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When the temperatures dip, few things are as comforting as a bowl of caramelized onions, beef broth, crusty bread and cheese. French onion soup is a seasonal favorite for a reason, and after centuries of slurping it, chefs are experimenting with the dish's possibilities. At restaurants around Philly, diners can now order French onion soup not in a bowl but inside a dumpling or spread across a pizza. The recipe's basic components have also been reinterpreted into meatloaf, crepes and even burgers. Here's where to find each French onion soup food that's not actually soup, and what to expect from these cheesy mutants: Couple who helped to turn Gayborhood into thriving business district honored in Out Magazine Continental Midtown 1801 Chestnut St. The longtime Stephen Starr restaurant Continental Midtown is no stranger to food mash-ups. Customers can order short rib bao buns and esquites fries off the menu — or, if they're craving a contained beef broth, French onion soup dumplings. The appetizer comes with six dumplings, topped with melted Gruyère cheese and served in an escargot dish. Dough Head Pizza 833 Wharton St. The French onion pie at Dough Head Pizza might not be soupy, but it has the essence of the original. Mozzarella, ricotta and Romano cheeses are piled onto a 16-inch crispy crust with roasted garlic and sliced and caramelized red onions. The South Philly shop promises a "flavor bomb you didn't expect." Bud & Marilyn's 1234 Locust St. How do you make a French onion soup meatloaf? Bud & Marilyn's turns the classic dish inside out. The melted cheese — fontina and Gruyère — is stuffed into the loaf, while the caramelized onion gravy goes on top. The entree also comes with garlic mashed potatoes, peas and carrots. 1200 S. 21st St. Food influencers flocked to this Point Breeze restaurant in 2023 when word spread about their French onion soup dumplings. The appetizer features four fried dumplings swimming in a soupy base, with melted Gruyère on top. Bar Lesieur 1523 Sansom St. Crepes are the vehicle for French onion soup at Bar Lesieur. The Schulson Collective restaurant prepares them with chives and Gruyère, plus a red wine jus to add a bit of beefy flavor. Humpty's Dumplings 277 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside There's no longer a Humpty's in Fishtown, but the shop in Glenside is still serving dumplings with unique fillings — including a French onion soup flavor. Like all of Humpty's dumplings, they're deep-fried and come in orders of six. Unlike most French onion soup foods, however, this one is vegetarian-friendly. Bonus chain choice Shake Shack Follow Kristin & PhillyVoice on Twitter: @kristin_hunt | @thePhillyVoice Like us on Facebook: PhillyVoice Have a news tip? Let us know.
