Great tortilla soups at Houston restaurants
Houstonians have their go-to purveyors for just about every food our multicultural palate fancies. That includes tortilla soup. Here are some of our favorites. greg.morago@chron.com
HUGO’S
The vivid flavors of chicken and dried chipotle flavors marry in one extraordinary tortilla soup, which James Beard Awardwinning chef Hugo Ortega labels as Sopa Azteca on the menu. Simple yet complex, this is a soul-stirring soup taken to a creamy, bisque-like level. $10; 1600 Westheimer, 713-524-7744; hugosrestaurant.net
CHUY’S
Though Tex-Mex allegiances run the gamut in Houston, the tortilla soup at Chuy’s has a legion of fans. The house-made chicken broth is loaded with roasted, hand-pulled chicken, roasted corn, avocado, green chile and tomatoes and topped with cheese and tortilla strips. $4.99 and $7.99 at all Chuy’s locations; see chuys.com for locations in Houston, Sugar Land, Humble, Pasadena and Webster
TRIBUTE AT THE HOUSTONIAN
Chef Neal Cox goes deep, layering flavors that produce a magnificently rich soup. The bowl of smoked chicken tortilla soup begins with a stock made with chicken feet and the bones of smoked chicken. The broth carries the heat and smokiness of dried guajillo and ancho peppers. Poured tableside. $10, The Houstonian, 111 N. Post Oak, 713-680-2626; houstonian.com
MOLINA’S CANTINA
Sporting a chicken base bolstered by just enough spicy heat, the soup is served with avocado chunks, crispy tortilla chips and a side of Mexican rice. It’s a bowl of Mexican mama comfort that pleases any season, any day and can wash the blues away. $4.95 and $6.95, 7901 Westheimer, 713-782-0861 and 3801 Bellaire, 713-432-1626; molinascantina.com
BACKSTREET CAFE
Chef John Watt put tortilla soup on the menu in 1990, and even though he’s no longer running Backstreet’s kitchen (he’s chef/ co-owner of Prego and cooperator of Third Coast), his soup remains: flavorful broth studded with smoked chicken and roasted tomato topped with avocado, tortilla strips and a hint of crema. $12, 1103 S. Shepherd, 713-521-2239; backstreetcafe.net
ADAIR KITCHEN
Two soups — lemon artichoke and chicken tortilla — are the hot-bowl workhorses of Adair Kitchen. The tortilla soup has a sturdy chicken broth emboldened with paprika, chile powder and even Rotel-like tomatoes. Topped with crunchy tortilla chips and cheese. $4.25 and $7.25, 5161 San Felipe, 713-6236100; adairkitchen.com
THE ANNIE CAFE & BAR
Chef Robert Del Grande’s original Southwest cuisine flavors live on in the tortilla soup at the new, luxurious iteration of the old Cafe Annie. The chile-steeped chicken broth is poured over an avocado relish with queso fresco and house-made tortilla strips. Add grilled chicken if desired. $10, 1800 Post Oak, 713-804-1800; theanniehouston.com
STATE FARE KITCHEN & BAR
The west-side restaurant targets classic flavors Houstonians love, from burgers to Gulf fish to Tex-Mex. That includes the house Oaxacan tortilla soup, a chicken broth flavored with guajillo chile peppers and served with a frilly halo of corn tortilla strips, crema and avocado. $10, 947 Gessner, 832-831-0950; statefaretx.com
KILLEN’S TMX
Chef-barbecue pitmaster Ronnie Killen’s tortilla soup is a soulful rendition of chicken broth infused with chile goodness and kissed with smoke. This regal cup wears an avocado and tortilla chip crown. $6, 9330 Broadway, Pearland, 832664-8696; killenstmx.com