Second Best Coffee: A Commitment to Excellence in Every Cup

In the heart of South Kansas City’s Waldo neighborhood lies a coffee shop dedicated to pushing the boundaries of quality and innovation. Second Best Coffee, located at 328 W. 85th Street, is an espresso-centric slow bar offering a coffee experience unlike any other. From brewing single cups with Clever Drippers to pulling shots through Kansas City’s first Slayer Espresso Machine, every detail is a testament to the shop’s passion for excellence.

What Makes Second Best Coffee Unique

The shop’s commitment to brewing everything by the cup ensures each customer receives a drink made with care and expertise. Whether visitors are exploring the clean, nuanced flavors of a Clever Dripper brew or savoring the bold intensity of an expertly crafted espresso, the coffee consistently impresses.

The Philosophy Behind the Name

The name reflects the shop’s guiding philosophy: relentless self-improvement. It’s a pledge to make each day’s coffee better than the last. The team is deeply committed to learning and growth, whether through studying coffee production in Costa Rica, refining roast profiles, or experimenting with brewing techniques. Their pursuit of excellence ensures that each cup represents their best work yet.

The Slow Bar Experience

As a slow bar, Second Best Coffee embraces intentionality. By brewing one cup at a time, the shop prioritizes quality over speed, offering drinks with unparalleled depth and flavor. This approach creates a moment of pause and appreciation for customers, transforming a simple coffee break into an extraordinary experience.

A Community-Centered Approach

More than just a coffee shop in Kansas City, Second Best has become a gathering place for the Waldo community, where connections are brewed alongside exceptional cups of coffee. Its welcoming atmosphere fosters conversation and camaraderie, making it a hub for locals and visitors alike. Beyond its dedication to quality and community, Second Best Coffee takes innovation a step further with unique offerings like tea-infused coffees and custom milk alternatives, ensuring there’s something special for every palate.

Coffee Options and Custom Milk Alternatives

The specialty coffee industry continues to innovate, blending tradition with modern trends to meet the tastes of a discerning audience. One standout development is the creative fusion of tea and coffee, resulting in unique beverages that highlight the best aspects of both drinks. These blends open new avenues for flavor exploration and redefine how coffee can be enjoyed.

Equally transformative is the rise of custom milk alternatives, such as oat and coconut milk. These options provide not only inclusivity for those with dietary preferences or restrictions but also a more sustainable and health-conscious way to enjoy coffee. Together, these fusions reflect the industry’s shift toward personalization and creativity, reshaping drink menus and enhancing the experience for modern coffee enthusiasts.

Crafted Beverages for Every Taste

The menu reflects a diverse and creative approach to coffee, offering something for every taste. Their offerings include classic espresso-based beverages like cappuccinos and lattes, brewed with their signature Prototype espresso, and topped with varying levels of micro-foam. For an extra twist, house-made syrups can be added to customize these drinks.

The cold brew options cater to fans of chilled coffee, while the nitro cold brew elevates the experience with smooth, creamy textures. Nitro lovers can take it up a notch with creations like the “Fred,” featuring vanilla and milk, or the “ZipZap,” which adds a hint of cinnamon.

For tea enthusiasts, the menu includes classic teas and the house-made chai latte, which can be enhanced with a shot of espresso for a “dirty chai.” The innovative Grin & Tonic combines Prototype espresso, tonic water, and house-made blackberry juniper syrup, delivering a bold, refreshing twist in a 16-ounce serving.

Seasonal drinks add a touch of variety throughout the year. Current highlights include the Peanut Baller, a protein-rich latte with peanut butter, chocolate, and vanilla, and the festive Winter Latte, featuring warm spices like cloves and nutmeg. For pumpkin spice fans, the aptly named She is Pumpkin brings a delicious medley of pumpkin and pie spices.

For gatherings, Joe To Go offers a gallon of coffee, perfect for serving groups of 10–12. This option ensures Second Best Coffee’s excellence can be enjoyed beyond the café.

