Really just another mediocre breakfast experience. This is my second visit and I was underwhelmed. The biscuits are big and beautiful, but pretty dry and dense. The hash browns tasted and looked like they had been cooked early this morning and just placed on a warm spot of the griddle or under a heat lamp until served--the same with the onion and peppers in the omelette. The cherry cobbler was also disappointing; however, we did love the bacon! Their sausage gravy is pretty tasty as well. One thing that was bewildering, was that they sell these great homemade jams, but serve basic store bought jelly. I couldn't believe the server when he told me that the jelly was not the jams they sell.
(2)
Marian B.
Yes, love the awesome service of the servers but especially food am able to enjoy. I love Stone Soup on two bus lines during the week. Keep up great service!!
(5)
Caroline V.
Ok. I just can't. I want to rate this restaurant 4 stars because the service is so friendly, and the location is ideal, and the house's exterior is so cute. But ... on repeated visits, the food is really hit-or-miss, and more often recently it's a "miss." The fruit cup has been unacceptable on more than one occasion and, again, though the servers are quick and kind about exchanging it, this really should never happen, period. Today my scrambled eggs were both unscrambled (whites and yolks distinct on the plate) and undercooked, leaving a slimy trail on my plate. The stoneground grits were cooked well, but unseasoned. Fruit, eggs, and grits just aren't that hard to make taste delicious ... Especially for a breakfast spot! Stone Soup has all of the ingredients to make an awesome restaurant, but the kitchen has to do better at the basics.
(3)
Cindy T.
You gotta love Sharron Johnson and her staff at Stone Soup Cafe. She previously had a fabulous restaurant called Bunz On The Run, so she had a built in client base waiting for her new venture. She does not disappoint. In addition to some great salads and sandwiches on the lunch menu, she offers tasty entrees to satisfy everyone. The place is packed for breakfast. Bring a great big appetite if you order the jumbo pancake (big ass pancake!) as it covers the plate and is so deep and fluffy. Love this place!!
(5)
Mark B.
I wanted to talk to the manager about the burger (cooked to well, ordered medium) and the Eggs Benedict (lumpy, utterly flavorless Hollandaise). Instead of talking to the manager, I was given her business card, as the waiter said that e-mail was the only way to talk to a manager. He also said that if I sent it back for something else, I would still be charged. I have been here seven times over three years, and it has usually just been mediocre, but this is also insulting.
(1)
Joelle P.
Ahhh the elusive half star...I wish I could give this place 3.5 stars but I'll round up because the place is precious and the prices are great... For starters (and as I've mentioned in the last sentence), this place is seriously adorable. I'm a known sucker for houses turned into restaurants - they get me every time. It oozes charm and is in Cooper-Young (my favorite neighborhood at the moment) - win-win! Our waitress, Evelyn, was a total doll and super attentive without being annoying - another win! And my vegetable soup was deliciously fresh albeit extremely hot. (I'm impatient for things to cool, what can I say? I'd rather wait for it to cool out of sight than in front of me - I'll just burn my tongue because it is there and I have to eat it!) And the cornbread ohhhhhhhhh myyyyyyyyyy - just another reason to be grateful for living in the south. Now here is where I start leaning towards the 3, my Caesar wrap was not very special...in fact, I just didn't like it. The chicken was OK and there was enough cheese but overall...nope. And the waitress even recommended it when I asked her if I should get the wrap of the club sandwich. Wishing I had gone with my original inclination. I also wasn't a huge fan of the chips...they are the cheap kind you get in bulk...way too greasy and gross. Anyways, Ms. Werner V. (my dining partner) absolutely loved her chicken sandwich and I loved everything else I had so I know I just ordered the wrong thing. Definitely looking forward to going back to try something else. The southern, down-home atmosphere alone is worth it.
(4)
Jim H.
Stone Soup is another restaurant that we have eaten at several times, but neglected to leave a review until now. This particular visit was a Saturday morning at 9:30 AM. It has plenty of inside and outside seating. The outside seating overlooks the Cooper Young farmers market (Saturdays). My wife had the French toast and I had the two eggs, hash browns & toast. They use fresh made bread for their toast and the pastries are all made in house, as are their other items. My wife thought the French toast was a little soggy on the inside, aka, cooked at too high of a temp, leaving the outside cooked and the inside undercooked - have to be cautious of this when eggs are involved. The hashbrowns were fresh made and tasted okay. The scrambled eggs could have been cooked just a few seconds longer on this day. I've had the biscuits before, but really prefer just to have toast here. The server was friendly and attentive. Overall, I like the location and the service, I'm just not overwhelmed by the breakfast here. I do admit that I should come at other times to try some other menu items. Note that it is very hard for me to give over three stars for breakfast. For me, three stars means the food was as expected or average and I'll work up or down from there based service or vise-versa.
(3)
Renetria D.
Nice prices, they sale locally made jams & jellies. I had the Texas toast, homemade sage turkey sausage(needs a bit of salt and a tad overcooked); service was friendly and fast.
(2)
Linda M.
I have only ordered a breakfast meal here, but it has always been good. Sandwiches look good too. Friendly staff and was very "kid friendly" with our grandson in tow.
(5)
Ashley D.
I ordered the Grilled Cheese and Crawfish Bisque. The bread of the grilled cheese was ok, but the cheese was Kraft Singles. I was disappointed that they didn't use a better cheese for the price of the sandwich. Or at least tell you it's American cheese on the menu. The Crawfish bisque had a nice flavor and the crawfish chunks were tasty, but the consistency of the bisque was not thick enough for my personal preference. My husband ordered the Blue Burger. It was served in toast, which could be fine at times, but the toppings were piled really high so he couldn't bite it well. The meat was over cooked and greasy. If we ever go here again, I will be ordering the breakfast items, not the lunch items.
(3)
Chandra L.
This spot is awesome!!! They serve wonderful fresh breakfast all day (mon-sat 7-3 sun 9-3). I had the big Rex burrito, a side of sour cream, and homemade salsa. My friend ordered French toast, biscuits and gravy( which I help to eat because the portion was large. The biscuits were so good and the gravy was perfectly thick but not too thick. It's a full meal in itself), and eggs. I also ordered the crawfish bisque soup to go( I tasted it later OMG!!! It's so yummy and homemade).
(4)
Marvin S.
I have been to Stone Soup about four times. Every time I have gone, I have tried something different. I have never been disappointed. The quality of the food is spectacular. The service is wonderful. I always feel at home at Stone Soup. I could honestly rave about the food, especially the desserts, all day. One thing that is notable about this restaurant is the staff. They are very friendly and accommodating.
(5)
Mitchell M.
This was my first trip to stone soup cafe. Wow. It's hard to make bacon and eggs stand out, but these were awesome. Hash browns were perfect.
(4)
Christianne B.
Came in for breakfast on a recommendation that my cab driver gave me and was not disappointed. Coffee was good, the staff was exceptionally friendly and the food was delicious. I had veggie quiche, which came with a biscuit & fruit. My boyfriend had the French toast and claims it is the best he's ever had. Good bang for your buck as well, would highly recommend!
(5)
Leah Beth B.
Stone Soup is my go-to place in Cooper-Young for breakfast and lunch. The staff is always so friendly and attentive, and the food is great for a neighborhood restaurant. For breakfast, I've tried almost everything on the menu. No joke. I'm seriously there far too much for my own good. My favorite is the BigRex Biscuit, which is a giant bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. For lunch, I like to try out their lunch specials. I've had everything from catfish to vegetable plates and they never disappoint. I'm also a fan of their chef salads. This is a cute place to take your grandparents for a lunch date. Try it out!
(4)
Jennifer S.
I have come here two other times, and had much better service and food than I did this visit. I have liked going to this place because it is so cute and charming inside, they use a lot of local products on their menu, and I can walk there from the Cooper Young Farmers market on Saturdays to grab a bite to eat. On this visit we were seated promptly but waited a long time to order our drinks and food. The machine they use to make hot chocolate wasn't working, so my niece and I were unable to get it after we ordered it. My niece ordered the fruit parfait with granola and it was a huge serving and she loved it, especially the granola, which they make there and you can buy in the market. My meal, on the other hand, was mostly disappointing. I ordered the 2 eggs (sunny side up) plus two and got 2 applewood sausage patties, the grits, and toast. The eggs, toast, and 2 types of jelly they give you were wonderful. The grits were ok but not seasoned and I wasn't able to finished them. One of the pieces of sausage was so dry and hard, it was inedible. The second piece of sausage was still dry but I was at least able to eat it. We also waited way too long to get our check for our meal. The waitress was very nice, but the slow service was unacceptable.
(2)
Ken T.
Thought this might be better than it was. I ordered the Italian roast beef and it was dry and tasteless. The peas and carrots were overlooked and canned. I had a small Cale salad that was good. It had some walnuts and citrus, and a light dressing. Ambiance was nice and the wait staff was nice and prompt. Don't think I will be back anytime soon.
(3)
Anony M.
Good home, Southern cooking with a fresh, healthy twist. I've ordered a lot of things off the lunch and breakfast menu now and have yet to find something I've been unsatisfied with. I have the hardest time resisting their Big Rex biscuit and just the biscuits in general. So good! A thick, hearty biscuit. Their turkey sausage is to die for as well. I've ordered the blackened catfish in a wrap and on a bed of rice and enjoyed both thoroughly. This is one of the places my friends always want to visit when coming from out of town because of the Southern home vibe, the friendly staff, and the delicious food. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who likes Southern cooking, wants a healthy meal while dining out, or people with a diet that doesn't include eating meat.
(5)
Charlie B.
I've only eaten here once for lunch with some coworkers because one of them recommended it. Otherwise, I might not even know about this hidden gem. I like being able to choose from multiple options for lunch, other than your standard sandwich with unhealthy chips or fries, and this place offers a variety of lunch specials. It reminds me of a cross between Cafe Eclectic and The Elegent Farmer.
(4)
Jon C.
To my surprise i recieved a very nice reply to my previous review from the manager. I will have to give this place another shot. We will see....
(2)
Michelle W.
On one of the coldest days of the year, my coworker coaxed us out at lunch to Stone Soup. It was the perfect place to spend our lunch hour. The restaurant was very crowded, but that did not stop the service from being excellent. I ordered the pimento cheese sandwich. The pimento cheese was good, but there was too much bread. It made it difficult to taste the pimento cheese. It would have been better on an English muffin or two. The regular menu and specials looked delicious. My friends enjoyed their soups, salads, tuna melts and corn casserole. I look forward to making this a regular lunch place.
(3)
Stephanie H.
I love coming to this place for brunch on the weekends. It's such a cozy little establishment (actually used to be a house that people lived in once upon a time) and the servers are very nice and friendly. Southern comfort food and homy atmosphere. I love their food and their prices are pretty fair. I also love their coffee. Tons of options on the menu (including vegan options!) and everything I've had so far has hit the spot. I love their omelettes, hashbrowns, biscuits, and veggie sausage. One thing I always get there is the 2 eggs plus 2. One of my favorite items on the menu. You get 2 eggs cooked any way you like, with 2 sides and a biscuit or toast. All for a really good price (a little over $7). I should mention that this isn't a fancy brunch place so don't expect the food to be sophisticated and exploding with flavors that will blow your mind. This is the kind of place you go to when you wake up late on a weekend, hungover, wishing your mom was right down the street so you can just pop on over for some breakfast at her place. I also find this place very convenient because they stay open till 3pm for weekend brunch. They have their own parking (super tiny though) but if there is no space available, just park somewhere down the street. They also have their own little shop inside where they sell some baked goods, honey, coffee, t-shirts, postcards, and other fun local little things. One last thing to keep in mind is that when the weather isn't horribly muggy and hot, they have outdoor seating which I love! There's also a farmer's market that goes on every weekend right across the street if you're into that kind of thing!
Looking for a great cup of coffee...?! Look no further! I have heard good things about this place for awhile now but have never been....last Sunday three of my girlfriends and I went for brunch. When I walked in the place was packed! I was thinking we would have to wait for at least 30 minutes before we would be seated. However, there was a table for 4 and we were seated right away! Seated by the window the house was very quaint. Our waiter was hilarious and very entertaining. We enjoyed him and would go back there anytime! The food looked amazing was tasted just the same!
(4)
Miss M.
Just had breakfast there with a new friend. Haven't been there in years. Loved the quiche then and loved it today!! Totally my favorite dish for breakfast.
(5)
Jacque D.
I have tried Stone Soup Cafe several times and each time was more disappointing than the time before. Today was my husbands first time and he won't be back. The main problem was the slow and innefficient service. Our waiter wore himself out running...and I mean running....up and down the main corridor, one item at a time. My hubby's stone soup (hamburger) was bland and 9$ a bowl. My gumbo was delish, but no bread was brought until we requested it. The coffee was good, but luke warm and we couldn't catch the waiter to refresh it. We wanted dessert but ran out of time waiting. Darling place, nice patio and I love the name. Too bad, sooo sad.
(2)
Burton B.
I love breakfast. I especially love being able to eat breakfast ANY TIME of the day. Stone Soup has robust breakfast offerings. My personal favorite is the French Toast. Stone Soup makes its own bread. This dish is made with their homemade peasant bread, and it soaks all day in the secret French Toast batter so it's simply delectable. Further, the atmosphere is quaint and bright. I typically eat alone here and take my newspapers, and I don't feel awkward, lonely, or out of place. The wonderful staff is friendly, welcoming, and they ask about me if I haven't been in a while. Love that down-home attention. [Only complaint is that the sweet tea is made with Splenda (weird taste to me), yet I probably don't need all that extra sugar since I drown the French Toast in syrup.] If breakfast at noon is your thing on a sunny Saturday, Stone Soup has you covered!
(5)
Led D.
A charming restaurant with a welcoming southern ambiance in a great location of mid-town. The staff are very friendly and cordial. They show a lot of pride in their work and product being served. They have their daily specials written on the blackboard with their regular menu. My wife tried the crepe stuffed with spinach and mushroom. I had the sausage, bacon, and ham estrada (just like a cassarole) with cheese grits and I had to have pancake which was larger than my head; thank goodness it only came in one per serving. It all tasted great and quite satisfying. I also loved the coffee. Overall it was a great brunch and experience. We only had to wait about seven minutes to get seated. It was around 10:00 am and we will definitely come back again.
(4)
Karen L.
Sorry guys, I don't get the love for Stone Soup. We had lunch here on a Saturday, and it was pretty unimpressive. We had the shrimp skewers wrapped in bacon as an appetizer, and for $8, you get exactly 4 shrimp, tails still attached, encrusted in ridiculously crispy bacon, on a big bowl full of lettuce and a cup of melted butter. Um...okay then. I had the grilled cheese with ham and the cucumber salad. Now, the number one way to screw up a grilled cheese is to burn it, and that's exactly what they did. Not charred to a crisp, but defnitely left on the grill a little too long. Same with the ham in the middle, which actually overwhelmed the cheese, making it more like a bad ham and cheese panini than a grilled cheese. The cucumber salad was terrible -- it looked like some attempt at an Italian dressing had been made, but it was completely tasteless. The boyfriend had the lunch special, beef tenderloin, with roasted broccoli and cauliflower and coleslaw. When asked, the waitress had assured him that the beef was tender, but he said it really wasn't. His food as well was lacking in flavor...have these people heard of salt and pepper? The service was ok, though it was pretty irritating to watch our server chatting it up with the next table for several minutes when we were ready to order. I know everyone's raving about their breakfast, but with those high prices and poor food quality, I won't be back.
(2)
Robin B.
I met two friends at Stone Soup for lunch on a Saturday. The menu is a bit of a mish-mash, offering Las Delicias chips & salsa, homemade guacamole, veggie burgers, and meat & vegetable plates. Daily specials are offered, ask your server or check the chalk board. This place was full, and felt homey, though the fact that is actually functioning in an old 4-square midtown home may be what slowed communication between hostess/servers/cooks. The lack of identity is what prevents me from giving a fifth star. I didn't know if I was eating at a greek diner, a mexican restaurant, or granny's house. My friend had special dietary needs, and sent her salad back, but our waitress showed patience and remained cordial, which I appreciated. My grilled asparagus was pretty good, the spanikopita lacked personality, though the texture was fine, but the real star of the show was the bread. The white bread was dense and a bit dry but rich and begging for honey or butter. The mystically sweet and layers-deep flavors in the cornbread takes my review from 3 stars up to 4. Free parking, no alcohol, brunch on Sundays. Open for breakfast and lunch.
(4)
Ernie M.
A really great breakfast. I had the cheese egg white omelet and it was delectable. Along with the omelet I ordered a side of Applewood bacon and it was one of the best bacons I have ever had. My granddaughter ordered the Big Rex Biscuit and loved it. Interesting ambiance in an old house. The service by Kimberly was good. Worth the visit for any meal.
(3)
Yvonne W.
Cute place. Ordered a spinach omelet with mozzarella cheese & mushrooms and vegetarian gravy to go with the biscuit that it comes with. Everything was average. Kind of bland. Also noticed the floors were really dirty. But, guess that could be from the morning breakfast rush. Prices were average. Service was average. Nothing extraordinary.
(3)
Jonathan C.
I've given Stone Soup many chances since it first opened, but it consistently disappoints. Breakfast: I love a hearty, savory breakfast and love to treat myself now and then to biscuits and gravy. Stone Soup's biscuits come to your table stone cold, dry and hardened. They look like they should taste good, but they don't. Im guessing they bake their biscuits the night before and put them in the fridge. Go elsewhere if your looking for hot, flaky yummy biscuits. And the gravy? It was also cold. Lunch? Not impressed. You can get a meat and three here, some of the vegetable side dishes are just comically tragic. I had a server praise their ratatouille. I like to follow staff recommendations, but this was a bad move this time. Their ratatouille included potatoes and carrots!?!?!? Really? Gross and inedible. The service is friendly but slow. I hear their pancakes and toast are really yummy, but it's not enough to entice me.
(2)
Jansen G.
The food is good and the prices are great. I don't think the food can be beat (especially the Swedish crepes!). But our service was awful. Maybe it was just this one waiter, the only man working there I think, but it was almost 20 minutes before he even got to our table to take our drink order. He was just really inattentive. Plus he spent almost all his time just talking to a couple at another table. But other than the awful waiter, everything else was great.
(4)
Jason K.
Really like the food hear. A great chicken sandwich with goat cheese and feta. Sadly, after you get past the food that is where good stops. The service is terrible. I do not think it is the servers fault. To be honest I think it is a management issue. They are very inflexible as to what you can change on you plate. For example, if you want to pay the difference to have a soup as your side rather than chips they will not do it. Also, charge a spilt plate fee of $2 to split a bowl of soup. Really!!! The food is good, but I will not be back because the management appears to think they know what the customer wants more than the customer does.
(2)
Fawn P.
Since moving to Memphis a couple years ago, my standard for good service has dramatically declined. That is until I met the staff at Stone Soup. Although I came in late in the day (they close at 3pm), I was met with smiles, prompt and friendly service. Really, the best service I've had in a long time. I had soup of the day, crawfish bisque, and again, was blown out of the water. Also had a patty melt. An actual thick hand-pressed patty. My only lament was the cheap American cheese used on the burger (but they did use two slices). They had a huge selection of pies and cheesecakes, but was not up to anymore food. Looked good though.
(5)
Dan E.
Let me say first that I absolutely loved "Buns on the Run". Homey, warm and lush southern fare. Now fast forward to "Stone Soup"- which sports a similar warmth and charm both in the cosy atmosphere and friendly service as to make you feel your at grandma's sort of thing. That's about where the similarities end. It appears at least on this visit that Stone Soup tries too hard to be trendy. We had lunch $8.50 for a meat and two and on this visit the entree choices were a choice of beef tips and rice or roasted pork loin. There were about eight veggie choices which were mostly starchs- though in February there are few locally grown fresh green veggies available. Yes, this place sports the eat local idea and they encourage you to visit their local take out market area in the back where they offer many locally made packaged goods as well as their own bakery goodies. I did find it curious that they sell J Brooks fine coffees but served a bulk mass market coffee? Anyway, back to lunch... I chose the broccoli salad and the butter beans. The broccoli salad was a melange of broccoli, onions and cauliflower dressed in an overwhelming garlic and ?? garlic dressing. What I was feeling was the choice of veggies simply seasoned should need very little accouterments to spoil it. The butter beans were obviously fresh freezer burned with no seasoning. I get it... Little or no dairy is their thing also. Hey - it trendy! But does anyone actually taste this stuff before they serve it? I must comment on the delicious but hard to screw up beef tips in a rich gravy over rice. Yum! It was my saving grace! They do have impressive looking in house baked breads that have a beautiful grain structure but made with water and oil instead of butter or milk conditioners leaving the loaf somewhat yeasty and flavorless. They do provide a table butter spread. but the baked goods are beautiful. In the balance of things I am still holding out for tweaks. I love the people and the atmosphere, just wish they had more flavor and a little less trendiness. You shouldn't have to try too hard when you already had it right before!
(2)
Ashley D.
I ordered the Grilled Cheese and Crawfish Bisque. The bread of the grilled cheese was ok, but the cheese was Kraft Singles. I was disappointed that they didn't use a better cheese for the price of the sandwich. Or at least tell you it's American cheese on the menu. The Crawfish bisque had a nice flavor and the crawfish chunks were tasty, but the consistency of the bisque was not thick enough for my personal preference. My husband ordered the Blue Burger. It was served in toast, which could be fine at times, but the toppings were piled really high so he couldn't bite it well. The meat was over cooked and greasy. If we ever go here again, I will be ordering the breakfast items, not the lunch items.
(3)
Chandra L.
This spot is awesome!!! They serve wonderful fresh breakfast all day (mon-sat 7-3 sun 9-3). I had the big Rex burrito, a side of sour cream, and homemade salsa. My friend ordered French toast, biscuits and gravy( which I help to eat because the portion was large. The biscuits were so good and the gravy was perfectly thick but not too thick. It's a full meal in itself), and eggs. I also ordered the crawfish bisque soup to go( I tasted it later OMG!!! It's so yummy and homemade).
(4)
Marvin S.
I have been to Stone Soup about four times. Every time I have gone, I have tried something different. I have never been disappointed. The quality of the food is spectacular. The service is wonderful. I always feel at home at Stone Soup. I could honestly rave about the food, especially the desserts, all day. One thing that is notable about this restaurant is the staff. They are very friendly and accommodating.
