Desnudo Coffee

The menu at Desnudo looks about the same as you’d expect to find at any coffee shop, trailer, or truck. So what is it about Desnudo’s tiny East Side coffee trailer that actually makes us want to get out of bed in the morning? We like to think it’s a combination of execution and friendliness—though only one of those comes with caffeine—but being in the same trailer park as Veracruz Tacos probably doesn’t hurt either.

Weekend lines can get long, but show up during the week or order ahead online, and you can usually get the royal treatment pretty fast. Once you make your way to the front of the line, you’ll be met by one of a few friendly faces, probably with a sample in hand, and likely—if you’ve visited more than once—a first-name greeting. You’ll get a brief rundown of their fair market philosophy and roasting process, while receiving personalized recommendations based on your likes and dislikes.

If you’re just there because you’ve heard some amazing things about the drink that made them famous, you’ll probably get directed to the miso and brown sugar oat milk latte. It’s every bit as good as it sounds, with the savory notes of the miso balancing out any extra sweetness from the brown sugar. But if you’re more of a purist, both the drip coffee and cold brew here are among the best we’ve had in town—with a rich, smooth flavor and just a subtle, pleasant hint of acidity. 

Until our alarm clocks are able to successfully brew a good cup of coffee, we’ll keep finding ourselves in line, morning after morning. 

photo credit: Nicolai McCrary