Eat This Now: Cozy sammies at The Book Club
The Book Club lunch // Photo by Sarah Sipple
Sometimes this type of story is about a food you simply must try–location be damned. Other times, like this one, the story is more about the location than a particular dish.
When I first read about The Book Club from The Pitch in September, it was immediately added to my mental list of must-visits. I loved the idea of a combination bookstore/cafe, and while it’s nothing new or groundbreaking, I still want to support the concept.
Co-owners Matthew and Kimberly Hoppock took over the former Paulie D’s Pizza location in Mission. They also own Truly Madly Depot next door, an eclectic gift, art, and paper shop that was voted Best Gift Shop of 2025. Instead of maintaining the pizza tradition in their new space, they leaned towards a concise menu of pastries and sandwiches to complement a full coffee and espresso counter.
The combination cafe and bookstore offers a small selection of everything you may expect: children’s books, used books, classics and new releases, journals and pens, and small ticket items like stickers and bookmarks. The Hoppocks also buy used books for cash or store credit, and work directly with local authors. As far as looks go, the interior is bright and open, with colorful accents from pillows and murals.
The Book Club // Photo by Sarah Sipple
On my first visit, a late Friday afternoon, I ordered a tuna salad sandwich and chips ($9.50). I was hungry from being on the go all day, and wanted something light but with enough protein. Really, though, it turned out to be a treat. Between a fresh-baked croissant rests a scratch-made tuna salad, arugula, and tomato. Chips and a pickle were served on the side. The croissant was soft and luxurious, and the tomato slice was a fresh, glorious, deep red. The tuna salad dripped onto my plate since the buttery croissant simply couldn’t soak up any more. Between the decadent croissant and the mild flavors of the filling, this was a great, simple sammie.
Since I had already enjoyed my self-imposed caffeine limit for the day, I went with hot chocolate ($5.25 for 16 oz.) It’s made with a house ganache for a slightly rich sip. It was a great first hot chocolate of the season for me: not too sweet, but also a classic that wasn’t trying to overdo it with extra flavors or garnishes.
The rest of the menu is equally relaxed and familiar. When the shop opens, which is at 7 a.m. every day of the week, fresh-baked pastries and sweets fill the counter. At 11 a.m., lunch service starts. Hot and cold sandwiches on house-made focaccia, croissants, and sourdough are served alongside chips or pasta salad. A selection of snacky plates are also available, and nothing surpasses $15.
The Book Club lunch // Photo by Sarah Sipple
The cafe claims to be a space for “reading, sipping, talking, and staying awhile,” according to the website. But does the atmosphere actually support that on any given day?
On my visit, this was assuredly true. My friend and I ended up hanging out there, devouring our food but slowly sipping our drinks, for double the time we had planned. Others were set up with laptops, or leisurely reading in one of the comfortable chairs. Other patrons stopped in to browse books or grab a drink to go. Friendly staff behind the counter were chatty in a way that made us feel like we could openly chat, and like they were comfortable there, too. They spoke to each other like besties, which made my friend and me feel right at home. It was not dead or too quiet, but it didn’t feel wrong to linger and hog our table for a while.
But a welcoming and warm atmosphere has to start from the top. In this case, the Hoppocks are showing their care for the community by addressing hunger right from their shop. As of now, The Book Club is offering a free grilled cheese sandwich between 2 – 6 p.m. for anyone who needs one.
I utilize audiobooks more often than paper books, but the next time I need to purchase one, I see myself stopping by to peruse the small selection with a hot drink in hand or crack my new book open and relax with a satisfying sandwich.
The Book Club is located at 5735 Johnson Drive, Mission, KS 66202.
