S & J Bakery and Cafe

Is this a business or a hobby? We go to the market early on Saturdays (8:00 AM) to shop and have a bite. Over the past month (including this past Saturday) at 8:15 or so, the display case at S&J has been bare and they did not have my favorite — the goetta Danish. I thought bakers got up early to get their goods ready for the day.
So I need to ask — is this business a bakery or a part time hobby for a baker?

After moving back to my hometown, I had a wonderful little jaunt around Findlay Market, and bumped into an old friend. It was lunch time, and he recommended visiting S&J. It’s a cute bakery with café offerings. I got a Wurst Brot sandwich and a Moerlein beer while I watched the gross rain fall outside.
The cashier was very nice and helpful, and my food came out quickly. The highlight was actually the salad dressing — cilantro pepita dressing. It was awesome. I want to go back just for the dressing. I had high hopes for the Wurst Brot sandwich since it had sausage (yum), sauerkraut (Yum), cheese (Yum!), on pretzel bread (YUM-​O). Unfortunately, it was slightly disappointing because it was obviously pre-​made and not reheated thoroughly. I’m not against pre-​made sandwiches — I get it, you gotta do what you gotta do to get things out of the kitchen fast when staffing seems to be short. But an unevenly heated sandwich of this type can get pretty unfortunate when the sausage and cheese are cold and chewy in some spots.
This review would have definitely been 5 stars if the sandwich had been a bit better. I’d definitely go again though, but I might try something different.

This review starts and ends with what I consider a signature pastry that may not get a lot of play in the food circuit. We’re talking about the goetta danish, before you gross out, imagine a slightly sweet, flaky danish with just the right amounts of icing and crumbles on top. Just the way you like it, then add the slightly savory flavor of the goetta, and you’ve got a sweet salty treat that makes for another one of my odd cravings. Seriously, this place is comfortable, with a few tables, but their bakery side, in my opinion, is the strong side. (LEFT SIDE!)
order it, it’s one of my top 10 snack experiences of the city.

As usual with the weekends, Findlay Market was crazy busy this Saturday. We tried to stop for lunch at Phở Lang Thang, but they were on a 90 minute wait. I can’t imagine waiting an hour and a half for lunch anywhere, so we reluctantly moved on. After crossing through to the other side of Findlay, we decided to try Skirtz and Johnston. I’ve purchased some of their sweet treats before but had never tried their lunch offerings. I had the Italian sandwich, and it was delicious! They offered chips or salad for the side, and I went with the salad. Usually, these salad ‘sides’ are worthless, looking more like horse food than human food. Thankfully, S+J’s side salad broke that trend. It was doused with sprouts and had numerous chopped veggies with a greek vinaigrette on the side. I found myself almost favoring the salad over the sandwich. The atmosphere was a nice quiet retreat set away from the bustling mayhem of the market. It might have been my first visit there, but it won’t be my last.

The bread and the cupcakes are worth making a trip down to findlay market. I promise you will too will be a fan once you stop by skirtz and Johnston so walk but do not run and pick up some bread or some nice bakery goods!

A hidden gem.
DO:
–Mini macrons!
DON’T:
–N/​A
PARKING:
–Findlay paid lots
–Street parking (some are free)
I always forget about this awesome little bakery at the southern end of Findlay Market. They have all sorts of baked goods ranging from loaves to individual macrons. The workers are usually very helpful and patient. There are also plenty of seats if you want to lounge while enjoying your treats. Definitely a hidden gem of Findlay, especially if you want to just sit and relax outside of the actual market.

