Café Zupas is newer to Syracuse and a beautiful addition to the food scene. The staff is very friendly and on top of their tasks. Obviously, being new it’s very clean, but the open design letting me see into the kitchen as they prepared my food offers a lot of confidence that what I am going to eat is super fresh. Having a drive-through option for something more selective than your average, “want fries with that,” menu is really exciting.

It may seem a very pedestrian choice to order a basic protein-based sandwich, but the brisket grilled cheese is NOT your average meat and bun offering. I ordered mine with ciabatta bread, and the roll offered a nice harmony with a slightly firm shape to hold the loose protein of shredded brisket. The melted muenster and smoked gouda paired perfectly with the white BBQ sauce to offer a savory and tangy treat with every bite. It was so rich with flavor. I don’t normally enjoy tomato on a burger because, in some fast-food offerings, it seems to add a wet circle of mush—but this was crisp and a perfect complement to the totally perfect sandwich that is the brisket grilled cheese. Very filling and has lots of options to complete your meal.

I added a side cup of chicken enchilada chili which is advertised as a low-calorie, keto-friendly soup option. The corn tortilla chips were served as a crisp side, so they don’t get soggy while you enjoy other parts of your meal, which was something I appreciated. The mix of fire-roasted corn, black beans, and tomato was paired perfectly with the grilled chicken. I could have enjoyed this as a main dish as it was very good. Most entrees even come with a chocolate-dipped strawberry for a classy finish.

I highly recommend this sandwich and soup combo. Café Zupas is a little bit more from your wallet than a trip to a place with a mascot and a prize in the kid’s meal, but the quality of food shows in a lingering taste you hope never leaves your mouth.

– The Syracuse Spoon

The Syracuse Spoon is an anonymous passionate foodie with an appetite to eat locally. Like food reviewers everywhere it is just one opinion. Syracuse Spoon, your identity is as safe as the location of Santa’s workshop.