Backstory Coffee Roasters - West Side Menu

4.7

(225+ Reviews)

Pastries from Vikings & Goddesses Oatmeal Cups Hot Sandwiches Grab & Go Food Seasonal Specialties Brewed Coffees Espresso Beverages Cold Brew Beverages Tea & Other Beverages 12-Ounce Coffee Bags 2-Pound Coffee Bags 5-Pound Coffee Bags Apparel Drinkware Brewing Equipment Gifts & Other Items

Pastries from Vikings & Goddesses
- Croissant
  $4.25
- Chocolate Croissant
  $5.35
- Almond Croissant
  $5.50
- Ham and Cheese Croissant
  $6.00
- Spinach Artichoke Roll
  $5.00
- Seasonal Sweet Potato Danish
  Danish filled with roasted sweet potato pureed with cream cheese, sour cream, brown sugar, and white miso, topped with a vegetarian marshmallow & a roasted pepitas seasoned with sumac & cayenne. Contains: Gluten (Wheat), Milk, Eggs, Soy
  $5.35
- Seasonal Sweet Danish
  Ask a barista for today's selection!
  $5.35
- Coffee Cake
  $4.50
- Brown Butter Blueberry Muffin
  $4.50
- Seasonal Savory Hand Pie
  Ask a barista for today's selection!
  $5.25
- Seasonal Sweet Hand Pie
  Ask a barista for today's selection!
  $5.25
Oatmeal Cups
- Maple Oatmeal
  Oatmeal prepared with steamed oat milk, pure maple syrup & a dash of cardamom. Served with a side of granola. Vegan & nut-free.
  $6.00
- Honey Almond Oatmeal
  Oatmeal prepared with steamed oat milk, honey/almond syrup & a dash of cinnamon. Served with a side of granola. Contains almond.
  $6.00
- Cranberry Vanilla Oatmeal
  Oatmeal prepared to order with steamed oat milk, vanilla bean syrup & a dash of cinnamon. Served with a side of granola & dried cranberries. Vegan & nut-free.
  $6.00
- Spiced Apple Oatmeal
  Oatmeal prepared to order with steamed oat milk, spiced brown sugar/apple syrup & a dash of our warm spice blend. Served with a side of granola. Vegan & nut-free.
  $6.00
Hot Sandwiches
- Chicken & Bell Pepper Panini
  Chicken, red pepper hummus, bell peppers & white cheddar on sourdough levain. Contains meat, dairy & gluten. Sorry, no modifications or substitutions.
  $10.00
- Turkey & Fig Panini
  Turkey, white cheddar & fig jam on sourdough levain. Contains meat, dairy & gluten. Sorry, no substitutions or modifications.
  $10.00
- Sweet Potato & Hummus Panini
  Red pepper hummus, sweet potatoes, bell peppers & pickled red onions on sourdough levain. Vegan, contains gluten. Sorry, no substitutions or modifications.
  $9.50
Grab & Go Food
- Kettle Chips
  $2.00
- Buckwheat Orange Bar from Mademoiselle Miel
  This seasonal bar from Mademoiselle Miel features vegan white chocolate & 70% cacao swirled with buckwheat & orange oil. Pair it with the Miel Chocolat latte!
  $9.00
Seasonal Specialties
- Miel Chocolat
  This latte was created in collaboration with our West Side neighbor, the award-winning chocolatiers & beekeepers at Mademoiselle Miel! We stir their orange/honey syrup into chocolatey Legend espresso, top with oat milk & garnish with 70% cacao chocolate shavings for a light & bright - yet still lush - latte. Dairy-free. Available hot & iced.
  $7.10
- Angel Mint Matcha
  This matcha latte features syrup made from Sacred Blossom’s minty Angel herbal blend, grown & cool temp-dried in Mondovi, Wisconsin. We top it with a dash of pink dragonfruit powder for a pop of springy color to match Sacred Blossom's poly-cultured flower fields! Vegan when made w/non-dairy milk.