Skirtz and Johnston is good for a quick drink (my favorite is lemonade in the summer and iced chai all other seasons), a cookie (I support a thumbprint or snicker doodle), a scone (all are great!), tasty loafs of bread, OR a good olé’ fashioned lunch.
They serve sandwiches (farm with fresh chicken and pulled pork some highlights for me), salads on the side with tasty dressing (try the tahini), and I have to say their biscuit and egg sandwich is really sturdy, delicious, and amazing.
The variety in offerings and uses is really what sets Skirtz and Johnston aside for me. In addition, the staff is very friendly and helpful, and while they are tucked away in the context of the market, it’s worth seeking out their cute spot and checking out their offerings. For lunch, a drink, or other goodies to go. And seriously, try that egg and biscuit dish… tasty!

I’ve ordered cakes from S&J on several occastions now and they truly can’t be beat. For half the price of some of the other (self proclaimed) foodie approved bakeries in the city, you get a stellar product. Seriously, check these guys out for your next cake need. You’ll be pleaseantly floored by the taste and the price!

It was like walking into a pastry shop in Paris! The sweet yumminess in the window will tempt you to come in, only to realize they have regular food too! My husband and I split a sandwich and each got a dessert.
The food was delicious and the price was unbeatable! They have a Goetta Danish that we’re dying to try, but they were out of it. Next time, we will get there early!
Can’t wait to go back!

Warm, friendly. Giant group table made of rustic wood. Fresh made bagels!
Cannoli I had was good and not sickeningly sweet.

The only thing I can say about Skirtz and Johnston is that you have GOT to come here and get a chocolate mousse tart with a raspberry on top. Tiny and ferociously delicious. The first time I had one I told my sister not to speak until I was done enjoying it with my eyes closed. It’s that good.
They have other yummy treats in the bakery and they have a delightful little lunch menu. Their salads are yum and their Caprese sandwich is just great. A nice little gem in Findlay Market.

This place has a great combination of factors that keep us coming back. 1) The food is great (at least the sandwiches and the cannolis). 2) The setting inside the restaurant is pretty put together. Even though it’s in Findlay Market in the middle of cracktown USA, I like that I can grab lunch and do some shopping too. 3) The price of the meal is great considering the high food quality. I think my wife and I got salads and sandwiches and a cannoli for $ 15!
The skirt steak sandwhich was super juicy and flavorful. They didn’t skimp on the steak either. They have some excellent salad dressing choices too. One’s cilantro something and another tahini. Both killer. I have to learn how to make em at home.

Mmmmm-​mazing!
The staff at S&J is what keeps me coming back; the baked goods are just icing on the cake! Every time I shop here, I am greeted like an old friend. The clerk always has free samples of homemade bread to offer, and if something is fresh off the candy rack, you may get to sample that too.
The desserts here are always rotating; of course everything is just as delicious as its predecessors. I’m in love with their pumpkin cupcakes with creamy icing. I’ve heard their chocolate covered raspberries have led customers to faint in delight! Many compliments on the white chocolate raspberry cannolis too. The cannoli shell is firm and contains the filling, but is still delectable to eat. Inside is a smooth blend of raspberries and vanilla flavors.
Every food business should model themselves after Skirtz & Johnston: delicious specialty tastes and a genuine, inviting staff.

Ok, any store that sells goetta basked desserts is going to be OK with me.
This relatively new bakery in Findlay Market has quickly become one of the go-​to-​spots for homemade baked goods. If you need it, and you need it to be delicious, this is where you should check out.
Now, I’m torn, because their baked goods are amazing — flaky and delicious and really near-​perfect. I’ve tried random things like cannolis, breads of all kinds and, yes, goetta sweets and they’ve been amazing. I love them as I love delicious thing that goes in my belly.
However, their meals I’ve never been sold on. They offer a few lunch items and I’ve tried a bunch of them now — sandwiches and other savory items — and it’s just not overwhelmed. In fact, I’ve actually been relatively disappointed with every lunch I’ve ever gotten there.
Still, for baked goods, it’s a Cincinnati great. A cute shop with a counter in the first room and some tables to your left to sit and eat if you wish. It’s a spot to certainly check out and take a break from the hustle and bustle of Findlay.

