226958 Sun Oct 02 17:27:07 -0700 2005 6 18 Manhattan 0 1206702 Can someone give me a quick recap of the story with this guy? I heard that he really existed, but had to close? Why? Was it really all that good? Sun Oct 02 17:27:07 -0700 2005 0 Tikka 1 1206724 Yes, he exists. His name is Al Yeganeh, and his shop, Soup Kitchen International, was on West 55th St. I never went there, but his soups were reputed to be excellent, and reports were that he ran the place much like the Seinfeld character. He closed it voluntarily and is now in the process franchising. Mon Oct 03 00:48:04 -0700 2005 1206702 0 RGR 2 1206762 Noticed this last weekend walking east to Grand Central - - - franchise place scheduled to open soon on E. 42nd St. between 5th and Madison, southside of street. Mon Oct 03 11:12:27 -0700 2005 1206724 0 readyRed 3 1206780 i wonder if franchisees will have to attend Al's charm school to make it real authentic. Will they have his little rules board up? Mon Oct 03 12:10:03 -0700 2005 1206762 0 dd 2 1206876 The first franchise is open on Long Island in Roosevelt Field Mall. Link: http://www.newsday.com/features/food/ny-fdnotes4446738sep30,0,6336349.story?coll=ny-foodday-print Tue Oct 04 01:34:26 -0700 2005 1206724 0 James 1 1206726 The soup was good. All the flavors sort of tasted the same after awhile. But it was nice every once in awhile. I don't think there's any reason for anyone to be a dick though -- which he sort of was. He's insane. He had a little mirror by the register, and he had this obsessive-compulsive tic where he would look at himself inbetween customers. Any loved one making you soup tastes better -- even if it doesn't technically taste better than the Soup Nazi, it tastes better. Link: http://www.snapshotartifact.org/ Mon Oct 03 00:54:18 -0700 2005 1206702 0 MidTown Jimmi 1 1206810 I heard he's working on a line of frozen soups for groceries. Mon Oct 03 14:52:02 -0700 2005 1206702 0 Michael