The Soup Aisle Commitment: Why We Show Up

At The Soup Aisle, we’re not a massive operation with corporate infrastructure – we are literally two people trying to feed our community well.

Just a small business running on genuine care, determination, and honesty.

We’re Here to Help You

First and foremost, if you’re ever confused about how our soup system works, please reach out to us. Seriously. Whether you’re new to our subscription model, unsure about customizations, have questions about ingredients, or just want to chat about soup—we want to hear from you. Our system might not be complicated, but our offer is unique.

We are a meal startup company that uses local ingredients and focuses on community first, and we’re committed to making sure you feel confident and supported in how you’re getting your soup! We’ve built The Soup Aisle with real people in mind. That means we think about the person with dietary restrictions who needs to know exactly what’s in every batch.

We think about people on tight budgets who need affordable, nourishing food.

We think about the customer with mobility challenges who needs flexible delivery options.

We think about caretakers managing someone else’s dietary needs alongside their own.

We think about folks who don’t want to think about choices and just want something simple, healthy, and fresh. (And if it just so happens to be a gourmet soup then bonus!! 🤣)

If any of these describe you—or if something else describes your situation—we want to know, and we want to help. We have an ever-evolving menu and we take requests! 😋

Behind the Scenes

Real talk: running The Soup Aisle means experiencing the beautiful chaos of a small business trying to do right by people. Yesterday, I found myself with no cell service in Kensington while messages were flooding in from customers about an order system glitch I couldn’t even see, much less respond to. There I am: Driving with a cooler full of orders and no way to text. The anxiety of that situation—knowing people were waiting for answers and I literally couldn’t reach them—that’s the stuff that keeps us going. Because the moment I had service again, fixing it became the priority. That’s just what you do when you actually care about the people you’re serving.

Fixing these issues are on the top of our list.

Customers aren’t looking for perfection from a two-person operation. They’re looking for honesty, effort, and the assurance that we care enough to make it right.

We’ve gotten better at our systems, and we’re still working on it. We’ve tightened our processes, and still we try harder. We’ve learned what to look for before problems happen, but mostly, we’ve learned that our customers appreciate knowing the person packing their soup is the same person who drives an extra 45 miles to fix a mistake. That matters.

Good service isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about genuinely listening to the response. It’s about remembering that the person ordering soup might be ordering it because they’re managing a health condition, recovering from something, caring for someone else, or simply trying to eat better, or think about more important things then stirring a pot for an hour. (That’s our job!!!) Our job is to make your life easier.

We Don’t Do This Alone

We want to give a special shout-out to Erin’s dad, who helps us with deliveries. Having family support this business isn’t just out of convenience. (Patrick needed help.)

The person that delivers your soup from us will always understand the value of what we do.

Let’s Connect

If you’re part of The Soup Aisle community, thank you. Thank you for trusting us with your meals, for being patient with our growing pains, for reaching out when something isn’t right, and for understanding that behind every bowl of soup is a real person committed to your satisfaction. You matter to us more than you know.

The Soup Aisle isn’t just ladling out soup — we’re trying to serve our community ridiculously good food at an honest price.

Opinions Are Like Spoons – Everyone’s Got ‘Em

Featured

The Great Soup Divide: Stirring The Pot

The air crisps up and suddenly everyone’s got an opinion about soup. It’s that time again—soup season—and while most people can agree on one thing (it’s the best season), the great soup debates are officially bubbling over.

Ask someone you know, “is cereal a soup?

Half the room tilts their heads, the other half pretends not to be personally offended. One person mutters something about “milk-based soup” 🤣 – another refuses to make eye contact and starts humming. Suddenly, your quiet dinner has turned into a philosophy seminar. Coworkers turn against each other. Welcome to the great soup divide—where ladles are drawn and wars are waged. (Well, not really but you never know!)

The Cereal Question That Started It All

Here’s where things get interesting — because structurally speaking cereal checks every box. Solid ingredients suspended in liquid, eaten from a bowl with a spoon. I thought that was soup 101.

So why does a cold bowl of milk and grains suddenly become controversial?

Rice and milk soups exist in Puerto Rico. Many cream of barley soups originated from Persia. Italian rice and milk soup dating back to the 1800’s. All grain plus milk, all genuinely recognized as soup across their respective culinary traditions. If those count, cereal’s structurally identical makeup becomes harder to dismiss on merit alone. (Plus, a lot of work went into making those delicious fortified grains!)

The counterargument usually comes down to this: cooking matters. Most soups require heat, and the kind of flavor-building that happens when ingredients meld together. Cereal skips that ceremony entirely—you just pour and eat. So maybe that’s the real divide?

Some people draw the line at intent. Others at temperature. A few stubborn folks still insist soup must be hot, warm at minimum, which—let’s be honest—is just gatekeeping. We accept gazpacho and vichyssoise as cold soups without question – and gazpacho doesn’t take any heat whatsoever to make.

Simmer Down or Soup Up

At The Soup Aisle, we believe people’s soup-pinions say a lot about them. Some of us are thick‑and‑hearty loyalists—the kind who believe a soup should stand on its own, no sides required. Others lean toward minimalist broths or puréed soups. Then there are the free spirits who treat every bowl like a chance to experiment, tossing in a dash of things until it feels just right. That’s not our style.