Well… the baguette was good. A bit too much flour on the outside and the crust was not as crusty as I prefer but a nice chewy texture inside and great flavor make it a decent alternative if another (ahem) particular Findlay Market baker has run out of baguette. If you don’t make it to the Market by 9 a.m. on a Saturday, this is most certainly the case so just hightail it to Skirtz and Johnston before they run out of baguette (and that too is sure to happen before noon).
This is one baguette lovin’ town.
In other news, the Skirtz and Johnston CANNOLI puts most Italian grandmothers’ cannolis to shame. No joke. Their traditional cannoli is friggin’ phenomenal. The pastry tube is flaky, the filling is spiced so beautifully with… nutmeg? cinnamon? Whatever it is, it’s beyond fantastic. And their pistachio cannoli? Forget about it. Makes my toes curl just thinking about how divinely delicious it is. I actually debated typing up this review because I don’t want anyone to beat me to the cannoli. What can I say, I’m a late riser and a glutton to boot.
Long story, short: Leave the baguette, take the cannoli.

Skirtz and Johnston has such a great feel! Eat-​in if you have the time! Every one that works here is friendly and very patient. Patience is necessary from the staff because it takes a while to decide which one of the amazing treats I’m in the mood for. It’s likely that I will change my mind 3 or 4 times before settling on the pistachio cannoli again. The pistachio cannoli is just so amazing it’s hard to pass up!
Hint: If you work downtown it’s a quick trip over to Findlay Market during the day to pick up some treats for your team @ Skirtz and Johnston. I know my coworkers are much more agreeable when cupcakes, cannoli, and chocolate is involved! :)

Love Findlay Market, and all the fabulous finds there! This is one of them.
S & J is a fantastic bakery, as well as a sandwich place. Nothing I’ve had has disappointed me yet!
I’ve stopped by in the morning for coffee and a bagel to eat while I shop – great. I’ve had both the bistro steak and pulled pork sandwiches, which are fantastic. I’ve had assorted baked goods from the window – wonderful. The service is always with a smile.
The only problem is that they are on the «less used» side of the market, so sometimes I forget about them… but then I remember and go back in and don’t forget for a while!

Great pastries, chocolates and sandwiches!
I have had the Bistro Steak Sandwich and the Pulled Pork Sandwich and both are wonderul! The portions are huge and the prices are VERY reasonable at $ 6.75.
The traditional & raspberry canonoli and bread pudding are excellent! They always have varying items, which is a nice surprise. This past weekend they had a pistachio cannoli and cinnamon truffles!
The inside dining is bright, spacious and open. Their service is always friendly and fast!
WELL DONE!

I’d ordered a variety of custom cakes from these folks, even before the store opened, and I was used to amazing product. As the store took off, the cakes were of a lesser quality, but they were still good. And then after I’d ordered a custom cake months in advance, confirmed it weeks in advanced, I was informed two hours AFTER it was due to be delivered that it wouldn’t be – they’d just gotten too busy. That was a disappointing birthday for someone and an end to my relationship with Skirtz and Johnston.

My friend and I were on a very important search for cupcakes, when our Unilocal app suggested we look to Skirtz and Johnston. Well I had to check their pastry case to see if I could feed my habit. We walked in to the shop, a small front room to purchase items and a side area for sitting (it was in use by a private party so I could not check it out).
My eye was immediately drawn to their fresh baked bread, it looked absolutely fantastic. If we were preparing sandwiches, I would have purchased a loaf. Looking at the baked goods I was sad to find that they didn’t offer any cupcakes this particular day. Since there weren’t that many options, we selected a mint chocolate chip cake enrobed in chocolate. When cutting into the cake, it was as described, a mint green color that you would expect from ice cream. The cake was so so, but the chocolate surrounding it was delicious.
Their other baked goods looked scrumptious, but I held back (trying to be «healthy» and all). I’d definitely have to return to taste some of their bread and other prepared food.