Soup's On. . . .

Ok. We have a cold front and it has been deliciously chilly the last couple of days. Very thrilled about that. I can wear a sweater and not sweat my butt off in the house. A real victory.

To celebrate, Ducky Momo and I went to Soup Cowboy down in the tunnels. I have been on vacation from SC since going on maternity leave in April because who wants soup when it's 100 out? It's like eating fire. So turns out that during my absence some rather disturbing changes have taken place at the Cowboy. Let's review shall we?

• Previously you had your choice of whole grain or wheat bread. You got a giant chunk to eat. Now you get white bread or crackers and the bread is so thin it's useless for dunking in your soup. Don't even waste my time with it.

• Cost of soup increased and was on the high side to begin with. In their defense it is good soup but a small is smaller than the standard chain (say Corner Bakery) and the cost is higher. But it is also legit Homemade soup. Still on the fence with this one.

• SC is now outsourcing the cookies. They used to carry a superior Gooey Salted Caramel cookie. You had to get there early to get one because chances are they only made 4-5 of them. Now some outfit called Michael's something or other is making them. Cookies are roughly 25% smaller and not quite as good. The salted caramel had too many like caramel chip things in it (as opposed to a handful of well placed chunks) and I think they just salted the entire cookie after baking vs just the caramel being salted.

• I don't get the sandwiches, but did see on way out that roast beef is shredded vs sliced like it was before. Can't really judge that though since I only ever get soup. Someone else will need to weigh in on that.

Today's selections included the Gumbo. Usually in the past they are out by the time I get there, but I was able to get it today. Now it is gumbo soup which is kind of like the essence of gumbo. It has the right flavors and ingredients ( but no okra to my profound disappointment ) but it truly has a soup consistency and not the body of a gumbo. Also, kept wanting rice to go with. Saltines were a nice add though. Gumbo had sausage, chicken and 1 shrimp.  Could have used more chicken and less sausage although the meat distribution could have resulted from ladeling and not the actual making of the soup.  Hard to tell.  Odds are on ladeling though.

Soup Cowboy still makes a damn good soup, but I'd be lying to say I'm not bummed about the other changes that obviously were made for better economics. I guess the cookie being not as good is a blessing too. I won't be tempted to eat one now. I more or less ate with impunity while I was preggers. Still working to come down off the food high. Going out to eat with these yahoos though doesn't help. If they weren't so entertaining it would be easier to avoid.

Soup cowboy gets a 3.5 microwaves and a more or less recommended.