With the changing weather upon us, I found myself with a bit of a cold this week. In all fairness, I thought it was best to sub a writer in for me so that my taste test would not be thrown off! Who better to feature this week than Molly Wilkins, Local Editor herself. Enjoy her review of local hot-spots for soup and chili, and I'll be back next week!
I am a big fan of food in general, but there’s just something about soup or chili that is extra special. I’ll eat it year round, but the weather when it’s just starting to get cold seems to make it all the better. So it made sense to write about this type of food right when our weather is finally starting to feel the chill of fall.
Harpin’s Bistro
I find not many Mercer students are aware of this gem in Payne City. Perhaps you have heard of a musician named Mick Jagger? You would probably know him as the Jagger that Adam Levine of Maroon 5 refers to in the song “Moves Like Jagger”. In case you aren’t aware, Mick Jagger is the front band for The Rolling Stones. I promise there is a connection here. Well, Paul Harpin –owner and chef behind Harpin’s Bistro- was once the personal chef to Mick Jagger (I told you there was a connection)! Harpin was brought to Macon because of Capricorn Records and the executives there wanting a first class restaurant to bring clients to, as a result we still have Harpin here. Not only does he serve up great food, but great stories as well. Go in there and ask him about how he witnessed Gregg Allman propose to Cher.
But back to the food. I get the crab and corn chowder all year long. It’s amazingly buttery and good. There’s just the right amount of corn and cream and crab- not any one element overpowers the other. But a warning, you need to get there early before it’s gone!
Margarita’s at Mercer Village
I honestly would not have thought about going Mexican for soup, but after some crowdsourcing via Facebook, I thought I’d give it a try. Now, I was told that their chicken soup is the most popular but I thought I’d buck the trend and go for the Taco Soup. Honestly, I’m glad I did.
Hearty beef, tomato, black beans and corn filled the bowl with just a dollop of sour cream and a pinch of cheese. Yummy! It would not have been my first choice simply because I generally would have, like everyone else, opted for chicken soup. But in the spirit of journalism and experimental taste buds I went for the Taco. Trust me- if you like any of those ingredients you will very much enjoy this soup. Which really, to me, seemed more like a chowder because it was just so filled with veggies and meat.
Let’s Do Lunch at Super Supper’s
Super Supper’s is a casserole shop on Forsyth Road which also has Let’s Do Lunch, well, at lunch. I do not really like tomato bisque, so I never expected to be sold on a red pepper bisque, but OH MY GOD- it’s addicting. I have been consuming this soup ever since they introduced it around three years ago. And I’m still going back.
Adriana’s
I’ve been getting the lobster bisque here ever since I was in college- the first go ‘round, back in 2005 (gosh I’m really giving away my age). My mom and I would make it a lunch date every Friday just for the lobster bisque. It’s a dish that’s really easy to mess up if you aren’t careful.
