Editor’s Note: Last year, Michael and Nicole Borrell began reviewing Lebanon Valley’s restaurants and eating attractions as the Lebanon Valley Food Critics. Since then, the couple has aimed to offer unbiased reviews of the eating and drinking establishments the Lebanon Valley has to offer. LebTown is pleased to be partnering with LVFC to share these reviews with our readers. Bon appétit!
Welcome to the first season of our highly anticipated Lebanon Valley Soup Wars. Seven entrants from across the Valley will compete to be declared the winner of Best Soup in The Valley.
Soup Wars is being run in conjunction with the Lebanon County Coalition to End Homelessness’s Soup Stroll. For $12, you get a passport and a special soup mug. A drawing will be made at the conclusion for a prize winner. You can purchase tickets online by visiting the group’s Facebook page.
Our judgement will be based upon several factors including style, quality, taste, and presentation.
We begin over in Cornwall out at the Blue Bird Inn. Here they have four soups on the menu.
Blue Bird Inn
Address
2387 Cornwall Road
Lebanon, PA 17042
Website
BlueBirdInn.com
Hours
Monday: 11 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 11 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 11 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Thursday: 11 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Our selections for this evening were a bowl of shrimp, quinoa, and chickpea soup ($7) and a bowl of baked tomato ($7.50). We were going to order the French onion soup instead of the tomato, but we were advised that it doesn’t come with cheese or croutons.
Seafood soup is always a favorite of one critic. This one came well-seasoned and with a light, creamy texture. The shrimp was ground up in the soup. We would have liked to see some solid pieces of the shrimp. The flavor combination here is a great savory delight.
The tomato soup comes in a crock with provolone and croutons. The creaminess and tomato chunks give it that homemade feel; one that is right on a cold day.
How will these soups compare to our other entrants?
We will next head over to the other Soup Stroll participants: Boyer’s Tavern, DoGood’s Tavern, The Gin Mill, The Mt. Gretna Hideaway, Quentin Tavern, and Timeless Café
If you have a restaurant you would like us to visit or review, whether a place you like or are nervous to try, please message us on Facebook or email lvfoodcritics@outlook.com and let us know. We thank everyone for the recommendations and the kind words we have received.
