I had an uncomfortable experience at Spokes a couple of months ago. As I approached the counter to look at the menu, the owner threw up a hand and said, "You're after him," assuming I was trying to cut in front of another customer. I told him I was just trying to read the menu. When I asked a few questions about the menu, he kept responding with "What?" as if he couldn't understand me. I do have an accent, but I've lived in the United States for more than 30 years and have worked professionally in English my entire adult life. To test whether he genuinely couldn't follow me, I asked something simple, "Do you have the time?" The same response came back, "What?" I can't say with certainty that this was racism; it's up to the readers to determine. But, from my perspective, based on how it unfolded and the pattern I've seen elsewhere, it's hard to call it anything else. I'm a disabled veteran who served a decade in the Navy, including multiple deployments to war zones, and I've spent much of my life working to be accepted and to build a life here. The vast majority of my interactions with people in the U.S. have been positive, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or even political affiliation (I have plenty of conservative friends from a military background). But on the rare occasions when I've encountered this kind of treatment, I've learned to recognize it for what it is. None of that mattered in that moment. I was just someone whose words weren't worth the effort to understand. The young cashier next to him looked visibly embarrassed and went out of her way to be kind to me afterward, almost like she was trying to make up for it. I appreciated that, and this review isn't about the staff. After this happened, I came across another one-star Yelp review from someone who described a similarly unwelcoming atmosphere whenever the owner was around. That reviewer, who identified as a person of color, said they felt uncomfortable and unwelcome and would not be returning. The owner's public response to that review is worth reading for yourself. Determine for yourself if it was a genuine apology or more like a defense of himself, subtly invalidating the complaint's concern. No customer, or simply no one, should be treated this way without basic patience and courtesy. I don't know whether what happened to me was about my accent specifically. But between my own experience and watching how a legitimate complaint from another customer was deflected rather than reflected on, it's hard for me to chalk this up to an isolated misunderstanding. I hope no one ever has to go through what I did in a place where people just want to rest and enjoy good food. read more

The food is so good, y'all. Their menu has a lot more than pastries: The best breakfast burritos and grilled cheese sandwiches in KC (so much melty cheese)..."pick two" options with sandwiches, salads and wraps...Roasterie Coffee (my favorite) made by kick-ass baristas. Spokes is my absolute favorite place in downtown KC for all-day remote work: It's lap-top friendly, with plenty of spots near outlets, and great for staff meetings or brainstorm sessions, with long tables as well as sofas and chairs. The vibe is chill. There's a wall of windows for lots of natural light, but the space isn't crazy bright. The playlist is always great.15/10 read more

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Spokes is a cool little breakfast spot in Kansas City with a lot of interesting items on the menu. I ended up getting the breakfast sandwich and it was very good. The flavors were great and it was a solid way to start the day. I will say it felt a little expensive for the size, but that seems to be the case almost everywhere these days with prices going up. Overall, it has a great selection of breakfast options and a cool vibe, making it a nice place to stop if you're in the area. read more

On a work trip to Kansas City, and we continued to find wonderful little food spots! Love that KC has such a great food scene! Stopped into Spokes for breakfast, and loved it! I got a cold chai latte with oat milk and a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit. The bacon is thick cut, and the biscuit is legit. Perfect start to my day. It's also a fun little shop, with a nod to the Spokes babe with bicycles all over. Service was fast and friendly. Easy to grab and go or sit and enjoy - either way, it's a great vibe and shop! Highly recommend! read more

Spokes Coffee and Cafe - Bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit with cold chai latte with oat milk - Bike Repair/Maintenance Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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I have always adore Spokes, but this was my first time at this location from their original. I love how spacious and bright this place is. Plenty of room to sit, chat, work, and enjoy. The staff was super nice. I saw they had a peep matcha that's perfect for Easter and it was so delicious. I also had their sausage burrito And it was fresh, hot, and tasty. It cost me $16 for all of it. Would come again next quarter. read more

