Sandy’s Books and Bakery

This place is the best! The girls behind the counter are so sweet. Great coffee and we still dream of the paradise bar! We stumbled in while on vacation and couldn’t be happier. We can’t wait to be back again. Enjoy perusing the books while starting your day off right.

Hardly anybody reads books anymore. Of those that do, most read them on a «device». Or, like me, borrow them from «libraries». Either way, bookstores need an edge to survive.
Sandy’s has not one but three edges; 1) its book selection is fantastic, funky and extensive, having entire shelves devoted to weird categories you’ve never even heard of but are sure to get you to linger a while. The interior is welcoming, with a layout in keeping with its having been converted from a two-​story house, bookshelves filling the space; even the hallways. Absolutely no mildew smell, a characteristic of some lesser bookstores (’cause nobody’s buying the books).
2) Their café, with offerings that are diverse and eclectic. You can get coffee (locally roasted) and a little sweet to go with it, a breakfast item, lunch sandwiches, salads, soups, and probably more. Even alcoholic beverages, to include beer, wine, hard cider, and mead. Everything looked really good, and I would have loved to try some of the baked goods; they looked rustic, nutritious, and yummy.
3): Regularly scheduled musical events. Browse for weird books, have a coffee and a snack, and listen to local music all at the same time; how cool is that?
But we were only passing through and just came for a quick lunch. We ordered at the counter. The staff was friendly and exuded a youthful hip vibe: funky earrings, misplaced piercings, ben&Jerry’s tee shirts. I had a bowl of soup. In keeping with the pattern here, these were offered in an eclectic variety. Mine was a Manhattan Fish Chowder: tomato-​based with flaked white fish and vegetables in a hearty broth, laced with layers of aromatic seasonings. More like a stew than a traditional manhattan clam chowder. Basically perfect; my only complaint was the bread that it was served with (homemade and quite good) was buttered; leave that for the customer to do if he so desires please.
The wife ordered a grilled-​cheese sandwich with apple slices inside. An intriguing variation on a classic. Here’s where the problems lay. After placing our orders at the counter, we had been sitting at our table for a while and wondered what was taking so long. I went to the counter to inquire. It turns out they had completely forgotten our order! (Seriously? How does this happen? We were sitting at our table close to and within full view of the counter, and the place wasn’t exactly busy.)
After initial confusion they remembered the order, apologized, and set to work making our lunch. A few minutes later they brought a cup of tomato soup for my wife, as compensation for their mistake. Ok, a nice gesture, and appreciated, but not really sufficient in my opinion. Rather than a cup of tomato soup, they should have offered her a soup of her choosing, and it should have been a bowl, not a cup.
The grilled cheese sandwich, when it eventually arrived, was a disappointment. After all that time, it wasn’t even cooked properly: too light on one side and too dark on the other side; just a shade under burnt. And the wife was disappointed by the apple slices: green rather than red would have worked better with the cheddar.
I’d give them another chance if passing through this town again. Or, if staying close by, maybe come for a musical event. And next time — I promise — I’ll try to buy a book or two.

Sandy’s was a fortunate discovery. Taking the scenic route back to Massachusetts I decided to stop in Rochester since I’ve never been there before and I like to visit places named «Rochester» since I went to college in Rochester, NY. As soon as we parked and got out of the car, we noticed there was a bookstore across the street and made a beeline for it. Turns out it’s also a café/​bakery. The tables are scattered around the stacks which are haphazardly laid out about the first floor of an old house. There are a number of baked goods and breads to choose from as well as soups, salads, and sandwiches. Having already eaten lunch, cappuccinos and a chocolate chip cookie were our order. The cappuccinos were pretty good; they use VT Coffee Roasters beans here. The drinks just weren’t as complex as you get at a truly excellent coffeeshop. The cookie was solid, nothing to complain about there. Sandy’s has a nice porch you can eat on with a view of the mountains surrounding Rochester.
Good selection of books, drinks, and food all wrapped in an adorable old house in one of Vermont’s prettiest villages.

