Soup’s Up in Farmville!

“A soup like this is not the work of one man. It is the result of a constantly refined tradition.
There are nearly a thousand years of history in this soup.” 
— Willa Cather

As the weather grows colder and the joy and light of the holiday season starts to recede, we all need something to warm our hearts this winter. What’s better than a hot, flavorful bowl of homemade soup? 

Whether you’re looking for chowders or broths, chilis or bisques, Farmville has homemade soups that will warm your body and your soul. Many of our beloved recipes have been perfected over the years to balance heat and spice with flavor. As Willa Cather says, there are many years of history in our soups. 

So, during this cold winter season, celebrate National Homemade Soup Day in Farmville with us. Try classy or hearty, delicate or spicy. Test out some of the best we have to offer and take some home with you too! Satisfaction guaranteed.

Charley’s Crab Soup

Charley’s Waterfront Cafe is a one-of-a-kind destination in Farmville. Perched at the edge of the Appomattox, Charley’s offers waterfront dining, live music, date night specials, and a wine bar that will satisfy even the most sophisticated palettes (half-priced wine Mondays, anyone?). 

All of Charley’s soups are homemade, but the star of the show? Roasted red pepper crab soup. 

Charley’s has been dishing out crab soup for almost 20 years, and they work hard to keep up with the demand — lately, they’ve been selling about 30 gallons per week! You can purchase by the cup, by the bowl, or even by the quart to go. Customers rave about this soup, saying that it melts in your mouth and is “absolutely killer.” 

Owners Tommy Graziano and John Magin created the crab soup recipe years ago. They paired sweet roasted red peppers with fresh crabmeat, blended it with cream, and spiced it to perfection. When asked what the secret ingredient is, the owners are firm: “As far as secrets go, we will have to keep them to ourselves.” No wonder this soup is in such high demand!

Miller’s Chili & Brunswick Stew

A trip to Miller’s Country Store (2737 West 3rd Street) is like a step back in time to get a hot, home-cooked meal to go. This old-fashioned country store is known for its family recipes, tweaked to perfection. 

When you visit Miller’s, make sure to try their traditional, southern Brunswick stew with its savory broth, available on Wednesdays. Or, test the chili, chock-full of spicy goodness and available Thursdays. Their popular navy bean and ham soup is hot throughout the week and offers a warm, hearty meal in one bowl. 

Whatever you do, make sure to get your soup orders in early! Miller’s makes 15 gallons of the Brunswick stew and chili, which is mostly gone by the end of the day. You can purchase cups, pints, or quarts to take home with you. Don’t forget to grab a few cornbread muffins for the side. Baked fresh on Thursdays, the muffins are also available by request throughout the week — just ask behind the counter.

Bill’s Chili at One19

Known for its southwestern, Tex-Mex-influenced cuisine, One19 hits the mark for some of the best chili in town. Owner Bill McKay has been cooking up pots of his famous chili for almost 30 years, perfecting his recipe along the way. Fun fact? Around 20 years ago, Bill’s chili placed in the Virginia state championship.

Bill has always loved chili, and his trick of sauteing spices before adding beef and tomatoes helps bring out the oils in the seasonings, enhancing the flavor. Bill shares that in Texas, there used to be a rule that if it had beans it wasn’t chili. His response? “We’re not in Texas.” 

At $6 a bowl, Bill’s famous chili — served up with a spicy sidekick of jalapeno cornbread — will warm you right up. So, head down to Main Street to check out One19’s “tastefully off-center approach.” While you’re there, try a salsa flight or one of the 119 different tequilas and mezcals featured on the drink menu — after all, it’s what One19 is named for!

The Soup-of-the-Day at Uptown Coffee Cafe

One of Farmville’s small-town coffee shops, Uptown Coffee Cafe, has been a local gathering place since 2014. At lunchtime, you’ll often see the college crowd taking a study break or some of Main Street’s business owners stopping in for a lunch meeting. Uptown’s soup is perfect for a warm pick-me-up alongside a creamy latte.

One of the best parts of Uptown’s soup menu is the variety. With numerous soups rotating daily, you can try it all. Grab a cup of tomato basil soup and the adult grilled cheese sandwich for a childhood throwback all classed up. Or, pair the corn crab chowder, a customer favorite, with a grilled chicken salad. Uptown offers chicken noodle soup, chili, and roasted red pepper soup as well (this one goes fast)! It’s the perfect place to come in from the cold, relax, and have a bite.

Chili at Pineview Bulk Food and Deli

Pineview Bulk Food and Deli sits on an old country road right outside Farmville. The Amish-run store is a staple for many Prince Edward County residents. Stop by around noon, and you’ll see a line winding from the deli counter to the front of the store as people spend their lunch break ordering the best soups and sandwiches around. One of the most popular picks? Pineview’s chili.

Owner Omer Petersheim’s wife, Sarah, makes the chili, which is spiced to perfection and loaded with ground beef, beans, and tomato sauce. Buy it by the bowl — or the quart if you can’t get enough! It’s the perfect hearty meal to warm up for an afternoon outdoors. 

While you’re there, try other Pineview customer favorites like the lobster bisque and the shrimp and corn chowder. Sweet tooth? Pick up some baked goods to take home for later: pumpkin rolls, cinnamon buns, or a classic whoopie pie are all great choices.  

 

So come on down to Farmville to soak up some homemade goodness! If you happen to be here on Friday, February 4, National Homemade Soup Day, show us some love by tagging your favorite soup in town with #NationalHomeadeSoupDay #FindItInFarmville and spread the warmth as we all look forward to the longer days and lighter evenings ahead.