Gotta Try This…Moon Soup at Chalet Suzanne
What does an inn, a bowl of soup and an astronaut have in common? No, this isn’t the opening line of a joke, but serious question. Hmm…intrigued? As for the answer, well, all three have more in common than you may think. Read on to find out exactly how..
The Inn
Build it and the visitors just might come and in the case of Chalet Suzanne, they did. For over 70 years, the Swiss-style chalet property has been welcoming guests into its 30 guest rooms. Located in Lake Wales, Fla., (also home to the Historic Bok Sanctuary), Chalet Suzanne is found on State Highway 8. This isn’t your cookie-cutter-type of inn. Chalet Suzanne has its own touches and flair. There isn’t too many other places that has a Swiss Room and a Wine Dungeon. They also have their own airstrip and a soup cannery (more on this later.)
While the inn itself is nice, perhaps the property is best known for its restaurant, which has received numerous accolades. Serving breakfast, brunch and dinner, the menu feature many gourmet dishes, as well as their signature Romaine soup (remember the cannery?)
If you had to choose one thing that sets Chalet Suzanne apart from other inns, it would have to be their on-site soup cannery. The soups actually began over 50 years ago in the owner’s son’s garage. Today, not only can you purchase any (or all) of the 16 different soups that include Watercress and Orange Aspic, but also can tour the cannery.
The Soup and The Astronaut
So, now you know a little about the inn. Time to learn more about the soups, specifically the Romaine soup. It’s a spinach and mushroom soup that features over 18 secret herbs and spices. It was this dish (soup bowl) that caught the attention of Apollo astronaut Jim Irwin. A frequent visitor to the restaurant, he was instrumental in getting the soup served at Kennedy’s training center. He also recommended the soup to be served on the Apollo 15 mission.
Well, long story short, the soup, along with Vichyssoise and Seafood Mushroom soups, were sent to NASA in Houston to undergo testing to make sure that it met their (NASA) nutritional requirements for astronauts. The soups passed and went into space with Colonel Irwin’s crew. The Romaine soup would make two additional trips on the Apollo 16 and the Apollo-Soyuz. Soon after, the soup earned the nickname, “Moon Soup.” 
And the Rest of the Story
Today, you can still try a bowl at the inn, purchase it speciality shops and museums (including the Smithsonian Institution Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.), or at Chalet Suzanne’s gift shop.
You Know What You Have To Do
So, when you find yourself in Central Florida and in the mood to stop somewhere away from the attractions, consider a stop at Chalet Suzanne. You won’t be disappointed.
Photo credits: (top) Chalet Suzanne, flickr, creative commons by J.A. Campbell; (bottom) Moon Soup, courtesy of Chalet Suzanne.
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POSTED IN: Gotta Do This, Small Towns to Visit, Southern Byways, Southern Food, Things to See in Florida, Vacation, Weekend Trip, bed and breakfasts and inns, road trip
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