No Soup for you! 'Soup Nazi' reopens in NYC

People stand in line outside The Original SoupMan location at 55th street and 8th avenue for its reopening in New York July 20, 2010. Al Yeganeh, a New York City soup vendor made famous after he inspired Seinfeld's "Soup Nazi" character, reopened his original midtown Manhattan stall on Tuesday but did not show up for the celebrations. Photograph by: Shannon Stapleton, Reuters

Michelle Nichols, Reuters July 22, 2010 NEW YORK -

A New York City soup vendor made famous after he inspired Seinfeld's "Soup Nazi" character on the popular TV show reopened his original Manhattan stall on Tuesday, but Al Yeganeh did not show up for the celebrations.For 20 years Yeganeh — who calls himself "The Original SoupMan" and detests the "Soup Nazi" character" — dished out soup with very strict rules: "Pick the soup you want! Have your money ready! Move to the extreme left after ordering!" If you did not stick to the rules: "No soup for you!"

But in 2004 Yeganeh closed the 100 square foot (9 square metre) stall on 55th street when he sold the rights to his business. He still controls the brand and his soups, which include lobster bisque, mulligatawny, crab bisque and lentil.