In February 1980, Walter Nathan Harby opened Nathan’s Old Fashioned Soups. Known for its hearty, homemade soups, the trendy Park Ave restaurant earned a reputation as Rochester’s go-to soup destination, with lunchtime lines stretching out the door.

In 2007, with his love of cooking and friendly nature, Rick Torcello, purchased the beloved restaurant from the Harby family, renaming it to Nathan’s Soup and Salad. Keeping the over 40 original recipes, Rick added a few family treasures. One standout is Grandma’s Italian Wedding Soup, a cherished recipe from Rick’s mother-in-law. “People tell me it’s the best Italian Wedding Soup they’ve ever had, so we offer it every day,” Rick says.

Today, Nathan’s still offers the same comfort classics: homemade soups, crisp green salads, and generously overstuffed sandwiches. Their signature cheese breads are baked fresh daily, and the menu has evolved to meet modern tastes, featuring plant-based, gluten-free, and dairy-free options.

What began as a one-man operation has grown into a thriving, family-run business. With Rick’s sons now involved, Nathan’s has transitioned from its original location to the Genesee Valley Regional Market, where it serves dine-in and take-out customers. It also operates as a USDA-inspected production facility, distributing soups to the University of Rochester, the Taste of Rochester (located at the airport), the Finger Lakes Welcome Center, local hospitals, and other small businesses. Nathan’s even supplies a local cancer center with fresh soups and breads every day.

Beyond retail and wholesale, Nathan’s offers catering services and operates as a certified co-packer for small food businesses, meaning some of the sauces you find at area restaurants and grocers are made right in their kitchen.

You can also grab a bowl at the RIT Student Alumni Union, where Nathan’s has become a favorite among students. With the slogan “Comfort in a Cup,” lovingly coined by Rick’s wife, Nathan’s Soup and Salad continues to live up to its legacy. Known as “A Rochester Tradition,” the business remains committed to quality food, friendly service, and strong community values.