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Al Yeganeh may not have been happy when he inspired a Seinfeld character infamously called the “Soup Nazi,” but he has managed to parlay his reputation into this successful franchise that serves diners on the go. T-shirts and signs bearing his likeness seem to please tourists, who snap away with cell-phone cameras, but hearty soups that don’t skimp on ingredients are what keep regulars coming. The menu changes daily based on seasonal ingredients, but count on seeing Yeganeh’s rich lobster bisque on the lineup more often than not. Other options appeal to meat lovers and vegetarians alike, and every order comes with bread, fruit, and a piece of chocolate. The chain also offers those remaining touchstones of the quick meal: salads, sandwiches, and smoothies. Salads can be made to order or selected from the premade offerings, Cobb and Mediterranean among them. The sandwiches seem like little more than a paltry assembly of ingredients that would best be consumed after a dip in flavorful broth rather than eaten plain. As the chain’s name suggests, it’s best to keep it simple and order a cup—or even a gallon—of what Al is known for. — Michael Alan Connelly