The Proof is in the Soup

As rainy days and cooler temperatures become the norm, a hot bowl of soup sounds evermore inviting. How fortunate that, in Charleston, it’s hard to be anywhere without local soup chain Ladles nearby.  Jeff Biran and Kim Dover recently opened West Ashley’s second Ladles at Citadel Mall’s Food Court. Along with Holy City Pizzeria and Sesame, they’re revolutionizing mall food by bringing it a fresh, local touch.
Everyday at Ladles Citadel Mall, 10 pots hit the stove at 7 a.m. There are nine regular flavors to prepare, including Buffalo Chicken, She Crab, Loaded Potato, Tomato Basil, Turkey Chili, and a daily special. Once the simmering has begun to meld all those flavors together, the company website and Facebook page are updated with the day’s specials. At 10 a.m., Ladles opens for lunch. Diners can sample each soup before making their selections. To accompany 5-ounce of any soup, Ladles offers eight salads, nine sandwiches, a pretzel burger, build-your-own hotdogs and burgers, and ever-changing daily specials.
The menu always has a seasonal focus. For example, over the summer, cold soups were available; but now hot, hearty, and/or creamy soups are in abundance. In the last few weeks, specials have included Split Pea and Ham, Creamy Pumpkin, Wisconsin Beer Cheddar, Lima Bean and Kielbasa, and Italian Chicken.
In West Of’s Cookbook Issue last week, Ladles provided the seasonally-appropriate Hungarian Goulash recipe; for those that don’t know, Goulash’s core ingredients are beef, tomato paste, and paprika. Ladles soup archive includes more than 400 recipes, and it’s growing all the time.
Every Monday, state employees can receive 10 percent off their meal. On Thursdays, kids eat free with an adult combo purchase. Mac and Cheese soup and a grilled peanut butter and jellly sandwich are frequent featured specials on that day. On Sundays, Shrimp and Grits and Biscuits and Gravy soup specials offer classic Southern brunch tastes in a bowl. Ladles also sells containers of leftover soups to their diners, and donate unsold soup to local churches or fire stations.
Birman is originally from Michigan, and Dover from the Upstate. They met in Greenville, and moved to Charleston about three years ago. After a couple visits to the Coosaw Ladles, they realized it had all the right ingredients for their dream business. Ladles would allow them to pursue their entrepreneurial ambitions with a business model they could feel good about–providing healthy, freshly prepared food to the community at affordable prices.
Dover says that it doesn’t take long to feel like family in this family business. According to her, Ladles CEO Suzie Allen has been very helpful from day one and the franchise owners meet regularly to discuss business. Dover looks forward to how she and Birman will continue to grow with the company.
Unique features of the Citadel Mall location include within-mall delivery for mall employees who can’t leave their post and pick up their food. They have also launched a text message program–diners can text 57711 and receive an introductory soup, sandwich, and drink combo offer for $9.99. From that point on, these diners receive updates about specials on their phone.
 
Ladles in Citadel Mall is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m., and Sundays 11 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information call 614-8929 or visit www.ladlessoups.com.