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I have always found the menu at Spokes Café to be hearty and a little bit unique. I was lucky to visit the wntown location recently to visit with a friend. I enjoyed the French Toast Sandwich, which was held tween pieces of delicious, sweet french toast. Maple syrup, American cheese, bacon, and scrambled gs make this a classic of a sandwich that is incredibly filling and really well made. read more

Delightful spot to hang out, study, or get some work done. Unfortunately, the cold brew didn't taste very fresh. It reminded me more of bottled cold brew with preservatives than something freshly made. The cheese danish also tasted store-bought, almost like something from Costco. Service at the counter felt a bit unfriendly at first, though I noticed the staff became much warmer and more engaging with some of the regulars who came in later. read more

Barista made me the most perfect iced latte!! I asked for extra caramel and she delivered! Not only that the pastries looked so good I had to try the raspberry/lemon muffin and it was the perfect treat after lunch! The establishment is so bright and open, it makes it so welcoming and invites you to stay for a while! I could imagine getting some reading done here during lunch break with a great coffee! read more

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The service has always been superb! Been coming here for my cafe for years! Iced White Mocha with a pump of carmel. Oh and can't forget the Reese cookie!! it's chunks of PB deliciousness!! read more

Spokes Coffee and Cafe - Guess - Bike Repair/Maintenance Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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Had a great first experience here! The atmosphere was stylish and the coffee was great. They had multiple seasonal lattes. I got the "Lorelai to my Luke" and it was delicious! It had cookie butter cold foam. I couldn't pass up the Gilmore Girls reference. I will be back! read more

The staff were fantastic and took care of me in record time. The latter was fantastic! The chips were the right level of spice. But let's talk about this BLT, OMG the bacon was freshly cooked and just delicious as hell. The toasted bread made it an elevated experience while I sat at the counter and captured all of the deliciousness in my mouth. read more

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Such a great vibe! The food is phenomenal and the environment is great to work remotely! The staff are so welcoming. Definitely plan on coming back!! read more

Do. Not. Sleep. On. The. Waffle. So good. Great breakfast sandwiches too. Cute interior, bicycle themed in a large space with different types of seating (high tops, regular tables, low comfy chairs). Quick service. Would definitely return! They use Messenger coffee. read more

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Charming local coffee shop (the doesn't serve decaf, beware for the caffeine adverse like me) that has two downtown locations and tons of affordable breakfast options. I have given a go almost everything one can order on the menu, with each of the prices being around or under $10. The breakfast burritos are some of my top picks, even the vegetarian potato one is seasoned well and sometimes to choose it over the meat options. But, do know ahead of time there are no substations for the burritos, so you can't be picky! That's not why I ranked it a four out of five...that's just because of my personal preference of being able to consume decaffeinated coffee or expresso at a coffee shop setting and not having to rely on the bland k-cups at home. Back to the food, the avacado toast isn't too fancy, and I admire that. It is the right amount of fresh and salty, from the cheese, and the ingredients aren't over complicated. The breakfast sandwich has 3 iterations, and in my opinion, it's worth the upcharge for a butter crossaint instead of basic bread. Spokes isn't your run of the mill hipster coffee shop it's a tad bit industrial inside, at least at the location near 9 round boxing gym and is loosely bike themed. But, it's not in your face. It remains subtle, with just a few collectors' bikes on display on the wall. I find myself stopping by often for the food because the value is there, and the taste has always been fresh. It's a great way to start your day and support local! read more

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Great and friendly staff. Let me even come in a little before opening to chill before a conference. Food was so good, I went back for lunch. Coffee isn't two sweet or strong. Great place to study or hangout with friends. read more

My girlfriend just moved to an apartment on this block, and that's dangerous because I am going to be here constantly for breakfast sandwiches now. You order at the counter (not too be confused with the bike repair counter in the back of the cafe - hence the name Spokes). If you're dining in, they bring the food to your table after asking your name at the register. You can also get your food in a to-go bag. The food came out hot, fast, and delicious. The liege waffle in the waffle sandwich was to die for and added some great chewy crunchy texture to the sandwich. Perfect balance of sweet and savory. My girlfriend's southwest burrito was filling and delicious as well. If you order online, your food & drink are set on a little shelf right inside the door on the left wall. Super convenient for pick up! There seemed to be plenty of street parking around on the 12th street and the surrounding blocks. The spots right in front of the door were both conveniently open the whole time we were there for people to pull up and grab their to go orders, so parking shouldn't be too hard. Can't wait to shuffle over here for breakfast sandwiches every Saturday and Sunday for the foreseeable future! And now I know where to bring my bike if it ever breaks. read more

