Tomato soup with a grilled cheese sandwich is one of comfort food's all-star collaborations. But which of the two do you especially covet? The South Philly Tap Room cleverly caters to both preferences, with a full-sized sandwich and a cup of soup for traditionalists, or a bowl of soup topped with a short stack of crouton-like mini grilled cheeses.
Either way brings chef Scott Schroeder's soulful soup, deliberately Campbell's-esque in style, but deepened in flavor (true to beer bar form) with a malty splash of Yuengling lager. But I'm partial to the bowl option with minis. Those baguette slices stuffed with goat cheese and smoked cheddar have garlic butter-crisped rounds that, as they sink into the bowl, deliver a perfect combo of crunch and soup-softened cheesy comfort.
