When temperatures drop, those hankering for a hearty soup and a hunk of bread will find that and more at Zoup, a fast-casual eatery on North Eola Road in Aurora.
Based on the premise that “really good soup is hard to find,” Zoup has been serving up comfort food to Aurora area diners since July 2013.
“When I go out to eat, I really appreciate when I can get healthy options that taste amazing, and that is where Zoup hits a home run,” said Mark Loerop, a Naperville resident and one of four owners of the Zoup in Aurora. “At Zoup, you can have a hearty meal that is healthy too, which is important.”
Here’s the dish on this local favorite.
What’s on the menu? With more than a hundred different soup recipes in their arsenal, Zoup dishes up 12 rotating soups each day, in addition to an impressive selection of sandwiches and salads. The Zoup website is updated each morning so customers know which soups will be served, but their famous chicken pot pie soup and lobster bisque are staples that are always on the menu.
About the owners: Couples Mark and Rachel Loerop, of Naperville, and Benjamin and Amanda Brooks, of Oswego, were enjoying a carryout Aurelio’s pizza one evening when they talked about starting a business together. While neither couple had restaurant ownership or management experience — and had other careers — they were smitten by Zoup’s concept. They now share the responsibilities and work different shifts throughout the week.
A mission statement or philosophy? Mark Loerop said it’s the “everything matters” philosophy that impressed him about Zoup. “It’s a way to do business that really resonated with us when we were looking at franchises,” he said.
Decor: Warm and inviting like their soups, Zoup is a counter-service eatery with earth-tones on the walls and plenty of table and booth seating. The corner location offers walls of windows which fills Zoup with plenty of natural light. It’s a comfortable place for a leisurely meal or a quick bite.
Food specialties: The chicken pot pie soup, a creamy broth that’s brimming with chunks of chicken, potatoes and carrots and topped with crumbly pie crust is a fan favorite, as is the lobster bisque. But Zoup isn’t only about the soup, as sandwiches and salads deserve attention as well.
The chicken Toscana features grilled chicken topped with provolone cheese, romaine lettuce, roasted red peppers, caramelized red onions and homemade basil mayonnaise and is served on country French bread. The Sonoma, a blend of romaine lettuce and spring mix, topped with Gorgonzola, dried cranberries, toasted almonds and raspberry vinaigrette is a popular choice.
We’re different because: “We are so passionate about our food and have a lot of really great fresh options which makes us stand out,” Loerop said. The 12 rotating soups offer something for everyone, including low-fat, vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free options.
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Not sure what you want? No problem. Free samples are something they not only offer, but encourage. Try one, or try them all before placing your order.
Extras: Zoup offers full catering options for parties of five to more than a hundred. Zoup also offers a kid-friendly menu with soup and sandwich combos that will please even the littlest diners.
Price range: A cup of soup is $5.65, or a steaming 16-ounce bowl is about $6.95. Salads are under $7, or you can get a half salad for under $5. A pick two combo runs between $8 and $9.
Logistics: Zoup is at 1167 North Eola Road near the corner of North Aurora Road in Aurora. They are open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Call 630-300-0880 or visit zoup.com.
Jane Donahue is a freelance writer.