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Super friendly staff. Delicious lattes and the yummiest pastries! I highly recommend their seasonal danishes, and my daughter loves their coffee cake pastries. However, I came here because I had fallen in love with the sister stores Minneapolis and Bloomington. The store is cute, but not breathtakingly beautiful like her Minneapolis sister or as modern chic like her Bloomington sister. I know... it's not fair, but I was disappointed because the Backstory experience was SO different. They do have a large outdoor area that looks fun for the warmer months. On-Street parking was easy and plentiful in this neighborhood. WiFi was strong, so I was able to do some work while I sipped on my yummy latte.
Wow, the breakfast menu is outstanding. In particular, I really recommend the Southwest Wrap (they changed the tortilla so it crisps better) and it is REALLY good. Like many others, I balk at the prices for food at coffee shops but THIS. Worth the money. I'll giving them more of my coffee (and breakfast) business in the future. Highly recommended.
Even though it was a little cold the day I went, I loved the little outdoor patio area. I sat outside, just watching the cars go by as I enjoyed my coffee and chocolate croissant. Got a cold brew and iced latte. The coffee was pretty strong which I appreciated and wasn't bitter at all. The croissant was pretty good too but it was a tad on the dry side. Either way, it was really good with the coffee. I didn't get a chance to sit inside but it's a really cool vibe in there as well. A great place to chill and catch up with people.
It was a beautiful day to hit up the coffee shop. Today's adventure was Backstory! I did have to drive around a little bit to find a parking spot, but it was mainly due to the nearby construction. Something to note if you visit soon. I enjoyed an iced caramel latte with salt on top. It was exactly what I was hoping for! My kiddos enjoyed their lemonades. I stole a sip, too, and was quite impressed with the flavor! Their space outside is gorgeous and perfect to enjoy a fall day with. I did wish the baristas were a little more welcoming, but it seemed like they were in the middle of dealing with something on the phone so I understand. Can't wait to be back. It was a relaxing experience!
Backstory is a great stop for coffee. This location actually roasts the coffee for both of their locations. They have a small indoor and outdoor seating and they are right across from a brew pub so you can go right from coffee to beer! Backstory roasts and sells their beans as well as various items like shirts and cups, etc. The one thing I want to call Backstory out for is their very friendly service. We had a couple of questions and the barista was happy to answer them and explain some things to us. After getting my cappuccino and taking a sip, I immediately went back and bought the Legend beans so I can have them at home. A must stop for coffee!
Had to wait around the area so stopped in to get some work done and grab an espresso. It's a really small shop so the seating is dependent on if you can/want to use the patio. There are only 4 tables inside and they fill up quick. The service was pretty good and it's got a "hip" atmosphere. It's pretty neat that they've got all their beans and roaster in the back of the shop. They've got some local pastries, tea, and in-house roasted coffee. I grabbed an espresso and drip coffee this time. They both tasted pretty bitter and I'm not sure if that was a result of the roast or the temp on the brew. It was "ok" but not my favorite. Overall I don't think I'd work here again. There aren't a lot of "craft" roasters in the area so would stop by again if I lived/worked in the area.
This café is stunning when you first walk in. Super open and spacious with lots of seating. However, if you come in during a rush, prepare to wait a while for both seats and service. I visited around noon and it was pretty packed. My friend and I waited for a seat for about 15 minutes. They have paper menus that you can browse while waiting which helped move the ordering queue a little faster. They also have cute merchandise for sale as well. The drinks and pastry we got were delicious and worth the wait. This is a great place to sit and work if you get there early.
A cute coffee shop tucked away in a quaint area. Stopped here on our way out of Minneapolis. The baristas were very nice and helpful when we ordered. I tried some sort of matcha, blueberry/lemon latte and wow it was so good. Almost had a subtle fruit loop flavor!
I love stumbling upon the hidden gems of the world. This is one of those. Outstanding Latte and exceptional pasties. A cool vibe inside and out. This is a lovely place to drink really good in-house roasted coffee and be delighted by a creative bite. Highly Recommended the coffee cake and the everything bagel pastry.