(5)
Mitchell M.
This was my first trip to stone soup cafe. Wow. It's hard to make bacon and eggs stand out, but these were awesome. Hash browns were perfect.
(4)
Christianne B.
Came in for breakfast on a recommendation that my cab driver gave me and was not disappointed. Coffee was good, the staff was exceptionally friendly and the food was delicious. I had veggie quiche, which came with a biscuit & fruit. My boyfriend had the French toast and claims it is the best he's ever had. Good bang for your buck as well, would highly recommend!
(5)
Leah Beth B.
Stone Soup is my go-to place in Cooper-Young for breakfast and lunch. The staff is always so friendly and attentive, and the food is great for a neighborhood restaurant. For breakfast, I've tried almost everything on the menu. No joke. I'm seriously there far too much for my own good. My favorite is the BigRex Biscuit, which is a giant bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. For lunch, I like to try out their lunch specials. I've had everything from catfish to vegetable plates and they never disappoint. I'm also a fan of their chef salads. This is a cute place to take your grandparents for a lunch date. Try it out!
(4)
Lauren B.
I came to Stone Soup for lunch March 2013 (after visiting two times when they first opened) and let me say I am a fan. The first two times I had the soup and, as one would expect, it was stellar but today I ordered the veggie plate. Huge lunch for less than $8 - and every veggie was delicious. Nice, cozy place for lunch. I need to add this to my regular weekday lunch rotation!
(4)
Dawn M.
The food was different, not bad, but not the best ever. I got the mushroom sandwich. Was expecting fresh mushrooms but I am 99% sure they were out of a can. The service was great, as was the pineapple/coconut pie. It also was a quaint little place with a nice atmosphere. I would definitely go back.
(4)
C S.
We came for brunch and it was awful. The servers need training. We were served coffee but never refilled. Every time we needed something we had to seek out a staff member. water, creamer, silverware, the bill. The food was marginal at best. No, thank you, I will not revisit.
(1)
Fina S.
My husband and I are absolute fans! We have been there about 12 times in the last 3 weeks and never been disappointed. The service has been adaquate to excellent, and the food has been fabulous. What I appreciate above all is the intent. All the food is fresh, and not processed! The bread is made every day from whole grains,, not processed. The vegetables are fresh as is everything else. If you eat meals and then feel hungry, come here! You will eat a meal and feel full! Sharron Johnson is the owner-chef and a real doll! She makes whatever you want -even if it is not on the menu! But for myself, I cannot get out of the omelette section! I am addicted to the omelettes! Each one is delicious and a full meal! Veggies-fresh, bread-fresh, real food-not processed....that alone should make you run like a bunny here! Homey atmosphere, my only complaint.....No liquor ....Oh well.... This place to us is a home run..IT IS WAS IT IS..GOOD HOMECOOKED FOOD!!!
(5)
Joe S.
I am writing this review before the the grand opening on 9/13/2011, but I wanted to welcome this new restaurant to Midtown and Cooper-Young. Stone Soup will be open for breakfast and lunch and features a traditional breakfast menu of eggs, omelettes, pancakes, cereals and quiche. Lunch features soups, salads, plate lunches and sandwiches. The restaurant features a market with branded items, and some locally produced merchandise. Local art graces the walls of the beautifully refurbished house at the corner of South Cooper and Felix. Stone Soup will fill a much needed breakfast-lunch niche in Midtown/Cooper-Young. Go check it out!
(5)
Twila R.
This place is original and inviting! Loved their display of local artists and re-use philosophy. The food was delicious, service was great and I can't wait to try their desserts!! ;)
(4)
Evan P.
I went here for lunch the other day. I tried the stuffed tomato with chicken salad. I like the chicken salad for being pulled chicken breast and not a chopped mess like most places, however it was a little dry and under seasoned for my taste. The side of sauteed squash i got was cooked perfectly and well seasoned. I really like the interior. It is very spacious with brightly painted walls. Service was quick and efficient. Over-all a pretty solid first trip considering they have only been open for a brief time.
(3)
Daniel B.
Loved this place when it first opened, but I feel like they've spent the last 18 months trying to figure out how to cut corners. Given them a few chances over this time frame, but after they served my girlfriend quiche that had clearly been microwaved (warm on the tip, cold pretty much everywhere else) at a time when they were maybe at 1/4 capacity, I don't think we'll be going back.
(2)
Trena P.
The boyfriend and I just had breakfast here. The service was great and the atmosphere is wonderful, but that's where the good review stops... He had the crepes with peanut butter and banana . Have you ever put a bite of food in your mouth and had an utterly alarmed reaction? I tried his crepes and this is how I felt... The filling was natural peanut butter which had not been sweetened with honey or anything. It was very bitter. I had a breakfast concoction called the gut bomb. On the menu, it is described as layers of grits, sausage and cheese in a bowl. The description was accurate, but nothing could prepare me for the tastelessness that was this dish. No amount of butter or salt made any difference. All in all, I must say, I will not be going back. In the words of my boyfriend, who screws up breakfast?
(1)
Kyle W.
I really wanted to rave about Stone Soup Cafe. I wanted to log on to Yelp, hit my caps lock button, and encourage all of you in a non-ending barrage of capital letters to go enjoy this place. Instead, i wish there was a opposite lock (an "opps lock", if you will) button that would minimize my font so i could add a footnote to every compliment i give to this restaurant. The restaurant itself is very picturesque. It's located on S. Cooper, close to the young Avenue Deli. It is very spacious, with ample room for a party of 4 ( only had 2 in my party, but we were at a table for four) to not feel cramped at lunch time, which is a rarity. I came in totally focused on ordering a Tuna Melt. I had a craving for a while, and Deen B was kind enough to tell me about this place. I ordered the Tuna Melt, and the chicken gumbo. My coworker ordered the chicken sandwich with spinach and feta. My tune melt was good, although I was kinda hoping the cheese would be melted, since it is a MELT after all. My coworkers sandwich was burnt. The whole thing. Literally. As if the chef decided to use a flame thrower as opposed to an oven. The spinach was clearly the chopped, frozen version, not the normal leaves one would expect. The gumbo was tasty, and the cup i ordered came in a bowl so deep I could swim in it. I'd be curious to see what a bowl o gumbo looks like. Do they just roll out a trough? Do you still use a spoon, or is it straight bobbing for apples style? The service was excellent, depending on where you were sitting. We were promptly seated, and out waitress appeared almost instantly. She took our order without an issue, but I personally witnessed her drop raspberry vinaigrette on an older lady's expensive handbag, inadvertently stab a diner with a fork ( it was a gentle poke, while handing him some silverware, but who hold a fork like that?), and drop a piece of cake into some soup splat erring the area with tomato soup rain. So you can imagine my trepidation about the hurricane that was our waitress approaching me with a hot bowl of gumbo and I only had the flimsy fabric of my suit and a paper napkin to protect my choice parts. She delivered it without a problem, though, and our meal was incident free. Overall, the restaurant was solid. The menu is expansive, and the quantity and quality of the food will both satisfy.
(3)
James H.
I had my first experience at Stone Soup today after hearing mixed reviews. We were seated at a table and after 10 mins we were not even approached to take our drink order or even given the daily specials . So we walked out only told to have a great day !
(1)
Kerry C.
Add another name to the impressive roster of restaurants crammed into Cooper-Young. The neighborhood's newest restaurant is a meat-and-three called Stone Soup Cafe. Stone Soup Cafe was opened by the same people who used to run my beloved breakfast hangout, Buns on the Run. Their new venture is somewhat similar - good, fresh breakfast and lunch standards. They've set up shop in a huge converted house across the street from First Congregational Church in Cooper-Young that's divided into several small-ish dining rooms. I ordered the chicken tetrazzini special with mashed potatoes and green beans. The chicken tetrazzini was sort of like a cross between baked pasta and casserole. It had big chunks of chicken, spaghetti noodles and mushrooms and was covered in cream of mushroom and cheese. It was filling and creamy and good in the way that eating at your mom's house is good. The mashed potatoes don't come with gravy, but that's OK - they don't need it. They're creamy (but not so creamy that they're not clearly made from real potatoes) and dotted with flecks of potato skin. The green beans were alright, but a little underwhelming (that might just be me, though -I'm not a big fan of wide, flat green beans). The lunch prices are pretty good for the amount of food you get. You can eat there for less than $10 per person, especially if you stick to drinking water. The service was good, especially for a restaurant that's only been open for a week. They're clearly still working out the kinks, but they're on the right track.
(3)
Lauren W.
This place deserved a 4 star review strictly for the service alone. Our server was pleasant and helpful, made recommendations based on what we liked, and refilled our drinks in an "Indian Palace" style. (Never even a chance to get to the bottom of your glass before a new one was placed in front of you) The whole place has a very homey feel, and not just because it used to be a house. I had the Margarita grilled cheese sandwich with a cup of gazpacho. The gazpacho was full flavored and delicious. The grilled cheese looked beautiful. Usually I could careless about plating at a cafe style restaurant, but when I get an unusually pretty plate its hard not to take notice. The sandwich was served open-faced, with delicious bread, tomatoes and smothered in pesto. Yum. My boyfriend had the creamy chicken pesto crepes. He loved them! Cleaned his entire plate. I would definitely come back to Stone Soup. Want to try some more!
(4)
Gisa D.
Avoid the eggplant gratin but go for the pimento cheese quiche. The crepes are good.
(3)
Clark P.
Another great midtown restaurant! I love the atmosphere of this place. We go for breakfast often and then traverse to the farmer's market across the street. Traditional breakfast items include the Big Rex biscuit which is delicious. The giant pancake is giant indeed. I over ordered my first few times.
(4)
Kristan H.
There has been nothing here I have tried that I have not liked and the servers are always so nice. I was a die hard fan of Young Avenue Deli's pimento cheese sandwich until I met this one. It is not over mayonnaise-y but cheesy and sharp. The baked in-house bread that has been lightly grilled just seals the deal. Lately I have become a big fan of their veggie burger too. It is more crumbly than other restaurants, but I think it has fabulous flavor and is made at the restaurant itself - not frozen. Oh, and if you get the chance to try the shrimp creole do NOT pass that up on the lunch menu. For brunch, the options are endless. If you are in the breakfast mood, I love the pancake with blueberries added or you can go for the crepes for something different and decadent. The good standards are always fantastic too - the sausage, biscuits and omelets do not disappoint. Very affordable and family-friendly!
(5)
Colin B.
Stone Soup Cafe deserves at least four stars for the bread alone. The breads are made in house, and it really shows. Five of us visited for lunch yesterday, and we all genuinely enjoyed it. Between us we tried the 2 soups, 6 sides, the special (roasted chicken) and a hamburger. Some of the vegetable sides were unmemorable, but the entrees and soups were great. The service was friendly and quick and the prices reasonable. I'll be back...All day Saturday breakfast? YES. A ballin ass hamburger served on homemade bread? YES. Your culinary cousin, Colin
(4)
Sam L.
The pork loin was actually pretty good, but the vegetable sides weren't that great. The "ratatouille" shouldn't be called that. Whoever named it has never tasted, smelled, or seen ratatouille. It tasted more like chunky Ragu sauce. The sauteed cabbage is a rubbery mess with no flavor other than burnt. There are annoying altruistic slogans everywhere (walls, menus, etc) such as "love your neighbor", "community", "share", etc...meanwhile this is a business. They don't share stuff; they sell it. Also, they should play Burzum instead of watery folk ballads (ex: Allison Krause).
(1)
David M.
The return of the native! All of the great cooking that you enjoyed at 'Buns On The Run', that earned a fiercely loyal following of patrons for eleven years has come back to Cooper-Young! Great traditional breakfasts (try the crepes!) with some of the best coffee in the area, combined with delicious lunches served with care and courtesy has me believing that this will be the new 'clean well lit place' for years to come. Did I forget to mention that menu offers true vegan dishes and daily specials?
(5)
Deen W.
Dined here with 2 other people and was overall pleased with the experience. Atmosphere is cozy - it's in a converted house. The food was good - I had the tuna melt and really liked the bread - made in house. My dining companions had the pimento cheese, which had a hint of horseradish and the chicken gumbo. Oh.my .goodness. The chicken gumbo was the clear winner. We all agreed that it even beats out Dejavu. I had serious order envy. Service was good. I would go back.
(3)
Shannon L.
Stone Soup is yet another place that has been on my to try list, basically since they opened. Just driving by the place makes me excited to see what it is all about. The restaurant operates out of a cute little Midtown home, and their patio is just as cute. Stone Soup Cafe is a Southern plate lunch and sandwich kind of place. It's the kind of place you go when you have a hankerin' for grandma's home cookin'. Scott and I met for lunch on a Saturday afternoon. The weather was beautiful, so we decided to soak up some sun out front. Our poor little server was either brand new or they were very understaffed. We sat for a long while before we could get drinks. The menu was more diverse than expected. They serve breakfast all day on Saturday. The lunch menu also has plate lunches, sandwiches, entrees, wraps, and, of course, soup. However, I was a bit confused by the soup menu. For someone who has soup in their name, I would assume they would have more than 5 soup options. You have more than that at places like Panera Bread. I expected a lengthy variety of soups. For lunch, I got the pimento cheese sandwich. I heard they had a great one, and I do love some pimento cheese. The sandwich was pretty good. They load you up on some pimento cheese spread. This was a leaning tower of pimento cheese, sandwiched between two slices of texas toast. The bread was a bit greasy, which took away from the taste of the pimento cheese. However, it was very soft and tasted pretty fresh. The chips on the side added to the Southern flare of the place. Sitting at a table on the front lawn, with this dish, made me feel like I was at a picnic. Scott, who was in breakfast mode, ordered the South of the Border Omelet, which contained "cheddar, onions, green peppers, salsa, sour cream, and jalepenos". It was served with a side of homemade biscuits. Scott was a big fan of his omelet. He said it was cooked perfectly and tons of yummy ingredients stuffed inside. The biscuits were a great addition, and reminded me a bit of my grandma's. Don't worry Mamaw, your biscuits are still better. Overall, I had a pleasant experience at Stone Soup Cafe. The service was very behind, but I expect it was just a fluke that day. Our food was pretty good, but nothing fantastic. I will probably be back to Stone Soup Cafe at some point, when craving some Southern food under the sun. However, I am not dying to go back.
(3)
Heather M.
Delicious locally sourced breakfast and lunch in unique historic home. They have daily specials and their regular menu. Also, a large desert room. I love going for lunch during the week, delicious and fast. The staff is always friendly.
(5)
Sam J.
Delicious food, excellent service. Consistently one of my favorite breakfast and lunch locales.
(5)
Vickie W.
Read previous reviews but decided to go on a co-workers recommendation. The place was great. Went for breakfast on a Sunday morning it was perfect. Sat outside on the lawn next to the lovely landscaped area. Birds were chirping and the church ran the bell. We order The Rex and my diner partner, big burly guy, loved it. Two thick pieces of bread with lots of sausage and hash browns on the side (extra). Also had the spinahc, chicken and feta crepes. Three perfect sized crepes with a great white sauce on top. Ver filling and delicious. We will definitely be going back.
(5)
Amanda C.
I really enjoyed Stone Soup Cafe. It's one of those quaint eateries that invites you in with warmth and good food. I went this morning for brunch with a friend of mine, and we both loved what we got! I had the Lorraine Quiche that came with a side of toast and a cup of fruit. I also ordered a side of grits (don't judge; I am allergic to several fruits and didn't know how much I could eat of it). Everything I had was wonderful! The quiche was full of spinach, ham, mushrooms and cheese baked in a delicious crust. Side note: I really love quiche, and this one was definitely up to par. The toast was buttered to perfection, and the grits were good as well. The fruit cup had such a good assortment that I was able to eat most of it as well. Score! My friend had the egg white omelet, fruit and a biscuit. She said everything she had was fabulous too. I will definitely be going back for breakfast and brunch, and I will definitely try their lunch. I am really wanting to try some of their sandwiches and veggies! They also have a great outdoor area that will be great for spring, or you know maybe next weekend depending on our crazy Memphis weather. The only reason they did not get that magical 5th star was because our waitress was a bit inattentive and snooty. Now, I know everyone has a bad day, and Stone Soup was packed when we got there. However, I was very hungry and had to wait a good 10 to 15 minutes for her to take my order. Not cool. All that aside, the food and atmosphere were great, and I will definitely be going back!!
(4)
Peter O.
It appears that since the start of this restaurant the service has gotten better. Today my wife and I went for breakfast at 11AM. We went in the backdoor past their little "market" that has freshly baked bread, desserts, and other items for sale. We got seated immediately by the hostess who promptly took our order for drinks (coffee and orange juice). While we were in no hurry, our server seemed like she got triple seated essentially and was slow getting to our order. She apologized and came back several minutes later to take our order of Vegetable Quiche and Biscuit for my wife and a Cat Head Biscuit with Sausage and side of bacon and hash browns for me. We both really loved the hash browns and the Veggie Quiche-- so much so we had the manager price a WHOLE quiche in case we had a gathering where we could serve it with fruit and/or salad. It was decadent. The biscuits were a little dry... the quiche was the best we've ever had and had a TON of veggies without compromising the great quiche "feeling" you want when you order it for lunch.
(4)
C G.
slowest service with no apologies. poorest run establishment in midtown.. do NOT recommend. 6 weeks for a response to my post only verifies my earlier comments.
(1)
Ben B.
I finally got to try Stone Soup and it did not disappoint me, nor the other 3 people with me. It has a very comfortable atmosphere and the decor represents the Cooper Young neighborhood very well. I tries the BLGT (Bacon, lettuce, & fried green tomato) with pasta salad. By no means did it blow me away but it was definitely on par. I saw many items on the menu that I want to make a point to come back to try. The staff was also very friendly with a good grasp on the items on the menu. She also made sure that the drinks on our table stated filled up without us having to ask for a refill.
(4)
Megan S.
two friends and i lunched at stone soup cafe this past saturday. overall it was a great experience. when i arrived i was pleased to find that there is a small parking lot in the back. the area (stone soup is just south of cooper young) is notorious for lack of parking, so stone soup's private parking lot is a plus. also a plus, being able to enter the restaurant from the parking lot entrance OR the main entrance at the front. and - stone soup cafe is a house converted in to a restaurant. i love the atmosphere - very homey and warm. since the meal was somewhat of a celebration, we brought a bottle of champagne. our server informed us that the corkage fee was $10 - which we were happy to pay. (i will say this, though - for a place that does not serve any alcohol, that seems kind of steep. it's my understanding that at a cafe that actually serves wine - the corkage will sometimes be upwards of $10 / bottle to encourage patrons to order from the restaurant's list. other places i've been around town that do not carry wine (or alcohol at all) typically charge $2 to $3 a person, which i find to be more reasonable for bringing something in that is actually not offered there. does that make sense?) from the beginning of the meal until after we ordered, our server seemed annoyed and almost angry with us. we visited for a few minutes when we got there (it had been awhile since we had seen each other) and had to ask for more time when she came by to take our order. also, one of my friends has to eat a gluten free diet - and our server was not particularly informative on that front. (although upon further inspection of the menu, we were all excited to see that in addition to omelets as a gluten free option, stone soup offers selections from mary's gluten free goods here in town. which is so awesome.) anyway, EVERYONE else we encountered at stone soup was extremely friendly - especially one gentleman who checked on us and spoke with us a few times (the manager / owner, maybe?). and our server did seem to warm up to us after our food arrived, but her behavior in the beginning really put a damper on our experience. (the three of us were servers for years - so we can and do empathize with having a bad day, etc. but it is also important to note that a rude server can ruin a meal. no matter how good the food is.) and that brings us to the food. we really liked the fact that much of what is offered is made in house. and stone soup serves breakfast till 3, i believe, on saturdays and sundays. two of us ordered omelets - which were really good. our friend ordered a vegetable plate and her selections looked fantastic as well. and she said the cornbread is really tasty. i also got a biscuit and a side of vegetarian gravy - both were great. the coffee was awesome, too. stone soup is a little pricier than other breakfast places i've been to - but in my opinion it is worth it - so worth it - to pay more to eat local, quality food and support small businesses. i will definitely be returning and am kicking myself for not trying stone soup sooner. good stuff.
(4)
Steve R.
Found this jewel by chance, looking for a Saturday brunch. The cranberry butter on toast was awesome, the south of young omelet was perfect for a late breakfast (got there about 11). The Lorraine quiche...to die for!Atmosphere, service, food...TOP NOTCH! Can't wait to try the crepes!
(5)
Cristina H.
It's only opened til 3 so other than the weekends I never catch this place unless I wake up on time before work. Well anywho I was glad that I saw this place on urbanspoon one day and finally made it in to eat here before they closed bc it is FANSTATIC!!! It's like a little piece that represents the meaning of midtown. On the outside it looks kinda cottagey but you go in and it's spacious with the best funny staff ever. They sell great simple breakfast plates and daily lunch specials. I tried the Margherita Sandwich on special and added chicken!!! Start drooling right now bc it is the best creation ever!!!! Toasted bread, melted cheese, slice tomato and some pesto sauce and for a carnivore add chicken!!! Just magnificent I tell ya!!! The hashbrowns were also good from my breakfast plate I had to go one day. Unfortunately I was too full to eat dessert but they look mighty tasty. So yes I am definitely a fan!!! Just wish they would opened at least til 6 ;) and they actually have a small parking lot for ya bc we all know parking can be a hassle at times
(4)
April V.
Every single time I've been there the food has been yummy and excellent service! It's one of my favorite breakfast / brunch spots these days! As for the desserts I've tied two. The Banana pudding cheesecake is fabulous. The hummingbird cake was inedible, sadly. Maybe I just it a bad cake but it was dry and way too sweet. Stick with the cheesecake and you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Carter C.
I try to not read other people's reviews for fear that they will influence my own review, so I don't know why on earth this restaurant isn't rated at least 4 stars. After my breakfast this morning, Stone Soup is one of my new favorite restaurants in Memphis. Holy huge pancakes. The quaint atmosphere and refreshingly kind employees made the whole experience near perfect. I will be back.
(5)
Jay M.
