Since the 2020 holiday season, Surprenant & Beneski, P.C. has been happily supporting local food spots by spotlighting a new one each month. A local business, specializing in estate planning and elder law, they’re happy to tell you that, just when you thought the holidays were over, the holiday spirit is alive and kicking in New Bedford!
Paul came back to our office with his usual takeout lunch order from Destination Soups (the turkey sandwich on oatmeal gluten-free bread) but with something new to share – “did you know that people donate meals for others at Destination Soups?!” We did not. We love their soup, their sandwiches, their salads. But this was news!
So we went in to investigate. Owner Devin Byrne told us that people come in and pay for a meal for others who need a little assist. At the register, Cheryl writes it on a yellow post it note and sticks it up on the side of the refrigerator cooler. People in need can grab a slip and bring it up to the counter for a free meal. Low tech and lovely. Destination Soups tops up some of the donations with their own donations.
Paul was there when a mom came by with her young son to grab a couple of slips. We loved this heartwarming story and asked Devin if we could come by to take photos for a story. Sure, he said. When we suggested the Friday coming up, he said, “Ok, but it’s free soup Friday so it may be busy.”
Free soup Friday?! Another thing we didn’t know about! In 2012, Devin instituted free soup Friday to coincide with the end of the Mayan calendar and all the hoopla it entailed that year. Every year since, he’s repeated the tradition on the last Friday before Christmas. Everyone is welcome to a free soup that day.
But let’s not get distracted from the real story here. Those darling little post-it notes under a sign “For Those Who Could Use a Little Help.” If you didn’t know about them, you wouldn’t see them, tucked away on the side of the drinks refrigerator. But people can easily look in the side door to see if there are any available. The number of yellow slips ebbs and flows, but Devin thinks supply generally keeps up with demand.
It’s not surprising that Devin spearheads things like this, because you’ll often see him around town pitching in to nurture the community all the time. If there’s someone standing out to give out hot cocoa on a wintry Aha! night, it’s probably Devin.
The very idea of soup is nurturing, which is what drew him to open a place celebrating it. “Soup is hearty and comforting,” he says. “You can make it in big batches and feed a lot of people.”
His sandwiches and salads are standouts too. But the ever-changing menu of soups is a big downtown draw and draws a steady crowd each day. We asked folks their favorite soup flavors and there were as many favorites as people we asked: Coco loves the Vegan Chili; Sara goes with the classic Tomato (paired with a grilled cheese, there’s nothing better!); Kate loves the Chicken Vegetable: Paul looks for the White Bean & Kale; and Sarah loves the Chickpea Peanut Curry.
If you haven’t been for a while, it’s the perfect time of year to cozy up with their soup. And while you’re there, think about buying a soup for the next one in line.
Destination Soups, 149 Union Street, New Bedford.
Photography by Liam Connor Photography.
Last post in the series: It’s a Hallmark Christmas movie come to life at HomeRootts Bistro in Middleboro. The Trotts and their friends are putting the “community” back in to the phrase “business community!” while making delicious food right next door to their friends’ brewery. Learn more right here.
I love Destination Soup, I have been going there for years! The food is Amazing! I love their vegan soups and their fantastic salads😋
The vibe is so relaxed and homey 😊
The staff are so nice and welcoming 😃
Keep up the good job and thank you all for supporting the community 👍💜