Soup for You!

Besides these sprightly soups, the clean, brightly lit shop offers make-your-own salads (from a potpourri of salad bar ingredients and dressings), composed salads (such as caesar and cobb), and some mighty tasty sandwiches (like smoked turkey with brie and honey mustard on a baguette, and crusty panini with three melted cheeses). A great lunch combo features a cup of soup, half a sandwich, and a soda for three dollars above the cost of the soup. Plus you get your fruit and chocolate. There are smoothies, too, soft ice cream for dessert, and an unusually creative selection of hot and iced teas.

The Seinfeld show brought Mr. Yeganeh and his soup stand more notoriety than anyone could ask for. As it turns out, he claims to have wanted none at all. He says he was insulted by the "N-word," insists that he was the one who made Seinfeld famous, and frowns upon franchisees mentioning the comedian's name or "Soup Nazi" on packaging or promotions. Shortly before Seinfeld aired its last episode, Yeganeh appeared on Letterman and declared he was "glad that clown is going off the air."

On the other hand, with plans for about a thousand more Original Soup Man franchises (literally), you might say Yeganeh is snarling all the way to the bank. What an act! They really ought to give this guy an Oscar.

20475 Biscayne Blvd, Aventura; 305-466-9033. Open for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sunday noon to 8:00 p.m.