Beautiful old Victorian house in Cooper-Young. The kind of place you really want to succeed, but alas, the food is sub-par. I've been four times, breakfast and lunch. The red beans had so much thyme in them that we literally surmised the chef had slipped and dropped a whole jar of dried thyme in the beans.....inedible. Another visit....I was careful to order a vegetable plate and the turnip greens had never been washed; straight from the field to the pot. Literally, so much dirt and gravel that I was spitting them into a napkin. Next visit...breakfast was forgettable. The coffee is way below average and the biscuits were dried out and flavorless. Eggs on the tepid side. My wife likes the pimiento cheese and the stone soup and I did have a passable slice of lemon pie on my last visit.
(1)
Lauren B.
I came to Stone Soup for lunch March 2013 (after visiting two times when they first opened) and let me say I am a fan. The first two times I had the soup and, as one would expect, it was stellar but today I ordered the veggie plate. Huge lunch for less than $8 - and every veggie was delicious. Nice, cozy place for lunch. I need to add this to my regular weekday lunch rotation!
(4)
Dawn M.
The food was different, not bad, but not the best ever. I got the mushroom sandwich. Was expecting fresh mushrooms but I am 99% sure they were out of a can. The service was great, as was the pineapple/coconut pie. It also was a quaint little place with a nice atmosphere. I would definitely go back.
(4)
C S.
We came for brunch and it was awful. The servers need training. We were served coffee but never refilled. Every time we needed something we had to seek out a staff member. water, creamer, silverware, the bill. The food was marginal at best. No, thank you, I will not revisit.
(1)
Lauren C.
What to say... Almost everything was bad with our experience here. The hostess was friendly and talkative and brought us our drinks. But that's as good as it's gets. The wait service was slow, and the restaurant was by no means full. My boyfriend's food made it to the table (once again, brought by the hostess) and mine was forgotten. Silverware was forgotten, when my sandwich came it was missing ingredients and fried instead of grilled. Our server did not check on our table once during the meal, and didn't even say anything when my plate was finally plopped down in front of me. I had to flag another employee down and ask for refills and the ingredients that were missing from my plate. When our bill came, we'd been overcharged. The whole thing was comically horrible. And when we left and I said goodbye to our server, she ignored me. If there were some original quality to this place, I would try it again, but I won't be going back.
(1)
Fina S.
My husband and I are absolute fans! We have been there about 12 times in the last 3 weeks and never been disappointed. The service has been adaquate to excellent, and the food has been fabulous. What I appreciate above all is the intent. All the food is fresh, and not processed! The bread is made every day from whole grains,, not processed. The vegetables are fresh as is everything else. If you eat meals and then feel hungry, come here! You will eat a meal and feel full! Sharron Johnson is the owner-chef and a real doll! She makes whatever you want -even if it is not on the menu! But for myself, I cannot get out of the omelette section! I am addicted to the omelettes! Each one is delicious and a full meal! Veggies-fresh, bread-fresh, real food-not processed....that alone should make you run like a bunny here! Homey atmosphere, my only complaint.....No liquor ....Oh well.... This place to us is a home run..IT IS WAS IT IS..GOOD HOMECOOKED FOOD!!!
(5)
Karen L.
Sorry guys, I don't get the love for Stone Soup. We had lunch here on a Saturday, and it was pretty unimpressive. We had the shrimp skewers wrapped in bacon as an appetizer, and for $8, you get exactly 4 shrimp, tails still attached, encrusted in ridiculously crispy bacon, on a big bowl full of lettuce and a cup of melted butter. Um...okay then. I had the grilled cheese with ham and the cucumber salad. Now, the number one way to screw up a grilled cheese is to burn it, and that's exactly what they did. Not charred to a crisp, but defnitely left on the grill a little too long. Same with the ham in the middle, which actually overwhelmed the cheese, making it more like a bad ham and cheese panini than a grilled cheese. The cucumber salad was terrible -- it looked like some attempt at an Italian dressing had been made, but it was completely tasteless. The boyfriend had the lunch special, beef tenderloin, with roasted broccoli and cauliflower and coleslaw. When asked, the waitress had assured him that the beef was tender, but he said it really wasn't. His food as well was lacking in flavor...have these people heard of salt and pepper? The service was ok, though it was pretty irritating to watch our server chatting it up with the next table for several minutes when we were ready to order. I know everyone's raving about their breakfast, but with those high prices and poor food quality, I won't be back.
(2)
Robin B.
I met two friends at Stone Soup for lunch on a Saturday. The menu is a bit of a mish-mash, offering Las Delicias chips & salsa, homemade guacamole, veggie burgers, and meat & vegetable plates. Daily specials are offered, ask your server or check the chalk board. This place was full, and felt homey, though the fact that is actually functioning in an old 4-square midtown home may be what slowed communication between hostess/servers/cooks. The lack of identity is what prevents me from giving a fifth star. I didn't know if I was eating at a greek diner, a mexican restaurant, or granny's house. My friend had special dietary needs, and sent her salad back, but our waitress showed patience and remained cordial, which I appreciated. My grilled asparagus was pretty good, the spanikopita lacked personality, though the texture was fine, but the real star of the show was the bread. The white bread was dense and a bit dry but rich and begging for honey or butter. The mystically sweet and layers-deep flavors in the cornbread takes my review from 3 stars up to 4. Free parking, no alcohol, brunch on Sundays. Open for breakfast and lunch.
(4)
Ernie M.
A really great breakfast. I had the cheese egg white omelet and it was delectable. Along with the omelet I ordered a side of Applewood bacon and it was one of the best bacons I have ever had. My granddaughter ordered the Big Rex Biscuit and loved it. Interesting ambiance in an old house. The service by Kimberly was good. Worth the visit for any meal.
(3)
Yvonne W.
Cute place. Ordered a spinach omelet with mozzarella cheese & mushrooms and vegetarian gravy to go with the biscuit that it comes with. Everything was average. Kind of bland. Also noticed the floors were really dirty. But, guess that could be from the morning breakfast rush. Prices were average. Service was average. Nothing extraordinary.
(3)
Fawn P.
Since moving to Memphis a couple years ago, my standard for good service has dramatically declined. That is until I met the staff at Stone Soup. Although I came in late in the day (they close at 3pm), I was met with smiles, prompt and friendly service. Really, the best service I've had in a long time. I had soup of the day, crawfish bisque, and again, was blown out of the water. Also had a patty melt. An actual thick hand-pressed patty. My only lament was the cheap American cheese used on the burger (but they did use two slices). They had a huge selection of pies and cheesecakes, but was not up to anymore food. Looked good though.
(5)
Trena P.
The boyfriend and I just had breakfast here. The service was great and the atmosphere is wonderful, but that's where the good review stops... He had the crepes with peanut butter and banana . Have you ever put a bite of food in your mouth and had an utterly alarmed reaction? I tried his crepes and this is how I felt... The filling was natural peanut butter which had not been sweetened with honey or anything. It was very bitter. I had a breakfast concoction called the gut bomb. On the menu, it is described as layers of grits, sausage and cheese in a bowl. The description was accurate, but nothing could prepare me for the tastelessness that was this dish. No amount of butter or salt made any difference. All in all, I must say, I will not be going back. In the words of my boyfriend, who screws up breakfast?
(1)
Joe S.
I am writing this review before the the grand opening on 9/13/2011, but I wanted to welcome this new restaurant to Midtown and Cooper-Young. Stone Soup will be open for breakfast and lunch and features a traditional breakfast menu of eggs, omelettes, pancakes, cereals and quiche. Lunch features soups, salads, plate lunches and sandwiches. The restaurant features a market with branded items, and some locally produced merchandise. Local art graces the walls of the beautifully refurbished house at the corner of South Cooper and Felix. Stone Soup will fill a much needed breakfast-lunch niche in Midtown/Cooper-Young. Go check it out!
(5)
Kyle W.
I really wanted to rave about Stone Soup Cafe. I wanted to log on to Yelp, hit my caps lock button, and encourage all of you in a non-ending barrage of capital letters to go enjoy this place. Instead, i wish there was a opposite lock (an "opps lock", if you will) button that would minimize my font so i could add a footnote to every compliment i give to this restaurant. The restaurant itself is very picturesque. It's located on S. Cooper, close to the young Avenue Deli. It is very spacious, with ample room for a party of 4 ( only had 2 in my party, but we were at a table for four) to not feel cramped at lunch time, which is a rarity. I came in totally focused on ordering a Tuna Melt. I had a craving for a while, and Deen B was kind enough to tell me about this place. I ordered the Tuna Melt, and the chicken gumbo. My coworker ordered the chicken sandwich with spinach and feta. My tune melt was good, although I was kinda hoping the cheese would be melted, since it is a MELT after all. My coworkers sandwich was burnt. The whole thing. Literally. As if the chef decided to use a flame thrower as opposed to an oven. The spinach was clearly the chopped, frozen version, not the normal leaves one would expect. The gumbo was tasty, and the cup i ordered came in a bowl so deep I could swim in it. I'd be curious to see what a bowl o gumbo looks like. Do they just roll out a trough? Do you still use a spoon, or is it straight bobbing for apples style? The service was excellent, depending on where you were sitting. We were promptly seated, and out waitress appeared almost instantly. She took our order without an issue, but I personally witnessed her drop raspberry vinaigrette on an older lady's expensive handbag, inadvertently stab a diner with a fork ( it was a gentle poke, while handing him some silverware, but who hold a fork like that?), and drop a piece of cake into some soup splat erring the area with tomato soup rain. So you can imagine my trepidation about the hurricane that was our waitress approaching me with a hot bowl of gumbo and I only had the flimsy fabric of my suit and a paper napkin to protect my choice parts. She delivered it without a problem, though, and our meal was incident free. Overall, the restaurant was solid. The menu is expansive, and the quantity and quality of the food will both satisfy.
(3)
James H.
I had my first experience at Stone Soup today after hearing mixed reviews. We were seated at a table and after 10 mins we were not even approached to take our drink order or even given the daily specials . So we walked out only told to have a great day !
(1)
Daniel B.
Loved this place when it first opened, but I feel like they've spent the last 18 months trying to figure out how to cut corners. Given them a few chances over this time frame, but after they served my girlfriend quiche that had clearly been microwaved (warm on the tip, cold pretty much everywhere else) at a time when they were maybe at 1/4 capacity, I don't think we'll be going back.
(2)
Kerry C.
Add another name to the impressive roster of restaurants crammed into Cooper-Young. The neighborhood's newest restaurant is a meat-and-three called Stone Soup Cafe. Stone Soup Cafe was opened by the same people who used to run my beloved breakfast hangout, Buns on the Run. Their new venture is somewhat similar - good, fresh breakfast and lunch standards. They've set up shop in a huge converted house across the street from First Congregational Church in Cooper-Young that's divided into several small-ish dining rooms. I ordered the chicken tetrazzini special with mashed potatoes and green beans. The chicken tetrazzini was sort of like a cross between baked pasta and casserole. It had big chunks of chicken, spaghetti noodles and mushrooms and was covered in cream of mushroom and cheese. It was filling and creamy and good in the way that eating at your mom's house is good. The mashed potatoes don't come with gravy, but that's OK - they don't need it. They're creamy (but not so creamy that they're not clearly made from real potatoes) and dotted with flecks of potato skin. The green beans were alright, but a little underwhelming (that might just be me, though -I'm not a big fan of wide, flat green beans). The lunch prices are pretty good for the amount of food you get. You can eat there for less than $10 per person, especially if you stick to drinking water. The service was good, especially for a restaurant that's only been open for a week. They're clearly still working out the kinks, but they're on the right track.
(3)
Lauren W.
This place deserved a 4 star review strictly for the service alone. Our server was pleasant and helpful, made recommendations based on what we liked, and refilled our drinks in an "Indian Palace" style. (Never even a chance to get to the bottom of your glass before a new one was placed in front of you) The whole place has a very homey feel, and not just because it used to be a house. I had the Margarita grilled cheese sandwich with a cup of gazpacho. The gazpacho was full flavored and delicious. The grilled cheese looked beautiful. Usually I could careless about plating at a cafe style restaurant, but when I get an unusually pretty plate its hard not to take notice. The sandwich was served open-faced, with delicious bread, tomatoes and smothered in pesto. Yum. My boyfriend had the creamy chicken pesto crepes. He loved them! Cleaned his entire plate. I would definitely come back to Stone Soup. Want to try some more!
(4)
Gisa D.
Avoid the eggplant gratin but go for the pimento cheese quiche. The crepes are good.
(3)
Clark P.
Another great midtown restaurant! I love the atmosphere of this place. We go for breakfast often and then traverse to the farmer's market across the street. Traditional breakfast items include the Big Rex biscuit which is delicious. The giant pancake is giant indeed. I over ordered my first few times.
(4)
Kristan H.
There has been nothing here I have tried that I have not liked and the servers are always so nice. I was a die hard fan of Young Avenue Deli's pimento cheese sandwich until I met this one. It is not over mayonnaise-y but cheesy and sharp. The baked in-house bread that has been lightly grilled just seals the deal. Lately I have become a big fan of their veggie burger too. It is more crumbly than other restaurants, but I think it has fabulous flavor and is made at the restaurant itself - not frozen. Oh, and if you get the chance to try the shrimp creole do NOT pass that up on the lunch menu. For brunch, the options are endless. If you are in the breakfast mood, I love the pancake with blueberries added or you can go for the crepes for something different and decadent. The good standards are always fantastic too - the sausage, biscuits and omelets do not disappoint. Very affordable and family-friendly!
(5)
Colin B.
Stone Soup Cafe deserves at least four stars for the bread alone. The breads are made in house, and it really shows. Five of us visited for lunch yesterday, and we all genuinely enjoyed it. Between us we tried the 2 soups, 6 sides, the special (roasted chicken) and a hamburger. Some of the vegetable sides were unmemorable, but the entrees and soups were great. The service was friendly and quick and the prices reasonable. I'll be back...All day Saturday breakfast? YES. A ballin ass hamburger served on homemade bread? YES. Your culinary cousin, Colin
(4)
Sam L.
The pork loin was actually pretty good, but the vegetable sides weren't that great. The "ratatouille" shouldn't be called that. Whoever named it has never tasted, smelled, or seen ratatouille. It tasted more like chunky Ragu sauce. The sauteed cabbage is a rubbery mess with no flavor other than burnt. There are annoying altruistic slogans everywhere (walls, menus, etc) such as "love your neighbor", "community", "share", etc...meanwhile this is a business. They don't share stuff; they sell it. Also, they should play Burzum instead of watery folk ballads (ex: Allison Krause).
(1)
David M.
The return of the native! All of the great cooking that you enjoyed at 'Buns On The Run', that earned a fiercely loyal following of patrons for eleven years has come back to Cooper-Young! Great traditional breakfasts (try the crepes!) with some of the best coffee in the area, combined with delicious lunches served with care and courtesy has me believing that this will be the new 'clean well lit place' for years to come. Did I forget to mention that menu offers true vegan dishes and daily specials?
(5)
Evan P.
I went here for lunch the other day. I tried the stuffed tomato with chicken salad. I like the chicken salad for being pulled chicken breast and not a chopped mess like most places, however it was a little dry and under seasoned for my taste. The side of sauteed squash i got was cooked perfectly and well seasoned. I really like the interior. It is very spacious with brightly painted walls. Service was quick and efficient. Over-all a pretty solid first trip considering they have only been open for a brief time.
(3)
Shannon L.
Stone Soup is yet another place that has been on my to try list, basically since they opened. Just driving by the place makes me excited to see what it is all about. The restaurant operates out of a cute little Midtown home, and their patio is just as cute. Stone Soup Cafe is a Southern plate lunch and sandwich kind of place. It's the kind of place you go when you have a hankerin' for grandma's home cookin'. Scott and I met for lunch on a Saturday afternoon. The weather was beautiful, so we decided to soak up some sun out front. Our poor little server was either brand new or they were very understaffed. We sat for a long while before we could get drinks. The menu was more diverse than expected. They serve breakfast all day on Saturday. The lunch menu also has plate lunches, sandwiches, entrees, wraps, and, of course, soup. However, I was a bit confused by the soup menu. For someone who has soup in their name, I would assume they would have more than 5 soup options. You have more than that at places like Panera Bread. I expected a lengthy variety of soups. For lunch, I got the pimento cheese sandwich. I heard they had a great one, and I do love some pimento cheese. The sandwich was pretty good. They load you up on some pimento cheese spread. This was a leaning tower of pimento cheese, sandwiched between two slices of texas toast. The bread was a bit greasy, which took away from the taste of the pimento cheese. However, it was very soft and tasted pretty fresh. The chips on the side added to the Southern flare of the place. Sitting at a table on the front lawn, with this dish, made me feel like I was at a picnic. Scott, who was in breakfast mode, ordered the South of the Border Omelet, which contained "cheddar, onions, green peppers, salsa, sour cream, and jalepenos". It was served with a side of homemade biscuits. Scott was a big fan of his omelet. He said it was cooked perfectly and tons of yummy ingredients stuffed inside. The biscuits were a great addition, and reminded me a bit of my grandma's. Don't worry Mamaw, your biscuits are still better. Overall, I had a pleasant experience at Stone Soup Cafe. The service was very behind, but I expect it was just a fluke that day. Our food was pretty good, but nothing fantastic. I will probably be back to Stone Soup Cafe at some point, when craving some Southern food under the sun. However, I am not dying to go back.
(3)
Heather M.
Delicious locally sourced breakfast and lunch in unique historic home. They have daily specials and their regular menu. Also, a large desert room. I love going for lunch during the week, delicious and fast. The staff is always friendly.
(5)
Sam J.
Delicious food, excellent service. Consistently one of my favorite breakfast and lunch locales.
(5)
Vickie W.
Read previous reviews but decided to go on a co-workers recommendation. The place was great. Went for breakfast on a Sunday morning it was perfect. Sat outside on the lawn next to the lovely landscaped area. Birds were chirping and the church ran the bell. We order The Rex and my diner partner, big burly guy, loved it. Two thick pieces of bread with lots of sausage and hash browns on the side (extra). Also had the spinahc, chicken and feta crepes. Three perfect sized crepes with a great white sauce on top. Ver filling and delicious. We will definitely be going back.
(5)
Amanda C.
I really enjoyed Stone Soup Cafe. It's one of those quaint eateries that invites you in with warmth and good food. I went this morning for brunch with a friend of mine, and we both loved what we got! I had the Lorraine Quiche that came with a side of toast and a cup of fruit. I also ordered a side of grits (don't judge; I am allergic to several fruits and didn't know how much I could eat of it). Everything I had was wonderful! The quiche was full of spinach, ham, mushrooms and cheese baked in a delicious crust. Side note: I really love quiche, and this one was definitely up to par. The toast was buttered to perfection, and the grits were good as well. The fruit cup had such a good assortment that I was able to eat most of it as well. Score! My friend had the egg white omelet, fruit and a biscuit. She said everything she had was fabulous too. I will definitely be going back for breakfast and brunch, and I will definitely try their lunch. I am really wanting to try some of their sandwiches and veggies! They also have a great outdoor area that will be great for spring, or you know maybe next weekend depending on our crazy Memphis weather. The only reason they did not get that magical 5th star was because our waitress was a bit inattentive and snooty. Now, I know everyone has a bad day, and Stone Soup was packed when we got there. However, I was very hungry and had to wait a good 10 to 15 minutes for her to take my order. Not cool. All that aside, the food and atmosphere were great, and I will definitely be going back!!
(4)
Peter O.
It appears that since the start of this restaurant the service has gotten better. Today my wife and I went for breakfast at 11AM. We went in the backdoor past their little "market" that has freshly baked bread, desserts, and other items for sale. We got seated immediately by the hostess who promptly took our order for drinks (coffee and orange juice). While we were in no hurry, our server seemed like she got triple seated essentially and was slow getting to our order. She apologized and came back several minutes later to take our order of Vegetable Quiche and Biscuit for my wife and a Cat Head Biscuit with Sausage and side of bacon and hash browns for me. We both really loved the hash browns and the Veggie Quiche-- so much so we had the manager price a WHOLE quiche in case we had a gathering where we could serve it with fruit and/or salad. It was decadent. The biscuits were a little dry... the quiche was the best we've ever had and had a TON of veggies without compromising the great quiche "feeling" you want when you order it for lunch.
(4)
C G.
slowest service with no apologies. poorest run establishment in midtown.. do NOT recommend. 6 weeks for a response to my post only verifies my earlier comments.
(1)
Ben B.
I finally got to try Stone Soup and it did not disappoint me, nor the other 3 people with me. It has a very comfortable atmosphere and the decor represents the Cooper Young neighborhood very well. I tries the BLGT (Bacon, lettuce, & fried green tomato) with pasta salad. By no means did it blow me away but it was definitely on par. I saw many items on the menu that I want to make a point to come back to try. The staff was also very friendly with a good grasp on the items on the menu. She also made sure that the drinks on our table stated filled up without us having to ask for a refill.
(4)
Megan S.
two friends and i lunched at stone soup cafe this past saturday. overall it was a great experience. when i arrived i was pleased to find that there is a small parking lot in the back. the area (stone soup is just south of cooper young) is notorious for lack of parking, so stone soup's private parking lot is a plus. also a plus, being able to enter the restaurant from the parking lot entrance OR the main entrance at the front. and - stone soup cafe is a house converted in to a restaurant. i love the atmosphere - very homey and warm. since the meal was somewhat of a celebration, we brought a bottle of champagne. our server informed us that the corkage fee was $10 - which we were happy to pay. (i will say this, though - for a place that does not serve any alcohol, that seems kind of steep. it's my understanding that at a cafe that actually serves wine - the corkage will sometimes be upwards of $10 / bottle to encourage patrons to order from the restaurant's list. other places i've been around town that do not carry wine (or alcohol at all) typically charge $2 to $3 a person, which i find to be more reasonable for bringing something in that is actually not offered there. does that make sense?) from the beginning of the meal until after we ordered, our server seemed annoyed and almost angry with us. we visited for a few minutes when we got there (it had been awhile since we had seen each other) and had to ask for more time when she came by to take our order. also, one of my friends has to eat a gluten free diet - and our server was not particularly informative on that front. (although upon further inspection of the menu, we were all excited to see that in addition to omelets as a gluten free option, stone soup offers selections from mary's gluten free goods here in town. which is so awesome.) anyway, EVERYONE else we encountered at stone soup was extremely friendly - especially one gentleman who checked on us and spoke with us a few times (the manager / owner, maybe?). and our server did seem to warm up to us after our food arrived, but her behavior in the beginning really put a damper on our experience. (the three of us were servers for years - so we can and do empathize with having a bad day, etc. but it is also important to note that a rude server can ruin a meal. no matter how good the food is.) and that brings us to the food. we really liked the fact that much of what is offered is made in house. and stone soup serves breakfast till 3, i believe, on saturdays and sundays. two of us ordered omelets - which were really good. our friend ordered a vegetable plate and her selections looked fantastic as well. and she said the cornbread is really tasty. i also got a biscuit and a side of vegetarian gravy - both were great. the coffee was awesome, too. stone soup is a little pricier than other breakfast places i've been to - but in my opinion it is worth it - so worth it - to pay more to eat local, quality food and support small businesses. i will definitely be returning and am kicking myself for not trying stone soup sooner. good stuff.
