Soul-Stirring: Soup in JXN
When the temperature drops, there is nothing like a cup or bowl of soup to make you feel warm and cozy.
A soup can be brothy, silky, hearty, depending on the ingredients and preparation, it’s anything you need it to be - including the unexpected! Here are just a few options for soup in the City With Soul to keep you warm through the season.
![A bowl of gumbo](https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Gumbo-at-Hal-Mals.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=4c2e386f03d2ce52657cf2c3f128565c 320w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Gumbo-at-Hal-Mals.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=fd53f03976a87235a0cfa2c21403f8fa 540w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Gumbo-at-Hal-Mals.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=8c44c22010a9dcf9ff72c89eadea8e78 768w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Gumbo-at-Hal-Mals.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=1d50578a32f9c1a36f927cb4cc6fdd90 1024w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Gumbo-at-Hal-Mals.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=c86fe72694ab9f2466a40a0bf0bb4195 1200w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Gumbo-at-Hal-Mals.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=949a1d8a7ae219e373fce3a46134a109 1440w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Gumbo-at-Hal-Mals.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=e7f75b8d3ea47da9519071f26fbe7d58 1920w)
Hal and Mal’s - 200 Commerce Street
When Hal White opened Hal & Mal’s with his brother, Malcolm, in 1985, neither dreamed it would become a downtown Jackson institution.
With Malcolm running the front of the house, Hal held down the kitchen. And in that kitchen, Hal became famous for his delicious house-made soups.
Sadly, Hal passed away in 2013, but he left his soup recipes behind, and they are still enjoyed by patrons of Hal & Mal’s today.
Hal’s soup du jour could be an old favorite, or it could be a real eyebrow-raiser. As their menu states, “only your server knows for sure just what the chef has concocted.”
Myrtis’s Bayou Gumbo is served daily, a loving tribute to the White brothers’ Aunt Myrtis, who trapped crabs in a bayou near Gautier, Mississippi. The gumbo is made with fresh seafood, smoked ham and vegetables, and of course, it is simmered in a rich roux and served over hot rice.
If it’s Friday, order a bowl of the seafood bisque, rich with Gulf shrimp and crab in a creamy broth.
Pro tip: If you are a gumbo fanatic, you can't go wrong at Char or Broadstreet either.
![tomato soup in a green bowl with a sandwich on a colorful table](https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Basils-soup-and-sandwich.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=0eb4399f8e7cd8991486960e6d592992 320w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Basils-soup-and-sandwich.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=05631ba05e21de1490aaeec21869a83b 540w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Basils-soup-and-sandwich.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=eca1fe56c0a9639db3e3c9cebba58d2c 768w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Basils-soup-and-sandwich.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=e546d09690f9bc279fc34fe5e77cffcb 1024w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Basils-soup-and-sandwich.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=67e66b36e6f01a8edb7125458d0a602a 1200w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Basils-soup-and-sandwich.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=8734881bcbd69495f63b3d60361dbc92 1280w)
Basil’s - 120 North Congress Street (Downtown) and 2906 North State Street (Fondren)
While it’s not the only soup served at Basil’s, the one on the menu year-round is the tomato basil: a creamy soup with chunks of fresh tomato served with fresh parmesan and topped with fresh basil.
When the weather gets colder, more soups appear on the menu at each location. It could be a seven bean and ham soup, loaded baked potato soup, French onion soup or something else, depending on the chef’s mood that day.
All the soups are house-made and can be paired with one of Basil’s famous paninis on house-baked focaccia bread.
![A bowl of chicken tortilla soup](https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Newks-Chicken-Tortilla-soup.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=4f1b9689cdf969272a15b65a5bb46864 320w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Newks-Chicken-Tortilla-soup.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=577c912133e40f95ab92b361b852be3f 540w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Newks-Chicken-Tortilla-soup.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=3e343ab7d78b6834ac9ecaf136d57bd6 768w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Newks-Chicken-Tortilla-soup.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=092ca24de359eebd82ad452f37e25e58 1024w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Newks-Chicken-Tortilla-soup.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=030b0299873b76bc0e0a111b0b0a3189 1200w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Newks-Chicken-Tortilla-soup.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=1268029d0cb68a8bbe94f43ac8a2000f 1280w)
Newk’s Eatery - 4450 Interstate 55 North
Regulars at Newk’s Eatery have their choice of several scratch-made soups.
The chicken tortilla soup features a rich chicken broth swimming with chicken and vegetables seasoned with a touch of ancho chilies, corn masa and cilantro. The loaded potato is a creamy chowder of potatoes, chives, bacon, sour cream, and melted cheese for a heartier soup.
