Dining out: Zupas

Luckily for me — I love soup — the kids ordered two more varieties with their meals. Zupas' children's menu is a great deal, serving up either a panini-grilled cheese sandwich or chicken fingers, a small cup of soup, drink and a plump chocolate-dipped strawberry for $3.99.

We ordered two meals between our three young girls, and they were well-fed indeed, especially by their soups. One was a sharp and creamy Wisconsin cauliflower soup made with both Cheddar and pepper Jack cheeses, the other a slightly chunky and vibrantly flavored tomato-basil soup. My 3-year-old ate it with a spoon and used it as a dip for her chicken fingers, and it was fine both ways.

Then came dessert. Zupas offers shareable portions of either fondue or make-your-own s'mores. We ordered the chocolate fondue. After a server set down bowls of melted chocolate suspended over votive candles, we speared fresh bananas, strawberries, pineapple, Granny Smith apples, tiny brownies, marshmallows and chunks of Rice Krispies treats and swirled them in the thick, sweet milk chocolate. Of course, you can order things like chocolate-covered strawberries or cookies, but it's hard to beat fondue for finishing your meal with a flourish.

Salads $4.99-$6.99, soups $3.99-$5.99, sandwiches $4.99-$6.99, combinations $7.99-$11.98, kids' meals $3.99, desserts 79 cents-$17.99.

Rating: ***

Where: 64 E. 12300 South, Draper (also 408 W. 2230 North, Provo)

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Closed Sunday

Payment: Checks, credit cards accepted

Phone: 542-7020 (in Provo, 801-377-7687)

Web: www.zupas.com

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Stacey Kratz is a freelance writer who reviews restaurants for the Deseret Morning News. E-mail: skratz@desnews.com