City: Monroe, CT

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (203) 268-0214

Address: 450 Monroe Tpke.

Description: The best lunch spot in Monroe, Soup Thyme is insistent that it is more than just soup. But the soup is so ridiculously good that you probably won’t notice. Sure, you can order yummy salads and tasty paninis made with local ingredients—but the soups! So many varieties, and with 9 to 12 made fresh each day. Soups like chicken potpie, macaroni and cheese, lentil and sweet sausage, and chicken-spinach-Gorgonzola are all original and delicious. And chef Ronald Lee’s takes on traditional soups like lobster bisque and chicken noodle will have you reevaluating your whole relationship with this underappreciated food. Long relegated to a small section not even related to appetizers on most menus, it’s time to get back to this basic but wonderful food. Long live soup!