Liz Hill: The Intern’s Journey to Find the Greatest Soups in Oneonta

My Name is Liz Hill, as you probably gathered from the title, and I am the new Townsquare Media intern for WZOZ, WSRK & WDOS. If you are like me, nothing beats a cup of hot soup on a cold day, and let’s face it: Winter is here! I don’t mean to brag but my mother makes the best soups/chowders, so leaving the nest and coming to Oneonta has left a hole in my previously satisfied stomach.

I started my journey at Panera in the Southside Mall plaza. I had seen an advertisement for a new seasonal soup and my stomach leaped for joy. What am I talking about do you ask? Acorn Squash Soup! Its creamy sweet taste, sprinkled with a few acorn squash seeds and served in a bread bowl is the perfect lunch on a frigid wet day!

My next stop was recommended by a SUNY friend of mine. He told me for the best French Onion soup on the planet I had to check out Sloan’s New York Grill! Sloan’s is located on Chestnut Street and as soon as I walked in I knew it was going to be good. I sat down and ordered my soup to the sounds of The Band, Lynyrd Skynard and Creedence Clearwater Revival (my personal favorite band of all time). The Sloan's NY Onion soup was absolutely delicious with the perfect melted cheese on top and soaked bread leading down to the most fantastic onion soup I have ever experienced! When that wind pierces right through to your bones nothing is better then Sloan’s NY Onion soup!

Of course my journey will continue as my time in Oneonta grows, especially during this winter break! On my list to try is of course the SUNY Oneonta Campus favorite The Yellow Deli. I have heard nothing but wonderful things about their soups and sandwiches! Another place I will have to check out is The Autumn Café! I have noticed a great atmosphere through the window that has caught my eye!

However, not all of us want to even venture out into the cold winter air so here is a family recipe straight from my mother's cookbook!

 Seafood Chowder:

3 Potatoes (Cubed)
1-2 Onion (Diced)
2 Celery Stalks (Diced)
5 Sea Scallops (Quartered) *More if you would like
1 Can of Clams w/ juice
2 Clam Juice
3 Cans of Evaporated Milk
1 piece of boneless/skinless white fish Haddock recommended
¼ lb of Peeled Shrimp
Salt & Pepper
8oz Light Cream/ Half and Half is optional
2 tbsp of Corn Starch to Thicken
1/2 a stick of Butter