Founders Café

Founders Café Specialty Coffee and Tea; Panini, Sandwiches and Wraps; Salads; Soups; Grain Bowls; and Baked Goods. All our aioli and dressings are made here from scratch.

Our Story:

Maria and I bought Founders Café with the objective of making people happy with food. We offer an extensive menu of fresh, healthy, and tasty items using only the freshest, highest quality ingredients. We bake all our own desserts and scratch make all our soups daily. When possible, we source locally and responsibly. Our coffees and teas are all organic and free traded. We have seating

inside and offer the patio outside seasonally and weather permitting. Delivery is free (with a minimum order.) Or you can call ahead if you’re in a hurry, and have your order ready when you get here. Catering and private parties can be arranged here at the Cafe. Or we can bring it to you wherever you want. We’ve done lunches for 250 so we’re up for anything! Hope you’re hungry!

06/15/2026

HERE’S THE NEWS!
June 15-19, 2026

One new salad! One old favorite!

Specials:
Burrata and Roasted Tomato Salad - A half salad with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, Burrata, and Olive Oil.

Lobster Rolls - Fresh Lobster Salad on a bed of Romaine topped with Celery Salt on a Buttered, Toasted Hot Dog Bun. Served with a wedge of Lemon.

Roasted Beet Salad - Sweet Roasted Beets, Crumbled Feta, and Walnuts on a bed of Spring Mix. Served with EVOO and Balsamic.

Pork Belly Burnt Ends Sandwich - Tender Smoked Pork Belly, Caramelized Onions, and Barbecue Sauce on a toasted Ciabatta roll.

Shrimp Po’ Boy - Cajun Shrimp, Chipotle Bacon Aioli, on a toasted Hoagie Roll with Lettuce and Tomato.

Rod Stewart - Herb Roasted Chicken, Provolone, Roasted Red Peppers, and Pesto on a Panini Roll.

Dirty Bird - Herb Roasted Chicken, Bacon, Cheddar, and Ranch Dressing melted on Sourdough.

SOUPS:
Monday- Matzo Ball, Chilled Avocado
Tuesday- Tomato Basil, Chilled Avocado
Wednesday- Italian Wedding, Chilled Avocado
Thursday- Creamy Sausage Tortellini, Chilled Avocado
Friday- Chili, Chilled Avocado

06/08/2026

THIS WEEK, EH! NEXT WEEK BIG
MENU NEWS!
June 8-12, 2026

Standing pat for this week, but be on the lookout for some super specials next week.

Specials:
Lobster Rolls - Fresh Lobster Salad on a bed of Romaine topped with Celery Salt on a Buttered, Toasted Hot Dog Bun. Served with a wedge of Lemon.

Roasted Beet Salad - Sweet Roasted Beets, Crumbled Feta, and Walnuts on a bed of Spring Mix. Served with EVOO and Balsamic.

Shrimp Po’ Boy - Cajun Shrimp, Chipotle Bacon Aioli, on a toasted Hoagie Roll with Lettuce and Tomato.

Rod Stewart - Herb Roasted Chicken, Provolone, Roasted Red Peppers, and Pesto on a Panini Roll.

Dirty Bird - Herb Roasted Chicken, Bacon, Cheddar, and Ranch Dressing melted on Sourdough.

SOUPS:
Monday- Matzo Ball, Gazpacho
Tuesday- Tomato Basil, Gazpacho
Wednesday- Italian Wedding, Gazpacho
Thursday- Creamy Sausage Tortellini, Gazpacho
Friday- French Onion, Gazpacho

06/01/2026

OUTDOOR DINING, COLD SOUP, CRUSTACEANS !
June 1-5, 2026

Put on your sunscreen, sit outside, absorb a little vitamin D. Patio is fully open, Lobster rolls are on the menu, Gazpacho is in the fridge.

Specials:
Lobster Rolls - Fresh Lobster Salad on a bed of Romaine topped with Celery Salt on a Buttered, Toasted Hot Dog Bun. Served with a wedge of Lemon.

Roasted Beet Salad - Sweet Roasted Beets, Crumbled Feta, and Walnuts on a bed of Spring Mix. Served with EVOO and Balsamic.

Shrimp Po’ Boy - Cajun Shrimp, Chipotle Bacon Aioli, on a toasted Hoagie Roll with Lettuce and Tomato.

Rod Stewart - Herb Roasted Chicken, Provolone, Roasted Red Peppers, and Pesto on a Panini Roll.