(4)
Steve R.
Found this jewel by chance, looking for a Saturday brunch. The cranberry butter on toast was awesome, the south of young omelet was perfect for a late breakfast (got there about 11). The Lorraine quiche...to die for!Atmosphere, service, food...TOP NOTCH! Can't wait to try the crepes!
(5)
Twila R.
This place is original and inviting! Loved their display of local artists and re-use philosophy. The food was delicious, service was great and I can't wait to try their desserts!! ;)
(4)
Cristina H.
It's only opened til 3 so other than the weekends I never catch this place unless I wake up on time before work. Well anywho I was glad that I saw this place on urbanspoon one day and finally made it in to eat here before they closed bc it is FANSTATIC!!! It's like a little piece that represents the meaning of midtown. On the outside it looks kinda cottagey but you go in and it's spacious with the best funny staff ever. They sell great simple breakfast plates and daily lunch specials. I tried the Margherita Sandwich on special and added chicken!!! Start drooling right now bc it is the best creation ever!!!! Toasted bread, melted cheese, slice tomato and some pesto sauce and for a carnivore add chicken!!! Just magnificent I tell ya!!! The hashbrowns were also good from my breakfast plate I had to go one day. Unfortunately I was too full to eat dessert but they look mighty tasty. So yes I am definitely a fan!!! Just wish they would opened at least til 6 ;) and they actually have a small parking lot for ya bc we all know parking can be a hassle at times
(4)
April V.
Every single time I've been there the food has been yummy and excellent service! It's one of my favorite breakfast / brunch spots these days! As for the desserts I've tied two. The Banana pudding cheesecake is fabulous. The hummingbird cake was inedible, sadly. Maybe I just it a bad cake but it was dry and way too sweet. Stick with the cheesecake and you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Carter C.
I try to not read other people's reviews for fear that they will influence my own review, so I don't know why on earth this restaurant isn't rated at least 4 stars. After my breakfast this morning, Stone Soup is one of my new favorite restaurants in Memphis. Holy huge pancakes. The quaint atmosphere and refreshingly kind employees made the whole experience near perfect. I will be back.
(5)
Jay M.
Beautiful old Victorian house in Cooper-Young. The kind of place you really want to succeed, but alas, the food is sub-par. I've been four times, breakfast and lunch. The red beans had so much thyme in them that we literally surmised the chef had slipped and dropped a whole jar of dried thyme in the beans.....inedible. Another visit....I was careful to order a vegetable plate and the turnip greens had never been washed; straight from the field to the pot. Literally, so much dirt and gravel that I was spitting them into a napkin. Next visit...breakfast was forgettable. The coffee is way below average and the biscuits were dried out and flavorless. Eggs on the tepid side. My wife likes the pimiento cheese and the stone soup and I did have a passable slice of lemon pie on my last visit.
(1)
Deen W.
Dined here with 2 other people and was overall pleased with the experience. Atmosphere is cozy - it's in a converted house. The food was good - I had the tuna melt and really liked the bread - made in house. My dining companions had the pimento cheese, which had a hint of horseradish and the chicken gumbo. Oh.my .goodness. The chicken gumbo was the clear winner. We all agreed that it even beats out Dejavu. I had serious order envy. Service was good. I would go back.
(3)
Dan E.
Let me say first that I absolutely loved "Buns on the Run". Homey, warm and lush southern fare. Now fast forward to "Stone Soup"- which sports a similar warmth and charm both in the cosy atmosphere and friendly service as to make you feel your at grandma's sort of thing. That's about where the similarities end. It appears at least on this visit that Stone Soup tries too hard to be trendy. We had lunch $8.50 for a meat and two and on this visit the entree choices were a choice of beef tips and rice or roasted pork loin. There were about eight veggie choices which were mostly starchs- though in February there are few locally grown fresh green veggies available. Yes, this place sports the eat local idea and they encourage you to visit their local take out market area in the back where they offer many locally made packaged goods as well as their own bakery goodies. I did find it curious that they sell J Brooks fine coffees but served a bulk mass market coffee? Anyway, back to lunch... I chose the broccoli salad and the butter beans. The broccoli salad was a melange of broccoli, onions and cauliflower dressed in an overwhelming garlic and ?? garlic dressing. What I was feeling was the choice of veggies simply seasoned should need very little accouterments to spoil it. The butter beans were obviously fresh freezer burned with no seasoning. I get it... Little or no dairy is their thing also. Hey - it trendy! But does anyone actually taste this stuff before they serve it? I must comment on the delicious but hard to screw up beef tips in a rich gravy over rice. Yum! It was my saving grace! They do have impressive looking in house baked breads that have a beautiful grain structure but made with water and oil instead of butter or milk conditioners leaving the loaf somewhat yeasty and flavorless. They do provide a table butter spread. but the baked goods are beautiful. In the balance of things I am still holding out for tweaks. I love the people and the atmosphere, just wish they had more flavor and a little less trendiness. You shouldn't have to try too hard when you already had it right before!
(2)
Lauren C.
What to say... Almost everything was bad with our experience here. The hostess was friendly and talkative and brought us our drinks. But that's as good as it's gets. The wait service was slow, and the restaurant was by no means full. My boyfriend's food made it to the table (once again, brought by the hostess) and mine was forgotten. Silverware was forgotten, when my sandwich came it was missing ingredients and fried instead of grilled. Our server did not check on our table once during the meal, and didn't even say anything when my plate was finally plopped down in front of me. I had to flag another employee down and ask for refills and the ingredients that were missing from my plate. When our bill came, we'd been overcharged. The whole thing was comically horrible. And when we left and I said goodbye to our server, she ignored me. If there were some original quality to this place, I would try it again, but I won't be going back.
(1)
Charlie B.
I've only eaten here once for lunch with some coworkers because one of them recommended it. Otherwise, I might not even know about this hidden gem. I like being able to choose from multiple options for lunch, other than your standard sandwich with unhealthy chips or fries, and this place offers a variety of lunch specials. It reminds me of a cross between Cafe Eclectic and The Elegent Farmer.
(4)
Anony M.
Good home, Southern cooking with a fresh, healthy twist. I've ordered a lot of things off the lunch and breakfast menu now and have yet to find something I've been unsatisfied with. I have the hardest time resisting their Big Rex biscuit and just the biscuits in general. So good! A thick, hearty biscuit. Their turkey sausage is to die for as well. I've ordered the blackened catfish in a wrap and on a bed of rice and enjoyed both thoroughly. This is one of the places my friends always want to visit when coming from out of town because of the Southern home vibe, the friendly staff, and the delicious food. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who likes Southern cooking, wants a healthy meal while dining out, or people with a diet that doesn't include eating meat.
(5)
Burton B.
I love breakfast. I especially love being able to eat breakfast ANY TIME of the day. Stone Soup has robust breakfast offerings. My personal favorite is the French Toast. Stone Soup makes its own bread. This dish is made with their homemade peasant bread, and it soaks all day in the secret French Toast batter so it's simply delectable. Further, the atmosphere is quaint and bright. I typically eat alone here and take my newspapers, and I don't feel awkward, lonely, or out of place. The wonderful staff is friendly, welcoming, and they ask about me if I haven't been in a while. Love that down-home attention. [Only complaint is that the sweet tea is made with Splenda (weird taste to me), yet I probably don't need all that extra sugar since I drown the French Toast in syrup.] If breakfast at noon is your thing on a sunny Saturday, Stone Soup has you covered!
(5)
Led D.
A charming restaurant with a welcoming southern ambiance in a great location of mid-town. The staff are very friendly and cordial. They show a lot of pride in their work and product being served. They have their daily specials written on the blackboard with their regular menu. My wife tried the crepe stuffed with spinach and mushroom. I had the sausage, bacon, and ham estrada (just like a cassarole) with cheese grits and I had to have pancake which was larger than my head; thank goodness it only came in one per serving. It all tasted great and quite satisfying. I also loved the coffee. Overall it was a great brunch and experience. We only had to wait about seven minutes to get seated. It was around 10:00 am and we will definitely come back again.
(4)
Michelle W.
On one of the coldest days of the year, my coworker coaxed us out at lunch to Stone Soup. It was the perfect place to spend our lunch hour. The restaurant was very crowded, but that did not stop the service from being excellent. I ordered the pimento cheese sandwich. The pimento cheese was good, but there was too much bread. It made it difficult to taste the pimento cheese. It would have been better on an English muffin or two. The regular menu and specials looked delicious. My friends enjoyed their soups, salads, tuna melts and corn casserole. I look forward to making this a regular lunch place.
(3)
Jennifer R.
Looking for a great cup of coffee...?! Look no further! I have heard good things about this place for awhile now but have never been....last Sunday three of my girlfriends and I went for brunch. When I walked in the place was packed! I was thinking we would have to wait for at least 30 minutes before we would be seated. However, there was a table for 4 and we were seated right away! Seated by the window the house was very quaint. Our waiter was hilarious and very entertaining. We enjoyed him and would go back there anytime! The food looked amazing was tasted just the same!
(4)
Jon C.
To my surprise i recieved a very nice reply to my previous review from the manager. I will have to give this place another shot. We will see....
(2)
Stephanie H.
I love coming to this place for brunch on the weekends. It's such a cozy little establishment (actually used to be a house that people lived in once upon a time) and the servers are very nice and friendly. Southern comfort food and homy atmosphere. I love their food and their prices are pretty fair. I also love their coffee. Tons of options on the menu (including vegan options!) and everything I've had so far has hit the spot. I love their omelettes, hashbrowns, biscuits, and veggie sausage. One thing I always get there is the 2 eggs plus 2. One of my favorite items on the menu. You get 2 eggs cooked any way you like, with 2 sides and a biscuit or toast. All for a really good price (a little over $7). I should mention that this isn't a fancy brunch place so don't expect the food to be sophisticated and exploding with flavors that will blow your mind. This is the kind of place you go to when you wake up late on a weekend, hungover, wishing your mom was right down the street so you can just pop on over for some breakfast at her place. I also find this place very convenient because they stay open till 3pm for weekend brunch. They have their own parking (super tiny though) but if there is no space available, just park somewhere down the street. They also have their own little shop inside where they sell some baked goods, honey, coffee, t-shirts, postcards, and other fun local little things. One last thing to keep in mind is that when the weather isn't horribly muggy and hot, they have outdoor seating which I love! There's also a farmer's market that goes on every weekend right across the street if you're into that kind of thing!
(4)
Miss M.
Just had breakfast there with a new friend. Haven't been there in years. Loved the quiche then and loved it today!! Totally my favorite dish for breakfast.
(5)
Jacque D.
I have tried Stone Soup Cafe several times and each time was more disappointing than the time before. Today was my husbands first time and he won't be back. The main problem was the slow and innefficient service. Our waiter wore himself out running...and I mean running....up and down the main corridor, one item at a time. My hubby's stone soup (hamburger) was bland and 9$ a bowl. My gumbo was delish, but no bread was brought until we requested it. The coffee was good, but luke warm and we couldn't catch the waiter to refresh it. We wanted dessert but ran out of time waiting. Darling place, nice patio and I love the name. Too bad, sooo sad.
(2)
Shane S.
Really just another mediocre breakfast experience. This is my second visit and I was underwhelmed. The biscuits are big and beautiful, but pretty dry and dense. The hash browns tasted and looked like they had been cooked early this morning and just placed on a warm spot of the griddle or under a heat lamp until served--the same with the onion and peppers in the omelette. The cherry cobbler was also disappointing; however, we did love the bacon! Their sausage gravy is pretty tasty as well. One thing that was bewildering, was that they sell these great homemade jams, but serve basic store bought jelly. I couldn't believe the server when he told me that the jelly was not the jams they sell.
(2)
Marian B.
Yes, love the awesome service of the servers but especially food am able to enjoy. I love Stone Soup on two bus lines during the week. Keep up great service!!
(5)
Caroline V.
Ok. I just can't. I want to rate this restaurant 4 stars because the service is so friendly, and the location is ideal, and the house's exterior is so cute. But ... on repeated visits, the food is really hit-or-miss, and more often recently it's a "miss." The fruit cup has been unacceptable on more than one occasion and, again, though the servers are quick and kind about exchanging it, this really should never happen, period. Today my scrambled eggs were both unscrambled (whites and yolks distinct on the plate) and undercooked, leaving a slimy trail on my plate. The stoneground grits were cooked well, but unseasoned. Fruit, eggs, and grits just aren't that hard to make taste delicious ... Especially for a breakfast spot! Stone Soup has all of the ingredients to make an awesome restaurant, but the kitchen has to do better at the basics.
(3)
Cindy T.
You gotta love Sharron Johnson and her staff at Stone Soup Cafe. She previously had a fabulous restaurant called Bunz On The Run, so she had a built in client base waiting for her new venture. She does not disappoint. In addition to some great salads and sandwiches on the lunch menu, she offers tasty entrees to satisfy everyone. The place is packed for breakfast. Bring a great big appetite if you order the jumbo pancake (big ass pancake!) as it covers the plate and is so deep and fluffy. Love this place!!
I wanted to talk to the manager about the burger (cooked to well, ordered medium) and the Eggs Benedict (lumpy, utterly flavorless Hollandaise). Instead of talking to the manager, I was given her business card, as the waiter said that e-mail was the only way to talk to a manager. He also said that if I sent it back for something else, I would still be charged. I have been here seven times over three years, and it has usually just been mediocre, but this is also insulting.
(1)
Joelle P.
Ahhh the elusive half star...I wish I could give this place 3.5 stars but I'll round up because the place is precious and the prices are great... For starters (and as I've mentioned in the last sentence), this place is seriously adorable. I'm a known sucker for houses turned into restaurants - they get me every time. It oozes charm and is in Cooper-Young (my favorite neighborhood at the moment) - win-win! Our waitress, Evelyn, was a total doll and super attentive without being annoying - another win! And my vegetable soup was deliciously fresh albeit extremely hot. (I'm impatient for things to cool, what can I say? I'd rather wait for it to cool out of sight than in front of me - I'll just burn my tongue because it is there and I have to eat it!) And the cornbread ohhhhhhhhh myyyyyyyyyy - just another reason to be grateful for living in the south. Now here is where I start leaning towards the 3, my Caesar wrap was not very special...in fact, I just didn't like it. The chicken was OK and there was enough cheese but overall...nope. And the waitress even recommended it when I asked her if I should get the wrap of the club sandwich. Wishing I had gone with my original inclination. I also wasn't a huge fan of the chips...they are the cheap kind you get in bulk...way too greasy and gross. Anyways, Ms. Werner V. (my dining partner) absolutely loved her chicken sandwich and I loved everything else I had so I know I just ordered the wrong thing. Definitely looking forward to going back to try something else. The southern, down-home atmosphere alone is worth it.
(4)
Jim H.
Stone Soup is another restaurant that we have eaten at several times, but neglected to leave a review until now. This particular visit was a Saturday morning at 9:30 AM. It has plenty of inside and outside seating. The outside seating overlooks the Cooper Young farmers market (Saturdays). My wife had the French toast and I had the two eggs, hash browns & toast. They use fresh made bread for their toast and the pastries are all made in house, as are their other items. My wife thought the French toast was a little soggy on the inside, aka, cooked at too high of a temp, leaving the outside cooked and the inside undercooked - have to be cautious of this when eggs are involved. The hashbrowns were fresh made and tasted okay. The scrambled eggs could have been cooked just a few seconds longer on this day. I've had the biscuits before, but really prefer just to have toast here. The server was friendly and attentive. Overall, I like the location and the service, I'm just not overwhelmed by the breakfast here. I do admit that I should come at other times to try some other menu items. Note that it is very hard for me to give over three stars for breakfast. For me, three stars means the food was as expected or average and I'll work up or down from there based service or vise-versa.
(3)
Renetria D.
Nice prices, they sale locally made jams & jellies. I had the Texas toast, homemade sage turkey sausage(needs a bit of salt and a tad overcooked); service was friendly and fast.
(2)
Linda M.
I have only ordered a breakfast meal here, but it has always been good. Sandwiches look good too. Friendly staff and was very "kid friendly" with our grandson in tow.
(5)
Jennifer S.
I have come here two other times, and had much better service and food than I did this visit. I have liked going to this place because it is so cute and charming inside, they use a lot of local products on their menu, and I can walk there from the Cooper Young Farmers market on Saturdays to grab a bite to eat. On this visit we were seated promptly but waited a long time to order our drinks and food. The machine they use to make hot chocolate wasn't working, so my niece and I were unable to get it after we ordered it. My niece ordered the fruit parfait with granola and it was a huge serving and she loved it, especially the granola, which they make there and you can buy in the market. My meal, on the other hand, was mostly disappointing. I ordered the 2 eggs (sunny side up) plus two and got 2 applewood sausage patties, the grits, and toast. The eggs, toast, and 2 types of jelly they give you were wonderful. The grits were ok but not seasoned and I wasn't able to finished them. One of the pieces of sausage was so dry and hard, it was inedible. The second piece of sausage was still dry but I was at least able to eat it. We also waited way too long to get our check for our meal. The waitress was very nice, but the slow service was unacceptable.
(2)
Jonathan C.
I've given Stone Soup many chances since it first opened, but it consistently disappoints. Breakfast: I love a hearty, savory breakfast and love to treat myself now and then to biscuits and gravy. Stone Soup's biscuits come to your table stone cold, dry and hardened. They look like they should taste good, but they don't. Im guessing they bake their biscuits the night before and put them in the fridge. Go elsewhere if your looking for hot, flaky yummy biscuits. And the gravy? It was also cold. Lunch? Not impressed. You can get a meat and three here, some of the vegetable side dishes are just comically tragic. I had a server praise their ratatouille. I like to follow staff recommendations, but this was a bad move this time. Their ratatouille included potatoes and carrots!?!?!? Really? Gross and inedible. The service is friendly but slow. I hear their pancakes and toast are really yummy, but it's not enough to entice me.
(2)
Jansen G.
The food is good and the prices are great. I don't think the food can be beat (especially the Swedish crepes!). But our service was awful. Maybe it was just this one waiter, the only man working there I think, but it was almost 20 minutes before he even got to our table to take our drink order. He was just really inattentive. Plus he spent almost all his time just talking to a couple at another table. But other than the awful waiter, everything else was great.
(4)
Jason K.
Really like the food hear. A great chicken sandwich with goat cheese and feta. Sadly, after you get past the food that is where good stops. The service is terrible. I do not think it is the servers fault. To be honest I think it is a management issue. They are very inflexible as to what you can change on you plate. For example, if you want to pay the difference to have a soup as your side rather than chips they will not do it. Also, charge a spilt plate fee of $2 to split a bowl of soup. Really!!! The food is good, but I will not be back because the management appears to think they know what the customer wants more than the customer does.
(2)
Ken T.
Thought this might be better than it was. I ordered the Italian roast beef and it was dry and tasteless. The peas and carrots were overlooked and canned. I had a small Cale salad that was good. It had some walnuts and citrus, and a light dressing. Ambiance was nice and the wait staff was nice and prompt. Don't think I will be back anytime soon.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Shane S.
Really just another mediocre breakfast experience. This is my second visit and I was underwhelmed. The biscuits are big and beautiful, but pretty dry and dense. The hash browns tasted and looked like they had been cooked early this morning and just placed on a warm spot of the griddle or under a heat lamp until served--the same with the onion and peppers in the omelette. The cherry cobbler was also disappointing; however, we did love the bacon! Their sausage gravy is pretty tasty as well. One thing that was bewildering, was that they sell these great homemade jams, but serve basic store bought jelly. I couldn't believe the server when he told me that the jelly was not the jams they sell.
(2)Marian B.
Yes, love the awesome service of the servers but especially food am able to enjoy. I love Stone Soup on two bus lines during the week. Keep up great service!!
(5)Caroline V.
Ok. I just can't. I want to rate this restaurant 4 stars because the service is so friendly, and the location is ideal, and the house's exterior is so cute. But ... on repeated visits, the food is really hit-or-miss, and more often recently it's a "miss." The fruit cup has been unacceptable on more than one occasion and, again, though the servers are quick and kind about exchanging it, this really should never happen, period. Today my scrambled eggs were both unscrambled (whites and yolks distinct on the plate) and undercooked, leaving a slimy trail on my plate. The stoneground grits were cooked well, but unseasoned. Fruit, eggs, and grits just aren't that hard to make taste delicious ... Especially for a breakfast spot! Stone Soup has all of the ingredients to make an awesome restaurant, but the kitchen has to do better at the basics.
(3)Cindy T.
You gotta love Sharron Johnson and her staff at Stone Soup Cafe. She previously had a fabulous restaurant called Bunz On The Run, so she had a built in client base waiting for her new venture. She does not disappoint. In addition to some great salads and sandwiches on the lunch menu, she offers tasty entrees to satisfy everyone. The place is packed for breakfast. Bring a great big appetite if you order the jumbo pancake (big ass pancake!) as it covers the plate and is so deep and fluffy. Love this place!!
(5)Mark B.
I wanted to talk to the manager about the burger (cooked to well, ordered medium) and the Eggs Benedict (lumpy, utterly flavorless Hollandaise). Instead of talking to the manager, I was given her business card, as the waiter said that e-mail was the only way to talk to a manager. He also said that if I sent it back for something else, I would still be charged. I have been here seven times over three years, and it has usually just been mediocre, but this is also insulting.
(1)Joelle P.