  $7.30
- Banana Cream Chai
  Created in collaboration with Chiya Chai, this oat milk masala chai latte features banana coconut caramel sauce & a dash of Chiya Chai’s garam masala blend. With bold flavors of caramelized banana, brown sugar & warm spice, it's great hot and on ice! Vegan, contains coconut.
  $7.10
- Maple Cherry Cold Brew
  This cold brew is a collaboration with Tappers Maple Syrup! We shake dark cherry/fennel syrup into Narrator cold brew, pour it over ice & top it with a cold foam made with oat cream & Tappers' pure maple syrup, tapped just across the border in Wisconsin. Vegan.
  $7.85
Brewed Coffees
- Featured Batch Brew
  Our daily selection of batch brew coffee, brewed to perfection
  $3.50
- Pour Over
  Brewed to order, 16oz. Choose from: Narrator- Medium roast, chocolaty & nutty Hearthside- Dark roast, rich & spicy Nightfall- Decaffeinated medium roast, mellow & nutty Featured- Currently Burundi Businde, plum & honeydew
  $5.50
- Cafe au Lait
  Our daily selection of batch brew, topped with steamed milk of your choice
  $4.25
- Coffee with Espresso
  Our daily selection of batch brew, topped with an extraction of espresso
  $4.25
Espresso Beverages
- Espresso
  A double extraction of espresso- Choose from Legend (our go-to) or our weekly feature
  $3.50
- Americano
  Espresso + water, available hot & iced 6oz & 10oz sizes contain one double extraction of espresso, 16oz & Iced contain two double extractions.
  $3.75
- Macchiato
  Espresso + steamed milk, 3oz
  $4.25
- Cortado
  Espresso + steamed milk, 4.25oz
  $4.75
- Cappuccino
  Espresso + steamed milk, 6oz
  $5.00
- Latte
  Espresso + steamed milk 10oz & Iced contain one double extraction of espresso. 16oz contains two double extractions. Enjoy as is, or add your choice of flavor using the full & half flavor options!
  $5.45
Cold Brew Beverages
- Cold Brew
  Our signature combination of slow-steeped and flash-brewed iced coffee Choose from Narrator (chocolatey, nutty & classic) or our weekly feature (often brighter, fruitier & sweeter).
  $5.50
- Maple Standard
  Narrator Cold Brew + pure maple syrup, dash of cream or nondairy milk, cinnamon & sea salt, shaken with ice
  $6.85
- New Growler Purchase
  32oz reusable glass growler filled with the cold brew beverage of your choice Use this menu option to purchase your first growler. Return your rinsed growler and save $2 on your next growler purchase, only at the walk-up window!
  $17.00
Tea & Other Beverages
- Chai Latte
  We add your choice of milk to locally-crafted Chiya Chai, small-batch brewed in Minneapolis using Himalayan black tea, cardamom, vanilla & warm spices. Aromatic & a little sweet, it's a delight to the senses, hot or iced!
  $5.45
- Classic Matcha Latte
  Spirit Tea Kodemari Matcha + steamed milk, lightly sweetened w/house vanilla bean syrup
  $5.80
- Kodama Sencha Green Tea- Spirit Tea
  Notes of toasted nori, sesame, and honeydew.
  $4.25
- Sunstone Black Tea- Spirit Tea
  Notes of honey, dark cocoa and apricot.
  $4.25
- Angel Herbal Tea Blend - Sacred Blossom
  Nettles, milky oats, mints, lemon balm, elderberries, apples, fennel & rose petals
  $4.25
- Dreamy Herbal Tea Blend - Sacred Blossom
  California poppy, wild cherry bark, tulsi, lemon balm, anise hyssop, catnip & cornflower
  $4.25
- Turtle Herbal Tea Blend - Sacred Blossom
  Lemon balm, milky oats, wild raspberry leaf, Tulsi & chocolate mint
  $4.25
- Steamer
  Steamed milk + your choice of house made syrup
  $3.50
- Hot Chocolate
  House mocha sauce + steamed milk Mocha sauce is vegan.
