Owner David Ansel began his soup delivery business in 2002. Thirteen years later he has three locations with a fourth opening this fall near Airport Boulevard.[/caption]
A quick glance at The Soup Peddler’s menu reveals owner David Ansel is a big fan of beets.
The colorful vegetable, which Ansel said he favors for its nutrient density and low cost, is plentiful in descriptions of juices, smoothies and salads, including the Nina Simone smoothie.
“It’s hot pink; it’s gorgeous,” he said.
His passion for healthy foods began in 2002 when he founded The Soup Peddler as a bike-based delivery service, he said. His business now includes three locations with a fourth opening this fall.
“Getting to this point has been quite an endeavor,” he said.
Back in 2002 there were no local farmers markets or food trucks to serve as an entry-level way for businesses to get into the food industry, he said. It took eight years until he opened his first brick-and-mortar location—a slow and organic growth, he said. For Ansel, that slow growth paid off.
“I am most fulfilled and happiest now because we created something where there’s growth and room to grow,” he said. “… The culture here is good.”
Ansel said flavors in the soups, smoothies, juices, salads and sandwiches complement each other.
In November the Northwest Austin location of The Soup Peddler opened. Whereas the South First Street location sells more juices and smoothies, in Northwest Austin, Ansel said customers favor soups and sandwiches. His mission for The Soup Peddler is to serve healthful food that is convenient, he said.
“I’m trying to convey the value of juices and smoothies as a meal replacement, and when paired with a salad it’s the best thing you can do for yourself,” Ansel said.
Soup staples
The Green Goddess soup is served daily and includes broccoli, celery and spinach.[/caption]
The mainstay of The Soup Peddler’s menu is its soup, and four soups are served daily:
Chicken soup with rice
Tomato basil soup
Mulligatawny: lentils, carrots, celery, cauliflower, tomatoes, potatoes, apples and coconut milk
Green Goddess: broccoli, brown rice, celery, onions and spinach
Salads and sandwiches
The ABC salad comes with apples, beets and carrots and is topped with pumpkin seeds.[/caption]
ABC salad ($3.95): apples, beets, carrots, pumpkin seeds, cilantro, mint, Dijon mustard, lemon and honey
La-di-da Quinoa ($3.95): quinoa, zucchini, squash, bell peppers, red onions, spinach and pumpkin seeds
Sandwiches ($3.95-$4.95): cheddar; basil pesto and provolone; green apples and muenster; pepperoni, pesto and mozzarella; or turkey, pesto, spinach and pepper jack
Juices and smoothies
The Nina Simone smoothie uses beets, and the Tropicalia smoothie features mangoes and kale.[/caption]
Juices: $2.95-$6.50
Seven Veggie Army: carrots, beets, celery, spinach, parsley, cabbage, kale and Himalayan salt
Smoothies: $4.95-$9.24
Tropicalia: mangoes, bananas, pineapple juice, kale and spirulina
Nina Simone: beets, cashews, cardamom, local yogurt, ginger, bananas and rice milk
The Soup Peddler, 13219 N. US 183, 512-444-7687, www.souppeddler.com, Twitter: @souppeddler, Hours: Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