Good baked items. Wonderful house blended hot cocoa. Healthy lunch items. Relaxed, kickback atmosphere.

Came here twice on a recent camping trip in the green mountains. Super cute little place. Rooms and rooms of books. Shelves of homemade breads and local products. The bagels here are some of the best I’ve had in awhile. The maple breve that my friend got was so delicious. They have a menu of soups and sandwiches, as well as wine and beer. Wifi here too. I will come back if I’m in the area again.

We love Sandy’s! We just split an open-​faced tuna sandwich and a BLT and both were amazing. The chicken curry sandwich and the grilled cheese are also delicious. Only the finest ingredients and everything made in house from the bread to the mayo. Our kids love the cookies, too. Sandy will make a pie to order depending on what fruit is available. Delicious! Our family loves looking at books while we wait. We almost always find something to buy. Don’t miss this gem and be sure to get extra food for take out!

This place was gross, We stopped on our way to Plattsburgh and immediately upon opening the door there was a musty, wet smell and flies buzzing around inside. The floor and walls were filthy so we left and went to the Rochester Café across the street instead and were elated with it. Clean up your act and your store, it was disgusting.

Very cozy bookstore with a nice café that serves delicious home cooked soups. They also serve beer and wine. This is a bookstore where you can spent all day browsing books. Excellent selection of loose teas.

This place is great. They have a huge selection of dishes and sandwiches and use local ingredients.
They have fresh baked breads and bagels and excellent vermont coffee company coffee.
They don’t have anything on draft however they do have a fine bottled beer selection.
Definitely stop here for lunch if you are in Rochester.

I stopped in to see what this was all about. I loved the décor and the woman behind the counter was friendly and seemed proud to work at Sandy’s. I bought a plain macaroon which was large and fairly priced. It was good, not great. A little under cooked. I also bought a garlic bagel, which I brought home and toasted myself. Nothing special but decent.
While the food wasn’t impressive, it was fair, and the charm of the place won me over. I’ll be back.

We went there for breakfast before leaving town and it was incredible. The breakfast sandwiches were okay, but the five stars are due to an out of this world twice-​baked-​potato croissant we had. That’s right, a croissant filled with baked potato, cheese, broccoli, and heaven. I had an iced chai that was a tad lukewarm but clearly from a real tea blend – I even saw the barista pull the jar of leaves down to brew it. We also bought a fresh loaf of ciabatta and couldn’t stop eating it on our drive back to Massachusetts.
Not only is the food good, but they had a nice selection of used books available that lined the walls and made for a really cozy and pleasant atmosphere.

Yes. I live nearby, this is a good place. Coffee: A ristretto is on the menu, that should tell you enough; it’s pretty legit. Food: reasonably priced, lots of local, gluten free and vegan options, and there are many other options as well. Atmosphere too.
Better food than many other places, not even remotely pretentious.

Stopped next door to fuel up only to return to my car and find that its occupants have ran off to Sandy’s. Great cider and a wide selection of great food. All that we tried was great.

Just excellent. Great food and nice people. Had Spankotia and curried chicken sandwich. Yum

If you decide to drive Route 100 to see the foliage or going skiing, Sandy’s is a must stop spot. The service has always been great, there is one gal in particular who is the yard stick that all service should be measured against. The food is always good, sometimes not great, but the atmosphere and the service make up for it. The added bonus of getting locally grown, real food is a plus.

Sun tea made on the daily. Yes! Does this continue during the brutal winter? Does this matter? It’s happening now, and now is September. Go drink you some.
And while you’re in the quaint Rochester town hub for all things cozy, readable and freshly baked, snag a breakfast sandwich of egg, spinach and famed VT cheddar on a soft Portuguese roll/​ciabatta hybrid with a side of homefries (that includes roasted carrots) for $ 6. A premium over Rochester Café across the street, and one I’m willing to pay.
An iced chai latte is $ 3 and change, but this ain’t syrupy Oregon mix — it’s a house blend of black tea and ground spices, sweetened with local honey and frothed (at our request) with soy milk. Expect a subtle flavor inconsistent with too sugary pre-​mades. I dug.
The Earl Grey tea cookie is a little dry for a shortbread, and the french toast, while warm and autumnal, is made using fresh bread. Great if you love bread, but the moisture prevents egg saturation and that nice custardy middle you get from day-​old or slightly stale and pourous varieties. Real maple syrup? You better believe.
Beer, cider and mead poured here, because hey, it’s Tuesday morning. In Vermont. Get shnockered.