Another belly-filling choice is the lobster and crab bisque with blue crab and cold-water lobster meat in a savory seafood broth, finished with cream and a touch of sherry. For a lighter soup, the tomato basil is a creamy slow-simmered soup made with fresh tomatoes and hints of carrot, celery, onion and garlic.
The newest offering on Newk’s soup menu is spinach and feta, a creamy mix of feta cheese, spinach, potatoes, onion and sour cream garnished with fresh basil.
![Soup](https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Steves-Sengalese-soup.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=9cfb947fe1b8a14bdb37e7ab5e19d028 320w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Steves-Sengalese-soup.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=f756b55e24af28de686bb01e034c3030 540w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Steves-Sengalese-soup.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=be175ea17d9776f31d759bbbbddd04b0 768w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Steves-Sengalese-soup.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=a372c5d2e529b379ff185c1416daf732 1024w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Steves-Sengalese-soup.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=479d742f3ed26f2f799eaba3af13fa8e 1200w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Steves-Sengalese-soup.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=4c8e2286ea03e354961ac62b0cc38bb6 1280w)
Steve’s Downtown Deli and Bakery - Congress Street
Steve’s Downtown Deli and Bakery has become known for the delicious soups served daily. In business for ten years, Steve’s has expanded from its original location at 125 South Congress Street in Capitol Towers to a second location at 200 South Lamar Street in City Center North.
The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch and offers entrees and soups to go for customers who want to heat and eat at home.
All soups are made fresh in-house and change daily.
Customers rave about Steve’s signature Senegalese peanut chicken soup. Still, the gumbo Yaya, Texas red chili, and Southwest black bean with sausage, curried carrot and coconut and the organic carrot ginger bisque are popular options.
Check their website for daily specials to see what soups are being ladled up this week.
![a closeup of soup in a spoon with a mushroom](https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Soup-Thailicious-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=dca8f3fd26a06686664143b8f07ace73 320w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Soup-Thailicious-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=a68e328fbc19dda23a38aba76882447d 540w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Soup-Thailicious-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=0b59d575983c7a455ca0c07cff528546 768w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Soup-Thailicious-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=862718d33355d922fe2b7138c120d096 1024w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Soup-Thailicious-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=a53fd404b70d967f2217b24fecfddbb6 1200w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Soup-Thailicious-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=c6e686f61f7aa2b55819d9eef47c5c75 1280w)
Thailicious – 3000 Old Canton Road
For a soup with an Asian flair, visit Thailicious, where Tom Yum soup is served. The classic hot and sour soup is loaded with mushrooms, lemongrass, lime leaves, galangal, roasted red pepper paste, green onions and cilantro and is served with rice.
Or try the Tom Kha soup, made with coconut milk, lime juice, lemongrass, galangal, cabbage, mushrooms, onion, green onion, and cilantro. Also popular is the wonton soup, featuring gyoza in a flavorful broth with added napa cabbage, mushrooms, carrots and onion, topped with green onion, cilantro and fried garlic, served with rice.
But the real showstopper is the restaurant’s namesake soup, Thailicious, a traditional delicate coconut milk soup with fresh mushrooms, galangal, lemongrass, lime leaves, green onion and cilantro, served with rice. All soups are available as a cup (small) or a bowl (large).
Aladdin Mediterranean Grill - 730 Lakeland Drive
Yosef Ali serves up his popular lentil soup at Aladdin Mediterranean Grill, a tangy, traditional soup made with boiled red lentils and spices and served with crispy baked pita chips.
The soup is not thick but instead is a silky bowl of goodness. The lentils are barely noticeable, cooked down to perfection.
At only $2.95 a cup, the red lentil soup is the ideal starter for a traditional Mediterranean meal.
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Jackson, Mississippi 39201
(601) 948-0888
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Hal and Mal's200 S. Commerce Street
Jackson, Mississippi 39201
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120 North Congress Street
Jackson, Mississippi 39201
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Basil's - Downtown120 North Congress Street
Jackson, Mississippi 39201
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Jackson, Mississippi 39216
(601) 982-2100
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Basil's Fondren2906 N. State St.
Jackson, Mississippi 39216
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Jackson, Mississippi 39201
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Steve's Downtown Deli & Bakery125 Congress Street
Jackson, Mississippi 39201
Mediterranean Cuisine, Cozy Atmosphere
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Aladdin Mediterranean Grill730 Lakeland Drive
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Newk's Eatery4450 I - 55 North Frontage Road
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