The Original Soupman

The Original Soupman[edit | edit source]

The Original Soupman is a renowned soup brand and restaurant chain based in the United States. The brand was initially popularized by its flagship store in New York City, and has since expanded to various locations across the country. The Original Soupman is best known for its wide variety of gourmet soups, which are made fresh daily.

History[edit | edit source]

The Original Soupman was founded by Al Yeganeh in 1984. Yeganeh, an Iranian immigrant, opened the first Soupman store on 55th Street in Manhattan. The store quickly gained popularity due to its high-quality soups and unique service style. Yeganeh's strict rules for customers, including a "no soup for you" policy for those who did not follow his ordering procedure, became a cultural phenomenon after being featured in an episode of the popular television show Seinfeld.

In 2005, Yeganeh partnered with other investors to form Soupman Inc., which aimed to expand the brand nationwide. The company began selling packaged soups in grocery stores and opened additional restaurant locations. Despite facing financial difficulties and filing for bankruptcy in 2017, the company has continued to operate and sell its products.

Menu[edit | edit source]

The Original Soupman's menu features a wide variety of soups, including classics like chicken noodle, tomato, and clam chowder, as well as unique offerings like Jambalaya, Lobster Bisque, and Yeganeh's famous mulligatawny. The soups are made fresh daily using high-quality ingredients.

In addition to soups, the restaurant also offers salads, sandwiches, and desserts. The menu varies by location and season, with certain soups only available at specific times of the year.

Locations[edit | edit source]

The Original Soupman has locations in several U.S. states, including New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The brand's products are also sold in grocery stores nationwide.

In Popular Culture[edit | edit source]

The Original Soupman gained widespread recognition after being featured in the "Soup Nazi" episode of Seinfeld. The character of the "Soup Nazi," played by Larry Thomas, was based on Yeganeh and his strict customer service rules. The episode, which aired in 1995, brought national attention to the Soupman brand and significantly increased its popularity.