Spokes Coffee and Cafe - Southwest Burrito & Waffle Sandwich - Bike Repair/Maintenance Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

Went to Spokes for the first time over the weekend. It has a cool very different vibe than other coffee shops in KC. They have coffee, food, beer and bikes. You can tell that this place gets is regulars by the way everyone chats with the staff and knows each other by name. It's a very open space and good table sizes for bigger groups. I ordered a chai latte and breakfast burrito. Both were good! The burrito came with salsa that I highly recommend not wasting a drop of. Overall it was a good experience and glad I finally tried it. read more

Spokes is part casual breakfast / lunch spot, part bike store and... a completely cool and laid back neighborhood hang out. The menu features quick and easy meals like breakfast sandwiches, biscuits and gravy, lunch sandwiches and wraps. Coffee, energy drinks, soda and adult beverages are available, too. They're served fairly quickly by a cheerful and helpful employee. I'm not a biker, but it looks like they sell biking supplies and possibly schedule repairs. I recommend calling or visiting the venue's website for more information. Off street parking is available, though it's limited, so you may have to walk a little after you park. A little exercise never hurt anybody, though. read more

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Spokes is a great place to study while you enjoy a coffee. They have a ton of seating with plenty of outlets. The coffee was good and the everything bagel sandwich was delicious! read more

We visited on a Saturday and there was a lot of space to study. The service was phenomenal for a coffee shop and the baristas were super nice. I ordered the BLT and it was perfectly toasted and buttered. It also came with Zapp's chips which are my absolute favorite. There are a lot of food options to choose from--- for both breakfast and lunch! read more

Spokes Coffee and Cafe - Salted Caramel Cold Brew, Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte, Sandwich & Soup Combo, BLT Sandwich. - Bike Repair/Maintenance Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

The coffee was very good and such a great area! Their space is big which makes for a great place to work at. read more

Spokes Coffee and Cafe - a hand holding a cup of coffee - Bike Repair/Maintenance Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

This is the ultimate breakfast burrito in Kansas City. The southwest breakfast burrito is by far my favorite thing to get at Spokes. The chorizo is delicious, and I love how they crisp up the burritos on the flat top. This burrito is the absolute best hangover cure, and even when I'm not hungover, I crave it! The buffalo chicken wrap is always my go-to for lunch. Spokes always has friendly staff, fast service, and delicious food. I miss working downtown because I'd walk there for breakfast or lunch all the time: Great coffee and food, plus you can buy a bike! I'd recommend Spokes to anymore for a fast casual lunch spot, coffee or drinks after work! read more

Spokes Coffee and Cafe - Southwest Breakfast Burrito with Spanish Gardens Salsa - Bike Repair/Maintenance Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

It's a shame how many people still don't know about Spokes! What a fantastic coffee shop and for the bike aficionados - such a cool spot. Great coffee, amazing space, and the real star - the breakfast burritos. I absolutely love the chorizo in the Southwest Burrito! Every burrito is so perfectly pressed and such a wonderful texture with the right ratio of stuffing to shell. I can't describe how perfect they are but the spice and flavor of the chorizo keeps me coming back. This is a KC must! read more

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I am a frequent customer as I live in the neighborhood. I went in for tacos at 2:25 today and was told that I was too late and that they stop serving at 2:30. I checked the time right after I walked out, otherwise I would have said something. I get that the staff probably wants to start cleaning up early, but 5 minutes is still 5 minutes and I was there within the lunch timeframe. Pretty disappointed in this level of customer service. read more

Had a reallly good salad for lunch here and my husband had a turkey, tomato, avocado sandwich that he really enjoyed. They offered both indoor and outdoor seating, but there was very little shade so we opted for inside- the tables were pretty well spaced apart. Good stop for a quick and easy lunch. read more