Ahhh the elusive half star...I wish I could give this place 3.5 stars but I'll round up because the place is precious and the prices are great... For starters (and as I've mentioned in the last sentence), this place is seriously adorable. I'm a known sucker for houses turned into restaurants - they get me every time. It oozes charm and is in Cooper-Young (my favorite neighborhood at the moment) - win-win! Our waitress, Evelyn, was a total doll and super attentive without being annoying - another win! And my vegetable soup was deliciously fresh albeit extremely hot. (I'm impatient for things to cool, what can I say? I'd rather wait for it to cool out of sight than in front of me - I'll just burn my tongue because it is there and I have to eat it!) And the cornbread ohhhhhhhhh myyyyyyyyyy - just another reason to be grateful for living in the south. Now here is where I start leaning towards the 3, my Caesar wrap was not very special...in fact, I just didn't like it. The chicken was OK and there was enough cheese but overall...nope. And the waitress even recommended it when I asked her if I should get the wrap of the club sandwich. Wishing I had gone with my original inclination. I also wasn't a huge fan of the chips...they are the cheap kind you get in bulk...way too greasy and gross. Anyways, Ms. Werner V. (my dining partner) absolutely loved her chicken sandwich and I loved everything else I had so I know I just ordered the wrong thing. Definitely looking forward to going back to try something else. The southern, down-home atmosphere alone is worth it.
(4)Jim H.
Stone Soup is another restaurant that we have eaten at several times, but neglected to leave a review until now. This particular visit was a Saturday morning at 9:30 AM. It has plenty of inside and outside seating. The outside seating overlooks the Cooper Young farmers market (Saturdays). My wife had the French toast and I had the two eggs, hash browns & toast. They use fresh made bread for their toast and the pastries are all made in house, as are their other items. My wife thought the French toast was a little soggy on the inside, aka, cooked at too high of a temp, leaving the outside cooked and the inside undercooked - have to be cautious of this when eggs are involved. The hashbrowns were fresh made and tasted okay. The scrambled eggs could have been cooked just a few seconds longer on this day. I've had the biscuits before, but really prefer just to have toast here. The server was friendly and attentive. Overall, I like the location and the service, I'm just not overwhelmed by the breakfast here. I do admit that I should come at other times to try some other menu items. Note that it is very hard for me to give over three stars for breakfast. For me, three stars means the food was as expected or average and I'll work up or down from there based service or vise-versa.
(3)Renetria D.
Nice prices, they sale locally made jams & jellies. I had the Texas toast, homemade sage turkey sausage(needs a bit of salt and a tad overcooked); service was friendly and fast.
(2)Linda M.
I have only ordered a breakfast meal here, but it has always been good. Sandwiches look good too. Friendly staff and was very "kid friendly" with our grandson in tow.
(5)Ashley D.
I ordered the Grilled Cheese and Crawfish Bisque. The bread of the grilled cheese was ok, but the cheese was Kraft Singles. I was disappointed that they didn't use a better cheese for the price of the sandwich. Or at least tell you it's American cheese on the menu. The Crawfish bisque had a nice flavor and the crawfish chunks were tasty, but the consistency of the bisque was not thick enough for my personal preference. My husband ordered the Blue Burger. It was served in toast, which could be fine at times, but the toppings were piled really high so he couldn't bite it well. The meat was over cooked and greasy. If we ever go here again, I will be ordering the breakfast items, not the lunch items.
(3)Chandra L.
This spot is awesome!!! They serve wonderful fresh breakfast all day (mon-sat 7-3 sun 9-3). I had the big Rex burrito, a side of sour cream, and homemade salsa. My friend ordered French toast, biscuits and gravy( which I help to eat because the portion was large. The biscuits were so good and the gravy was perfectly thick but not too thick. It's a full meal in itself), and eggs. I also ordered the crawfish bisque soup to go( I tasted it later OMG!!! It's so yummy and homemade).
(4)Marvin S.
I have been to Stone Soup about four times. Every time I have gone, I have tried something different. I have never been disappointed. The quality of the food is spectacular. The service is wonderful. I always feel at home at Stone Soup. I could honestly rave about the food, especially the desserts, all day. One thing that is notable about this restaurant is the staff. They are very friendly and accommodating.
(5)Mitchell M.
This was my first trip to stone soup cafe. Wow. It's hard to make bacon and eggs stand out, but these were awesome. Hash browns were perfect.
(4)Christianne B.
Came in for breakfast on a recommendation that my cab driver gave me and was not disappointed. Coffee was good, the staff was exceptionally friendly and the food was delicious. I had veggie quiche, which came with a biscuit & fruit. My boyfriend had the French toast and claims it is the best he's ever had. Good bang for your buck as well, would highly recommend!
(5)Leah Beth B.
Stone Soup is my go-to place in Cooper-Young for breakfast and lunch. The staff is always so friendly and attentive, and the food is great for a neighborhood restaurant. For breakfast, I've tried almost everything on the menu. No joke. I'm seriously there far too much for my own good. My favorite is the BigRex Biscuit, which is a giant bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. For lunch, I like to try out their lunch specials. I've had everything from catfish to vegetable plates and they never disappoint. I'm also a fan of their chef salads. This is a cute place to take your grandparents for a lunch date. Try it out!
(4)Jennifer S.
I have come here two other times, and had much better service and food than I did this visit. I have liked going to this place because it is so cute and charming inside, they use a lot of local products on their menu, and I can walk there from the Cooper Young Farmers market on Saturdays to grab a bite to eat. On this visit we were seated promptly but waited a long time to order our drinks and food. The machine they use to make hot chocolate wasn't working, so my niece and I were unable to get it after we ordered it. My niece ordered the fruit parfait with granola and it was a huge serving and she loved it, especially the granola, which they make there and you can buy in the market. My meal, on the other hand, was mostly disappointing. I ordered the 2 eggs (sunny side up) plus two and got 2 applewood sausage patties, the grits, and toast. The eggs, toast, and 2 types of jelly they give you were wonderful. The grits were ok but not seasoned and I wasn't able to finished them. One of the pieces of sausage was so dry and hard, it was inedible. The second piece of sausage was still dry but I was at least able to eat it. We also waited way too long to get our check for our meal. The waitress was very nice, but the slow service was unacceptable.
(2)Ken T.
Thought this might be better than it was. I ordered the Italian roast beef and it was dry and tasteless. The peas and carrots were overlooked and canned. I had a small Cale salad that was good. It had some walnuts and citrus, and a light dressing. Ambiance was nice and the wait staff was nice and prompt. Don't think I will be back anytime soon.
(3)Anony M.
Good home, Southern cooking with a fresh, healthy twist. I've ordered a lot of things off the lunch and breakfast menu now and have yet to find something I've been unsatisfied with. I have the hardest time resisting their Big Rex biscuit and just the biscuits in general. So good! A thick, hearty biscuit. Their turkey sausage is to die for as well. I've ordered the blackened catfish in a wrap and on a bed of rice and enjoyed both thoroughly. This is one of the places my friends always want to visit when coming from out of town because of the Southern home vibe, the friendly staff, and the delicious food. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who likes Southern cooking, wants a healthy meal while dining out, or people with a diet that doesn't include eating meat.
(5)Charlie B.
I've only eaten here once for lunch with some coworkers because one of them recommended it. Otherwise, I might not even know about this hidden gem. I like being able to choose from multiple options for lunch, other than your standard sandwich with unhealthy chips or fries, and this place offers a variety of lunch specials. It reminds me of a cross between Cafe Eclectic and The Elegent Farmer.
(4)Jon C.
To my surprise i recieved a very nice reply to my previous review from the manager. I will have to give this place another shot. We will see....
(2)Michelle W.
On one of the coldest days of the year, my coworker coaxed us out at lunch to Stone Soup. It was the perfect place to spend our lunch hour. The restaurant was very crowded, but that did not stop the service from being excellent. I ordered the pimento cheese sandwich. The pimento cheese was good, but there was too much bread. It made it difficult to taste the pimento cheese. It would have been better on an English muffin or two. The regular menu and specials looked delicious. My friends enjoyed their soups, salads, tuna melts and corn casserole. I look forward to making this a regular lunch place.
(3)Stephanie H.
I love coming to this place for brunch on the weekends. It's such a cozy little establishment (actually used to be a house that people lived in once upon a time) and the servers are very nice and friendly. Southern comfort food and homy atmosphere. I love their food and their prices are pretty fair. I also love their coffee. Tons of options on the menu (including vegan options!) and everything I've had so far has hit the spot. I love their omelettes, hashbrowns, biscuits, and veggie sausage. One thing I always get there is the 2 eggs plus 2. One of my favorite items on the menu. You get 2 eggs cooked any way you like, with 2 sides and a biscuit or toast. All for a really good price (a little over $7). I should mention that this isn't a fancy brunch place so don't expect the food to be sophisticated and exploding with flavors that will blow your mind. This is the kind of place you go to when you wake up late on a weekend, hungover, wishing your mom was right down the street so you can just pop on over for some breakfast at her place. I also find this place very convenient because they stay open till 3pm for weekend brunch. They have their own parking (super tiny though) but if there is no space available, just park somewhere down the street. They also have their own little shop inside where they sell some baked goods, honey, coffee, t-shirts, postcards, and other fun local little things. One last thing to keep in mind is that when the weather isn't horribly muggy and hot, they have outdoor seating which I love! There's also a farmer's market that goes on every weekend right across the street if you're into that kind of thing!
(4)Ken R.
During my first visit with my baby sister, I decided to get the Western Omelette with hashbrowns and pork sausage. The omelette was really good by most standards. The egg wrapping the omelet was thick, fluffy and perfectly seasoned for a great taste. As for the contents inside the egg, everything was sautéed just right. If I had to guess, I believe it was all sautéed in olive oil, my favorite for cooking omelets. Vegetables such as onions and green peppers have a distinct sour sweet flavor when it's cooked in olive oil, and I love it. In closing, I won't say that Stone Soup's omelet is the best in town, but there aren't many places that can top it. The two side items that I had with my omelet were good as well. The hashbrowns were crispy on the outside while keeping its shredded texture on the inside, and it wasn't mushy. In other words, they were properly cooked hashbrowns that weren't out of the ordinary. Once I added butter to them, the hashbrowns stuck together and tasted great. The pork sausage patties also weren't anything that I haven't had before. They were just a spicy complement to a really good meal. For the second visit, I decided to do something different. Instead of getting an omelet or pancakes (which I will talk about later), I got a breakfast sandwich. I went big by getting The Big Rex with pork sausage. It consisted of scrambled eggs (two of them, I believe), two slices of American cheese and two sausage patties, sandwiched by slices of thick toasted bread. The spiciness of the sausage, the melted cheese and the crunchy toast combined for a savory and hearty "Sammy." It tasted far better than similar "fast food" breakfast sandwiches, including Hardee's (aka Carl's Jr.). By itself, The Big Rex can satisfy the appetite of most, but I turned it up a notch by getting hashbrowns and a cup of gravy. The gravy, I believe, is buttermilk-based with no meat in it. Although it's good on its own, I didn't like it when I dipped my sandwich in it. Fortunately, the sandwich was perfect and didn't need it. Although it was a mismatch with my sandwich, the gravy complemented the hashbrowns nicely. The entire meal got a boost because of it. While I had The Big Rex, my sister had a pancake. Before I go on, you might be wondering why I'm mentioning her meal and not my baby sister's. Normally when I review something, it's based on what I ate and not on what others have had. If I'm dining with someone, I try not to bother him/her during the meal. The exceptions to that rule: 1) the entrée is unique like the French Toast Bananas Foster that my sister had at Rizzo's Diner, 2) the entrée is huge. Her pancake fell into the latter category, for it was big enough to cover a 10"-12" plate. The pancake was slightly under a half an inch thick, which is more than enough for most. In terms of taste, it's no different from the average pancake. Even though it was a meal by itself, my sister also had scrambled eggs and bacon as side items. Needless to say, she had a full stomach after eating her brunch. To sum it up, the second experience at the Stone Soup Cafe was even better than the first. Like with my other sibling, I want to thank my sister for treating me to a wonderful meal. Someday when the time is right, I intend to return the favor. To read the entire review, go to kensfoodfind.com/2012/07…
(4)Jennifer R.
Looking for a great cup of coffee...?! Look no further! I have heard good things about this place for awhile now but have never been....last Sunday three of my girlfriends and I went for brunch. When I walked in the place was packed! I was thinking we would have to wait for at least 30 minutes before we would be seated. However, there was a table for 4 and we were seated right away! Seated by the window the house was very quaint. Our waiter was hilarious and very entertaining. We enjoyed him and would go back there anytime! The food looked amazing was tasted just the same!
(4)Miss M.
Just had breakfast there with a new friend. Haven't been there in years. Loved the quiche then and loved it today!! Totally my favorite dish for breakfast.
(5)Jacque D.
I have tried Stone Soup Cafe several times and each time was more disappointing than the time before. Today was my husbands first time and he won't be back. The main problem was the slow and innefficient service. Our waiter wore himself out running...and I mean running....up and down the main corridor, one item at a time. My hubby's stone soup (hamburger) was bland and 9$ a bowl. My gumbo was delish, but no bread was brought until we requested it. The coffee was good, but luke warm and we couldn't catch the waiter to refresh it. We wanted dessert but ran out of time waiting. Darling place, nice patio and I love the name. Too bad, sooo sad.
(2)Burton B.
I love breakfast. I especially love being able to eat breakfast ANY TIME of the day. Stone Soup has robust breakfast offerings. My personal favorite is the French Toast. Stone Soup makes its own bread. This dish is made with their homemade peasant bread, and it soaks all day in the secret French Toast batter so it's simply delectable. Further, the atmosphere is quaint and bright. I typically eat alone here and take my newspapers, and I don't feel awkward, lonely, or out of place. The wonderful staff is friendly, welcoming, and they ask about me if I haven't been in a while. Love that down-home attention. [Only complaint is that the sweet tea is made with Splenda (weird taste to me), yet I probably don't need all that extra sugar since I drown the French Toast in syrup.] If breakfast at noon is your thing on a sunny Saturday, Stone Soup has you covered!
(5)Led D.
A charming restaurant with a welcoming southern ambiance in a great location of mid-town. The staff are very friendly and cordial. They show a lot of pride in their work and product being served. They have their daily specials written on the blackboard with their regular menu. My wife tried the crepe stuffed with spinach and mushroom. I had the sausage, bacon, and ham estrada (just like a cassarole) with cheese grits and I had to have pancake which was larger than my head; thank goodness it only came in one per serving. It all tasted great and quite satisfying. I also loved the coffee. Overall it was a great brunch and experience. We only had to wait about seven minutes to get seated. It was around 10:00 am and we will definitely come back again.
(4)Karen L.
Sorry guys, I don't get the love for Stone Soup. We had lunch here on a Saturday, and it was pretty unimpressive. We had the shrimp skewers wrapped in bacon as an appetizer, and for $8, you get exactly 4 shrimp, tails still attached, encrusted in ridiculously crispy bacon, on a big bowl full of lettuce and a cup of melted butter. Um...okay then. I had the grilled cheese with ham and the cucumber salad. Now, the number one way to screw up a grilled cheese is to burn it, and that's exactly what they did. Not charred to a crisp, but defnitely left on the grill a little too long. Same with the ham in the middle, which actually overwhelmed the cheese, making it more like a bad ham and cheese panini than a grilled cheese. The cucumber salad was terrible -- it looked like some attempt at an Italian dressing had been made, but it was completely tasteless. The boyfriend had the lunch special, beef tenderloin, with roasted broccoli and cauliflower and coleslaw. When asked, the waitress had assured him that the beef was tender, but he said it really wasn't. His food as well was lacking in flavor...have these people heard of salt and pepper? The service was ok, though it was pretty irritating to watch our server chatting it up with the next table for several minutes when we were ready to order. I know everyone's raving about their breakfast, but with those high prices and poor food quality, I won't be back.
(2)Robin B.
I met two friends at Stone Soup for lunch on a Saturday. The menu is a bit of a mish-mash, offering Las Delicias chips & salsa, homemade guacamole, veggie burgers, and meat & vegetable plates. Daily specials are offered, ask your server or check the chalk board. This place was full, and felt homey, though the fact that is actually functioning in an old 4-square midtown home may be what slowed communication between hostess/servers/cooks. The lack of identity is what prevents me from giving a fifth star. I didn't know if I was eating at a greek diner, a mexican restaurant, or granny's house. My friend had special dietary needs, and sent her salad back, but our waitress showed patience and remained cordial, which I appreciated. My grilled asparagus was pretty good, the spanikopita lacked personality, though the texture was fine, but the real star of the show was the bread. The white bread was dense and a bit dry but rich and begging for honey or butter. The mystically sweet and layers-deep flavors in the cornbread takes my review from 3 stars up to 4. Free parking, no alcohol, brunch on Sundays. Open for breakfast and lunch.
(4)Ernie M.
A really great breakfast. I had the cheese egg white omelet and it was delectable. Along with the omelet I ordered a side of Applewood bacon and it was one of the best bacons I have ever had. My granddaughter ordered the Big Rex Biscuit and loved it. Interesting ambiance in an old house. The service by Kimberly was good. Worth the visit for any meal.
(3)Yvonne W.
Cute place. Ordered a spinach omelet with mozzarella cheese & mushrooms and vegetarian gravy to go with the biscuit that it comes with. Everything was average. Kind of bland. Also noticed the floors were really dirty. But, guess that could be from the morning breakfast rush. Prices were average. Service was average. Nothing extraordinary.
(3)Jonathan C.
I've given Stone Soup many chances since it first opened, but it consistently disappoints. Breakfast: I love a hearty, savory breakfast and love to treat myself now and then to biscuits and gravy. Stone Soup's biscuits come to your table stone cold, dry and hardened. They look like they should taste good, but they don't. Im guessing they bake their biscuits the night before and put them in the fridge. Go elsewhere if your looking for hot, flaky yummy biscuits. And the gravy? It was also cold. Lunch? Not impressed. You can get a meat and three here, some of the vegetable side dishes are just comically tragic. I had a server praise their ratatouille. I like to follow staff recommendations, but this was a bad move this time. Their ratatouille included potatoes and carrots!?!?!? Really? Gross and inedible. The service is friendly but slow. I hear their pancakes and toast are really yummy, but it's not enough to entice me.
(2)Jansen G.
The food is good and the prices are great. I don't think the food can be beat (especially the Swedish crepes!). But our service was awful. Maybe it was just this one waiter, the only man working there I think, but it was almost 20 minutes before he even got to our table to take our drink order. He was just really inattentive. Plus he spent almost all his time just talking to a couple at another table. But other than the awful waiter, everything else was great.
(4)Jason K.
Really like the food hear. A great chicken sandwich with goat cheese and feta. Sadly, after you get past the food that is where good stops. The service is terrible. I do not think it is the servers fault. To be honest I think it is a management issue. They are very inflexible as to what you can change on you plate. For example, if you want to pay the difference to have a soup as your side rather than chips they will not do it. Also, charge a spilt plate fee of $2 to split a bowl of soup. Really!!! The food is good, but I will not be back because the management appears to think they know what the customer wants more than the customer does.
(2)Fawn P.
Since moving to Memphis a couple years ago, my standard for good service has dramatically declined. That is until I met the staff at Stone Soup. Although I came in late in the day (they close at 3pm), I was met with smiles, prompt and friendly service. Really, the best service I've had in a long time. I had soup of the day, crawfish bisque, and again, was blown out of the water. Also had a patty melt. An actual thick hand-pressed patty. My only lament was the cheap American cheese used on the burger (but they did use two slices). They had a huge selection of pies and cheesecakes, but was not up to anymore food. Looked good though.
(5)Dan E.
Let me say first that I absolutely loved "Buns on the Run". Homey, warm and lush southern fare. Now fast forward to "Stone Soup"- which sports a similar warmth and charm both in the cosy atmosphere and friendly service as to make you feel your at grandma's sort of thing. That's about where the similarities end. It appears at least on this visit that Stone Soup tries too hard to be trendy. We had lunch $8.50 for a meat and two and on this visit the entree choices were a choice of beef tips and rice or roasted pork loin. There were about eight veggie choices which were mostly starchs- though in February there are few locally grown fresh green veggies available. Yes, this place sports the eat local idea and they encourage you to visit their local take out market area in the back where they offer many locally made packaged goods as well as their own bakery goodies. I did find it curious that they sell J Brooks fine coffees but served a bulk mass market coffee? Anyway, back to lunch... I chose the broccoli salad and the butter beans. The broccoli salad was a melange of broccoli, onions and cauliflower dressed in an overwhelming garlic and ?? garlic dressing. What I was feeling was the choice of veggies simply seasoned should need very little accouterments to spoil it. The butter beans were obviously fresh freezer burned with no seasoning. I get it... Little or no dairy is their thing also. Hey - it trendy! But does anyone actually taste this stuff before they serve it? I must comment on the delicious but hard to screw up beef tips in a rich gravy over rice. Yum! It was my saving grace! They do have impressive looking in house baked breads that have a beautiful grain structure but made with water and oil instead of butter or milk conditioners leaving the loaf somewhat yeasty and flavorless. They do provide a table butter spread. but the baked goods are beautiful. In the balance of things I am still holding out for tweaks. I love the people and the atmosphere, just wish they had more flavor and a little less trendiness. You shouldn't have to try too hard when you already had it right before!
(2)Ashley D.
I ordered the Grilled Cheese and Crawfish Bisque. The bread of the grilled cheese was ok, but the cheese was Kraft Singles. I was disappointed that they didn't use a better cheese for the price of the sandwich. Or at least tell you it's American cheese on the menu. The Crawfish bisque had a nice flavor and the crawfish chunks were tasty, but the consistency of the bisque was not thick enough for my personal preference. My husband ordered the Blue Burger. It was served in toast, which could be fine at times, but the toppings were piled really high so he couldn't bite it well. The meat was over cooked and greasy. If we ever go here again, I will be ordering the breakfast items, not the lunch items.
(3)Chandra L.
This spot is awesome!!! They serve wonderful fresh breakfast all day (mon-sat 7-3 sun 9-3). I had the big Rex burrito, a side of sour cream, and homemade salsa. My friend ordered French toast, biscuits and gravy( which I help to eat because the portion was large. The biscuits were so good and the gravy was perfectly thick but not too thick. It's a full meal in itself), and eggs. I also ordered the crawfish bisque soup to go( I tasted it later OMG!!! It's so yummy and homemade).
(4)Marvin S.
I have been to Stone Soup about four times. Every time I have gone, I have tried something different. I have never been disappointed. The quality of the food is spectacular. The service is wonderful. I always feel at home at Stone Soup. I could honestly rave about the food, especially the desserts, all day. One thing that is notable about this restaurant is the staff. They are very friendly and accommodating.
