Soup soothes the soul, but it’s unrivaled in battling a cold.
While soups don’t necessarily cure the cold, they sure do help you feel better in various ways. Hot liquids help clear congestion while salt soothes sore throats. Broths also provide hydration and nutrients in a form that’s easy to swallow.
Don’t settle for canned chicken noodle soup. Tucson is packed with Mexican and other ethnic options that are worth cuddling by a fire with.
Any Soup at Birrieria Guadalajara
304 E. 22nd St.
Birrieria Guadalajara isn’t just “a place to get braised goat in the style of Guadalajara.” Though their jugo de birrieria is expectedly delicious, they also have a wide selection of soups and soup specials including albondigas, caldo de queso, chicken soup, cocido, menudo, and posole. They even have champurrado, which is a masa harina-based spiced hot chocolate. Be aware, it’s cash only.
For more information, visit Birrieria Guadalajara on Yelp.
Avgolemeno at Fronimo’s Greek Cafe
3242 E. Speedway Blvd.
Another difficult-to-pronounce cold weather contender, Avgolemono Soup features chicken broth, rice, eggs, and fresh lemon for a hint of summer brightness. It’s a soothing Greek alternative to chicken noodle soup.
For more information, visit fronimos.com.
Braised Beef Brisket Noodle Soup at Jun Dynasty Chinese Restaurant
2933 E. Grant Rd.
For something on the spicier side, order a bowl of the Braised Beef Brisket Noodle Soup at Jun Dynasty Chinese Restaurant. The chunks of beef are braised to melt in your mouth for easy consumption. The fragrant broth makes the yellow noodles addictively slurpable.
For more information, visit jundynasty.com.
Menudo at Taqueria Juanitos
708 W. Grant Rd.
This hearty Mexican classic is loaded with gelatin from tripe and tendons. Nubs of hominy provide something more toothsome while fresh onion, cilantro, and lime bright up the bowl. Soft bread or tortillas will sop up whatever stock you haven’t sipped. It’s available on Saturday and Sunday only.
Keep up with Taqueria Juanitos on Facebook.
Pho at Miss Saigon
1072 N. Campbell Ave. / 4650 W. Ina Rd. / 47 N. 6th Ave. / 250 S. Craycroft Rd. / 8225 N. Courtney Page Way, Ste. 100
Rice noodles and beef broth do a mighty fine job getting you on your feet. Keep it simple with thin slices of steak or go crazy with fatty slices, meatballs and tripe. Chicken pho is also available if you’re craving something closer to chicken noodle soup. Just make sure to slurp down all of that wholesome, slow-cooked broth.
Keep up with Miss Saigon Downtown on Facebook.
Posole at Welcome Diner
902 E. Broadway Blvd.
While Tucson is packed with authentic posole, Welcome Diner’s take has mole-spiced black pudding, pickled onion, and cabbage. It has an accessibility edge by being a late-night option. It’s available as a dinner option from 5 p.m. – midnight every day and as a brunch option from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Ramen at OBON Sushi Bar Ramen
350 E. Congress St.
Although OBON offers six varieties of ramen, go for the namesake OBON Ramen or Tonkotsu Ramen. The porky broth and silky egg yolk not only taste fantastic, but just plain feel nourishing. If you’re extra congested, opt for the spice bomb with habanero to get you sweating.
For more information, visit obonsushi.com.
Yuk Gae Jang at Kimchi Time
2900 E. Broadway Blvd.
Another spicy beef stew option, Yuk Gae Jang features shreds of beef with scallions, bracken fern and other veggies in a steadily spicy broth.
What’s your favorite local cold remedy? Let us know in the comments.
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Article written by:
Jackie Tran
More about JackieJackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.
