Founders Café

Founders Café Founders Café is a charming establishment committed to bringing joy through delicious food. Owned by Maria and her partner, the café features a diverse menu filled with fresh, healthy options crafted from high-quality ingredients. Every aioli and dressing is made in-house from scratch, along with daily-baked desserts and soups. The café emphasizes local and responsible sourcing whenever possible and offers only organic, free-trade coffees and teas. With ample indoor seating and an outdoor patio for enjoyment on pleasant days, Founders Café caters to different dining preferences. They also provide delivery for orders over a minimum amount and offer call-ahead service for those in a rush. Their catering services can accommodate private parties or large lunches, showcasing their readiness to handle events of any size.

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Recent social media posts

06/22/2026

BURRATA - I GOTTA
BACON - I’VE MAKIN
BELLY OF PORK -IN THE STORE
June 22-26, 2026

Same as last week. Except I made my (World Famous in Rochester) Bacon!

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

06/18/2026

OPEN JUNETEENTH
June 19, 2026

Just a heads up that Founders will be open Juneteenth (June 19th) regular hours. Depending on how things go, we may close early.

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

Address

13 S Fitzhugh Street
Rochester, NY
14614

To reach your destination at S Fitzhugh Street in New York, you have a couple of options for transportation:

**Public Transport:**
1. **Subway:**
- Take the **2 or 5 train** to the **Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport station**.
- From there, transfer to the **Q6 bus** towards Jamaica and get off at the nearest stop on S Fitzhugh Street.

2. **Bus:**
- You can also take the **Q24 or Q41 bus** directly to S Fitzhugh Street. Check local schedules for exact routes and times.

**Driving/Parking:**
1. If you're driving, head towards S Fitzhugh Street via major thoroughfares like the Long Island Expressway (I-495) or the Van Wyck Expressway (I-678).
2. Look for street parking options along S Fitzhugh Street or nearby streets. There may also be parking garages in the vicinity if street parking is unavailable.

Make sure to check traffic conditions and public transport schedules before you head out!

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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What people say

At Founders Café, the passion for food shines through every dish on the menu. Maria and her team have crafted a delightful experience that prioritizes fresh, healthy, and flavorful offerings. With an extensive selection that includes specialty coffee and tea, paninis, sandwiches, wraps, salads, grain bowls, and baked goods, there’s something to satisfy every palate.

What sets Founders Café apart is their commitment to quality. Every aioli and dressing is made from scratch right in-house, ensuring that each bite bursts with flavor. The café also takes pride in baking all their desserts and preparing soups daily, showcasing a dedication to freshness that is hard to find elsewhere. Sourcing ingredients locally and responsibly further enhances the quality of their dishes while supporting the community.

For those looking for convenience without sacrificing taste, Founders Café offers free delivery (with a minimum order) and a call-ahead option for quick pickups. Whether you're dining in the cozy interior or enjoying the outdoor patio when weather permits, you’ll feel welcomed by the inviting atmosphere.

Additionally, Founders Café is equipped to handle catering needs for private parties or larger events—having successfully catered lunches for up to 250 people! This flexibility makes it an excellent choice for any gathering.

In summary, Founders Café is not just about serving food; it's about creating happiness through delicious meals made with love and care. Whether you're stopping by for a quick bite or planning a special event, you can expect nothing less than exceptional service and mouthwatering dishes at this charming café on S Fitzhugh Street.

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