Everything here is made with love – you can feel it externally and on the inside, when the strong coffee and localvore food travels heads into your belly. Yum.

THE GREATEST BACON AND GRILLED CHEESE I’VE EVER HAD.
SERIOUSLY.
Also — it’s now called Sandy’s.
I recently took a motorcycle trip from Halifax, NS to Toronto, ON, traveling through New England for nicer roads, cheaper gas, and a side trip to Boston.
I set off from Boston on a nice Thursday morning and headed up to into Vermont, following VT-​100 up toward Burlington where I planned to stop for the night. I started getting a bit hungry not long after passing Ludlow, and thought, «Hey, Killington has loads of places…», having skied there a time or two years ago.
They do. But Killington, little did I know, is very much a winter-​only town. Nothing was open. So I pressed on and finally rolled into Rochester.
Here’s the funny part — it was the general store across the street that got me to stop.
Then I saw Sandy’s across the street and thought that it was worth a look. And it was. A vast menu tempted, but I went with something simple and basic: a grilled cheese with bacon. And a massive coffee in the hopes of getting my body temperature back up into the normal range.
It did take a while to come out, but can I really bitch about that? Honestly, no. It wasn’t an arduous wait, and I had some great coffee while I perused the selection of books (and to this day I lament not buying the Che Guevara biographical graphic novel…). Before long my sandwich was out, and I totally should have been one of those douchebags who Instagrams his lunch. But I didn’t.
Thick awesome bread, loads of bacon, and I don’t know what kind of awesome sharp cheddar cheese. It was simple. It was glorious. I wish I had gotten takeout to enjoy more of them.

This place is a hippie’s paradise! We stumbled upon this gem on our way home from Sugarbush and it was the perfect place to stop! It’s an old house turned bookstore and café that makes incredible sandwiches, pastries, prepared food and coffee! I got an egg sandwich on a biscuit and it was delicious! I am also a sucker for fresh flowers and they had a beautiful arrangement right next to the cash register that caught my eye. The tables are scattered among the books — and the whole place kind of smells like incenses. If you’ve ever been to Penn state this place is definitely Webster’s doppleganger. **Note they have FREE WIFI (hence how I checked in) because the cell service out there is nonexistent!

I apologize that I can’t really compare this to any other establishment in Rochester because it was our only stop in Rochester but we debated between Seasoned Books and Bakery and the café/​restaurant across the street. We just needed a little sustenance and were stopping in for a really late breakfast on our way through Vermont.
We actually left the other restaurant which was packed to the brim with a line waiting to be seated because they had stopped serving breakfast but that’s definitely where you want to go if you want a full meal.
Seasoned Books and Bakery was perfect though for what we needed. We split a sizeable lunch sandwich (which I’ll post a picture of as soon as I can). There wasn’t a selection — it was just a platter of delicious looking pre-​assembled sandwiches. There were breakfast sandwiches (also pre-​assembled) and other pastries all over the counter and in the window case (quiche, pasta salads, potato salads and other such things) and they had a great selection of coffees.
The coffees seemed a bit pricey to me and I was REALLY tempted by the aztec hot chocolate (dreaming of the one I always got when I was in California) but I stuck to a regular coffee and it was delicious. Strong, but delicious. A completely different flavor profile than any I’ve gotten in Manhattan.
I wasn’t so sure about the marinated squash we got alongside our sandwich but the sandwich was amazingly fresh (the veggies and the bread) and enjoyed on the front porch, it was just what we needed.