With warm hearts and delicious, gluten-free recipes, one Hill Country restaurant pairs good food with goodwill.
New here? Subscribe!
Story by Pamela Price
On a cold, drizzly winter afternoon, we tucked into one of Boerne’s newest restaurants for their signature dish: a flight or warm, delicious handmade soups that warm the heart and soul as much as the belly.
With the lunch rush over for the day at Boerne Soup Kitchen [Instagram, Facebook], we were lucky to have a chat with one of the owners, Kathleen Wright, about the business, her passion for gluten-free living, and the future.
“I have wanted to open a soup-focused restaurant in Boerne for about 5 years now,” said Kathleen, who owns the restaurant with her husband, Lonnie.
The name derives from an option diners have at the cash register: to purchase a $2 bowl of “Community Soup” for those in need. The owners incorporated this service aspect to their business to provide a nourishing, dignified meal in a welcoming space to people having a hard time.
“The gluten-free aspect was a more recent decision as my husband and I have been gluten free for almost a year now. We have seen many changes in our health and the health of other family members and friends because of this important decision. I’ve been a Boerne area resident for over 20 years and am passionate about having healthier options for dining out. We feel like we’ve drawn a very distinct line in the sand that demonstrates you can have vegetable forward dishes that are gluten free without sacrificing taste. We use a wide variety of proteins–chicken, pork, steak, seafood–for our wonderful entrees so our carnivorous customers can be satisfied, too!”
Chef Uriah Rios joined the Wrights since shortly after the restaurant opened.
“He is very creative, well trained, and we are lucky to have him on our team,” said Kathleen.
Situated just off of Main Street on the edge of Boerne, the light-filled restaurant seats 56 diners inside and over 32 people outside on a broad stone patio.
“Our patio is so beautiful that we added comfortable seating on the perimeter for friends to linger after their meals,” said Kathleen.
As welcoming as the space is, it’s the food that beckons repeat customers. From their simple, reasonably priced soups and salads to ample, rich entrees for a few dollars more, there’s truly something for everyone–and every budget.
“Diners can expect our food to always be made in house, from scratch. This is reflected in the taste and brings our customers back time and time again. We have a wide, eclectic variety in the types of food we make and enjoy helping customers try something new and adventurous,” said Kathleen. “We change our menu almost 100% from one day to the next to use fresh items and keep things interesting. Our daily menu does not change for the evening dinner. A common misconception is that we only serve soup and salad. Diners are excited when they see we have traditional entrees available, which are available all day long. We have established a nice wine list and offer a customer-approved lager style beer–crafted to remove gluten–as well as a hard cider.”
The Wrights’ sensitivity to food allergy concerns has led them to attract a following with locals who struggle to find satisfying and “safe” menu items while dining out.
“It is truly our passion to help people with allergies or dietary restrictions find a place where they can eat out,” said Kathleen. “We have encountered so many lovely families who typically cannot find a restaurant where everyone can find something that suits their needs. We make every effort to compassionately help people make the selection that is right for them, even when it requires us to do a slight modification. Our chalkboard menu will highlight options that are vegan, vegetarian, or dairy-free but beyond that we help people on Paleo, Keto, Whole 30, Daniel Plan, or other popular diets find what will meet their needs.”
Looking to the future, Kathleen hopes to offer programs on gluten-free eating, what it means, and why it is important to so many these days.
“Many people are not really aware of what gluten is, where it is hidden in our food and other products, and what impact it has on our body. We also hold a high value on people connecting with others which is why we regularly host ‘Game Night.’ It is our way of helping people slow down, set aside technology, and spend time with family and friends. When you choose our place to hang out, you don’t have to cook or clean! Other events planned include painting sessions, wine tastings, special dinners, and more.”
Kathleen said she hopes that diners realize that serving “really great food” will always be at the center of Boerne Soup Kitchen’s work.
“While we love to accommodate special needs of our diners, you don’t have to be on a strict diet to choose our menu. Vegan, vegetarian, or carnivore, we have something for everyone! Our beautiful patio is one of the best around, and we are open until 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. By choosing to be open on Mondays and open later than most Boerne restaurants we hope to become a favorite dining spot for everyone.”
Like what you’ve read? Let’s keep in touch!