(5)Mitchell M.
This was my first trip to stone soup cafe. Wow. It's hard to make bacon and eggs stand out, but these were awesome. Hash browns were perfect.
(4)Christianne B.
Came in for breakfast on a recommendation that my cab driver gave me and was not disappointed. Coffee was good, the staff was exceptionally friendly and the food was delicious. I had veggie quiche, which came with a biscuit & fruit. My boyfriend had the French toast and claims it is the best he's ever had. Good bang for your buck as well, would highly recommend!
(5)Leah Beth B.
Stone Soup is my go-to place in Cooper-Young for breakfast and lunch. The staff is always so friendly and attentive, and the food is great for a neighborhood restaurant. For breakfast, I've tried almost everything on the menu. No joke. I'm seriously there far too much for my own good. My favorite is the BigRex Biscuit, which is a giant bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. For lunch, I like to try out their lunch specials. I've had everything from catfish to vegetable plates and they never disappoint. I'm also a fan of their chef salads. This is a cute place to take your grandparents for a lunch date. Try it out!
(4)Lauren B.
I came to Stone Soup for lunch March 2013 (after visiting two times when they first opened) and let me say I am a fan. The first two times I had the soup and, as one would expect, it was stellar but today I ordered the veggie plate. Huge lunch for less than $8 - and every veggie was delicious. Nice, cozy place for lunch. I need to add this to my regular weekday lunch rotation!
(4)Dawn M.
The food was different, not bad, but not the best ever. I got the mushroom sandwich. Was expecting fresh mushrooms but I am 99% sure they were out of a can. The service was great, as was the pineapple/coconut pie. It also was a quaint little place with a nice atmosphere. I would definitely go back.
(4)C S.
We came for brunch and it was awful. The servers need training. We were served coffee but never refilled. Every time we needed something we had to seek out a staff member. water, creamer, silverware, the bill. The food was marginal at best. No, thank you, I will not revisit.
(1)Fina S.
My husband and I are absolute fans! We have been there about 12 times in the last 3 weeks and never been disappointed. The service has been adaquate to excellent, and the food has been fabulous. What I appreciate above all is the intent. All the food is fresh, and not processed! The bread is made every day from whole grains,, not processed. The vegetables are fresh as is everything else. If you eat meals and then feel hungry, come here! You will eat a meal and feel full! Sharron Johnson is the owner-chef and a real doll! She makes whatever you want -even if it is not on the menu! But for myself, I cannot get out of the omelette section! I am addicted to the omelettes! Each one is delicious and a full meal! Veggies-fresh, bread-fresh, real food-not processed....that alone should make you run like a bunny here! Homey atmosphere, my only complaint.....No liquor ....Oh well.... This place to us is a home run..IT IS WAS IT IS..GOOD HOMECOOKED FOOD!!!
(5)Joe S.
I am writing this review before the the grand opening on 9/13/2011, but I wanted to welcome this new restaurant to Midtown and Cooper-Young. Stone Soup will be open for breakfast and lunch and features a traditional breakfast menu of eggs, omelettes, pancakes, cereals and quiche. Lunch features soups, salads, plate lunches and sandwiches. The restaurant features a market with branded items, and some locally produced merchandise. Local art graces the walls of the beautifully refurbished house at the corner of South Cooper and Felix. Stone Soup will fill a much needed breakfast-lunch niche in Midtown/Cooper-Young. Go check it out!
(5)Twila R.
This place is original and inviting! Loved their display of local artists and re-use philosophy. The food was delicious, service was great and I can't wait to try their desserts!! ;)
(4)Evan P.
I went here for lunch the other day. I tried the stuffed tomato with chicken salad. I like the chicken salad for being pulled chicken breast and not a chopped mess like most places, however it was a little dry and under seasoned for my taste. The side of sauteed squash i got was cooked perfectly and well seasoned. I really like the interior. It is very spacious with brightly painted walls. Service was quick and efficient. Over-all a pretty solid first trip considering they have only been open for a brief time.
(3)Daniel B.
Loved this place when it first opened, but I feel like they've spent the last 18 months trying to figure out how to cut corners. Given them a few chances over this time frame, but after they served my girlfriend quiche that had clearly been microwaved (warm on the tip, cold pretty much everywhere else) at a time when they were maybe at 1/4 capacity, I don't think we'll be going back.
(2)Trena P.
The boyfriend and I just had breakfast here. The service was great and the atmosphere is wonderful, but that's where the good review stops... He had the crepes with peanut butter and banana . Have you ever put a bite of food in your mouth and had an utterly alarmed reaction? I tried his crepes and this is how I felt... The filling was natural peanut butter which had not been sweetened with honey or anything. It was very bitter. I had a breakfast concoction called the gut bomb. On the menu, it is described as layers of grits, sausage and cheese in a bowl. The description was accurate, but nothing could prepare me for the tastelessness that was this dish. No amount of butter or salt made any difference. All in all, I must say, I will not be going back. In the words of my boyfriend, who screws up breakfast?
(1)Kyle W.
I really wanted to rave about Stone Soup Cafe. I wanted to log on to Yelp, hit my caps lock button, and encourage all of you in a non-ending barrage of capital letters to go enjoy this place. Instead, i wish there was a opposite lock (an "opps lock", if you will) button that would minimize my font so i could add a footnote to every compliment i give to this restaurant. The restaurant itself is very picturesque. It's located on S. Cooper, close to the young Avenue Deli. It is very spacious, with ample room for a party of 4 ( only had 2 in my party, but we were at a table for four) to not feel cramped at lunch time, which is a rarity. I came in totally focused on ordering a Tuna Melt. I had a craving for a while, and Deen B was kind enough to tell me about this place. I ordered the Tuna Melt, and the chicken gumbo. My coworker ordered the chicken sandwich with spinach and feta. My tune melt was good, although I was kinda hoping the cheese would be melted, since it is a MELT after all. My coworkers sandwich was burnt. The whole thing. Literally. As if the chef decided to use a flame thrower as opposed to an oven. The spinach was clearly the chopped, frozen version, not the normal leaves one would expect. The gumbo was tasty, and the cup i ordered came in a bowl so deep I could swim in it. I'd be curious to see what a bowl o gumbo looks like. Do they just roll out a trough? Do you still use a spoon, or is it straight bobbing for apples style? The service was excellent, depending on where you were sitting. We were promptly seated, and out waitress appeared almost instantly. She took our order without an issue, but I personally witnessed her drop raspberry vinaigrette on an older lady's expensive handbag, inadvertently stab a diner with a fork ( it was a gentle poke, while handing him some silverware, but who hold a fork like that?), and drop a piece of cake into some soup splat erring the area with tomato soup rain. So you can imagine my trepidation about the hurricane that was our waitress approaching me with a hot bowl of gumbo and I only had the flimsy fabric of my suit and a paper napkin to protect my choice parts. She delivered it without a problem, though, and our meal was incident free. Overall, the restaurant was solid. The menu is expansive, and the quantity and quality of the food will both satisfy.
(3)James H.
I had my first experience at Stone Soup today after hearing mixed reviews. We were seated at a table and after 10 mins we were not even approached to take our drink order or even given the daily specials . So we walked out only told to have a great day !
(1)Kerry C.
Add another name to the impressive roster of restaurants crammed into Cooper-Young. The neighborhood's newest restaurant is a meat-and-three called Stone Soup Cafe. Stone Soup Cafe was opened by the same people who used to run my beloved breakfast hangout, Buns on the Run. Their new venture is somewhat similar - good, fresh breakfast and lunch standards. They've set up shop in a huge converted house across the street from First Congregational Church in Cooper-Young that's divided into several small-ish dining rooms. I ordered the chicken tetrazzini special with mashed potatoes and green beans. The chicken tetrazzini was sort of like a cross between baked pasta and casserole. It had big chunks of chicken, spaghetti noodles and mushrooms and was covered in cream of mushroom and cheese. It was filling and creamy and good in the way that eating at your mom's house is good. The mashed potatoes don't come with gravy, but that's OK - they don't need it. They're creamy (but not so creamy that they're not clearly made from real potatoes) and dotted with flecks of potato skin. The green beans were alright, but a little underwhelming (that might just be me, though -I'm not a big fan of wide, flat green beans). The lunch prices are pretty good for the amount of food you get. You can eat there for less than $10 per person, especially if you stick to drinking water. The service was good, especially for a restaurant that's only been open for a week. They're clearly still working out the kinks, but they're on the right track.
(3)Lauren W.
This place deserved a 4 star review strictly for the service alone. Our server was pleasant and helpful, made recommendations based on what we liked, and refilled our drinks in an "Indian Palace" style. (Never even a chance to get to the bottom of your glass before a new one was placed in front of you) The whole place has a very homey feel, and not just because it used to be a house. I had the Margarita grilled cheese sandwich with a cup of gazpacho. The gazpacho was full flavored and delicious. The grilled cheese looked beautiful. Usually I could careless about plating at a cafe style restaurant, but when I get an unusually pretty plate its hard not to take notice. The sandwich was served open-faced, with delicious bread, tomatoes and smothered in pesto. Yum. My boyfriend had the creamy chicken pesto crepes. He loved them! Cleaned his entire plate. I would definitely come back to Stone Soup. Want to try some more!
(4)Gisa D.
Avoid the eggplant gratin but go for the pimento cheese quiche. The crepes are good.
(3)Clark P.
Another great midtown restaurant! I love the atmosphere of this place. We go for breakfast often and then traverse to the farmer's market across the street. Traditional breakfast items include the Big Rex biscuit which is delicious. The giant pancake is giant indeed. I over ordered my first few times.
(4)Kristan H.
There has been nothing here I have tried that I have not liked and the servers are always so nice. I was a die hard fan of Young Avenue Deli's pimento cheese sandwich until I met this one. It is not over mayonnaise-y but cheesy and sharp. The baked in-house bread that has been lightly grilled just seals the deal. Lately I have become a big fan of their veggie burger too. It is more crumbly than other restaurants, but I think it has fabulous flavor and is made at the restaurant itself - not frozen. Oh, and if you get the chance to try the shrimp creole do NOT pass that up on the lunch menu. For brunch, the options are endless. If you are in the breakfast mood, I love the pancake with blueberries added or you can go for the crepes for something different and decadent. The good standards are always fantastic too - the sausage, biscuits and omelets do not disappoint. Very affordable and family-friendly!
(5)Colin B.
Stone Soup Cafe deserves at least four stars for the bread alone. The breads are made in house, and it really shows. Five of us visited for lunch yesterday, and we all genuinely enjoyed it. Between us we tried the 2 soups, 6 sides, the special (roasted chicken) and a hamburger. Some of the vegetable sides were unmemorable, but the entrees and soups were great. The service was friendly and quick and the prices reasonable. I'll be back...All day Saturday breakfast? YES. A ballin ass hamburger served on homemade bread? YES. Your culinary cousin, Colin
(4)Sam L.
The pork loin was actually pretty good, but the vegetable sides weren't that great. The "ratatouille" shouldn't be called that. Whoever named it has never tasted, smelled, or seen ratatouille. It tasted more like chunky Ragu sauce. The sauteed cabbage is a rubbery mess with no flavor other than burnt. There are annoying altruistic slogans everywhere (walls, menus, etc) such as "love your neighbor", "community", "share", etc...meanwhile this is a business. They don't share stuff; they sell it. Also, they should play Burzum instead of watery folk ballads (ex: Allison Krause).
(1)David M.
The return of the native! All of the great cooking that you enjoyed at 'Buns On The Run', that earned a fiercely loyal following of patrons for eleven years has come back to Cooper-Young! Great traditional breakfasts (try the crepes!) with some of the best coffee in the area, combined with delicious lunches served with care and courtesy has me believing that this will be the new 'clean well lit place' for years to come. Did I forget to mention that menu offers true vegan dishes and daily specials?
(5)Deen W.
Dined here with 2 other people and was overall pleased with the experience. Atmosphere is cozy - it's in a converted house. The food was good - I had the tuna melt and really liked the bread - made in house. My dining companions had the pimento cheese, which had a hint of horseradish and the chicken gumbo. Oh.my .goodness. The chicken gumbo was the clear winner. We all agreed that it even beats out Dejavu. I had serious order envy. Service was good. I would go back.
(3)Shannon L.
Stone Soup is yet another place that has been on my to try list, basically since they opened. Just driving by the place makes me excited to see what it is all about. The restaurant operates out of a cute little Midtown home, and their patio is just as cute. Stone Soup Cafe is a Southern plate lunch and sandwich kind of place. It's the kind of place you go when you have a hankerin' for grandma's home cookin'. Scott and I met for lunch on a Saturday afternoon. The weather was beautiful, so we decided to soak up some sun out front. Our poor little server was either brand new or they were very understaffed. We sat for a long while before we could get drinks. The menu was more diverse than expected. They serve breakfast all day on Saturday. The lunch menu also has plate lunches, sandwiches, entrees, wraps, and, of course, soup. However, I was a bit confused by the soup menu. For someone who has soup in their name, I would assume they would have more than 5 soup options. You have more than that at places like Panera Bread. I expected a lengthy variety of soups. For lunch, I got the pimento cheese sandwich. I heard they had a great one, and I do love some pimento cheese. The sandwich was pretty good. They load you up on some pimento cheese spread. This was a leaning tower of pimento cheese, sandwiched between two slices of texas toast. The bread was a bit greasy, which took away from the taste of the pimento cheese. However, it was very soft and tasted pretty fresh. The chips on the side added to the Southern flare of the place. Sitting at a table on the front lawn, with this dish, made me feel like I was at a picnic. Scott, who was in breakfast mode, ordered the South of the Border Omelet, which contained "cheddar, onions, green peppers, salsa, sour cream, and jalepenos". It was served with a side of homemade biscuits. Scott was a big fan of his omelet. He said it was cooked perfectly and tons of yummy ingredients stuffed inside. The biscuits were a great addition, and reminded me a bit of my grandma's. Don't worry Mamaw, your biscuits are still better. Overall, I had a pleasant experience at Stone Soup Cafe. The service was very behind, but I expect it was just a fluke that day. Our food was pretty good, but nothing fantastic. I will probably be back to Stone Soup Cafe at some point, when craving some Southern food under the sun. However, I am not dying to go back.
(3)Heather M.
Delicious locally sourced breakfast and lunch in unique historic home. They have daily specials and their regular menu. Also, a large desert room. I love going for lunch during the week, delicious and fast. The staff is always friendly.
(5)Sam J.
Delicious food, excellent service. Consistently one of my favorite breakfast and lunch locales.
(5)Vickie W.
Read previous reviews but decided to go on a co-workers recommendation. The place was great. Went for breakfast on a Sunday morning it was perfect. Sat outside on the lawn next to the lovely landscaped area. Birds were chirping and the church ran the bell. We order The Rex and my diner partner, big burly guy, loved it. Two thick pieces of bread with lots of sausage and hash browns on the side (extra). Also had the spinahc, chicken and feta crepes. Three perfect sized crepes with a great white sauce on top. Ver filling and delicious. We will definitely be going back.
(5)Amanda C.
I really enjoyed Stone Soup Cafe. It's one of those quaint eateries that invites you in with warmth and good food. I went this morning for brunch with a friend of mine, and we both loved what we got! I had the Lorraine Quiche that came with a side of toast and a cup of fruit. I also ordered a side of grits (don't judge; I am allergic to several fruits and didn't know how much I could eat of it). Everything I had was wonderful! The quiche was full of spinach, ham, mushrooms and cheese baked in a delicious crust. Side note: I really love quiche, and this one was definitely up to par. The toast was buttered to perfection, and the grits were good as well. The fruit cup had such a good assortment that I was able to eat most of it as well. Score! My friend had the egg white omelet, fruit and a biscuit. She said everything she had was fabulous too. I will definitely be going back for breakfast and brunch, and I will definitely try their lunch. I am really wanting to try some of their sandwiches and veggies! They also have a great outdoor area that will be great for spring, or you know maybe next weekend depending on our crazy Memphis weather. The only reason they did not get that magical 5th star was because our waitress was a bit inattentive and snooty. Now, I know everyone has a bad day, and Stone Soup was packed when we got there. However, I was very hungry and had to wait a good 10 to 15 minutes for her to take my order. Not cool. All that aside, the food and atmosphere were great, and I will definitely be going back!!
(4)Peter O.
It appears that since the start of this restaurant the service has gotten better. Today my wife and I went for breakfast at 11AM. We went in the backdoor past their little "market" that has freshly baked bread, desserts, and other items for sale. We got seated immediately by the hostess who promptly took our order for drinks (coffee and orange juice). While we were in no hurry, our server seemed like she got triple seated essentially and was slow getting to our order. She apologized and came back several minutes later to take our order of Vegetable Quiche and Biscuit for my wife and a Cat Head Biscuit with Sausage and side of bacon and hash browns for me. We both really loved the hash browns and the Veggie Quiche-- so much so we had the manager price a WHOLE quiche in case we had a gathering where we could serve it with fruit and/or salad. It was decadent. The biscuits were a little dry... the quiche was the best we've ever had and had a TON of veggies without compromising the great quiche "feeling" you want when you order it for lunch.
(4)C G.
slowest service with no apologies. poorest run establishment in midtown.. do NOT recommend. 6 weeks for a response to my post only verifies my earlier comments.
(1)Ben B.
I finally got to try Stone Soup and it did not disappoint me, nor the other 3 people with me. It has a very comfortable atmosphere and the decor represents the Cooper Young neighborhood very well. I tries the BLGT (Bacon, lettuce, & fried green tomato) with pasta salad. By no means did it blow me away but it was definitely on par. I saw many items on the menu that I want to make a point to come back to try. The staff was also very friendly with a good grasp on the items on the menu. She also made sure that the drinks on our table stated filled up without us having to ask for a refill.
(4)Megan S.
two friends and i lunched at stone soup cafe this past saturday. overall it was a great experience. when i arrived i was pleased to find that there is a small parking lot in the back. the area (stone soup is just south of cooper young) is notorious for lack of parking, so stone soup's private parking lot is a plus. also a plus, being able to enter the restaurant from the parking lot entrance OR the main entrance at the front. and - stone soup cafe is a house converted in to a restaurant. i love the atmosphere - very homey and warm. since the meal was somewhat of a celebration, we brought a bottle of champagne. our server informed us that the corkage fee was $10 - which we were happy to pay. (i will say this, though - for a place that does not serve any alcohol, that seems kind of steep. it's my understanding that at a cafe that actually serves wine - the corkage will sometimes be upwards of $10 / bottle to encourage patrons to order from the restaurant's list. other places i've been around town that do not carry wine (or alcohol at all) typically charge $2 to $3 a person, which i find to be more reasonable for bringing something in that is actually not offered there. does that make sense?) from the beginning of the meal until after we ordered, our server seemed annoyed and almost angry with us. we visited for a few minutes when we got there (it had been awhile since we had seen each other) and had to ask for more time when she came by to take our order. also, one of my friends has to eat a gluten free diet - and our server was not particularly informative on that front. (although upon further inspection of the menu, we were all excited to see that in addition to omelets as a gluten free option, stone soup offers selections from mary's gluten free goods here in town. which is so awesome.) anyway, EVERYONE else we encountered at stone soup was extremely friendly - especially one gentleman who checked on us and spoke with us a few times (the manager / owner, maybe?). and our server did seem to warm up to us after our food arrived, but her behavior in the beginning really put a damper on our experience. (the three of us were servers for years - so we can and do empathize with having a bad day, etc. but it is also important to note that a rude server can ruin a meal. no matter how good the food is.) and that brings us to the food. we really liked the fact that much of what is offered is made in house. and stone soup serves breakfast till 3, i believe, on saturdays and sundays. two of us ordered omelets - which were really good. our friend ordered a vegetable plate and her selections looked fantastic as well. and she said the cornbread is really tasty. i also got a biscuit and a side of vegetarian gravy - both were great. the coffee was awesome, too. stone soup is a little pricier than other breakfast places i've been to - but in my opinion it is worth it - so worth it - to pay more to eat local, quality food and support small businesses. i will definitely be returning and am kicking myself for not trying stone soup sooner. good stuff.
(4)Steve R.
Found this jewel by chance, looking for a Saturday brunch. The cranberry butter on toast was awesome, the south of young omelet was perfect for a late breakfast (got there about 11). The Lorraine quiche...to die for!Atmosphere, service, food...TOP NOTCH! Can't wait to try the crepes!
(5)Cristina H.
It's only opened til 3 so other than the weekends I never catch this place unless I wake up on time before work. Well anywho I was glad that I saw this place on urbanspoon one day and finally made it in to eat here before they closed bc it is FANSTATIC!!! It's like a little piece that represents the meaning of midtown. On the outside it looks kinda cottagey but you go in and it's spacious with the best funny staff ever. They sell great simple breakfast plates and daily lunch specials. I tried the Margherita Sandwich on special and added chicken!!! Start drooling right now bc it is the best creation ever!!!! Toasted bread, melted cheese, slice tomato and some pesto sauce and for a carnivore add chicken!!! Just magnificent I tell ya!!! The hashbrowns were also good from my breakfast plate I had to go one day. Unfortunately I was too full to eat dessert but they look mighty tasty. So yes I am definitely a fan!!! Just wish they would opened at least til 6 ;) and they actually have a small parking lot for ya bc we all know parking can be a hassle at times
(4)April V.
Every single time I've been there the food has been yummy and excellent service! It's one of my favorite breakfast / brunch spots these days! As for the desserts I've tied two. The Banana pudding cheesecake is fabulous. The hummingbird cake was inedible, sadly. Maybe I just it a bad cake but it was dry and way too sweet. Stick with the cheesecake and you won't be disappointed.
(5)Carter C.
I try to not read other people's reviews for fear that they will influence my own review, so I don't know why on earth this restaurant isn't rated at least 4 stars. After my breakfast this morning, Stone Soup is one of my new favorite restaurants in Memphis. Holy huge pancakes. The quaint atmosphere and refreshingly kind employees made the whole experience near perfect. I will be back.
(5)Jay M.
