This morning on NPR I heard this story about the return of Soup Man, aka the Soup Nazi. I might have to add “eat soup even if it’s 100 degrees” to my BlogHer ’10 must-do list, because it made me hungry. I’m a little skeptical, though, because the original soup Nazi, Al Yeganeh, doesn’t make the soup or even own the business anymore (the current owner says he “remains involved”).
At my first job in New York, I worked in a building on 57th St. and Broadway. Mr. Yeganeh held court a few blocks away, at a counter that opened directly onto the street. Even before the Seinfeld episode, it was a big deal to go there. The line was really long, and the anxiety was real, because the guy already had a reputation and it was based in true fact. WOE BETIDE the person who didn’t respect the line, the meticulous ordering procedure, or the need to “have your money ready!”
It cost $7 for a cup of soup. It came with bread, a piece of chocolate, and two or three grapes. At that time, that was a lot of cash for me to spend on lunch (actually, that still seems like a lot, now that I eat leftovers for lunch every single day). So it was a very special treat.
But it was every bit as good as you’ve heard.
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Anxiety! I may have to watch the line from a safe distance first.
You know, I’ve never been there.
Al is not involved with the business in any way, shape or form.
He sold the building to the current owner in April, and has been out of the country, except when he signed the contract, for 6 years.
This new place is just another Soup Kitchen clone, and isn’t worth the time to go. The original? An amazing place.
So did you go?
I worked at 45th and 5th and later at Rock Center and used to make the trek to his place for soup now and then too. It was always worth the line (and the anxiety)!
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