Tony Roma's Potato Soup

Steve Jones gave us this recipe at the beach reunion. He got it from Tony Roma’s when he worked there. Mom made a few changes.
6-8 potatoes cubed fine
1-2 onions chopped finely
3-4 stalks celery finely chopped
3-4 cloves fresh garlic grated or pressed
1/2 - 3/4 cup flour
1 cube butter
1 qt. Half and Half
1 tsp. Tabasco sauce
2-3 Tbsp chicken bouillon
pepper and salt to taste

Place chopped vegetables (except 1./2 of the onion) and enough water to cover them in a stock pot along with bouillon and boil them until tender. Then add potatoes and enough extra water to barely cover them and bring to a boil; then reduce to simmer until potatoes are just barely tender (still slightly firm). In the meantime while potatoes are cooking, saute 1/2 of the onions in butter until golden and tender (this adds a more roasted onion flavor to soup) Then add flour to hot butter and onions and using a wire whisk, stir until thick and pasty. Then pour pan of Water and vegetables all at once into thick paste, bring to a boil or bubble while stirring and simmer for about 10-15 min. on low to mix the flavors. Garnish with fresh bacon pieces, green onions & cheese.