Mystic Soup Co. serves up unique, flavorful soups
It’s called Mystic Soup Co. and located in Pawcatuck, but who the heck cares when the soup is so sensational?
They make two new varieties every day, and one or both are either gluten-free, dairyfree, vegan, or maybe all three. There are selections such as Four-Cheese and Turkey Lasagna or Vegetable and Quinoa with Butternut Squash and Garbanzo Beans. Another day and you may have to choose between Cajun Style Shrimp and Andouille Sausage or Creamy Roasted Tomato Basil. Go back a week later and you may find Roasted Broccoli and Potato with Ham or Lemon-Turmeric Vegetable Noodle.
The soups are always piping hot and hearty. They are sold in four sizes: eight ounces for $4.25, 12 ounces for $5.50, 16 ounces for $6.50, or 32 ounces for $11.
On a recent visit, we got one each of the daily concoctions — the gluten-free and dairy-free Turkey, Bacon, White Bean and Swiss Chard and the vegetarian Cream of Mushroom and Wild Rice.
The mushroom soup was velvety smooth and loaded with sliced mushrooms, diced celery and carrots, with just a tad of crunch provided by the wild rice. Two days later, and we were still reminiscing about how delicious it was.
Not that the turkey concoction wasn’t also tasty, but wow, that mushroom soup was another level.
In addition to the turkey and vegetables, there were mouthy bites of bacon in the gluten- and dairy-free turkey soup, and it’s a fact that you can never go wrong with bacon.
We also indulged in two sandwiches to share. The Primer is sliced ribeye with horseradish mayonnaise, cheddar cheese and sliced tomatoes. My luncheon partner proclaimed it the tastiest, leanest beef sandwich he had ever eaten. And this from a man who rarely misses an opportunity to order beef.
All sandwiches are $12 and come with a side of coleslaw or potato salad. The innards are stuffed between sliced ciabatta rolls and sliced in half for easier eating.
The Tuna Melt, billed as ahi tuna with lemon mayonnaise, tomatoes, and Swiss cheese, was mild and well-seasoned, not super fishy but tasty and perfect with the tomato slices, melted cheese and a side of chips.
Mystic Soup was originally located behind Sea Swirl in Mystic but vacated that space in 2019, the same year owner Andrew Madsen opened Mystic Salad on Cottrell Street in downtown Mystic. Then, two years ago, Madsen reopened the beloved Mystic Soup in an empty space on South Broad Street, in the strip where Handlebar Café is located, not far from Stonington High School.
There is a line at the counter just about every time we visit. The soup is the attraction, and so are the sandwiches. You can dine at one of the two bistro tables out front when the weather cooperates, or at a stool and counter near the front window, but most everyone gets their food to go.
Madsen was away on vacation recently and one of his employees explained that it’s the boss who makes the daily soups that keep regulars coming in the door. When I asked where he gets his recipes, the employee said Madsen is inventive and constantly coming up with ideas for new creations.
His soups truly are pioneering and a draw. But so are the sandwiches. The Reuben is another favorite, with lean pastrami, house red cabbage slaw, thousand island dressing, and Swiss cheese, all toasted to perfection. We have also indulged in the Pollo, with grilled chicken, sliced avocado, bacon, white cheddar, and tomatoes. There are about a dozen sandwiches on the menu and while we haven’t tried them all, we are working towards that goal. Next up is the Veggie, with goat cheese, avocado, spinach, and the main attraction, roasted vegetables.
It’s fun to wander in and see what the daily soups are — maybe the Seafood Corn Chowder with Crab and Shrimp, or Creamy Roasted Tomato Basil, or how about Shrimp and Sausage Stuffed Pepper soup?
If you are traveling busy Route 1 between Stonington and Westerly, stop in and get some soup. Who knows what will be in the big vats the day you visit? Maybe one will be the gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian Roasted Carrots, Apple and Ginger bisque. Try it. I bet you will like it.