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Spokes is right around the corner from where I now live, and I was excited to find a cool spot to hang on days I didn't want to work from home. The vibe and atmosphere are great. There are board games, bicycles, a neat collection of hot sauce, and nice big windows. However, Spokes really needs to work on their food. I've been there twice now and the food is very disappointing. I ordered avocado toast both times and each time, it came out as though the avocado was being rationed (see picture). My husband got a Cuban and pasta salad side which was bland. I understand they have a simple menu, but simplicity can still be delicious and full of flavour. The strawberry smoothie was tasty and I have yet to try their coffee. I would definitely return if the food part was executed better. This is a great local spot for cycling enthusiasts, and perhaps for a drink and to get some work done. read more

Spokes Coffee and Cafe - Avocado toast and strawberry smoothie - Bike Repair/Maintenance Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

This wonderful establishment has an amazing menu for everyone. We are here with six very picky teenagers and they each found something they loved. My wife and I found a great array of menu items and delicious coffees that will satisfy any connoisseur. Their service was fast and friendly, the facility was clean and intriguing. If ever in Kansas City downtown, I would not hesitate to try again. Love this place and recommend to anyone nearby. read more

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Workers are very friendly! Breakfast food was amazing!! We got their breakfast burritos, muffins, and a bagel!!

Good food, good coffee and a cool vibe! A great place to grab and go or sit and work for a bit.

Good ambiance and the matcha latte was good and fast. Staff was friendly as well. Was an easy walk from the convention center.

Good coffee, friendly staff and fair prices. Walked here from a local hotel multiple times during our weeks stay for work grabbing a morning coffee and breakfast burrito. read more

This was a close coffee shop for us to walk to, while visiting the Convention Center for the day. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this place, especially if visiting for work. Our tax exempt for work reimbursement was not accepted, with very passive aggressive staff response. The lattes were ok, but seemed weak with not much flavor. My coworkers salad came without dressing, so we had to go back to get it. It has a cute look, but not great food/drink. read more

Spokes Coffee and Cafe - Iced Vanilla Latte - Bike Repair/Maintenance Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

This place is what it's all about. Beer, bikes, breakfast. And also coffee. I used to be an avid cyclist and I'm rediscovering my legs for it of late, so it's so nice to have a community gathering place like this that has group rides, well-priced bikes and tune-ups. For starters, they do a Tuesday night group ride that's at a reasonable pace (no dropping, so you're guaranteed to have other riders with you). All the routes are scenic, and then the best part is you can come back to Spokes and feast on $2 tacos. That's as perfect a weeknight as you're going to find this spring or summer. I think that having a downtown Cyclery joint like this is helping to facilitate more bike lanes around downtown. Have you noticed the neon green lanes on Grand and the intersections that are giving cyclists a head start? Money. We need this in KC. To me this seems like the kind of spot you'd find in Denver, Minneapolis or other forward thinking, popular cities. Cheers Spokes! read more

Great little spot to avoid the hotel restaurants in the area of the Convention Center. Stopped in on a chilly/rainy afternoon for a quick lunch and had a GREAT experience overall - friendly staff, quick service, great fresh food and a delightful espresso to put a bow on it. read more

This is one of the best places to escape to for lunch downtown. Tucked away on a side street, Spokes feels a bit like a hidden nook. It's awesome if you just want a change of scenery for a bit or need a place to hide from your office. They have a small, but good selection of rotating craft beers on tap in addition to some domestic cans and bottles. I've yet to have a bad sandwich but the meatloaf melt is easily my favorite--make sure to order it with an extra side of spicy ketchup. Like a lot of deli/sandwich shops I do think the sides fall a bit short; not so much in quality but definitely in serving size. I recommend getting chips as your side if you want more to eat, they tend to be a bit more generous with them than the other sides. read more

Spokes Coffee and Cafe - Pulled pork melt. - Bike Repair/Maintenance Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

