Broadway Roasting Company

Great ristretto espresso. Roasting is done in-​house. They roast rather light, which is much better for espresso in my opinion.

We’ve only been here once. We won’t be back. The wait in line with one barista on duty was mildly annoying. The dirty counter, hands that handled money & then continually wiped with the same rag without washing were disturbing. The coffee was bitter, watery and unrefined. We won’t be back.

Rude, apathetic staff. Awful coffee. Awkward space configuration.

The best shot of espresso I’ve ever had in my life! Additionally, their beans are some of my favorite to take home and brew myself… and they’re cheaper than most of the other third wave coffee shops around town.

Love the coffee, love most of the people that work there but golly– that red head behind the counter needs to pull the stick out of her ass and start talking to me like I’m a person. I’m a returning customer that always tips– except when she’s around. Get over yourself, sweetheart.

Good little roasting shop for a coffee and some talk.

This is now one of two (the other being Odley Correct) of my go-​to coffee spots. Personalities of the baristas are good enough, but I really just care about getting high quality coffee. Fortunately this place fits the bill!

I simply love this place. Coffee is excellent, beans are excellent, service is nearly excellent (I try not to let one bad apple ruin the batch), and the Roasterie itself is usually a quiet place where the «cool kids» down the road at the Café rarely venture. There are a few good spots in the city where you can grab a great cup of joe, but before you go venturing off to try the new trendy spots, give Broadway Rosterie a whirl and be prepared to have some great, unpretentious, coffee.

I haven’t done all that many reviews on Unilocal because it is, in my view, an elaborate extortion racket and most of the «Elite» reviewers are damaged prima donnas who didn’t get enough affection from their mothers as children. That being said, I will probably only ever review those establishments that REALLY blow me away. Broadway Café and Roastery blows me away. Any coffee person who, on occasion, gets the chance to get out and about knows how hard it can be to find really good coffee. Caffeinated, warm, liquid brown in a cup that is acceptable isn’t that hard to find, but coffee that you are willing to go out of your way for is another thing… Broadway is go out of your way coffee. I own a coffee shop and roast my own coffee… this is the coffee I drink when I am in KC.

It’s my new favorite coffee spot in KC. The smell alone justifies the trip. The sight of big roasting machines is also kind of fun.

I stumbled into Broadway Roasting Company randomly when exploring Kansas City. I picked it solely because it was the first coffee shop I spotted, and I’m super happy that I did.
When I stepped inside, there were two men ordering. I stood in line, but realized that either there was a possible mix up with one of their lattes or maybe they were having issues with one of the machines, as it was taking a long time for them to finish their transaction. This didn’t really bother me as I was in no rush, but another worker leaned over the counter and very nicely told me she could help me if I was just getting a coffee or a tea. All I wanted was a black coffee and she got it ready for me immediately. She was very nice and apologetic for the wait, even though it really wasn’t that long.
Seating is very nice, as there is a lot of it. There are bigger tables for larger parties and smaller tables for solo patrons. Part of the seating area is sectioned off, which makes it really convenient if you are there to read or study or just want to be left alone. If I lived in Kansas City this is definitely the place I would go to study.
I plan on stopping here whenever I am in Kansas City. You just can’t beat a pleasant environment, polite staff, and (most importantly) really good coffee!

I adore Broadway coffee and especially their espresso. I really like coming to the roasting facility, as opposed to the Broadway Café, unless it’s a day when I have some time to sit and indulge in my cup of joe.
Unfortunately, most days I am on the go and the roasting facility fits my needs better. It’s easy and quick to come in and buy some bagged beans and a latte to go. I am not the biggest coffee aficionado, and the baristas are great about answering my questions and grinding beans in the shop for me. Always absolutely delicious and the variety of the 1883 syrups — which I haven’t seen in any other coffee shop locally — is great. I love adding the Mexican spice to a mocha. Americano, drip coffee, iced coffee drinks, vanilla latte, Italian soda — all are delicious and the most challenging part about coming here is which option to pick.

This place manages to hit home runs across the board while woefully striking out on two crucial issues: service and coffee. The actual shop is amazing, great location, perfect décor and smells delicious. I know the beans are awesome because I’ve had them at their café just south of here. I was excited to come here because my friends boasted that it was the best cup of coffee in KC, had the best reviews, etc., etc. I was even ready to buy some beans to grind up. However, my experiences have been far from pleasant. I’ll give the most egregious example.
Be me.
Walk in, no greeting.
Stand in line while barista hipster dude makes one drink at a time, about 8 minutes a pop.
Watch the woman working there walk around and do various things, pick things up, put them down, all while ignoring customers in line and avoiding eye contact. Stay in line for 15 minutes only because friends swore it was an awesome place.
Cousin is with you, she leaves to walk around because the fact that the female worker is ignoring everyone is so awkward and strange.
Finally get up to the front of the line, hot day, order iced latte. Dude takes order with no pleasantries, or apology for wait. Watch him as he fills up the cup 80% of the way with ice, and then pours coffee in it.
Take a drink, make a disgusted face, throw the drink out.
Latte’s have espresso in them, but this was not a latte. It was some hybrid between iced milk and watered down coffee that belongs in a book on how not to be a barista. Worst non-​Folgers coffee drink I have ever had. I will gladly stick to the Broadway Café down the street (same beans, eh?) and avoid the lack of eye contact and general awkwardness when buying coffee/​beans.
Broadway Management, here is my solution: make this a retail shop. Just buy beans/​merch/​etc., here, and remove the barista concept altogether. Manage the roast, where you ship beans, etc., all the high volume stuff here. Then, people can migrate to Broadway Café just south of here and have a good cup of coffee. Problem solved.