Beautiful old Victorian house in Cooper-Young. The kind of place you really want to succeed, but alas, the food is sub-par. I've been four times, breakfast and lunch. The red beans had so much thyme in them that we literally surmised the chef had slipped and dropped a whole jar of dried thyme in the beans.....inedible. Another visit....I was careful to order a vegetable plate and the turnip greens had never been washed; straight from the field to the pot. Literally, so much dirt and gravel that I was spitting them into a napkin. Next visit...breakfast was forgettable. The coffee is way below average and the biscuits were dried out and flavorless. Eggs on the tepid side. My wife likes the pimiento cheese and the stone soup and I did have a passable slice of lemon pie on my last visit.
(1)Lauren B.
I came to Stone Soup for lunch March 2013 (after visiting two times when they first opened) and let me say I am a fan. The first two times I had the soup and, as one would expect, it was stellar but today I ordered the veggie plate. Huge lunch for less than $8 - and every veggie was delicious. Nice, cozy place for lunch. I need to add this to my regular weekday lunch rotation!
(4)Dawn M.
The food was different, not bad, but not the best ever. I got the mushroom sandwich. Was expecting fresh mushrooms but I am 99% sure they were out of a can. The service was great, as was the pineapple/coconut pie. It also was a quaint little place with a nice atmosphere. I would definitely go back.
(4)C S.
We came for brunch and it was awful. The servers need training. We were served coffee but never refilled. Every time we needed something we had to seek out a staff member. water, creamer, silverware, the bill. The food was marginal at best. No, thank you, I will not revisit.
(1)Lauren C.
What to say... Almost everything was bad with our experience here. The hostess was friendly and talkative and brought us our drinks. But that's as good as it's gets. The wait service was slow, and the restaurant was by no means full. My boyfriend's food made it to the table (once again, brought by the hostess) and mine was forgotten. Silverware was forgotten, when my sandwich came it was missing ingredients and fried instead of grilled. Our server did not check on our table once during the meal, and didn't even say anything when my plate was finally plopped down in front of me. I had to flag another employee down and ask for refills and the ingredients that were missing from my plate. When our bill came, we'd been overcharged. The whole thing was comically horrible. And when we left and I said goodbye to our server, she ignored me. If there were some original quality to this place, I would try it again, but I won't be going back.
(1)Fina S.
My husband and I are absolute fans! We have been there about 12 times in the last 3 weeks and never been disappointed. The service has been adaquate to excellent, and the food has been fabulous. What I appreciate above all is the intent. All the food is fresh, and not processed! The bread is made every day from whole grains,, not processed. The vegetables are fresh as is everything else. If you eat meals and then feel hungry, come here! You will eat a meal and feel full! Sharron Johnson is the owner-chef and a real doll! She makes whatever you want -even if it is not on the menu! But for myself, I cannot get out of the omelette section! I am addicted to the omelettes! Each one is delicious and a full meal! Veggies-fresh, bread-fresh, real food-not processed....that alone should make you run like a bunny here! Homey atmosphere, my only complaint.....No liquor ....Oh well.... This place to us is a home run..IT IS WAS IT IS..GOOD HOMECOOKED FOOD!!!
(5)Karen L.
Sorry guys, I don't get the love for Stone Soup. We had lunch here on a Saturday, and it was pretty unimpressive. We had the shrimp skewers wrapped in bacon as an appetizer, and for $8, you get exactly 4 shrimp, tails still attached, encrusted in ridiculously crispy bacon, on a big bowl full of lettuce and a cup of melted butter. Um...okay then. I had the grilled cheese with ham and the cucumber salad. Now, the number one way to screw up a grilled cheese is to burn it, and that's exactly what they did. Not charred to a crisp, but defnitely left on the grill a little too long. Same with the ham in the middle, which actually overwhelmed the cheese, making it more like a bad ham and cheese panini than a grilled cheese. The cucumber salad was terrible -- it looked like some attempt at an Italian dressing had been made, but it was completely tasteless. The boyfriend had the lunch special, beef tenderloin, with roasted broccoli and cauliflower and coleslaw. When asked, the waitress had assured him that the beef was tender, but he said it really wasn't. His food as well was lacking in flavor...have these people heard of salt and pepper? The service was ok, though it was pretty irritating to watch our server chatting it up with the next table for several minutes when we were ready to order. I know everyone's raving about their breakfast, but with those high prices and poor food quality, I won't be back.
(2)Robin B.
I met two friends at Stone Soup for lunch on a Saturday. The menu is a bit of a mish-mash, offering Las Delicias chips & salsa, homemade guacamole, veggie burgers, and meat & vegetable plates. Daily specials are offered, ask your server or check the chalk board. This place was full, and felt homey, though the fact that is actually functioning in an old 4-square midtown home may be what slowed communication between hostess/servers/cooks. The lack of identity is what prevents me from giving a fifth star. I didn't know if I was eating at a greek diner, a mexican restaurant, or granny's house. My friend had special dietary needs, and sent her salad back, but our waitress showed patience and remained cordial, which I appreciated. My grilled asparagus was pretty good, the spanikopita lacked personality, though the texture was fine, but the real star of the show was the bread. The white bread was dense and a bit dry but rich and begging for honey or butter. The mystically sweet and layers-deep flavors in the cornbread takes my review from 3 stars up to 4. Free parking, no alcohol, brunch on Sundays. Open for breakfast and lunch.
(4)Ernie M.
A really great breakfast. I had the cheese egg white omelet and it was delectable. Along with the omelet I ordered a side of Applewood bacon and it was one of the best bacons I have ever had. My granddaughter ordered the Big Rex Biscuit and loved it. Interesting ambiance in an old house. The service by Kimberly was good. Worth the visit for any meal.
(3)Yvonne W.
Cute place. Ordered a spinach omelet with mozzarella cheese & mushrooms and vegetarian gravy to go with the biscuit that it comes with. Everything was average. Kind of bland. Also noticed the floors were really dirty. But, guess that could be from the morning breakfast rush. Prices were average. Service was average. Nothing extraordinary.
(3)Fawn P.
Since moving to Memphis a couple years ago, my standard for good service has dramatically declined. That is until I met the staff at Stone Soup. Although I came in late in the day (they close at 3pm), I was met with smiles, prompt and friendly service. Really, the best service I've had in a long time. I had soup of the day, crawfish bisque, and again, was blown out of the water. Also had a patty melt. An actual thick hand-pressed patty. My only lament was the cheap American cheese used on the burger (but they did use two slices). They had a huge selection of pies and cheesecakes, but was not up to anymore food. Looked good though.
(5)Trena P.
The boyfriend and I just had breakfast here. The service was great and the atmosphere is wonderful, but that's where the good review stops... He had the crepes with peanut butter and banana . Have you ever put a bite of food in your mouth and had an utterly alarmed reaction? I tried his crepes and this is how I felt... The filling was natural peanut butter which had not been sweetened with honey or anything. It was very bitter. I had a breakfast concoction called the gut bomb. On the menu, it is described as layers of grits, sausage and cheese in a bowl. The description was accurate, but nothing could prepare me for the tastelessness that was this dish. No amount of butter or salt made any difference. All in all, I must say, I will not be going back. In the words of my boyfriend, who screws up breakfast?
(1)Joe S.
I am writing this review before the the grand opening on 9/13/2011, but I wanted to welcome this new restaurant to Midtown and Cooper-Young. Stone Soup will be open for breakfast and lunch and features a traditional breakfast menu of eggs, omelettes, pancakes, cereals and quiche. Lunch features soups, salads, plate lunches and sandwiches. The restaurant features a market with branded items, and some locally produced merchandise. Local art graces the walls of the beautifully refurbished house at the corner of South Cooper and Felix. Stone Soup will fill a much needed breakfast-lunch niche in Midtown/Cooper-Young. Go check it out!
(5)Kyle W.
I really wanted to rave about Stone Soup Cafe. I wanted to log on to Yelp, hit my caps lock button, and encourage all of you in a non-ending barrage of capital letters to go enjoy this place. Instead, i wish there was a opposite lock (an "opps lock", if you will) button that would minimize my font so i could add a footnote to every compliment i give to this restaurant. The restaurant itself is very picturesque. It's located on S. Cooper, close to the young Avenue Deli. It is very spacious, with ample room for a party of 4 ( only had 2 in my party, but we were at a table for four) to not feel cramped at lunch time, which is a rarity. I came in totally focused on ordering a Tuna Melt. I had a craving for a while, and Deen B was kind enough to tell me about this place. I ordered the Tuna Melt, and the chicken gumbo. My coworker ordered the chicken sandwich with spinach and feta. My tune melt was good, although I was kinda hoping the cheese would be melted, since it is a MELT after all. My coworkers sandwich was burnt. The whole thing. Literally. As if the chef decided to use a flame thrower as opposed to an oven. The spinach was clearly the chopped, frozen version, not the normal leaves one would expect. The gumbo was tasty, and the cup i ordered came in a bowl so deep I could swim in it. I'd be curious to see what a bowl o gumbo looks like. Do they just roll out a trough? Do you still use a spoon, or is it straight bobbing for apples style? The service was excellent, depending on where you were sitting. We were promptly seated, and out waitress appeared almost instantly. She took our order without an issue, but I personally witnessed her drop raspberry vinaigrette on an older lady's expensive handbag, inadvertently stab a diner with a fork ( it was a gentle poke, while handing him some silverware, but who hold a fork like that?), and drop a piece of cake into some soup splat erring the area with tomato soup rain. So you can imagine my trepidation about the hurricane that was our waitress approaching me with a hot bowl of gumbo and I only had the flimsy fabric of my suit and a paper napkin to protect my choice parts. She delivered it without a problem, though, and our meal was incident free. Overall, the restaurant was solid. The menu is expansive, and the quantity and quality of the food will both satisfy.
(3)James H.
I had my first experience at Stone Soup today after hearing mixed reviews. We were seated at a table and after 10 mins we were not even approached to take our drink order or even given the daily specials . So we walked out only told to have a great day !
(1)Daniel B.
Loved this place when it first opened, but I feel like they've spent the last 18 months trying to figure out how to cut corners. Given them a few chances over this time frame, but after they served my girlfriend quiche that had clearly been microwaved (warm on the tip, cold pretty much everywhere else) at a time when they were maybe at 1/4 capacity, I don't think we'll be going back.
(2)Kerry C.
Add another name to the impressive roster of restaurants crammed into Cooper-Young. The neighborhood's newest restaurant is a meat-and-three called Stone Soup Cafe. Stone Soup Cafe was opened by the same people who used to run my beloved breakfast hangout, Buns on the Run. Their new venture is somewhat similar - good, fresh breakfast and lunch standards. They've set up shop in a huge converted house across the street from First Congregational Church in Cooper-Young that's divided into several small-ish dining rooms. I ordered the chicken tetrazzini special with mashed potatoes and green beans. The chicken tetrazzini was sort of like a cross between baked pasta and casserole. It had big chunks of chicken, spaghetti noodles and mushrooms and was covered in cream of mushroom and cheese. It was filling and creamy and good in the way that eating at your mom's house is good. The mashed potatoes don't come with gravy, but that's OK - they don't need it. They're creamy (but not so creamy that they're not clearly made from real potatoes) and dotted with flecks of potato skin. The green beans were alright, but a little underwhelming (that might just be me, though -I'm not a big fan of wide, flat green beans). The lunch prices are pretty good for the amount of food you get. You can eat there for less than $10 per person, especially if you stick to drinking water. The service was good, especially for a restaurant that's only been open for a week. They're clearly still working out the kinks, but they're on the right track.
(3)Lauren W.
This place deserved a 4 star review strictly for the service alone. Our server was pleasant and helpful, made recommendations based on what we liked, and refilled our drinks in an "Indian Palace" style. (Never even a chance to get to the bottom of your glass before a new one was placed in front of you) The whole place has a very homey feel, and not just because it used to be a house. I had the Margarita grilled cheese sandwich with a cup of gazpacho. The gazpacho was full flavored and delicious. The grilled cheese looked beautiful. Usually I could careless about plating at a cafe style restaurant, but when I get an unusually pretty plate its hard not to take notice. The sandwich was served open-faced, with delicious bread, tomatoes and smothered in pesto. Yum. My boyfriend had the creamy chicken pesto crepes. He loved them! Cleaned his entire plate. I would definitely come back to Stone Soup. Want to try some more!
(4)Gisa D.
Avoid the eggplant gratin but go for the pimento cheese quiche. The crepes are good.
(3)Clark P.
Another great midtown restaurant! I love the atmosphere of this place. We go for breakfast often and then traverse to the farmer's market across the street. Traditional breakfast items include the Big Rex biscuit which is delicious. The giant pancake is giant indeed. I over ordered my first few times.
(4)Kristan H.
There has been nothing here I have tried that I have not liked and the servers are always so nice. I was a die hard fan of Young Avenue Deli's pimento cheese sandwich until I met this one. It is not over mayonnaise-y but cheesy and sharp. The baked in-house bread that has been lightly grilled just seals the deal. Lately I have become a big fan of their veggie burger too. It is more crumbly than other restaurants, but I think it has fabulous flavor and is made at the restaurant itself - not frozen. Oh, and if you get the chance to try the shrimp creole do NOT pass that up on the lunch menu. For brunch, the options are endless. If you are in the breakfast mood, I love the pancake with blueberries added or you can go for the crepes for something different and decadent. The good standards are always fantastic too - the sausage, biscuits and omelets do not disappoint. Very affordable and family-friendly!
(5)Colin B.
Stone Soup Cafe deserves at least four stars for the bread alone. The breads are made in house, and it really shows. Five of us visited for lunch yesterday, and we all genuinely enjoyed it. Between us we tried the 2 soups, 6 sides, the special (roasted chicken) and a hamburger. Some of the vegetable sides were unmemorable, but the entrees and soups were great. The service was friendly and quick and the prices reasonable. I'll be back...All day Saturday breakfast? YES. A ballin ass hamburger served on homemade bread? YES. Your culinary cousin, Colin
(4)Sam L.
The pork loin was actually pretty good, but the vegetable sides weren't that great. The "ratatouille" shouldn't be called that. Whoever named it has never tasted, smelled, or seen ratatouille. It tasted more like chunky Ragu sauce. The sauteed cabbage is a rubbery mess with no flavor other than burnt. There are annoying altruistic slogans everywhere (walls, menus, etc) such as "love your neighbor", "community", "share", etc...meanwhile this is a business. They don't share stuff; they sell it. Also, they should play Burzum instead of watery folk ballads (ex: Allison Krause).
(1)David M.
The return of the native! All of the great cooking that you enjoyed at 'Buns On The Run', that earned a fiercely loyal following of patrons for eleven years has come back to Cooper-Young! Great traditional breakfasts (try the crepes!) with some of the best coffee in the area, combined with delicious lunches served with care and courtesy has me believing that this will be the new 'clean well lit place' for years to come. Did I forget to mention that menu offers true vegan dishes and daily specials?
(5)Evan P.
I went here for lunch the other day. I tried the stuffed tomato with chicken salad. I like the chicken salad for being pulled chicken breast and not a chopped mess like most places, however it was a little dry and under seasoned for my taste. The side of sauteed squash i got was cooked perfectly and well seasoned. I really like the interior. It is very spacious with brightly painted walls. Service was quick and efficient. Over-all a pretty solid first trip considering they have only been open for a brief time.
(3)Shannon L.
Stone Soup is yet another place that has been on my to try list, basically since they opened. Just driving by the place makes me excited to see what it is all about. The restaurant operates out of a cute little Midtown home, and their patio is just as cute. Stone Soup Cafe is a Southern plate lunch and sandwich kind of place. It's the kind of place you go when you have a hankerin' for grandma's home cookin'. Scott and I met for lunch on a Saturday afternoon. The weather was beautiful, so we decided to soak up some sun out front. Our poor little server was either brand new or they were very understaffed. We sat for a long while before we could get drinks. The menu was more diverse than expected. They serve breakfast all day on Saturday. The lunch menu also has plate lunches, sandwiches, entrees, wraps, and, of course, soup. However, I was a bit confused by the soup menu. For someone who has soup in their name, I would assume they would have more than 5 soup options. You have more than that at places like Panera Bread. I expected a lengthy variety of soups. For lunch, I got the pimento cheese sandwich. I heard they had a great one, and I do love some pimento cheese. The sandwich was pretty good. They load you up on some pimento cheese spread. This was a leaning tower of pimento cheese, sandwiched between two slices of texas toast. The bread was a bit greasy, which took away from the taste of the pimento cheese. However, it was very soft and tasted pretty fresh. The chips on the side added to the Southern flare of the place. Sitting at a table on the front lawn, with this dish, made me feel like I was at a picnic. Scott, who was in breakfast mode, ordered the South of the Border Omelet, which contained "cheddar, onions, green peppers, salsa, sour cream, and jalepenos". It was served with a side of homemade biscuits. Scott was a big fan of his omelet. He said it was cooked perfectly and tons of yummy ingredients stuffed inside. The biscuits were a great addition, and reminded me a bit of my grandma's. Don't worry Mamaw, your biscuits are still better. Overall, I had a pleasant experience at Stone Soup Cafe. The service was very behind, but I expect it was just a fluke that day. Our food was pretty good, but nothing fantastic. I will probably be back to Stone Soup Cafe at some point, when craving some Southern food under the sun. However, I am not dying to go back.
(3)Heather M.
Delicious locally sourced breakfast and lunch in unique historic home. They have daily specials and their regular menu. Also, a large desert room. I love going for lunch during the week, delicious and fast. The staff is always friendly.
(5)Sam J.
Delicious food, excellent service. Consistently one of my favorite breakfast and lunch locales.
(5)Vickie W.
Read previous reviews but decided to go on a co-workers recommendation. The place was great. Went for breakfast on a Sunday morning it was perfect. Sat outside on the lawn next to the lovely landscaped area. Birds were chirping and the church ran the bell. We order The Rex and my diner partner, big burly guy, loved it. Two thick pieces of bread with lots of sausage and hash browns on the side (extra). Also had the spinahc, chicken and feta crepes. Three perfect sized crepes with a great white sauce on top. Ver filling and delicious. We will definitely be going back.
(5)Amanda C.
I really enjoyed Stone Soup Cafe. It's one of those quaint eateries that invites you in with warmth and good food. I went this morning for brunch with a friend of mine, and we both loved what we got! I had the Lorraine Quiche that came with a side of toast and a cup of fruit. I also ordered a side of grits (don't judge; I am allergic to several fruits and didn't know how much I could eat of it). Everything I had was wonderful! The quiche was full of spinach, ham, mushrooms and cheese baked in a delicious crust. Side note: I really love quiche, and this one was definitely up to par. The toast was buttered to perfection, and the grits were good as well. The fruit cup had such a good assortment that I was able to eat most of it as well. Score! My friend had the egg white omelet, fruit and a biscuit. She said everything she had was fabulous too. I will definitely be going back for breakfast and brunch, and I will definitely try their lunch. I am really wanting to try some of their sandwiches and veggies! They also have a great outdoor area that will be great for spring, or you know maybe next weekend depending on our crazy Memphis weather. The only reason they did not get that magical 5th star was because our waitress was a bit inattentive and snooty. Now, I know everyone has a bad day, and Stone Soup was packed when we got there. However, I was very hungry and had to wait a good 10 to 15 minutes for her to take my order. Not cool. All that aside, the food and atmosphere were great, and I will definitely be going back!!
(4)Peter O.
It appears that since the start of this restaurant the service has gotten better. Today my wife and I went for breakfast at 11AM. We went in the backdoor past their little "market" that has freshly baked bread, desserts, and other items for sale. We got seated immediately by the hostess who promptly took our order for drinks (coffee and orange juice). While we were in no hurry, our server seemed like she got triple seated essentially and was slow getting to our order. She apologized and came back several minutes later to take our order of Vegetable Quiche and Biscuit for my wife and a Cat Head Biscuit with Sausage and side of bacon and hash browns for me. We both really loved the hash browns and the Veggie Quiche-- so much so we had the manager price a WHOLE quiche in case we had a gathering where we could serve it with fruit and/or salad. It was decadent. The biscuits were a little dry... the quiche was the best we've ever had and had a TON of veggies without compromising the great quiche "feeling" you want when you order it for lunch.
(4)C G.
slowest service with no apologies. poorest run establishment in midtown.. do NOT recommend. 6 weeks for a response to my post only verifies my earlier comments.
(1)Ben B.
I finally got to try Stone Soup and it did not disappoint me, nor the other 3 people with me. It has a very comfortable atmosphere and the decor represents the Cooper Young neighborhood very well. I tries the BLGT (Bacon, lettuce, & fried green tomato) with pasta salad. By no means did it blow me away but it was definitely on par. I saw many items on the menu that I want to make a point to come back to try. The staff was also very friendly with a good grasp on the items on the menu. She also made sure that the drinks on our table stated filled up without us having to ask for a refill.
(4)Megan S.
two friends and i lunched at stone soup cafe this past saturday. overall it was a great experience. when i arrived i was pleased to find that there is a small parking lot in the back. the area (stone soup is just south of cooper young) is notorious for lack of parking, so stone soup's private parking lot is a plus. also a plus, being able to enter the restaurant from the parking lot entrance OR the main entrance at the front. and - stone soup cafe is a house converted in to a restaurant. i love the atmosphere - very homey and warm. since the meal was somewhat of a celebration, we brought a bottle of champagne. our server informed us that the corkage fee was $10 - which we were happy to pay. (i will say this, though - for a place that does not serve any alcohol, that seems kind of steep. it's my understanding that at a cafe that actually serves wine - the corkage will sometimes be upwards of $10 / bottle to encourage patrons to order from the restaurant's list. other places i've been around town that do not carry wine (or alcohol at all) typically charge $2 to $3 a person, which i find to be more reasonable for bringing something in that is actually not offered there. does that make sense?) from the beginning of the meal until after we ordered, our server seemed annoyed and almost angry with us. we visited for a few minutes when we got there (it had been awhile since we had seen each other) and had to ask for more time when she came by to take our order. also, one of my friends has to eat a gluten free diet - and our server was not particularly informative on that front. (although upon further inspection of the menu, we were all excited to see that in addition to omelets as a gluten free option, stone soup offers selections from mary's gluten free goods here in town. which is so awesome.) anyway, EVERYONE else we encountered at stone soup was extremely friendly - especially one gentleman who checked on us and spoke with us a few times (the manager / owner, maybe?). and our server did seem to warm up to us after our food arrived, but her behavior in the beginning really put a damper on our experience. (the three of us were servers for years - so we can and do empathize with having a bad day, etc. but it is also important to note that a rude server can ruin a meal. no matter how good the food is.) and that brings us to the food. we really liked the fact that much of what is offered is made in house. and stone soup serves breakfast till 3, i believe, on saturdays and sundays. two of us ordered omelets - which were really good. our friend ordered a vegetable plate and her selections looked fantastic as well. and she said the cornbread is really tasty. i also got a biscuit and a side of vegetarian gravy - both were great. the coffee was awesome, too. stone soup is a little pricier than other breakfast places i've been to - but in my opinion it is worth it - so worth it - to pay more to eat local, quality food and support small businesses. i will definitely be returning and am kicking myself for not trying stone soup sooner. good stuff.