Dirty Bird - Herb Roasted Chicken, Bacon, Cheddar, and Ranch Dressing melted on Sourdough.

SOUPS:
Monday- Matzo Ball, Gazpacho
Tuesday- Tomato Basil, Gazpacho
Wednesday- Italian Wedding, Gazpacho
Thursday- Creamy Sausage Tortellini, Gazpacho
Friday- Jambalaya, Gazpacho

On a serious note- This past Friday Maria was assaulted in the Cafe by a homeless person. (She is okay.) But please be aware that if they come back into the restaurant when I am here, I will be a lot less polite when getting them to leave. I hope you understand that while I am sympathetic to their situation, I will not continue to feed this person. They have been trespassed.

05/26/2026

PATIO OPEN!
May 25-29, 2026

Put on your sunscreen. Patio officially opens today! Lobster rolls are on the menu! Cold soup (Gazpacho in this case) is available!

Specials:
Lobster Rolls - Fresh Lobster Salad on a bed of Romaine topped with Celery Salt on a Buttered, Toasted Hot Dog Bun. Served with a wedge of Lemon.

Roasted Beet Salad - Sweet Roasted Beets, Crumbled Feta, and Walnuts on a bed of Spring Mix. Served with EVOO and Balsamic.

Shrimp Po’ Boy - Cajun Shrimp, Chipotle Bacon Aioli, on a toasted Hoagie Roll with Lettuce and Tomato.

Rod Stewart - Herb Roasted Chicken, Provolone, Roasted Red Peppers, and Pesto on a Panini Roll.

Dirty Bird - Herb Roasted Chicken, Bacon, Cheddar, and Ranch Dressing melted on Sourdough.

SOUPS:
Tuesday- Tomato Basil, Gazpacho
Wednesday- Italian Wedding, Gazpacho
Thursday- Creamy Sausage Tortellini, Gazpacho
Friday- Chili, Gazpacho

05/24/2026

JUST A REMINDER-
Founders Cafe will be closed Monday, May 25th for Memorial Day.

05/19/2026

SUMMER BEGINS
May 18-22, 2026

I’ve put away my snow tires, boots, and gloves which can only mean one thing- Summer. And summer here at Founders means Lobster Rolls, Cold Soups, and Patio dining. Give me some slack on the patio part as I still need to paint and repair the furniture. So figure the patio will be open by the weekend.

Specials:
Lobster Rolls - Fresh Lobster Salad on a bed of Romaine topped with Celery Salt on a Buttered, Toasted Hot Dog Bun. Served with a wedge of Lemon.

Roasted Beet Salad - Sweet Roasted Beets, Crumbled Feta, and Walnuts on a bed of Spring Mix. Served with EVOO and Balsamic.

Shrimp Po’ Boy - Cajun Shrimp, Chipotle Bacon Aioli, on a toasted Hoagie Roll with Lettuce and Tomato.

Rod Stewart - Herb Roasted Chicken, Provolone, Roasted Red Peppers, and Pesto on a Panini Roll.

Dirty Bird - Herb Roasted Chicken, Bacon, Cheddar, and Ranch Dressing melted on Sourdough.

SOUPS:
Monday- Matzo Ball, Cream of Mushroom
Tuesday- Tomato Basil, Chicken Noodle
Wednesday- Italian Wedding, Mac & Cheese
Thursday- Creamy Sausage Tortellini, TBD
Friday- French Onion, TBD

05/11/2026

SUMMER PREP
May 11-15, 2026

This week finds me getting ready for summer. Weather permitting, we will have the patio open next week as well as some great summer specials! For this week - last chance for the Chicken Torta Panini.

Specials:
Chicken Torta Panini- Cajun Chicken, Mozzarella, Jalapeños, Black Beans, and Basil Garlic Aioli toasted to perfection.

Roasted Beet Salad - Sweet Roasted Beets, Crumbled Feta, and Walnuts on a bed of Spring Mix. Served with EVOO and Balsamic.

Shrimp Po’ Boy - Cajun Shrimp, Chipotle Bacon Aioli, on a toasted Hoagie Roll with Lettuce and Tomato.

Rod Stewart - Herb Roasted Chicken, Provolone,
Roasted Red Peppers, and Pesto on a Panini Roll.

Dirty Bird - Herb Roasted Chicken, Bacon,
Cheddar, and Ranch Dressing melted on
Sourdough.

