Ask readers about their favorite chicken soups and they tend to fall into two categories: the Jewish penicillin that is matzoh ball soup, and the lemony Greek classic avgolemono. D.C. actually has a variety of chicken soup standouts, whether it be classic renditions, ethnic spins like Pho Ga, or the aforementioned versions. Here are some of the standouts.
Read MoreEater's Cold-Curing Chicken Soup Guide
Soup Up
This soup stand within Union Market has several varieties of chicken soup among its rotating flavors. One reader favorite is the Jamaican-style Stewed Chicken & Roasted Fresh Vegetables Soup w/ Dumplings.
Greek Deli & Catering
Lines can reach out the door for this downtown lunch spot, which specializes in avgolemono.
Pho 75
The Pho Ga soup at Pho 75 has a mix of white and dark meat chicken, along with rice noodles and the traditional Pho accompaniments.
DGS Delicatessen
DGS sells even more of its matzoh ball soup during cold and flu season.
Woodside Delicatessen
This Wheaton deli offers both a classic chicken noodle soup and a matzoh ball soup.
Yia Yia's Kitchen
Readers recommend the avgolomeno at this Beltsville restaurant.
Bub and Pop's
If the soup of the day is matzoh ball soup at Bub and Pop's, give it a try.
Super Chicken
Super Chicken's chicken soup has its flaws - they use skin-on chicken that's still on the bone, so getting to the meat is a process - but there's something about that spicy broth.
Celebrity Delly
Celebrity Delly has a salty, satisfying version of matzoh ball soup spiked with noodles. The restaurant has a traditional chicken noodle as well.
Chutzpah
Chutzpah has a traditional chicken noodle soup, a Matzoh ball soup and a chicken soup made with kreplach, sort of a wonton/ravioli hybrid.
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Cafe Carvy
This unassuming sandwich shop gets props from some for its traditional chicken noodle soup with freshly carved meat.
Ted's Bulletin
Ted's boasts that it has the "world's best chicken noodle." That might be strong, but they do serve up a respectable version of the classic soup (multiple locations).
Toki Underground
It might not taste like grandma's, but the Taipei curry chicken ramen soup at Toki Underground is still worth trying.
Parkway Deli & Restaurant
Parkway's a source for a classic matzoh ball soup, and they also offer a version without the matzoh balls.
Wagshal's on New Mexico
Matzoh ball soup can be found at Wagshal's (multiple locations).
City Diner
Homemade chicken soup is one of the standout menu items at this low-key diner.