Brû Artisan Coffee Works: A Waco Coffee Shop Inside An Elevator
I rarely tire of checking out interesting coffee shops, both out of necessity (I have two young children and coffee is a must!) but also out of pure joy. I am not just a coffee lover, but a coffee shop lover. There is something so fun simply about the activity of seeing new spaces to settle in with a cup of coffee, my laptop, and an afternoon to-do list. And BRU coffee shop in Waco Texas was an especially interesting find: this tiny espresso bar is INSIDE a historic elevator.
Yes! Let’s just start with this, because it’s by far the most interesting aspect of this little Waco coffee roaster. The elevator at the historic Praetorian building has (obviously) been locked into place, and it’s just large enough for a one-barista show. The same person who takes your order and rings you up will also be the one pulling the espresso shot, steaming the milk, and presenting you with your beverage of choice.
When I stopped by on a Saturday morning, the pastry case was nearly bare. There were just a few soft, decadent lemon bars left…not typically my morning breakfast go-to, but I’m happy I bought one with my coffee order. I devoured it in a few bites.
My cappuccino was prepared quickly and served with a smile. At first sip, the flavor of the fair-trade coffee roast was balanced and a bit fruit-forward. The milk was not perfectly steamed (a bit too firm, lacking that velvety feel) but overall a nice beverage.
On a typical morning, though, they’ll have plenty of house-made pastry options. Scones, bars, and muffins all go perfectly with a morning late. And if you’re hungry for a more substantial bite, BRU’s other location (not this one in the elevator; they also have a cafe at Anthem STORIES) has a larger kitchen with salads, wraps, and other grab-and-go menu items.
BRU Artisan Coffee Works is Waco’s oldest coffee roaster, which isn’t necessarily saying a lot…the coffee scene in Waco is still fairly raw. It was only about 15 years ago that Common Grounds on the outskirts of Baylor University campus was THE coffee shop in Waco. But since 2012 BRU has been using their own custom machine to flame-roast their beans, roasting multiple blends that are available by the cup or to purchase as retail to bring home to make in your own kitchen.
If you love that casual background hum in a coffee shop, BRU is the perfect spot for you. It shares a space with Paper Crown, which is a crafting and scrapbooking store in Waco. So after you visit the small cafe (aka elevator!) for your coffee, you can find a place to sit in the craft store. There are designated tables and couches for all of the coffee shop guests.
BRU is known for their large selection of tea, so if you’re a tea drinker, this is also a great place for you! Earl Grey Creme, Lime Blossom, Lychee Peach, and Bombay Chai are just a few of the options you might find at BRU. If you’re stopping by in the summer months, ask to get that herbal blueberry tea iced for a refreshing treat!
They’re also very popular for ice-flavored drinks. There are typically a few special drink choices on the menu, but just a simple iced chai or iced vanilla latte is a good option at BRU. Of course, you can just step up to the coffee bar (aka antique elevator), chat with your friendly barista, and see what sort of caffeine fix might hit the spot that day.
Cozy, quaint, and with a strong attention to friendly customer service, house-baked treats, and in-house roasted beans, BRU is a Waco coffee shop that makes a perfect destination for delicious coffee, espresso drinks, and pastries.
Their location at the Praetorian is just two blocks from Magnolia Market from Chip and Joanna Gaines, so you could easily swing by for a cup of coffee before walking over to do some shopping. Cheers!
WEBSITE | 601 Franklin Ave #1st, Waco, TX 76701