So glad we accidentally stopped at this divine gem on our way to see the sites in St Paul. It's right on the corner with plenty of parking on the street in front. The place is clean, trendy and obviously a lot of others think so, too. I ordered a vanilla latte and my SO ordered the Mocha. The foam "art" was gorgeous! Of course it gets altered after the first sip... but the additional attention to detail was appreciated. Decided to enjoy some coffee cake which was a bit crunchy on top (and which I liked) and soo delicious. Very filling. My SO loved the soft blueberry muffin packed with sweet blueberries. It was also large. Went back to the counter to get packaged coffee to go. Most coffees seemed to be mostly "single origin" but with the help of the individual at the counter(manager) who gave me an espresso cup sample of what i was buying, I chose the chocolate Narrator for a gift for my kiddo. It was nice to see that there was a huge machine (coffee roaster) inside but unfortunately they weren't roasting that day. St Paul was a great place to visit.
Backstory has the BEST beans!!! Such a great spot, so we stop every time we are in town visiting family to grab some beans and drinks. We hit up the Bloomington location near closing time on our way back to Madison and barista (Nikki) was so kind to make me a decaf oat miel! It was delish and we scored some decaf beans as well. The interior of the shop is modern yet cozy- great vibes all around! Also grabbed the Turtle tea blend and I can't wait to try :)
My friend and I biked to Bootstrap Coffee Roasters on a Sunday around noon. When we got there, I realized the indoor part of the coffee shop was closed off. I lily, it was a nice day out and we were able to sit outside but I would have been very upset had it none been a nice day out. My friend and I both ordered the maple syrup coffee. It sounded really great on the menu, like a fun, sweet coffee. When we got the coffee it was a tad bitter for the both of us and we got some extra cream. This made the coffee PERFECT! We were able to enjoy the nice day and our coffees
So me and my mom are visiting St. Paul for the week and we are coffee addicts. So we decided to try this place and honestly did not know what to expect Ambiance: modern, clean, vibrant ambiance with big windows. Coffee: honestly one of the best lattes I've ever had even coming from California. It's so delicious and really put effort into making it pretty Service: everyone has been beyond caring and nice here. Doing the extra mile and starting conversations and even giving us restaurant recommendations since we are visiting! I've been coming here 5 days straight since me and my mom got here in St. Paul HIGHLY RECOMMEND
8 months ago
A small but mighty coffee shop on the west side of Saint Paul. The menu is nice with a little bit for everyone. I tried the Lemon Bar Latte and it was AMAZINGLY good! It was smooth and not overly sweet. I also tried the French Toast Breakfast Sandwich and it was quite good. Total was a little over $$22 for the two items and a 20% tip. Free street parking available. They are also doing great things for the community and that is worth so much more than great coffee and breakfast sandwiches. read more
Totally forgot how close I live to this spot! Backstory Coffee was the perfect little stop before heading to the MN Yacht Club Music Festival with my bestie. We rolled in a little before 1:00 PM and had no trouble finding easy street parking (huge win!). The vibe inside? Mixed. While the space was cute, relaxed and inviting, the service was... not so much. The guy at the front counter barely looked up from his screen, and let's just say, enthusiasm wasn't on the menu. Definitely not the warm welcome we hoped for and very unfortunate. BUT--shoutout to my bestie for treating us to a coffee date, because the drinks were solid. I had the piña colada cold brew, which was super sweet at first, but after a quick stir, it hit just right. My bestie went with the strawberries & cream cold brew and a matcha lemonade. Both were surprisingly good, but the matcha lemonade really stood out to me; so refreshing and unique. All in all, Backstory was a convenient and tasty pre-concert stop. If the service matched the drinks, this would've easily been a 5-star visit. read more
8 months ago
Miel Latte: 7.6 Strawberries+Cream cold brew: 6 Peaches and cream danish: 7.95 Vibes: 7.3 Overall score: 7.2 Usually the strawberry and cream cold brew is incredible, one of my go tos. Fire hangout spot, incredible baristas, good seating, worth checking out, love this place. read more
