Photo: Jose Rios.

Jose Rios wanted to tell the 3o or so people attending the Belmont Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on Monday, July 13, at the Belmont Gallery of Art how he runs Spoodles Soup Factory, his eatery/take out in Foxboro.

But Board Chair Eric Smith cut him short. Without air conditioning, the third floor in the Homer Building was about as hot one of Rios’ five-alarm chili bowls.

The interruption did not indicate any trouble the board had with the special permit Rios was applying for to open his second outlet at 374 Trapelo Rd. adjacent the Studio Cinema in the former home of Cafe Burrito. In fact, the application was approved unanimously by the ZBA Monday. 

Unlike the memorable character on “Seinfeld” who would find multiple reasons not to serve you soup, Rios is looking for ways to get customers to come back time and again to take his soup.

“I will bring back old-fashion customer service, where my employees will take the time and answer every question to guarantee you’ll enjoy what you pay for,” the Grafton resident told the Belmontonian. 

The restaurant, open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., will serve fresh salads, wraps and sandwiches along with a variety of soups and chili from the staples such as chicken noodle to the adventurous chipotle sweet potato or chicken enchilada. 

The 768 square-foot location will have 13 seats and employ five employees.

Rios, who started his first eatery in West Newton 33 years ago, said he is looking to open by the first week in September when the weather gets cooler and school is back in session. 

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