Enjoying a bowl of soup from Infinite Soups is a Tacoma right of passage. A few years back co-owners Todd, Wendy & Laura set out to count the number of soups they have created over the years, somewhere around 800, they lost count. ” I use to get busted for playing with my food, now I get paid for it” Todd shared with us in regards to how they come up with their recipes. He likens their process for soup creation to playing with legos.
We sat down with Todd to learn more about the history and inspiration behind Tacoma’s favorite soup spot. If you have spent any time around either of their locations, you know that music plays a big part in their experience. Before we began our conversation, Todd put on a Soundgarden record on his portable record player to set the tone.
Founded 15 years ago, Todd & Wendy got their start in the food business by working a corporate account at the Tacoma News Tribune. While the duo provided soups, salads & sandwiches, their soups really got people excited. Seeing an opportunity, Todd & Wendy decided to focus on soups alone and got a booth at the Tacoma Farmers Market. By their third week of the market, they repeatedly sold out. Shortly after, Infinite Soups open their doors on Tacoma Avenue.
The Infinite Soups business’s plan is simple, feed everyone. Since their inception, they have put a massive emphasis on providing options for various dietary restrictions and preferences. From vegetarian to vegan, lactose to gluten-free. ” If you can think of it, we have made it,” says Todd. We asked him how many bowls of soup they have sold, and he says “hundreds of thousands. It’s been a lot of lids on containers and a lot of smiles.” Todd says he has seen couples of their first date turn to newlyweds. Newlyweds turn to parents, and those children enter high school.
While the pandemic has impacted their business by nearly 30%, Todd says of Infinite Soups, “we were born for this moment.” It’s been in their business model to offer their product to-go, adapting to the current environment second nature. Their Downtown Tacoma location in Courthouse Square opened 5 years ago and is ran by Laura, who’s worked in the family business her entire adult life. The downtown location serves the downtown office crowd. While offices are still not fully open, Infinite Soups still reigns true as a lunchtime favorite.
What are you waiting for? Check their menu here and head down to one of two locations today!
Infinite Soups 445 Tacoma Avenue Monday-Friday 11am-7pm. Saturday 11am-5:00pm 253-274-0232
Infinite Soups (Downtown) 1102 A Street Tacoma, WA 98402 Monday-Friday 11:00am-5:00pm