Super friendly staff. Delicious lattes and the yummiest pastries! I highly recommend their seasonal danishes, and my daughter loves their coffee cake pastries. However, I came here because I had fallen in love with the sister stores Minneapolis and Bloomington. The store is cute, but not breathtakingly beautiful like her Minneapolis sister or as modern chic like her Bloomington sister. I know... it's not fair, but I was disappointed because the Backstory experience was SO different. They do have a large outdoor area that looks fun for the warmer months. On-Street parking was easy and plentiful in this neighborhood. WiFi was strong, so I was able to do some work while I sipped on my yummy latte. read more
5 months ago
Wow, the breakfast menu is outstanding. In particular, I really recommend the Southwest Wrap (they changed the tortilla so it crisps better) and it is REALLY good. Like many others, I balk at the prices for food at coffee shops but THIS. Worth the money. I'll giving them more of my coffee (and breakfast) business in the future. Highly recommended. read more
Even though it was a little cold the day I went, I loved the little outdoor patio area. I sat outside, just watching the cars go by as I enjoyed my coffee and chocolate croissant. Got a cold brew and iced latte. The coffee was pretty strong which I appreciated and wasn't bitter at all. The croissant was pretty good too but it was a tad on the dry side. Either way, it was really good with the coffee. I didn't get a chance to sit inside but it's a really cool vibe in there as well. A great place to chill and catch up with people. read more
It was a beautiful day to hit up the coffee shop. Today's adventure was Backstory! I did have to drive around a little bit to find a parking spot, but it was mainly due to the nearby construction. Something to note if you visit soon. I enjoyed an iced caramel latte with salt on top. It was exactly what I was hoping for! My kiddos enjoyed their lemonades. I stole a sip, too, and was quite impressed with the flavor! Their space outside is gorgeous and perfect to enjoy a fall day with. I did wish the baristas were a little more welcoming, but it seemed like they were in the middle of dealing with something on the phone so I understand. Can't wait to be back. It was a relaxing experience! read more
Backstory is a great stop for coffee. This location actually roasts the coffee for both of their locations. They have a small indoor and outdoor seating and they are right across from a brew pub so you can go right from coffee to beer! Backstory roasts and sells their beans as well as various items like shirts and cups, etc. The one thing I want to call Backstory out for is their very friendly service. We had a couple of questions and the barista was happy to answer them and explain some things to us. After getting my cappuccino and taking a sip, I immediately went back and bought the Legend beans so I can have them at home. A must stop for coffee! read more
Had to wait around the area so stopped in to get some work done and grab an espresso. It's a really small shop so the seating is dependent on if you can/want to use the patio. There are only 4 tables inside and they fill up quick. The service was pretty good and it's got a "hip" atmosphere. It's pretty neat that they've got all their beans and roaster in the back of the shop. They've got some local pastries, tea, and in-house roasted coffee. I grabbed an espresso and drip coffee this time. They both tasted pretty bitter and I'm not sure if that was a result of the roast or the temp on the brew. It was "ok" but not my favorite. Overall I don't think I'd work here again. There aren't a lot of "craft" roasters in the area so would stop by again if I lived/worked in the area. read more
2 years ago
This café is stunning when you first walk in. Super open and spacious with lots of seating. However, if you come in during a rush, prepare to wait a while for both seats and service. I visited around noon and it was pretty packed. My friend and I waited for a seat for about 15 minutes. They have paper menus that you can browse while waiting which helped move the ordering queue a little faster. They also have cute merchandise for sale as well. The drinks and pastry we got were delicious and worth the wait. This is a great place to sit and work if you get there early. read more
A cute coffee shop tucked away in a quaint area. Stopped here on our way out of Minneapolis. The baristas were very nice and helpful when we ordered. I tried some sort of matcha, blueberry/lemon latte and wow it was so good. Almost had a subtle fruit loop flavor! read more
