Rabelais Books

Stopped in Rabelais Books after seeing the Maine episode of Somebody Feed Phil on Netflix and I'm so glad I did! I could've spent another hour+ browsing the incredible selection of old and new cookbooks. Emma was so knowledgeable and friendly, I really enjoyed talking with her and asking lots of questions. Would definitely come back!

Hands down, the highlight of our trip to Portland was talking to Don. A wealth of knowledge and warmth. Don’t miss this historically interesting book shop!

Don is such a friendly owner, always eager to chat about his collection of culinary—and cultural—knowledge. And the experience of browsing his ever changing shelves is like traveling through time and space, a real marvel every time.

Pricy books! At least when you cross reference the ISBN online and find the price is 1/5th of what’s listed. Friends got a Mexican cookbook (signed by famous person to the Mexican government) and a traditional Indian cookbook. Also, the orange kitty (G) is the sweetest little guy ever.

The coolest cookbook store EVER. This is foodie heaven. I almost can’t pick. So many fun and interesting cookbooks. The owner seems to know a story about every title. Check it out!!! Fun book store.

Super cool niche place with friendly and knowledgeable employee working there. Worth stopping in!

This place is a gem and is like going to a museum of cookbooks, menus and culinary curiosities. I first discovered Rabelais in Saco years ago when we lived nearby. I have followed them and visited again in June in Portland, Me. with two large bags of books in tow. As a chef I have amassed hundreds of well loved and well cared for books. Rabelais offered me $130. for my books. I agreed to the deal. The owner happened by while I was there and told me that he didn't have his checkbook with him. He offered to mail it, which was fine with me. After several weeks of waiting, no check arrived. I reached out to the owner and he kindly apologized siting that my email had gone to his spam, which happens, he said, and he would send the check the next morning. More weeks, no check. I reached out a second time by email and the owner said that he was at Yale attending a book event and would get the check right out once back in Maine. Again, no check arrived after several weeks. I then emailed him a third time and he chose not to reply. At all times I was curteous, understanding and hopeful. I sent a follow up email to him saying that I accept his gesture of non-payment as his way of saying that he wasn't going to pay me for my books that he now has. He stole my books. Never good karma to conduct business in this manner.

I am so glad we stopped in. I got two amazing vintage cook books. The entire collection in this store was so impressive!