I think that a communal dish is the way to go. Those mussels in broth that you eat and dip bread in the liquid are great- something to do with your hands, one big bowl, and small bites so no cutting and long chewing.

Are you making the soup or eating out? If you are making it - sopa de tomate y frijoles is so much better than it should be, you just take an onion, few dried peppers (Ancho are good) can of pinto beans, can of tomatoes, broth of whatever variety. Soak peppers, blend everything including the raw onion, season, cook by simmering on the stove. Tastes even better if you then refrigerate and reheat it the next day. Toppings - crumbly cheese, tortilla chips, pumpkin seeds, sliced scallion greens, pickled jalapenos.