Last month, my roommate and I were searching Grubhub for soup — a favorite of ours that rarely makes an appearance in the dining halls — when we stumbled across Revolutionary Soup. I had never heard of it before, but the idea of a warm bowl of soup on a chilly evening was infinitely enticing. So after checking out the menu, we decided to give it a try.
Tucked right off of the Downtown Mall, Revolutionary Soup has been serving soups, salads, sandwiches and a variety of other comfort staples for over 20 years. All of their meals are made from local, organic ingredients, and their menu offers a variety of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Revolutionary Soup is an ideal spot for Charlottesville residents to dine in or enjoy takeout. Inside, the space feels cozy and welcoming, almost nostalgic, with wooden floors, simple seating and handwritten menu boards. Vibrant paintings on the walls and tables give the space a playful, eclectic aesthetic.
While the restaurant has plenty of indoor seating, I noticed that a large portion of its patrons choose to grab takeout — opting to enjoy this comfort food in their own homes. If opting for takeout, the restaurant’s website features a user-friendly interface that allows customers to place orders online with ease.
While I highly recommend a dine-in experience, Revolutionary Soup’s service extends beyond their dining room. They also offer to-go soups by the quart for patrons who hope to get multiple meals out of their order, as well as catering services for large gatherings.
On the other hand, in-restaurant patrons order at the counter and wait for their number to be called. Thankfully, I looked at the menu beforehand, as there were plenty of intriguing options.
As a vegetarian, I am used to having limited choices at restaurants, so the variety of options — ranging from a Mozzarella & Pesto to a BLT with veggie bacon — was a nice surprise. The soups and sandwiches were inspired by a variety of cuisines including Japanese, Mediterranean and Southern classics, offering plenty of fun flavors from around the globe.
If you’re an indecisive diner like me, you’re in luck. One of my favorite aspects of Revolutionary Soup is the pick-two combo, which allows you to choose a small soup and a half-portion of any sandwich or salad.
With soup options ranging from classics like Loaded Potato and Tomato Basil Bisque to unique sandwich offerings from Thai Wraps to Pimento Grilled Cheeses, this place offers a little something for everyone.
Soup aside, I was disappointed to learn that all pick-two sandwiches come as a wrap instead of being served on their delicious bread choices like sourdough and sunflower wheat. Nevertheless, after debating between several combinations, I ultimately chose the Peanut Tofu soup paired with the Garlic Garden Club wrap.
Reasonably priced, our pick-two combos came out to $13 each, which seemed very sensible for a wrap, a cup of soup, a fountain drink and a cornbread muffin. For those craving only soup, the restaurant also offers a “soup flight” — an in-house sampler of four half-cups that makes for a fun tasting experience.
Within about 15 minutes, our orders were ready. The presentation was adorable, resembling an elevated school-cafeteria meal. While I was excited about the muffin, it ended up being a disappointing element of my meal, as it crumbled everywhere the second I took a bite.
The wrap was filled with sautéed peppers and onions, avocado, lettuce and a rich garlic cream cheese. Each bite brought together the smokiness of the sautéed vegetables with the fresh avocado and cheese, allowing all of the flavors to work in tandem with each other without one overpowering the rest. It was a generous portion for a half wrap — served sliced in two — which was a pleasant surprise for my grumbling stomach.
However, the most “revolutionary” part of the meal was the soup itself. The sweet peanut flavor perfectly balanced the heat of the Thai spices, while the tofu and green onions added an additional layer of texture and flavor. The thick, chowder-like consistency was so hearty and satisfying that I seriously considered buying an entire quart to take home.
My roommate ordered the Spicy Chicken Tortilla soup and Kickin’ Chicken wrap and was just as pleased with her meal as I was. Her soup came with a side of tortilla strips, adding some variation in the texture.
Her wrap consisted of roasted chicken, sautéed vegetables and a chipotle mayo sauce. She described the soup to be light yet flavorful, and the creaminess of the mayo and cheese created a perfect balance to the spiciness of the broth.
We both agreed that while it will be hard to switch up from our delicious orders, we need to expand our repertoire and try a new pick-two combination next time.
Regardless of the time of day or year, Revolutionary Soup is a deliciously convenient place to turn for your next comfort meal — a hearty bowl of soup can be the perfect remedy for March’s remaining chilly days, while a refreshing wrap or salad provides a lighter option as summer inches closer.
Thoughtfully accommodating dietary preferences and restrictions, the restaurant’s wide array of gluten-free and plant-based dishes has quickly placed it among my favorite food spots in Charlottesville. It’s safe to say that Revolutionary Soup has indeed revolutionized the way I think about comfort food.
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