Eat This Now: Tortilla Soup at Ixtapa Fine Mexican Cuisine

Tortilla Soup at Ixtapa Fine Mexican Cuisine // Photo by Sarah Sipple

Ixtapa is one of those restaurants that I stumbled upon one day in the Northland. After a simple dinner, I was ready to tell everyone I knew about it. Then I exited through the breezeway and noticed what was on the wall:

Plaques and framed headlines covered the entryway, touting “Best of KC” wins spanning decades. No friends needed to be told. I was the one missing out.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed a variety of dishes here, such as the tacos camellitos (vegetarian tacos), taquitos, and the salsa–though it is very thin. But nothing stands out like the tortilla soup ($9.99). When I’m craving a bright chicken soup, this is it. Only Ixtapa can meet the need.

There’s an ironic twist to this tortilla soup. There are no tortillas involved. I have ordered it three times, and never has it been served with tortilla strips. It does, however, contain large chunks of chicken that look and taste as fresh as if it came straight from a coop out back. Yet chicken is not listed in the menu description. 

Taquitos at Ixtapa Fine Mexican Cuisine // Photo by Sarah Sipple

This dish fits into my made-up category of “healing soups.” The warmth is comforting; the broth is soothing and savory without overt saltiness. Vegetables add pops of color and nutrients. Chunks of avocado fit easily into a spoonful and add a decadent texture. Last but not least, the chicken adds protein with large, tender pieces of light and dark meat. 

I can’t seem to finish this large bowl of soup in one sitting, and the leftovers keep well. At home, I add a pinch of cayenne pepper to spice it up. 

Keep this soup in mind when your insides (and maybe your soul) need to warm up this winter.

Ixtapa Fine Mexican Cuisine is located at 7103 NW Barry Rd, Kansas City, MO 64153 and 7305 W 95th St, Overland Park, KS 66212.