Soup-scriptions at The Soup Aisle have exploded in popularity over the past few weeks, turning one-time orders into weekly rituals for homes across Exeter, Kensington, Brentwood, Stratham, Newfields, and Amesbury. What started as a simple way to lock in gourmet meals at a discount has become our fastest-growing offer. Reliable comfort food delivered to your door is exactly what busy locals crave.
From First-Timers to Devoted Soup-scribers
The real thrill hit when our very first regulars made the leap to soup-scriptions. These weren’t just any customers; they were the ones who’d been ordering since our early delivery days. Most of the time people find us and either go right for the soup-scription, or stick to ordering on a week-by-week basis. Either is fine!
No two soup-scribers are alike. Some crave spice, others stick to classics. That’s the beauty! Our Soup-scriptions flex to fit real lives — without a “typical” customer in sight.
As a small microsoupery, flexibility is our edge. Soup-scribers get first dibs on limited batches, priority on sold-out sides, and easy pauses or tweaks.
Why Soup-scriptions Are Sticking Around
Soup-scribers tell us it’s about ditching the hassle: weekly drops that feel like a treat, not a chore.
If you’re interested, check out our soup-scriptions page. Join our growing crew of weekly Soup-scribers!
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.
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.)
Feel that? The air’s getting crisper, the nights are longer, and there’s this undeniable buzz in the air—that’s right, soup season is officially HERE. And let us tell you, The Soup Aisle isn’t just keeping pace; we’re revving up, ready to serve up all the warmth, comfort, and flavor you need to power through the cold months ahead.
Big Changes, Bigger Flavors
Starting now, we’re delivering fresh every Monday, so your week can start off cozy and stress-free. Your fresh soups arrive at the start of your week, giving you a boost of warmth right when you need it most.
And Amesbury, we’re officially in your neighborhood too! That means your favorite soups, your new weekly ritual, all just a quick doorstep away. Every Sunday, we send out your delivery times—so you know exactly when your order is coming.
Real Talk: Soup Saves The Day
Gone are the days of stressing about dinner plans. Our new Frozen Soup option makes it easier than ever to stock your freezer with your favorites—warm, delicious, homemade soup, whenever you need it. No mess – just spoon and enjoy.
How often do you open your fridge and it’s basically a culinary crime scene? “Ugh, all I have is cheese and bread.” But good thing you stocked up on that Frozen Tomato Basil Parmesan from The Soup Aisle. Three minutes later, and boom—warm, gourmet comfort that turns a last-minute meal into feast mode.
Or that one night when you’re running late and all you’ve got is a couple rolls from dinner a couple nights ago. Well, our Turkey Lasagna or Curry Squash Noodle pairs perfectly with that crusty bread, turning your pantry staple into a cozy, soul-soothing feast with zero effort.
We’re your local, online hub for soups, sides, and baked goods—all made with love and ready to bring some joy to your table.
Reward Yourself, Because You Deserve It
Introducing Aisle Miles — our new rewards program that’s designed for true soup lovers. Earn 25 miles for every order you place, and trade in those miles for sweet perks: discounts, free delivery, and other deals TBA. We believe in rewarding loyalty — because you’re part of our Soup Fam!
Cozy Up, Chill Out, and Dress the Part
We’re announcing our brand-new Soup Aisle Hooded Sweatshirt. Designed for cozy nights in, chilly mornings, winter walks…this hoodie is your new best friend. Whether you’re lounging at home or heading to the grocery store, this hoodie keeps you stylishly snug. And guess what? If you’re a Soup-scriber, you get a special discount on the hoodie — just message us to learn more! It ships directly to you, so you can start embracing those chilly vibes immediately.
The Perfect Holiday Gift
Our new Soup Gift Card makes it effortless to gift warmth and wellness. Send someone gourmet, handmade soup with zero hassle. No cooking, no prep — just pure comfort in a bowl, delivered from our kitchen to their doorstep.
Hold Onto Your Spoons
November’s menu is MASSIVE. We’re dropping flavors that’ll knock your socks off and keep you coming back for more. This is big flavor territory. Soul-satisfying soups to make your cold days warmer and your nights even cozier.
Nothing beats the feeling of coming home to a bowl of nourishing, flavorful soup, with the lights low and the world outside fading away. In the chaos of life, there’s always time for warmth, comfort, and a good bowl of soup.
Whether you’re celebrating Thanksgiving, winter festivities, or just staying in on a chilly night, wrap yourself in a hoodie embrace this season with The Soup Aisle.
We’re thrilled to share that something fresh and exciting is coming soon to The Soup Aisle. While we’re still in the process of finalizing all the details, we want to give our valued community a sneak peek at what lies ahead.