I guess that’s what makes soup beautiful: there’s no right way to love it. Soup is the great equalizer. Some people love it for making Pantry Raid Soup. Or call it what you will – wherever you’re from, people know those soups by unique names.

Fridge Forage Soup

Freezer Soup

Leftover Soup

Clean-Slate Soup

Kitchen Sink Soup 🤮

Surprise Soup 🤢

Scraps Soup 😬

A nice, warm bowl of soup softens sharp opinions and reminds us that good food is meant to be shared. (Preferably with someone who doesn’t judge you too much!)

Where Do You Land?

The cereal debate is just the tip of the bowl. The real question is about how we define the things we love – and whether those definitions even matter. Is a soup defined by what’s in it, or how it’s made? Or why you made it?

(Luckily, this is a soup blog and we’re not about to philosophize whether a hotdog is a sandwich.)

Whether you’re debating the philosophical nature of cereal, or just need something warm to carry you through the cold, we have so many comforting choices for you.

Savoring the Season: Behind the Scenes at The Soup Aisle

Every week at The Soup Aisle, our menu is a celebration of New England’s summer bounty, thoughtfully crafted for your table. As July unfolds, we’re spotlighting flavors that pair sunshine and comfort, convenience and creativity—just check out this week’s menu: Mediterranean Orzo Salad, Lemon Blueberry Muffins, Chilled Cucumber with Sesame Tofu, and Lemony Fish & Orzo soup.

Stress-Free Order, Community Connection

Weekly delivery to Exeter, Kensington, Brentwood, and Stratham means you can enjoy artisan soups and sides without the fuss. Or, take advantage of free pickup in Amesbury at 14 Cedar Street—our way to keep it neighborly and accessible.

  • Easy online ordering: Select your menu items and reserve a spot for delivery or pickup—no phone tag, no guesswork.
  • Menu transparency: We post our weekly lineup and ingredient labels in advance so you can plan your meals and savor the anticipation.
  • Real flexibility: Whether you’re grabbing favorites for the week or assembling a picnic, our rotating menu ensures there’s always something new and something familiar.

Food That Travels Well—And Tastes Even Better

At The Soup Aisle, we know that great food should fit your lifestyle—whether you’re craving a quick dinner fix or packing for a picnic at Swasey Parkway. All our offerings are designed to travel well and taste just as good under a summer sky as they do at your kitchen table.

Seasonality, Local Sources, and Specials

Our menu is built on what’s freshest right now. When cucumbers are at their peak, you’ll spot them in gazpachos and salads. Blueberries in muffins and cakes, local fish in our soups. It’s a weekly celebration of Seacoast farms and food artisans.

Thanks for Making Us Part of Your Summer Table

Every order from The Soup Aisle supports a local business grounded in craft and community. Your feedback, favorite moments, and recipe requests inspire us and keep our menu lively. Feel free to reach out with suggestions or just to say hello—our kitchen is always open to conversation!

Ready to savor this week’s offerings or curious about what’s coming next? Order now!


Artisan Soups. Picnic Faves. Baked Goods.

Local Soup Delivery in Exeter? Choose The Soup Aisle

“Soup Near 03833”

If you’re searching for soup in Exeter, Kensington, Brentwood, The Soup Aisle stands out as the top choice for fresh, local soup delivery.

A True Exeter Original

The Soup Aisle was created to fill the gap left when beloved soup spots in Exeter closed their doors. We bring back the connection of a local soup shop to the heart of Exeter. Our mission is to craft a menu of artisan soups and picnic favorites that make every meal special and accessible year-round.

Locally Sourced, Always Fresh

Great soup starts with great ingredients. The Soup Aisle ensures every bowl is packed with the freshest flavors New Hampshire has to offer. Our menu isn’t just local – it’s seasonal. Each week, we write our menus to match what’s actually growing right now in New Hampshire. When potatoes, tomatoes, and cucumbers are at their peak in June, you’ll see chilled Vichyssoise and Gazpacho on our menu. When the weather turns, we’ll switch it up with classics like Butternut Squash Apple and French Onion, and other favorites that fit the season. This hyper-seasonal approach means you’re always getting soup made with the best ingredients, at their freshest.

Convenience Meets Craft

Busy schedule? We make it easy to enjoy a homemade meal. With streamlined online ordering, flexible delivery slots, and weekly rotating menus, you can have gourmet soup (or slaw, a cookie, biscuits, and whatever other surprise seasonal goodies we’re currently making) delivered right to your door in Exeter, Kensington, Brentwood! Orders are made fresh and delivered refrigerated, and we post our menus ahead of time so our customers can plan ahead!

A Menu for Every Taste

From hearty Smoked Pork Pozole and Broccoli Cheddar Potato to vegan, vegetarian, and dairy-free options, The Soup Aisle crafts soups to satisfy every craving and dietary need. Seasonal specials and artisan breads round out the menu, ensuring there’s always something new and delicious to try. We do office catering and we also take requests!

Community-Focused Service

The Soup Aisle is committed to building community – with a friendly local team that cares about every order. When you order from us, you’re supporting your neighbors and helping keep Exeter’s food scene vibrant. We even offer a way to donate soup to the Exeter Community Fridge — million thanks to those who are able to help feed the people in need.

We are your neighborhood microsoupery, serving up comfort, creativity, and community in every bowl. Order today and discover why The Soup Aisle is Exeter’s favorite choice for fresh, local soup.