With such a thoughtfully curated menu, Second Best Coffee offers a flavorful journey for coffee and tea lovers alike.

The Rise of Custom Milk Alternatives

As important as the drinks themselves are the ingredients that make them special, and perhaps the most significant change in the coffee world over the past decade has been the rise of milk alternatives. No longer limited to the standard cow’s milk or cream, modern cafes in Kansas City are offering a wide variety of non-dairy options, each with its own distinct flavor profile and texture. For customers with dietary restrictions, lactose intolerance, or those simply seeking healthier or more sustainable options, custom milks have become an essential part of the coffee experience.

One of the most popular milk alternatives is oat milk, which has rapidly gained traction for its creamy consistency and neutral flavor. It is particularly beloved by coffee drinkers who want a milk-like texture but without the dairy. Oat milk also complements the flavors of coffee and tea better than some other alternatives, making it a go-to choice for many cafes. Its versatility is also one of its strongest selling points, as it can be used in everything from lattes to cold brews and even in tea-infused coffees like the matcha latte.

Another alternative that is growing in popularity is almond milk, known for its slightly nutty flavor and lower calorie content compared to oat milk. Almond milk is a great option for those who want a dairy-free alternative without the creaminess of oat milk. It adds a subtle flavor to drinks and works well in both hot and cold coffee beverages. While some find the taste of almond milk to be a bit lighter, its popularity is undeniable, and it can be used in a variety of specialty drinks, including dirty chai lattes or a traditional cappuccino.

Coconut milk has also carved out its place in the coffee world, with its distinct coconut flavor and slightly sweet, smooth texture. While it has a more pronounced flavor than other milk alternatives, coconut milk can enhance drinks like iced coffees or tropical-inspired teas. It’s particularly popular in colder, summer drinks like iced lattes or blended iced coffee beverages. The rise of coconut-based milks also ties into the trend of health-conscious coffee drinking, as many coconut milk products are fortified with added vitamins and minerals.

Beyond these more common options, cafes are also experimenting with lesser-known milk alternatives like cashew milk, macadamia milk, and even hemp milk. Each of these has unique characteristics, offering different textures and flavors that cater to a wide range of preferences. As consumer demand for healthier, sustainable, and inclusive options continues to rise, Second Best coffee house in Kansas City is keen to provide an array of choices to meet the diverse needs of their customers.

Combining Tea and Milk Alternatives

When it comes to crafting the perfect specialty drink, the possibilities are endless. Combining tea-infused coffees with custom milk alternatives creates new layers of flavor and texture, offering an entirely new experience for customers. For example, a dirty chai latte with oat milk adds a creaminess that complements the bold, spiced flavor of the chai and espresso. Alternatively, a matcha latte made with almond milk brings out the earthy tones of the matcha while still providing the smooth, creamy texture that many coffee drinkers crave.

Second Best is also experimenting with creative garnishes that enhance both the flavor and aesthetic of tea-infused coffees. Ingredients like citrus twists, herbs, and even edible flowers are becoming popular choices for garnishing drinks like matcha lattes or tea-infused cold brews. These garnishes add an extra touch of flavor and elevate the presentation of the drinks, making them even more appealing to customers looking for a truly special experience.

The Future of Specialty Beverages

As the specialty beverage scene continues to expand, tea-infused coffees and custom milk alternatives will undoubtedly remain at the forefront of innovation. These drinks represent a growing desire for diversity, health-conscious choices, and creativity in coffee culture. As more people discover the exciting combinations of flavors and textures these beverages offer, it’s likely that we’ll see even more unique blends in the years to come.

Ultimately, the fusion of tea and coffee, combined with the growing trend of milk alternatives, reflects the changing tastes of today’s coffee drinkers—people who crave variety, sustainability, and health-conscious options. Whether you’re a dedicated tea drinker, a coffee aficionado, or someone exploring new flavors, these evolving trends are opening up a world of possibilities in the coffee shop, and it’s clear that the future of specialty drinks looks brighter than ever.