One of the first changes you’ll notice is a shift in our weekly schedule. If you’ve enjoyed Soup Wednesday, get ready for a subtle but meaningful adjustment—Soup Monday is on its way. Moving to Monday will make it easier for many of you to plan your week, especially since it’s a quieter day for most, allowing you to start your week with something comforting and delicious.
And this change is just the beginning. This fall, we’re preparing a casual dinner and immersive cooking experience unlike anything we’ve offered before. Imagine joining a small group in a beautiful, professional kitchen nestled inside an iconic, renovated mill in Amesbury—a space full of character and charm that’s the perfect backdrop for learning and creativity.
During these sessions, we’ll dive into kitchen essentials with guided instruction, exploring seasonal recipes crafted by the owners of The Soup Aisle. Each participant will leave equipped not only with new skills but also generous takeaways like recipe cards and expert tips that make recreating the magic at home easy. Questions and curiosity will be warmly welcomed, creating an enriching environment built around food and connection.
We’re keeping many aspects of our Fall Series a delightful mystery for now, but we promise it will be an experience filled with warmth, flavor, and discovery. It’s designed to bring you closer to the heart of what makes The Soup Aisle special and to inspire your own culinary adventures.
Stay tuned for all the details soon! In the meantime, get ready to embrace a fresh rhythm to your week and a new way to explore the flavors and stories behind the soups you love.
Here’s to new experiences, cozy kitchens, and delicious moments ahead.
You’re out to dinner and the salad is so unexpectedly good you find yourself interrogating every bite. What is that in the dressing? Is it citrus, or something more mysterious? You consider flagging down the chef, but you know the answer will be evasive at best. There’s a universal thrill in chasing down the “secret ingredient.” It’s the culinary equivalent of a treasure hunt—equal parts curiosity, nostalgia, and the delight of discovery.
We’ve had plenty of these moments in our own kitchen. For example, the best traditional Italian dressing I ever tasted had sugar and mustard—two things I never would have guessed. My spaghetti sauce always gets a splash of balsamic vinegar and a quarter teaspoon of cocoa powder. The secret to my tomato soup? Extra carrot. Sure, there’s the usual garlic, onion, butter, basil, and the best tomatoes I can find, but it’s that subtle sweetness from the carrot that makes people pause and ask, “What did you do to this?”
These discoveries keep cooking endlessly fascinating. Sometimes they come from a happy accident, sometimes from a tip whispered by a friend, and sometimes from pure, stubborn experimentation. Every cook has their own stash of tricks—maybe a pinch of cinnamon in chili, or a splash of pickle juice in potato salad. These are the details that make a dish memorable, the kind of thing you remember long after the meal is over.
Recipes That Travel by Word of Mouth
The most unforgettable recipes rarely come from a book. They’re shared at potlucks, scribbled on the back of envelopes, or texted in a flurry before a dinner party. They’re tweaked, misremembered, and improved with every retelling. They spark debates at family gatherings and become legends in their own right.
Your Table, Your Story
That’s why we light up when someone brings us a family recipe, a legendary casserole, or a “you’ll never guess what’s in this” story. Like my mom’s Napa Valley Chilled Cucumber soup. She loved it so much she grabbed the recipe – and we can’t wait to share it with you all.
Planning a cookout for a crowd? Need a dish that’s pure comfort, or a showstopper for your next gathering? Bring us your favorite recipes, your secret ingredients, your kitchen victories and glorious flops. We love bringing these stories to life for you and your guests.
Food is more than a list of ingredients—it’s a conversation, a connection, and sometimes, a delicious little mystery. The best meals are the ones that bring us together and keep us guessing.
Share Your Secret Ingredient
So, what’s your secret? What have you discovered that makes your food unforgettable? Share it with us, and let’s see what happens when your story meets our kitchen. The next legendary dish could start with your recipe—and a little bit of mystery.
Tag a friend who’s always on the hunt for the secret ingredient or send us your own kitchen mystery!
As the days lengthen and Exeter’s streets bask in golden sunlight, The Soup Aisle is proving that soup is a year-round affair—not just a winter comfort. Even during the warmer months soup is a canvas for creativity and a celebration of local abundance.
Soup Beyond the Seasons
Traditionally, soup has been the antidote to cold weather: a steaming bowl cradled between chilly hands, a balm against the bluster outside. But The Soup Aisle is reimagining this narrative. Summer soups—chilled, vibrant, and brimming with the local farms’ best produce—are an invitation to slow down and savor the moment. They’re a reminder that comfort isn’t confined to hearth and home. We need comfort and health-packed soups even when it’s hot out. Especially when it’s hot out! Don’t believe us? You haven’t tried our Gazpacho yet. It’s got the crunch of a cucumber, the tang of a tomato — many variations to try including Gazpacho with avocado-corn relish and Watermelon Cucumber Gazpacho.
