Drinking Coffee in Kansas City: Spokes Coffee|Cafe
We’ve revived the series that helped launch Explore–
we take our coffee seriously, over here!
Photos by Meredith Schneider
If you haven’t been to Spokes Coffee|Cafe, there are three locations that are serving up equally delectable caffeinated beverages to their expansive and delicious food menu. Not only that, but these cafés encourage community in a very relaxed way. Spokes on Main is a quieter location, and Spokes at KU Med is along 39th Street, a simple location most convenient for a quick stop-in. Spokes on Washington is their biggest space, and the only one open on the weekends for breakfast. This location is my favorite, and the one I grabbed some photos of last time I circled through downtown.
Spokes Coffee|Cafe is located on the west side of downtown, along Washington Street. It is at the base of a multi-level building, tucked into the corner. You are almost stunned by the amount of space and tall ceilings upon walking in. Just to your right is the ordering counter, the full – and extensive – menu displayed on screens on the wall. You can see coffee beans and other fun knick knacks for purchase around the ordering area, a small bar around the left side of the counter for additional seating space.
Not that the cafe needs more seating. There are many tables littering the space, and definitely enough outlets to encourage coworking. A few quiet co-eds sit in the corner, finishing up projects on their computers while a couple of older men caught up over breakfast sandwiches. The demographic dining that day was diverse, and the atmosphere felt charming.
I enjoyed an off the menu praline latte, something I knew they had based on their online menu. In fact, if you look just above your eyeline, you will notice their backstock of syrups hanging out in random places around the shop. It’s honestly kind of heartwarming that you know Spokes isn’t about to run out of your favorite flavor anytime soon.
The praline latte was magic in a cup, and I stand by that. Their current specials include a macadamia coconut latte, a banana bread chai, and a berries and cream cold brew. My friend was a big fan of the banana bread chai, but I cannot speak to it myself. (It smelled amazing!)
I was particularly hungry the day we stopped in, so I went ahead and ordered a café staple: the French Toast Sandwich. Because, what do you mean they make this crazy delicious, cinnamon-y french toast and throw buttery scrambled eggs, bacon, and cheese inside with pure maple syrup to dip it in? Not only was this sandwich on the table in record time – sub 5 minutes, for sure – but it kept me full for hours on end. I am such a fan.
If you want to support the café past enjoying their delicious menu items as frequently as possible, they actually sell a variety of really fun merch items, including t-shirts. Nab yourself something simple in black, blue, or gray, or grab a one-of-a-kind piece of tie dye art to sproudly show your support to the community.
Ever a fan of a theme, I was smitten with the various bicycles that hung neatly around the space. Cycling clubs meet here often, and many other groups mix and mingle in the space. They have really offered up this café, in particular, as a community environment, and I have noticed so many fun meetings and catchups happening when hanging out in this space.
Spokes Coffee|Cafe is one of the more organically delightful spaces in all of Kansas City, if you ask me.
