For my money, there are few ways to warm up on a winter day that are better than a steaming bowl of soup. It warms your core, from the inside out, in a way that feels just perfect after skating, snowshoeing, ice fishing, or a winter hike. As much winter as we have here in the Bold North, you know there are plenty of places that serve some really superb soup. One of my favorites, though, is yum! Kitchen and Bakery, which I think offers up some of the best soup in Minnesota.
The original yum! Kitchen and Bakery opened in St. Louis Park in 2005, and it has since expanded to three additional Twin Cities locations, in St. Paul, Woodbury, and Minnetonka. As a west Metro dweller, Minnetonka is my go-to location. And with its larger size and ample parking lot, it’s easier for me to pop into and out of than the original restaurant. It’s a bright, airy spot with a wall of south-facing windows that let in the sunshine – perfect for a hit of warmth and light on chilly winter days. In the summer, there’s also a patio diners can enjoy.
The restaurant is counter-service, so you place your order, take a number, grab your drinks – except for certain made-to-order beverages, like coffee drinks, which are brought out to you – find a table, and wait for your food. With a regular rotation of soups, you can count on yum! having a handful of selections each day, with chicken noodle and tomato usually among them.
I’m always pretty excited when pozole is on the menu. Made with hominy and shredded chicken, yum!’s spin on the Mexican comfort dish is consistently tasty. Topped with shredded radishes and cabbage, as well as chunks of avocado, and served with a slice of focaccia, it really hits the spot on a winter afternoon. Last time I was in, I’d just taken a hike on Lone Lake Trail – one of my favorite urban hikes in Minnesota -and even though it’s a relatively easy hike, AllTrails Plus told me that I’d used more calories than I would have expected to have, which probably explains why I was so hungry afterward.
Fortunately, yum! Kitchen and Bakery in Minnetonka is just minutes from the trail head, and I was able to get in and warm up from the inside out with a steaming bowl of pozole. Have you tried the soup at yum! Kitchen and Bakery? What did you think? We’d love to hear from you, and be sure to tell us all about your picks for the best soup in Minnesota. And, as always, you can find our favorite Minnesota spots using our Travel Planner!…