The Power of Coffee and People
During the spring of 2023, my friend and I, two very coffee-obsessed people, set out to find the best coffee shop in Austin. Each Sunday, after immense research or, in our case, TikTok scrolling, we picked a local coffee shop to go to. We called our weekly coffee outings “Sundays' best” as we sipped dozens of lattes, and our camera rolls became willingly filled with photos of latte art.
The search ended in May 2023, when we found the best coffee shop in Austin: Desnudo Coffee. The shop was locally owned by two brothers who served up the smoothest and richest coffee we'd ever had. We've gone so often, they knew my friend Juliet and me by name. Just before she left to go out of state for college, we went back one more time. Little did we know, we weren't far from returning to Desnudo for yet another “Sundays' Best” in October. However, it was at Desnudo's new location, on Congress and East 2nd Street.
The two of us were ecstatic to visit their new location, as we were proud to see our beloved coffee truck had grown past the gates of Webberville Road. So, naturally, it was a must when she came to visit this past weekend that we take the adventure downtown. Surrounded by hotels and high rise apartment buildings, the Desnudo coffee truck was a hidden gem. We were greeted with a warm welcome and a refreshing cold brew sample. Taking no time to waste ordering, I got my go-to brown sugar miso latte and Juliet a lavender matcha latte. I am not the biggest fan of matcha, but I did end up stealing several sips of her drink. And she with mine, which we agreed made us even. We sat at a picnic table underneath a tree that seemed to hug the whole area and people-watched the diverse downtown Austin scenes.
Being in a new but familiar place with someone I'd gone from seeing almost every day to now being thousands of miles apart felt weird and nostalgic at the same time. A ritual we had shared for countless weeks of getting coffee had now become something I missed more than anything. However, I came to the realization that even in different circumstances, we still share the same connection and love for the things that bring us together.
The unique aspects of Desnudo keep it a constant in our changing lives. The craft and community are unlike any other. The beans are sourced from family-run farms in South America. They order and work directly with these farms to ensure sustainable coffee practices are being used and those involved are paid fairly. The owners and staff of Desnudo individually seek out farms to source from and dedicate a newsletter—featured on their website—to share these experiences with members of the production process. The quality of the coffee comes across in the community that is created amongst Desnudo customers and staff. No matter how much time has passed since our last visit, the team remembers my friend and I each time. I've shared countless conversations with them and am always greeted with a smile and time to talk, no matter how busy I am. I appreciate the sense of genuine love and authenticity the entire team shares for coffee, and how they bring that passion to the community of Austin.
Seeing the growth of Desnudo throughout the city has made me feel even more grateful for having the privilege of finding it alongside my best friend. Something so simple as a coffee shop has deeply affected our lives. We have shared many laughs, lattes, and core memories sitting at the picnic tables. Our visits to Desnudo are our constant in a world of change. They are a reminder that if we set aside time for what matters, it will continue to grow, even as circumstances alter.
It's a matter of putting forth genuine intentions, time, and passion to create a sustainable future, just as Desnudo does for coffee and people.