(4)Steve R.
Found this jewel by chance, looking for a Saturday brunch. The cranberry butter on toast was awesome, the south of young omelet was perfect for a late breakfast (got there about 11). The Lorraine quiche...to die for!Atmosphere, service, food...TOP NOTCH! Can't wait to try the crepes!
(5)Twila R.
This place is original and inviting! Loved their display of local artists and re-use philosophy. The food was delicious, service was great and I can't wait to try their desserts!! ;)
(4)Cristina H.
It's only opened til 3 so other than the weekends I never catch this place unless I wake up on time before work. Well anywho I was glad that I saw this place on urbanspoon one day and finally made it in to eat here before they closed bc it is FANSTATIC!!! It's like a little piece that represents the meaning of midtown. On the outside it looks kinda cottagey but you go in and it's spacious with the best funny staff ever. They sell great simple breakfast plates and daily lunch specials. I tried the Margherita Sandwich on special and added chicken!!! Start drooling right now bc it is the best creation ever!!!! Toasted bread, melted cheese, slice tomato and some pesto sauce and for a carnivore add chicken!!! Just magnificent I tell ya!!! The hashbrowns were also good from my breakfast plate I had to go one day. Unfortunately I was too full to eat dessert but they look mighty tasty. So yes I am definitely a fan!!! Just wish they would opened at least til 6 ;) and they actually have a small parking lot for ya bc we all know parking can be a hassle at times
(4)April V.
Every single time I've been there the food has been yummy and excellent service! It's one of my favorite breakfast / brunch spots these days! As for the desserts I've tied two. The Banana pudding cheesecake is fabulous. The hummingbird cake was inedible, sadly. Maybe I just it a bad cake but it was dry and way too sweet. Stick with the cheesecake and you won't be disappointed.
(5)Carter C.
I try to not read other people's reviews for fear that they will influence my own review, so I don't know why on earth this restaurant isn't rated at least 4 stars. After my breakfast this morning, Stone Soup is one of my new favorite restaurants in Memphis. Holy huge pancakes. The quaint atmosphere and refreshingly kind employees made the whole experience near perfect. I will be back.
(5)Jay M.
Beautiful old Victorian house in Cooper-Young. The kind of place you really want to succeed, but alas, the food is sub-par. I've been four times, breakfast and lunch. The red beans had so much thyme in them that we literally surmised the chef had slipped and dropped a whole jar of dried thyme in the beans.....inedible. Another visit....I was careful to order a vegetable plate and the turnip greens had never been washed; straight from the field to the pot. Literally, so much dirt and gravel that I was spitting them into a napkin. Next visit...breakfast was forgettable. The coffee is way below average and the biscuits were dried out and flavorless. Eggs on the tepid side. My wife likes the pimiento cheese and the stone soup and I did have a passable slice of lemon pie on my last visit.
(1)Deen W.
Dined here with 2 other people and was overall pleased with the experience. Atmosphere is cozy - it's in a converted house. The food was good - I had the tuna melt and really liked the bread - made in house. My dining companions had the pimento cheese, which had a hint of horseradish and the chicken gumbo. Oh.my .goodness. The chicken gumbo was the clear winner. We all agreed that it even beats out Dejavu. I had serious order envy. Service was good. I would go back.
(3)Dan E.
Let me say first that I absolutely loved "Buns on the Run". Homey, warm and lush southern fare. Now fast forward to "Stone Soup"- which sports a similar warmth and charm both in the cosy atmosphere and friendly service as to make you feel your at grandma's sort of thing. That's about where the similarities end. It appears at least on this visit that Stone Soup tries too hard to be trendy. We had lunch $8.50 for a meat and two and on this visit the entree choices were a choice of beef tips and rice or roasted pork loin. There were about eight veggie choices which were mostly starchs- though in February there are few locally grown fresh green veggies available. Yes, this place sports the eat local idea and they encourage you to visit their local take out market area in the back where they offer many locally made packaged goods as well as their own bakery goodies. I did find it curious that they sell J Brooks fine coffees but served a bulk mass market coffee? Anyway, back to lunch... I chose the broccoli salad and the butter beans. The broccoli salad was a melange of broccoli, onions and cauliflower dressed in an overwhelming garlic and ?? garlic dressing. What I was feeling was the choice of veggies simply seasoned should need very little accouterments to spoil it. The butter beans were obviously fresh freezer burned with no seasoning. I get it... Little or no dairy is their thing also. Hey - it trendy! But does anyone actually taste this stuff before they serve it? I must comment on the delicious but hard to screw up beef tips in a rich gravy over rice. Yum! It was my saving grace! They do have impressive looking in house baked breads that have a beautiful grain structure but made with water and oil instead of butter or milk conditioners leaving the loaf somewhat yeasty and flavorless. They do provide a table butter spread. but the baked goods are beautiful. In the balance of things I am still holding out for tweaks. I love the people and the atmosphere, just wish they had more flavor and a little less trendiness. You shouldn't have to try too hard when you already had it right before!
(2)Lauren C.
What to say... Almost everything was bad with our experience here. The hostess was friendly and talkative and brought us our drinks. But that's as good as it's gets. The wait service was slow, and the restaurant was by no means full. My boyfriend's food made it to the table (once again, brought by the hostess) and mine was forgotten. Silverware was forgotten, when my sandwich came it was missing ingredients and fried instead of grilled. Our server did not check on our table once during the meal, and didn't even say anything when my plate was finally plopped down in front of me. I had to flag another employee down and ask for refills and the ingredients that were missing from my plate. When our bill came, we'd been overcharged. The whole thing was comically horrible. And when we left and I said goodbye to our server, she ignored me. If there were some original quality to this place, I would try it again, but I won't be going back.
(1)Charlie B.
I've only eaten here once for lunch with some coworkers because one of them recommended it. Otherwise, I might not even know about this hidden gem. I like being able to choose from multiple options for lunch, other than your standard sandwich with unhealthy chips or fries, and this place offers a variety of lunch specials. It reminds me of a cross between Cafe Eclectic and The Elegent Farmer.
(4)Anony M.
Good home, Southern cooking with a fresh, healthy twist. I've ordered a lot of things off the lunch and breakfast menu now and have yet to find something I've been unsatisfied with. I have the hardest time resisting their Big Rex biscuit and just the biscuits in general. So good! A thick, hearty biscuit. Their turkey sausage is to die for as well. I've ordered the blackened catfish in a wrap and on a bed of rice and enjoyed both thoroughly. This is one of the places my friends always want to visit when coming from out of town because of the Southern home vibe, the friendly staff, and the delicious food. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who likes Southern cooking, wants a healthy meal while dining out, or people with a diet that doesn't include eating meat.
(5)Burton B.
I love breakfast. I especially love being able to eat breakfast ANY TIME of the day. Stone Soup has robust breakfast offerings. My personal favorite is the French Toast. Stone Soup makes its own bread. This dish is made with their homemade peasant bread, and it soaks all day in the secret French Toast batter so it's simply delectable. Further, the atmosphere is quaint and bright. I typically eat alone here and take my newspapers, and I don't feel awkward, lonely, or out of place. The wonderful staff is friendly, welcoming, and they ask about me if I haven't been in a while. Love that down-home attention. [Only complaint is that the sweet tea is made with Splenda (weird taste to me), yet I probably don't need all that extra sugar since I drown the French Toast in syrup.] If breakfast at noon is your thing on a sunny Saturday, Stone Soup has you covered!
(5)Led D.
A charming restaurant with a welcoming southern ambiance in a great location of mid-town. The staff are very friendly and cordial. They show a lot of pride in their work and product being served. They have their daily specials written on the blackboard with their regular menu. My wife tried the crepe stuffed with spinach and mushroom. I had the sausage, bacon, and ham estrada (just like a cassarole) with cheese grits and I had to have pancake which was larger than my head; thank goodness it only came in one per serving. It all tasted great and quite satisfying. I also loved the coffee. Overall it was a great brunch and experience. We only had to wait about seven minutes to get seated. It was around 10:00 am and we will definitely come back again.
(4)Michelle W.
On one of the coldest days of the year, my coworker coaxed us out at lunch to Stone Soup. It was the perfect place to spend our lunch hour. The restaurant was very crowded, but that did not stop the service from being excellent. I ordered the pimento cheese sandwich. The pimento cheese was good, but there was too much bread. It made it difficult to taste the pimento cheese. It would have been better on an English muffin or two. The regular menu and specials looked delicious. My friends enjoyed their soups, salads, tuna melts and corn casserole. I look forward to making this a regular lunch place.
(3)Jennifer R.
Looking for a great cup of coffee...?! Look no further! I have heard good things about this place for awhile now but have never been....last Sunday three of my girlfriends and I went for brunch. When I walked in the place was packed! I was thinking we would have to wait for at least 30 minutes before we would be seated. However, there was a table for 4 and we were seated right away! Seated by the window the house was very quaint. Our waiter was hilarious and very entertaining. We enjoyed him and would go back there anytime! The food looked amazing was tasted just the same!
(4)Jon C.
To my surprise i recieved a very nice reply to my previous review from the manager. I will have to give this place another shot. We will see....
(2)Stephanie H.
I love coming to this place for brunch on the weekends. It's such a cozy little establishment (actually used to be a house that people lived in once upon a time) and the servers are very nice and friendly. Southern comfort food and homy atmosphere. I love their food and their prices are pretty fair. I also love their coffee. Tons of options on the menu (including vegan options!) and everything I've had so far has hit the spot. I love their omelettes, hashbrowns, biscuits, and veggie sausage. One thing I always get there is the 2 eggs plus 2. One of my favorite items on the menu. You get 2 eggs cooked any way you like, with 2 sides and a biscuit or toast. All for a really good price (a little over $7). I should mention that this isn't a fancy brunch place so don't expect the food to be sophisticated and exploding with flavors that will blow your mind. This is the kind of place you go to when you wake up late on a weekend, hungover, wishing your mom was right down the street so you can just pop on over for some breakfast at her place. I also find this place very convenient because they stay open till 3pm for weekend brunch. They have their own parking (super tiny though) but if there is no space available, just park somewhere down the street. They also have their own little shop inside where they sell some baked goods, honey, coffee, t-shirts, postcards, and other fun local little things. One last thing to keep in mind is that when the weather isn't horribly muggy and hot, they have outdoor seating which I love! There's also a farmer's market that goes on every weekend right across the street if you're into that kind of thing!
(4)Miss M.
Just had breakfast there with a new friend. Haven't been there in years. Loved the quiche then and loved it today!! Totally my favorite dish for breakfast.
(5)Jacque D.
I have tried Stone Soup Cafe several times and each time was more disappointing than the time before. Today was my husbands first time and he won't be back. The main problem was the slow and innefficient service. Our waiter wore himself out running...and I mean running....up and down the main corridor, one item at a time. My hubby's stone soup (hamburger) was bland and 9$ a bowl. My gumbo was delish, but no bread was brought until we requested it. The coffee was good, but luke warm and we couldn't catch the waiter to refresh it. We wanted dessert but ran out of time waiting. Darling place, nice patio and I love the name. Too bad, sooo sad.
(2)Shane S.
Really just another mediocre breakfast experience. This is my second visit and I was underwhelmed. The biscuits are big and beautiful, but pretty dry and dense. The hash browns tasted and looked like they had been cooked early this morning and just placed on a warm spot of the griddle or under a heat lamp until served--the same with the onion and peppers in the omelette. The cherry cobbler was also disappointing; however, we did love the bacon! Their sausage gravy is pretty tasty as well. One thing that was bewildering, was that they sell these great homemade jams, but serve basic store bought jelly. I couldn't believe the server when he told me that the jelly was not the jams they sell.
(2)Marian B.
Yes, love the awesome service of the servers but especially food am able to enjoy. I love Stone Soup on two bus lines during the week. Keep up great service!!
(5)Caroline V.
Ok. I just can't. I want to rate this restaurant 4 stars because the service is so friendly, and the location is ideal, and the house's exterior is so cute. But ... on repeated visits, the food is really hit-or-miss, and more often recently it's a "miss." The fruit cup has been unacceptable on more than one occasion and, again, though the servers are quick and kind about exchanging it, this really should never happen, period. Today my scrambled eggs were both unscrambled (whites and yolks distinct on the plate) and undercooked, leaving a slimy trail on my plate. The stoneground grits were cooked well, but unseasoned. Fruit, eggs, and grits just aren't that hard to make taste delicious ... Especially for a breakfast spot! Stone Soup has all of the ingredients to make an awesome restaurant, but the kitchen has to do better at the basics.
(3)Cindy T.
You gotta love Sharron Johnson and her staff at Stone Soup Cafe. She previously had a fabulous restaurant called Bunz On The Run, so she had a built in client base waiting for her new venture. She does not disappoint. In addition to some great salads and sandwiches on the lunch menu, she offers tasty entrees to satisfy everyone. The place is packed for breakfast. Bring a great big appetite if you order the jumbo pancake (big ass pancake!) as it covers the plate and is so deep and fluffy. Love this place!!
(5)Ken R.
During my first visit with my baby sister, I decided to get the Western Omelette with hashbrowns and pork sausage. The omelette was really good by most standards. The egg wrapping the omelet was thick, fluffy and perfectly seasoned for a great taste. As for the contents inside the egg, everything was sautéed just right. If I had to guess, I believe it was all sautéed in olive oil, my favorite for cooking omelets. Vegetables such as onions and green peppers have a distinct sour sweet flavor when it's cooked in olive oil, and I love it. In closing, I won't say that Stone Soup's omelet is the best in town, but there aren't many places that can top it. The two side items that I had with my omelet were good as well. The hashbrowns were crispy on the outside while keeping its shredded texture on the inside, and it wasn't mushy. In other words, they were properly cooked hashbrowns that weren't out of the ordinary. Once I added butter to them, the hashbrowns stuck together and tasted great. The pork sausage patties also weren't anything that I haven't had before. They were just a spicy complement to a really good meal. For the second visit, I decided to do something different. Instead of getting an omelet or pancakes (which I will talk about later), I got a breakfast sandwich. I went big by getting The Big Rex with pork sausage. It consisted of scrambled eggs (two of them, I believe), two slices of American cheese and two sausage patties, sandwiched by slices of thick toasted bread. The spiciness of the sausage, the melted cheese and the crunchy toast combined for a savory and hearty "Sammy." It tasted far better than similar "fast food" breakfast sandwiches, including Hardee's (aka Carl's Jr.). By itself, The Big Rex can satisfy the appetite of most, but I turned it up a notch by getting hashbrowns and a cup of gravy. The gravy, I believe, is buttermilk-based with no meat in it. Although it's good on its own, I didn't like it when I dipped my sandwich in it. Fortunately, the sandwich was perfect and didn't need it. Although it was a mismatch with my sandwich, the gravy complemented the hashbrowns nicely. The entire meal got a boost because of it. While I had The Big Rex, my sister had a pancake. Before I go on, you might be wondering why I'm mentioning her meal and not my baby sister's. Normally when I review something, it's based on what I ate and not on what others have had. If I'm dining with someone, I try not to bother him/her during the meal. The exceptions to that rule: 1) the entrée is unique like the French Toast Bananas Foster that my sister had at Rizzo's Diner, 2) the entrée is huge. Her pancake fell into the latter category, for it was big enough to cover a 10"-12" plate. The pancake was slightly under a half an inch thick, which is more than enough for most. In terms of taste, it's no different from the average pancake. Even though it was a meal by itself, my sister also had scrambled eggs and bacon as side items. Needless to say, she had a full stomach after eating her brunch. To sum it up, the second experience at the Stone Soup Cafe was even better than the first. Like with my other sibling, I want to thank my sister for treating me to a wonderful meal. Someday when the time is right, I intend to return the favor. To read the entire review, go to kensfoodfind.com/2012/07…
(4)Mark B.
I wanted to talk to the manager about the burger (cooked to well, ordered medium) and the Eggs Benedict (lumpy, utterly flavorless Hollandaise). Instead of talking to the manager, I was given her business card, as the waiter said that e-mail was the only way to talk to a manager. He also said that if I sent it back for something else, I would still be charged. I have been here seven times over three years, and it has usually just been mediocre, but this is also insulting.
(1)Joelle P.
Ahhh the elusive half star...I wish I could give this place 3.5 stars but I'll round up because the place is precious and the prices are great... For starters (and as I've mentioned in the last sentence), this place is seriously adorable. I'm a known sucker for houses turned into restaurants - they get me every time. It oozes charm and is in Cooper-Young (my favorite neighborhood at the moment) - win-win! Our waitress, Evelyn, was a total doll and super attentive without being annoying - another win! And my vegetable soup was deliciously fresh albeit extremely hot. (I'm impatient for things to cool, what can I say? I'd rather wait for it to cool out of sight than in front of me - I'll just burn my tongue because it is there and I have to eat it!) And the cornbread ohhhhhhhhh myyyyyyyyyy - just another reason to be grateful for living in the south. Now here is where I start leaning towards the 3, my Caesar wrap was not very special...in fact, I just didn't like it. The chicken was OK and there was enough cheese but overall...nope. And the waitress even recommended it when I asked her if I should get the wrap of the club sandwich. Wishing I had gone with my original inclination. I also wasn't a huge fan of the chips...they are the cheap kind you get in bulk...way too greasy and gross. Anyways, Ms. Werner V. (my dining partner) absolutely loved her chicken sandwich and I loved everything else I had so I know I just ordered the wrong thing. Definitely looking forward to going back to try something else. The southern, down-home atmosphere alone is worth it.
(4)Jim H.
Stone Soup is another restaurant that we have eaten at several times, but neglected to leave a review until now. This particular visit was a Saturday morning at 9:30 AM. It has plenty of inside and outside seating. The outside seating overlooks the Cooper Young farmers market (Saturdays). My wife had the French toast and I had the two eggs, hash browns & toast. They use fresh made bread for their toast and the pastries are all made in house, as are their other items. My wife thought the French toast was a little soggy on the inside, aka, cooked at too high of a temp, leaving the outside cooked and the inside undercooked - have to be cautious of this when eggs are involved. The hashbrowns were fresh made and tasted okay. The scrambled eggs could have been cooked just a few seconds longer on this day. I've had the biscuits before, but really prefer just to have toast here. The server was friendly and attentive. Overall, I like the location and the service, I'm just not overwhelmed by the breakfast here. I do admit that I should come at other times to try some other menu items. Note that it is very hard for me to give over three stars for breakfast. For me, three stars means the food was as expected or average and I'll work up or down from there based service or vise-versa.
(3)Renetria D.
Nice prices, they sale locally made jams & jellies. I had the Texas toast, homemade sage turkey sausage(needs a bit of salt and a tad overcooked); service was friendly and fast.
(2)Linda M.
I have only ordered a breakfast meal here, but it has always been good. Sandwiches look good too. Friendly staff and was very "kid friendly" with our grandson in tow.
(5)Jennifer S.
I have come here two other times, and had much better service and food than I did this visit. I have liked going to this place because it is so cute and charming inside, they use a lot of local products on their menu, and I can walk there from the Cooper Young Farmers market on Saturdays to grab a bite to eat. On this visit we were seated promptly but waited a long time to order our drinks and food. The machine they use to make hot chocolate wasn't working, so my niece and I were unable to get it after we ordered it. My niece ordered the fruit parfait with granola and it was a huge serving and she loved it, especially the granola, which they make there and you can buy in the market. My meal, on the other hand, was mostly disappointing. I ordered the 2 eggs (sunny side up) plus two and got 2 applewood sausage patties, the grits, and toast. The eggs, toast, and 2 types of jelly they give you were wonderful. The grits were ok but not seasoned and I wasn't able to finished them. One of the pieces of sausage was so dry and hard, it was inedible. The second piece of sausage was still dry but I was at least able to eat it. We also waited way too long to get our check for our meal. The waitress was very nice, but the slow service was unacceptable.
(2)Jonathan C.
I've given Stone Soup many chances since it first opened, but it consistently disappoints. Breakfast: I love a hearty, savory breakfast and love to treat myself now and then to biscuits and gravy. Stone Soup's biscuits come to your table stone cold, dry and hardened. They look like they should taste good, but they don't. Im guessing they bake their biscuits the night before and put them in the fridge. Go elsewhere if your looking for hot, flaky yummy biscuits. And the gravy? It was also cold. Lunch? Not impressed. You can get a meat and three here, some of the vegetable side dishes are just comically tragic. I had a server praise their ratatouille. I like to follow staff recommendations, but this was a bad move this time. Their ratatouille included potatoes and carrots!?!?!? Really? Gross and inedible. The service is friendly but slow. I hear their pancakes and toast are really yummy, but it's not enough to entice me.
(2)Jansen G.
The food is good and the prices are great. I don't think the food can be beat (especially the Swedish crepes!). But our service was awful. Maybe it was just this one waiter, the only man working there I think, but it was almost 20 minutes before he even got to our table to take our drink order. He was just really inattentive. Plus he spent almost all his time just talking to a couple at another table. But other than the awful waiter, everything else was great.
(4)Jason K.
Really like the food hear. A great chicken sandwich with goat cheese and feta. Sadly, after you get past the food that is where good stops. The service is terrible. I do not think it is the servers fault. To be honest I think it is a management issue. They are very inflexible as to what you can change on you plate. For example, if you want to pay the difference to have a soup as your side rather than chips they will not do it. Also, charge a spilt plate fee of $2 to split a bowl of soup. Really!!! The food is good, but I will not be back because the management appears to think they know what the customer wants more than the customer does.
(2)Ken T.
Thought this might be better than it was. I ordered the Italian roast beef and it was dry and tasteless. The peas and carrots were overlooked and canned. I had a small Cale salad that was good. It had some walnuts and citrus, and a light dressing. Ambiance was nice and the wait staff was nice and prompt. Don't think I will be back anytime soon.
(3)