SOUPS:
Monday- Matzo Ball, Cream of Mushroom
Tuesday- Tomato Basil, Chili
Wednesday- Italian Wedding, Mac & Cheese
Thursday- Creamy Sausage Tortellini, TBD
Friday- French Onion, TBD

MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOUCINCO DE MAYOMay 4-8, 2026 Who else loves you so much that we honor one of our most important ...
05/04/2026

MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU
CINCO DE MAYO
May 4-8, 2026

Who else loves you so much that we honor one of our most important holidays? As far as I know Founders is the only source of Wookie Cookies this side of Tatooine. For Cinco de Mayo we can serve you a nice Chicken Torta Panini.

Specials:
Chicken Torta Panini- Cajun Chicken, Mozzarella, Jalapeños, Black Beans, and Basil Garlic Aioli toasted to perfection.

Roasted Beet Salad - Sweet Roasted Beets, Crumbled Feta, and Walnuts on a bed of Spring Mix. Served with EVOO and Balsamic.

Shrimp Po’ Boy - Cajun Shrimp, Chipotle Bacon Aioli, on a toasted Hoagie Roll with Lettuce and Tomato.

Rod Stewart - Herb Roasted Chicken, Provolone,
Roasted Red Peppers, and Pesto on a Panini Roll.

Dirty Bird - Herb Roasted Chicken, Bacon,
Cheddar, and Ranch Dressing melted on
Sourdough.

SOUPS:
Monday- Matzo Ball, Cream of Mushroom
Tuesday- Tomato Basil, Chicken Noodle
Wednesday- Italian Wedding, Mac & Cheese
Thursday- Creamy Sausage Tortellini, TBD
Friday- Chili, TBD

04/27/2026

BACON BONUS
Apr. 27 - May 1, 2026

I don’t know how or why some of these Pork Treats remain? (This is what is wrong in America)

Specials:
Bacon Explosion Sandwich - A nice hunk of Bacon Explosion on a toasted Ciabatta Rolls with Caramelized Onions and Bacon Jam.

Bacon Jam
Housemade Bacon

Roasted Beet Salad - Sweet Roasted Beets, Crumbled Feta, and Walnuts on a bed of Spring Mix. Served with EVOO and Balsamic.

Shrimp Po’ Boy - Cajun Shrimp, Chipotle Bacon Aioli, on a toasted Hoagie Roll with Lettuce and Tomato.

Rod Stewart - Herb Roasted Chicken, Provolone,
Roasted Red Peppers, and Pesto on a Panini Roll.

Dirty Bird - Herb Roasted Chicken, Bacon,
Cheddar, and Ranch Dressing melted on
Sourdough.

SOUPS:
Monday- Matzo Ball, Cream of Mushroom
Tuesday- Tomato Basil, Chicken Noodle
Wednesday- Italian Wedding, Mac & Cheese
Thursday- Creamy Sausage Tortellini, TBD
Friday- Jambalaya, TBD

Hope You're Hungry!

04/20/2026

BACON FESTIVAL WEEK 2
Apr. 20-24, 2026
Horrifying vegetarians for almost 1/10th of a Century!

Specials:
Bacon Explosion Sandwich - A Nice Slice of Explosion, Caramelized Onions with Bacon Jam on a Toasted Ciabatta.

Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf Sandwich - A Slice of Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf on a Toasted Ciabatta Roll with BBQ Sauce.

Bacon Wrapped Meatballs - By the Ball or on a Sandwich.

Bacon Jam
Housemade Bacon

Roasted Beet Salad - Sweet Roasted Beets, Crumbled Feta, and Walnuts on a bed of Spring Mix. Served with EVOO and Balsamic.

Shrimp Po’ Boy - Cajun Shrimp, Chipotle Bacon Aioli, on a toasted Hoagie Roll with Lettuce and Tomato.

Rod Stewart - Herb Roasted Chicken, Provolone,

Roasted Red Peppers, and Pesto on a Panini Roll.

Dirty Bird - Herb Roasted Chicken, Bacon,

Cheddar, and Ranch Dressing melted on

Sourdough.

SOUPS:
Monday- Matzo Ball, Cream of Mushroom
Tuesday- Tomato Basil, Chicken Noodle
Wednesday- Italian Wedding, Mac & Cheese
Thursday- Creamy Sausage Tortellini, TBD
Friday- Jambalaya, TBD

HOPE YOU'RE HUNGRY!

Address

13 S Fitzhugh Street
Rochester, NY
14614

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 5pm
Tuesday 7am - 5pm
Wednesday 7am - 5pm
Thursday 7am - 5pm
Friday 7am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 3pm

Telephone

+15857701721

Website

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