The Original SoupMan

In "The Soup Nazi," the famous 1995 episode of Seinfeld, a sympathetic Kramer explains: "He's not a Nazi. He just happens to be a little eccentric. Most geniuses are." In fact, how many men have become world-famous for soup? Jerry Seinfeld's admission that the bisque was better than a woman helped spur such a firestorm that the lines at Soup Kitchen International were interminable. Book and franchise deals flooded in, and Ali "Al" Yeganeh eventually closed shop in 2004 to capitalize on the opportunities. He kept the lease on the original stand and reopened in July 2010 with a new name, The Original SoupMan. The daily list might include gazpacho, Italian wedding soup with meatballs and pasta, mulligatawny and lobster bisque. While spooning it, find a wall to lean against because, as Jerry said, "You can't eat this soup standing up. Your knees buckle."