Home of 'Best Cuban Sandwich in Upstate NY' reopens in Rochester after 6-month closure
Walking back into Georgie's Bakery and Cafe, which she and her husband have owned since 2005, brought Liz Ruiz a rush of upsetting memories.
It was Oct. 21, 2023, and she and her husband, George Ruiz, had readied their family business in the Highland Park neighborhood for a busy day. Breads and pastries were baked. Empanadas were filled, folded and fried. The kitchen was stocked to prepare a varied menu, including their popular Cubano sandwich, which their window proclaims is the best in upstate New York.
All of a sudden, George told his wife, "I don't feel good." Within minutes, he'd have a seizure and it became clear that something was terribly wrong. At Strong Memorial Hospital, he was diagnosed with a brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM), which would require brain surgery, complete with 70 staples in his head.
That was just the beginning of his troubles. He'd also endure a heart attack, blood clot, pneumonia, COVID-19 and more, requiring a hospital stay of more than a month. Liz and their three sons took shifts to visit him and care for him.
But George has bounced back remarkably, and last weekend, the couple reopened Georgie's. George has issues with balance, so he walks with a cane for now, but he feels strong enough to make breads, cook up Spanish food, greet customers and run the cash register.
"I'm glad I'm back," George said. "It's like a miracle. I thought I wasn't going to make it."
George learned to bake while working at DiPaolo Baking Company, Petrillo's, Riccardo's Bakery and Wegmans, and one of the hallmarks of Georgie's is its freshly baked bread. With an abbreviated schedule, at least for now, the couple preps on Wednesday in order to be open for breakfast and lunch Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
News of the reopening spread fast ― to the point where it was "totally overwhelming," Liz said. As the bakery's line cook, she was initially rusty but quickly got back in the groove of making the menu. "Everything came back," she said with a laugh.
On Saturday, George cooked up his mother's Puerto Rican recipes ― roast pork, roast chicken and arroz con gandules — and the food ran out early. George's mother's hot sauce ― affectionately called Abuela Sauce ― was in high demand.
"I feel real good," George said. "All my customers are walking in, and saying 'thank you' that I'm back. Everyone's happy in the neighborhood that I'm back."
While Georgie's is officially a two-person operation, "our family is in and out all the time," Liz said. Liz has lived in the neighborhood her entire life, while George moved to the area from Puerto Rico at age 16. Their sons and 11 grandchildren live nearby.
They said the neighborhood and their customers helped get them through an extraordinarily difficult time, holding fundraisers and donating more than $10,000 to a Gofundme campaign started by their granddaughter, Anaya Ruiz.
"We want to thank our customers for their support and prayers," Liz said.
If you go
Georgie’s Bakery and Café, 857 S. Clinton Ave., is open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Parking is on the street and in the lot to the left of the building. It does not accept credit cards but it has an ATM. Call (585) 241-3987.
Georgie's will be closed May 18 so that the couple can celebrate their granddaughter's college graduation.
Tracy Schuhmacher covers Rochester's food and drink scene. Notice something new in your neighborhood? Send tips to tracys@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Georgie's Bakery reopens in Rochester NY after six-month closure