I love stumbling upon the hidden gems of the world. This is one of those. Outstanding Latte and exceptional pasties. A cool vibe inside and out. This is a lovely place to drink really good in-house roasted coffee and be delighted by a creative bite. Highly Recommended the coffee cake and the everything bagel pastry. read more
So glad we accidentally stopped at this divine gem on our way to see the sites in St Paul. It's right on the corner with plenty of parking on the street in front. The place is clean, trendy and obviously a lot of others think so, too. I ordered a vanilla latte and my SO ordered the Mocha. The foam "art" was gorgeous! Of course it gets altered after the first sip... but the additional attention to detail was appreciated. Decided to enjoy some coffee cake which was a bit crunchy on top (and which I liked) and soo delicious. Very filling. My SO loved the soft blueberry muffin packed with sweet blueberries. It was also large. Went back to the counter to get packaged coffee to go. Most coffees seemed to be mostly "single origin" but with the help of the individual at the counter(manager) who gave me an espresso cup sample of what i was buying, I chose the chocolate Narrator for a gift for my kiddo. It was nice to see that there was a huge machine (coffee roaster) inside but unfortunately they weren't roasting that day. St Paul was a great place to visit. read more
2 years ago
Backstory has the BEST beans!!! Such a great spot, so we stop every time we are in town visiting family to grab some beans and drinks. We hit up the Bloomington location near closing time on our way back to Madison and barista (Nikki) was so kind to make me a decaf oat miel! It was delish and we scored some decaf beans as well. The interior of the shop is modern yet cozy- great vibes all around! Also grabbed the Turtle tea blend and I can't wait to try :) read more
My friend and I biked to Bootstrap Coffee Roasters on a Sunday around noon. When we got there, I realized the indoor part of the coffee shop was closed off. I lily, it was a nice day out and we were able to sit outside but I would have been very upset had it none been a nice day out. My friend and I both ordered the maple syrup coffee. It sounded really great on the menu, like a fun, sweet coffee. When we got the coffee it was a tad bitter for the both of us and we got some extra cream. This made the coffee PERFECT! We were able to enjoy the nice day and our coffees read more
2 years ago
So me and my mom are visiting St. Paul for the week and we are coffee addicts. So we decided to try this place and honestly did not know what to expect Ambiance: modern, clean, vibrant ambiance with big windows. Coffee: honestly one of the best lattes I've ever had even coming from California. It's so delicious and really put effort into making it pretty Service: everyone has been beyond caring and nice here. Doing the extra mile and starting conversations and even giving us restaurant recommendations since we are visiting! I've been coming here 5 days straight since me and my mom got here in St. Paul HIGHLY RECOMMEND read more
Such a fun and warming coffee shop! The employees were super nice and helpful when I asked for a suggestion. I ended up get their blood orange iced matcha and it was really really good! The location has plenty of street parking and paths to walk with your coffee. There's also a nice outdoor seating area with chairs and a fireplace! WiFi password was out for easy use and multiple tables to work or visit at. I'd love to try the minneapolis location too. read more
4 years ago
Best thing about Backstory; all their syrups are house made! I love coming back here and trying their seasonal drinks. Today I got their lemon bar latte. It was delicious and a great balance of sweetness. There's some seating available inside now to get work done which is great for the colder weather. Friendly staff and my drink came out quick! read more
1 year ago
Bootstrap Coffee is the official coffee vendor of the Science Museum of MN. While I have not officially had coffee at that location yet (SMM and coffee are now open!), I was able to experience the coffee through a special event hosted by both. In partnership, they hosted the 'Science of Coffee'. Through a zoom call and in-home experiment, we learned about growing, roasting, brewing, and tasting coffee. The Bootstrap rep was very knowledgeable and clearly passionate about coffee. I decided to do my own 'experiments' and ordered some coffee online. Can't wait to start testing. read more
