First off, I need to thank my friend Arya Moallem ’12 for taking me to Hillman’s Bakery. I had never heard of this place before, and, this being my last year here, I am disappointed that this was my first visit. The bakery is tucked away on a side street off of College Avenue in Fairfield. The only giveaway that would lure you inside is the tiny, crammed parking lot, where cars are constantly zooming in and out every five or so minutes.

We drove past Kennebec Café and Sonny’s Pizza, arriving at the bakery at what we thought was early, 10 a.m., which apparently wasn’t early enough. When Arya and I first walked inside, the place was quiet—only one or two customers were picking out their favorite pastries in front of us. Within the time it took for us to decide what we wanted—which, by the way, requires careful consideration since their menu boasts a countless number of baked goods—at least three other customers had already been in and out, and the line was growing.

We eventually settled on two items each: a danish puff and blueberry tart for myself and a crunchy donut and cheese danish for Arya. Apparently, the best selection of pastries had already been bought, as the friendly woman behind the counter told us when we asked for recommendations. Some other options that caught my attention were the cinnamon and honey buns, the raspberry horns, the freshly baked oatmeal cookies and those irreplaceable magic bars that remind me of all the wonderful nights when I would find a tray of them waiting for me in the dining hall after I finished my dinner.

Hillman’s also sells a variety of bread and rolls that they bake fresh daily, and you can order anything from homemade graham cracker cream pie to fresh strawberry rhubarb pie to pick up.

If you’re looking for something not as sweet, they also have other food items like shepherd’s pie, lasagna and homemade baked beans.

Aside from the pastries themselves, however, the best part about our visit to Hillman’s was the cost: $2.81 for four delicious baked goods is a price that rivals any other bakery that I have visited thus far. All coffees are under a dollar, and all cappuccinos are less than $1.50. You can snag a dozen cookies for less than four dollars or bring home a six-pack of cinnamon buns for $2.60.

Overall, I would give Hillman’s three thumbs up. It’s more of a grab-and-go rather than a sit-down-and-enjoy kind of place, but it’s great if you’re just looking for delicious desserts and pastries that won’t break your budget. If you do decide to see what it’s all about, I would recommend sacrificing those extra hours of sleep and going before 9 a.m., or even earlier, so that you get the best selection to choose from.

Hillman’s Bakery 16 Western Ave. Fairfield, Maine 04937