So my first experience here sucked, so I thought I’d give it another shot yesterday. Since they have such awesome reviews, I figured they must have just been having an off day that first visit (we had waited ten minutes for someone to come help us… the place was completely empty… and when the guy finally showed up he was unapologetic and rude.)
SOOO yesterday we went to pass the time before eating brunch at my beloved Beer Kitchen. No one greeted us as we walked in, but rather just gave us a look like they didn’t want us there. There was only one guy ahead of us in line, and yet it took them 15 minutes to make us ONE coffee drink… and no it wasn’t fresh (and tasted so bad I literally had a stomach ache the rest of the day). Also, when my friend asked where the bathroom was, the girl behind the counter gave her the nastiest look which all three of us noticed. Seriously?
I’d say do whatever you can to skip this place. I’m not sure what has happened to them but they have definitely gone down hill since all the rave reviews were written. Bad coffee, long wait times and rude staff do not a good coffee shop make.

First chance to try BRC this morning and I’m already a fan. I’ve sampled the final product at Broadway Café for years, but this was a unique opportunity to test drive the beans at their roasting source, just up the street on Broadway. If you love coffee, you can definitely appreciate the small batch roasting and unique flavors that characterize craft roasteries like BRC. Their coffee is strong and rich with varying flavors from the bean’s past. A little nutty here, a little earthy there, a little fruity here, a little floral there depending on a myriad of factors.
I can only complain about the hours at both BRC and BC. I’m already working by 7am and don’t have a chance to get out much during the day. Both these locations would easily get my vote and my cash if I could swing by here @ 6:30 am prior to starting work. I would much rather get jump-​started on their java rather than the corporate conglomerate that is open by 5am.
Until then, I’ll sneak out as much as I can and continue to try to get here on the weekends to enjoy their great tasting coffee and other espresso drinks.

Finally a coffee shop that knows a Macchiato has nothing to do with caramel. We try to locate the anti-​Starbucks in any neighborhood we stay and Broadway Café fits the bill. Lots of local flavor, characters and even a bit of style.
Good coffee in a nice walkable area of KC.

Hard not to give this place five stars, everyone else is. It’s worth it though
Doubt you need say much more… if you love coffee then its difficult to go past Broadway.
They have been doing it for 20 years, winning awards and roast fine coffee. Unusual to have a blend with robusta in it but seems to work.
Was able to meet John and chat about their passion for coffee while watching the roasting.
I’m convinced

Excellent! Just amazing to have fresh, fresh, coffee.
Got a mini tour of the place to see their beans and roasting process.
Love their selection, and aroma of their coffees. A solid roasting company who uses organic fair trade beans.
Definitely a longer wait time than their other location down the street, but it you want the lovely aromas of freshly roasted coffee, this is the place. Bought a ½ lb, and can’t wait a grind some fresh beans to make my morning brew!

THE best coffee in Kansas City with baristas working both Broadway Café and here. In addition to being super friendly the baristas consistently pull excellent ristrettos. After more than sixty visits I’ve never had a coffee that didn’t compare favorably with Campos and Single Origin in Sydney. Every person working the espresso machine is excellent.
The small retail operation in the roasting facility is devoted to coffee and the regular clientele is a testament to the excellence and consistency of Broadway Roasting. Because this is a working environment the ambiance is not a draw. There are two very small two-​top tables and several chairs along the wall with most of the business of the carry-​out variety. The noise level is elevated at times when the roasting facility is in full swing but most regulars seem accustomed to it.
Both Broadway Roasting and it’s sister full-​retail operation, Broadway Café, are the only coffee houses to offer 8-​ounce drinks. Broadway Roasting has a few cold drinks available for purchase and a few packaged food items, such as cookies and biscotti.
If a coffee drink that is more dessert (i.e. lots of chocolate, syrups and whipped cream) than coffee is what you prefer, this will probably not be your first choice. But if you are searching for an espresso based drink that is on par with the best in Australia put Broadway Roasting at the top of your list.

I’m sorry Kansas City. When I moved here last month from Portland, Oregon I mistakenly thought K.C. would be a coffee wasteland. It was a snobbish assumption that couldn’t be further from the truth. There are some great independent coffee roasters here and I’m really thankful for that.
I stumbled upon Broadway Roasting Company while exploring Westport for the first time. This ten year old roaster in a former fire house has a chill vibe. The barista was friendly as I apologized for coming in a few minutes before closing. He said it was no problem and I could order anything on the board.
I chose a straight double shot espresso that was darker than I’m used to. It was really complex which can be contributed to a blend of beans that you know has been tested and perfected. Nice job Broadway!
Their logo reminds me of a Seattle coffee roaster I like:
Side note to locals: Did Broadway chase out Starbucks? There are hints of it on their website but I would love to know the full story.
++++Un-​chain and support local businesses.++++