Sheboygan Falls soup restaurant a slice of heaven

SHEBOYGAN FALLS - There is nothing like mom’s tomato basil soup and a grilled cheese panini to thaw you out on a cold Wisconsin winter day.

A Sheboygan Falls restaurant, Heavenly Soups, offers more than 50 different soups and chili using recipes handed down over generations or recipes the family found that they've enjoyed over the years, according to Greg Schneider, who owns the restaurant with his wife, Heather.

The Sheboygan Falls restaurant will be celebrating its one year anniversary and has tantalized the taste buds of thousands since opening.

Heather works full-time at the business, while Greg and their two kids, Beau (17), and Lily (11), work part-time.

“The kids are our built-in taste testers,” Greg said. “If they like the soup, it makes the list. Of course, Heather and I have a say as well.”

I took a quick peek on their Facebook page before we arrived for their weekly soup choices; there are four different soups offered daily, including a vegetarian and a vegan choice.

The day we went the choices were creamy chicken with rice, shrimp corn chowder, cheesy broccoli and autumn vegetable.

The rest of the week looked mouthwatering as well, with offerings of split pea with ham, chicken dumpling, loaded baked potato, roasted mushroom and white bean, mom’s tomato basil, Thai pumpkin, and sweet potato chili.

Specialty grilled cheese paninis are offered in whole or halves. There are special offers when you pair them with soup.

I chose the shrimp corn chowder and half grilled cheese as my hot masterpiece. I have tasted and made chicken corn chowder, but never with shrimp. A piece of hot bread accompanies any order of soup.

The shrimp corn chowder was delicious; generous portions of goodness from start to finish. I saved the crust of my grilled cheese to wipe out the bowl and get every last drop.

My wife chose the autumn vegetable, which had large pieces of root vegetables and squash dancing in the tasty broth.

The Schneiders try to source their soup ingredients locally when available, Greg said.

After working on a mission trip in Houston, the Schneiders learned there are hungry people everywhere. They give the opportunity for patrons or walk-ins to purchase soup, sandwiches or both, and pay it forward.

People that are down on their luck, or need a meal, can come in and grab a meal ticket that hangs on a board and exchange it for whatever is written on the ticket. There were about 25 tickets hanging when we ate.

You can find their weekly soup menu on Facebook from Tuesday through Saturday. If you do not have time to dine, call ahead because takeouts are available in 8-, 16- and 32-ounce containers.

Brian Bernier, AKA Chef Bernie, is a private in-home chef, restaurant owner and food blogger who lives in Sheboygan. He can be reached at BernierBrian@hotmail.com.

Heavenly Soups

Location: 608 Broadway St., Sheboygan Falls

Hours: 11 a.m.to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

Price Range: $6.95 to $9.95

Contact: 920-234-2322; facebook.com/heavenlysoupsrestaurant