while others seem to change more often), plus salads, grilled cheese, and some homemade desserts & ice cream. They frequently offer some soups that are dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegetarian (sometimes vegan) too. They post the daily soups on their Facebook page, but don't be surprised if it doesn't match completely with what's available when you get there, as the menu changes as they sell out. On our first visit, I had a cup of the squash soup, which was perfect for a fall day. My boyfriend had the lobster bisque in a bread bowl. They serve the cup of soup separately from the bread bowl, since the bread bowls don't hold much soup - so while a little strange at first, I appreciated their logic. My boyfriend's not a huge soup fan, so I didn't expect much from his response, but he really seemed to enjoy it and now looks forward to going back to get the lobster bisque. Typical to some of their other restaurants, service ranged from wonderfully helpful & friendly to not so much... Definitely recommend checking it out.
(4)K J.
One of our newest favorites! We've been in at least three times in the two weeks since UC's opened. Never been disappointed! Great variety, good value, friendly fast service. Even some gluten-free and vegetarian (and vegan?) options. Love.
(5)Jordan O.
Rude Staff - sorry uncle cheetah.
(2)Amanda V.
best soup I've ever had! the staff is always incredibly nice. honestly one of the best restaurants in grand rapids.
(5)