For some New Englanders, chilled soups are a revelation. These are the quintessential soups for picnics, for porch swings, for un-air-conditioned offices, lazy afternoons, and small gatherings. It’s the cure for a summer cold. It’s soup that hydrates as much as it nourishes. We’re also making chilled Vichyssoise this week which is exciting! It’s our twist on a French classic. Our soups are seasonal and change weekly. Enjoy them while you can!
The Art of the Picnic
Summer dining is about movement and connection. The Soup Aisle’s curated picnic offerings—think mango slaw, citrus couscous, and artisan bakes—are designed to make every meal an event. These are dishes that travel well, taste even better in the open air, and invite sharing. They’re a testament to the idea that food is best enjoyed in good company, whether that’s on a blanket at Swasey Parkway or at a kitchen table with friends.
The addition of signature biscuits, popovers, and cornbread underscores The Soup Aisle’s commitment to craft and comfort. These are part of the experience and a way to make every meal special.
Community at the Core
Our story is as much about people as it is about food. Every ingredient is chosen with care because we want to share our commitment of sustainability – through our food. When you taste a bowl of gazpacho or a bite of cornbread, you’re tasting the Seacoast’s local spirit.
This hyper-local approach is more than a trend; it’s a way of life. Many thanks to people who do it better than us, and props to those who are just getting started. It’s about supporting neighbors, reducing food miles, and celebrating the unique character of the region. For Exeter, this is a value that resonates deeply.
While summer is a time for chilled soups and al fresco dining, The Soup Aisle is already dreaming of autumn’s return—of smoked squash bisques and cider-infused chowders. But for now, the focus is on the present: on making the most of summer’s bounty, on creating moments of connection, and on proving that soup is as versatile as the seasons themselves.
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.
This week at The Soup Aisle, we’re offering one of our signature soups, Chicken & Stars – a beloved classic reimagined. The delicate star-shaped pasta swimming in rich golden broth is beloved by soup enthusiasts of all ages. What transforms a simple soup into a signature offering worthy of celebration? The answer lies in our meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to quality. Our Chicken & Stars begins with carefully selected ingredients – tender, premium chicken, hand-cut vegetables, and those delightful little pasta stars that bring a touch of whimsy to each spoonful.
The foundation of any exceptional chicken soup is its broth, and ours simmers slowly to develop remarkable depth of flavor. Our vegetables are diced for consistent cooking and visual appeal –carrots, celery, and sweet onions that add complexity and a delicate flavor balance.
The Star of the Show
The pasta stars themselves deserve special mention. These delightful morsels are added at exactly the right moment in the cooking process to achieve perfect al dente texture. What makes star-shaped pasta so beloved? Perhaps it’s the touch of joy they bring to the bowl, or how they recall childhood comforts while still satisfying sophisticated palates. Whatever the reason, there’s something profoundly comforting about star-shaped pasta swimming in a nutritious and satiating soup. For many people, this soup evokes cherished memories – perhaps of meals enjoyed during childhood winters.
A Soup for All Seasons
While many associate chicken soup with cold weather comfort, our Chicken & Stars soup transcends seasonal boundaries. Its bright, clean flavors make light enough to enjoy even as temperatures rise. We also make a vegetarian version using plant-based chick’n which we are excited to be offering sometime next month!
This week, we invite you to experience a signature offer that embodies our commitment to excellence in every bowl we serve – Chicken & Stars soup from The Soup Aisle.
Tomorrow marks a milestone we’ve been planning for over a year—our official launch! We are totally ready to bring comfort and creativity to our community through our year-round menu featuring gourmet soups and picnic items. The journey from idea to reality has been nothing short of incredible. It’s a little surreal and we’ve been reflecting on how far we’ve come.
Crafting Comfort for the Community
Every Saturday, we’ll unveil a new menu filled with seasonal surprises. Customers can place their orders by Monday for delivery on Wednesday. Each batch is made fresh and delivered refrigerated so you can enjoy it at your convenience. Choose your time slot, and we’ll handle the rest!
At The Soup Aisle, our mission has always been simple: to create artisanal soups that bring joy to the people of our local community. From pop-ups to office catering to weekly deliveries, we’re here to make soup accessible and exciting year-round.
We’ve been overwhelmed by the warm welcome from Exeter, and even Amesbury, MA, where our kitchen is located. It’s clear there’s a market for high-quality, handcrafted soups, just as we hoped. With spring in the air, we’re thrilled to officially open our doors (virtually) to you.
A Souper Adventure Awaits– Just Like We Promised!
The Soup Aisle is about community, connection, and comfort. We invite you to follow along on Instagram, become a member of our growing family, and join us in stirring up some new memories this season.
Here’s to unexpected beginnings and embracing the delicious possibilities ahead. Thank you for being part of this journey with us—we can’t wait to serve you!
With gratitude (and plenty of soup), Erin & Patrick The Soup Aisle
The Soup Aisle 