Happy to finally have this open downtown. It brings more than just a convenient spot to grab coffee to the area. The staff is friendly. They offer WAY more than coffee including bike repair, accessories, bikes, food AND drinks (like you know, beer & liquor adult beverage type drinks). There is plenty of natural light coming in, a few televisions, and a good vibe. I have had a good experience each time I have visited. And even though this is not in my own neighborhood, I plan to be a frequent customer. They have a menu including a good variety of options. They offer non dairy milk for their coffee/tea drinks. And seriously, having a bike-friendly/supportive business in downtown is such a sign that positive change is shifting in Kansas City. I love this. Being the non coffee drinker, I have asked my companions to express their experiences with me, and was provided with nothing but positive feedback on the coffee (as well as the various food options). I love that they serve locally made Hugo Tea, and offer fruit smoothies. It is nice to have a place that everyone in the group can find something. I am a firm believer that caffeine should not be ingested without some type of food. I also grew tired of going along with people to places where either there was ONLY alcohol, or only coffee, or whatever isolated, minimal options vs having something for everyone. And Spokes covers that and more. A place to hang out AND get your bike repaired. Brilliant. read more

Spokes Coffee and Cafe - Bike Repair/Maintenance Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

Great little cafe/bar/bike shop combo place. I came in here with a few friends for a late lunch on a Monday. The place is really pretty big and has a bike shop in the back with a bar over to one side. The man working the register was very nice, and really seemed to enjoy working there. The menu is pretty big with breakfast and lunch items. I ordered the southwest melt, and it was good. It didn't blow me away, but it also wasn't very expensive, so I think it was exactly what I wanted: a good sandwich that was fast. The other people in my group also liked the food and agreed they would for sure be back. They have a pretty decent amount of beers on tap as well as some hard liquor. It must be amazingly easy to get a liquor license in Missouri. It was mentioned they use a local supplier for coffee, so if KC coffee is your thing, this is your place. read more

Spokes Coffee and Cafe - Credit: shannoninthecity.com - Bike Repair/Maintenance Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

They ate and so did we. This place is so cutesy and cool and the food is bomb. Highly recommend also love the bike play on words.

Totally unique set up, very fun! But obviously what's even better is the food was top tier. I'm in town for a conference, and I'm sad I don't live here because this would be a staple place in my rotation for breakfast, brunch, or lunch. There's a lot of stuff I wanted to order on the menus, but it's not overwhelming for options. I ordered the Carlee's grilled cheese and pasta salad as my side. LOOK AT THE CHEESE OOZING OUT OF IT! I don't want to say this because I don't want to set the bar too high, but it's one of the best chapters grilled cheese sandwiches I've ever had. The amount of mozzarella was perfect (spilled out just a tad, but a slightly gooey grilled cheese is a fabulous indulgence on a normal weekday). Just the right amount of balsamic and pesto on the sammy as well. The pasta salad was solidly good, too. Maybe just a hair dry, I could've done with a touch more sauce, but it was well-seasoned with dried herbs - some rosemary, which I feel like isn't standard, and I'm noting it for my own next pasta salad foray in the kitchen. All the menu items were $10 or less, which is great for the wallet. Fast and friendly service, very clean, and some limited but comfortable seating. It wasn't all that busy when I went in, so I can imagine it could fill up during peak hours pretty easily. read more

Spokes Coffee and Cafe - Captures grilled cheese and pasta salad - Bike Repair/Maintenance Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

Went to Spokes this morning for coffee and breakfast. Got the drip coffee (from messenger roasters), "fancy" grilled cheese and breakfast burrito with sausage. The coffee was good, so was the food. It seemed like a simple lunch option for a weekday lunch. However, this place is a jack of all trades, besides breakfast and lunch, you can drink alcohol or get your bike fixed. It did feel like there was a lot going on. I'm sure they will get it all worked out the longer they are open. When we were there a lot of bikers were present, it might be nice to get a place to lock bikes up outside. It's nice to have another coffee shop downtown, and especially one open in the weekends. My husband and I were talking that it could make a legit happy hour. read more

Spokes Coffee and Cafe - Messenger drip coffee - Bike Repair/Maintenance Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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