Betty's Soup Kitchen

While in Sydney, students hunting for meal bargains often come across some very nice places. Betty's Soup Kitchen, located on Oxford Street a few blocks east of Hyde Park, was an excellent find. A group of us went along and the place was cozy and charming, with a picture of the founder, Betty Ehrlich, looking over the diners. The restaurant accommodated our group quite well, even treating one of the students who had come with little money to a dinner at no cost. Meals are simple: soup, pasta, shepherd's pies. There is a salad bar as well, and a very tasty bread comes free to the table. Prices are very good: soup begins at $7.50, and I saw nothing on the menu over $20. I had a very generous nacho plate for around $11. Like most tex-mex dishes I have sampled in Australia, it was much sweeter than what an American would expect, but as long as one refrains from the comparison, it was very tasty. The service was friendly and homely, reminding me of diners like Cozy Corner here in Elmira, New York, or Frank's in Kenosha, Wisconsin. We were there on a Thursday night, so I do not know the traffic they get at other times, though I suspect that they get waiting lines like Frank's does at certain times. So, for future reference to students and others spending time in Sydney: check out Betty's Soup Kitchen, 84 Oxford Street in Darlinghurst, phone 02-9360-9698. With good simple food, excellent prices, and pleasant service, it's a great value for the budget traveller. 30/05/2011