We became aware of this place when they opened their north loop location so decided to try their Saint Paul one and it's super cute! The same great coffee. Most of the building is the roastery so not a great place to come work. 2 4-person tables 2 high top 2-person tables and 4 stools against the window. They do have an order window which I'm sure gets more utilization In the Summer months. Overall a great stop! read more
4 years ago
Even though they're essentially a coffee booth right now, they've kept their outdoor area open which is fairly pleasant. They make a decent cold brew and I'd be willing to vouch for it. read more
Perhaps I made a mistake of trying Backstory out in the winter. I arrived 30 minutes after opening on a Saturday morning and snagged the last table (there are only 4 tables and a hightop bar area). The vibe was... kind of sad. This location is definitely not in the business to welcome patrons for a cozy, relaxing sit. Instead it's where they roast their coffee. Now I know - I was looking for a place to squat while I sipped my coffee and powered through some grad school work. My chocolate croissant was clearly thawed from frozen - the chocolate was still cold and hard. But I enjoyed my cafe miel. I will probably get their coffee at other local shops that use their beans instead of visiting this location again. Although I am intrigued by their outdoor seating in the warmer months. Bonus points for having a self-serve water station! read more
4 years ago
We just went to the new location in North Loop and it is beautiful! Great light, easy study/work vibe, lots of seating. The coffee was yummy too! read more
Needed a place to get things done on my to do list and I'm glad I chose Backstory to do so! Ordering inside is open now and there were a few tables to sit at inside and many tables outside. The free wifi even reached to the outdoor tables! I ordered a caramel latte that was made with their house brown sugar caramel sauce and local milk. I asked for it a little less sweet but it wasn't very sweet at all so next time I wouldn't ask for that! There were a few pastry options and Mylk Labs oatmeal for food and you can see them roasting the coffee inside and can buy the bags of their coffee. They also have a rewards program for your purchases and they sell growlers of some drinks. Overall cute space and good vibes! read more
In old St Paul across the River lies a roaster/ coffee house that deserves some love. The beans are simply fantastic and belong in the Twin Cities upper eschaton. They have seasonal blends and a ton of single origin options and make excellent hot and cold drinks. After being accused of being a black coffee snob I invited input from non coffee purists to make sure I covered all angles. They haves fun modern shop in a older section of town that is welcoming and warm. So ditch the reindeer and green angel and get good coffee at a fantastic local gem. read more
3 years ago
This place is pretty mellow, not a huge crowd maybe it's because I came during the week while everyone' is working. I got a mocha ice coffee, it's better then any ice coffees I tasted. It's not to sweet or bitter. Highly recommend. read more
5 years ago
Why I didn't came here long time ago hahaha? This place is really good I love it I had a strawberry shorecake latte, their specialty. Im sure I will try their other coffees. "Supporting Local Business" iLove it. read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
4 years ago
Support local baby! Open 7am - 3 pm, Bootstrap coffee is pure magic. Since COVID, they primarily use a walk-up window and the service is quick. Serving seasonal rotating drinks that are switched up (IE: lemon lavender miel, strawberries and cream iced mocha, espresso iced tea), I promise no other coffee shop is comparable. This is the real deal and even the donuts are jaw dropping (gluten free - hello). The coffee beans are roasted on-site and therefore, the aroma is always heavenly. There is a newer outside patio to tap into since the inside seating has not returned. I recommend picking a nice sunny day and grabbing a friend or family member to visit with on the patio. Once your drink is made, the barista puts it on a little bench outside to grab. Most recently, I had the seasonal berries and cream iced matcha and it was to die for. Please support this local shop as Saint Paul is so grateful to have this gem. Also - give them a follow on IG which is where I learn about a lot of their seasonal specials. read more
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More info about Backstory Coffee Roasters
432 Wabasha St S
Saint Paul, MN 55107
West Side
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(651) 528-7543
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https://www.backstory.coffee
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