  $3.50
- Kid's Milk
  Your choice of milk, 6oz
  $2.75
- Lemonade
  Our house recipe.
  $4.45
12-Ounce Coffee Bags
- Narrator 12-Ounce
  Narrator is a timeless blend crafted to produce a chocolatey, nutty and full-bodied cup - a real crowd-pleaser! Designed to be very versatile in brewing, the components of this blend change a few times a year as new coffees roll in and older coffees go out of stock for the season. Certified Organic.
  $18.00
- Legend 12-Ounce
  Legend is a classic blend designed to offer a creamy and sweet, medium roast, coffee experience. The component coffees change based on seasonality (like all of our blends). It is designed to be very versatile - great for batch brew, espresso or cold brew alike. When brewing as espresso, we recommend the following recipe: 19 grams dose weight 28-30 grams beverage weight 25-27 seconds 8-10 days off roast When brewing as batch brew, we recommend a 1:16 coffee to water ratio.
  $19.00
- Hearthside 12-Ounce
  Hearthside offers a rich, spicy and full-bodied cup - perfect for any darker roast lover! The components of this blend change a few times a year as new coffees roll in and older coffees go out of stock for the season. Currently, it is comprised of two really great coffees from Mexico and Honduras. It's great! Certified Organic.
  $19.00
- Wayfinder 12-Ounce
  A great morning cup, Wayfinder is designed to offer a sweet and snappy, lighter roast, coffee experience. The components of this blend change a few times a year as new coffees roll in and older coffees go out of stock for the season. Currently, it is comprised of two really great coffees from Mexico and Honduras. It's great! Certified Organic.
  $18.00
- Nightfall (Decaf) 12-Ounce
  Nightfall (Decaf) is our year-round decaffeinated offering featuring a mellow, nutty and deeply satisfying cup. The components of this decaf change a few times a year as new coffees roll in and older coffees go out of stock for the season. Currently, it is comprised of a really great decaffeinated coffee from Huila, Colombia.
  $19.00
- Colombia Manos Juntas Micromill - Natural 12-Ounce *Fresh In*
  Manos Juntas is a Colombian micromill whose purpose is to simplify and streamline the process of producing natural-processed coffees, which have been steadily growing in popularity in the specialty coffee world. Look for sweet and dessert-like flavors of chocolate truffle, dried cherry & guava.
  $24.00
- Short Story - A Special Blend 12-Ounce *Fresh In*
  Since 2020, we have been working with Higa Coffee on sourcing excellent coffees from smaller washing stations in Rwanda and Burundi. Higa is an importer with an emphasis on paying its workers and farmers more while pursuing the highest quality in coffee. This year, it is shifting the focus of its business away from importing coffee. We created a special blend to mark our last year of sourcing coffees from them: A blend of coffees you may recognize - Rwanda Kilimbi & Burundi Businde! In the cup, expect flavors of mulberry, maple, and dark chocolate with a rich and syrupy body.
  $21.00
- Java Frinsa Collective 12-Ounce
  This lot comes from the Frinsa Collective in West Java. The flavor of this coffee is big, wild, and complex! We get upfront notes of a tropical fruit punch medley and a touch of balsamic, followed by floral notes of elderflower, hibiscus, and grapefruit, all supported by a syrupy body. The flavors are wild and intense, yet remarkably balanced! It’s a nice, summery reprieve from the winter weather. Enjoy!
  $26.00
2-Pound Coffee Bags
- Narrator 2-Pound
  Narrator is a timeless blend crafted to produce a chocolatey, nutty and full-bodied cup - a real crowd-pleaser! Designed to be very versatile in brewing, the components of this blend change a few times a year as new coffees roll in and older coffees go out of stock for the season. Certified Organic.
  $48.00
- Legend 2-Pound
  Legend is a classic blend designed to offer a creamy and sweet, medium roast, coffee experience. The component coffees change based on seasonality (like all of our blends). It is designed to be very versatile - great for batch brew, espresso or cold brew alike. When brewing as espresso, we recommend the following recipe: 19 grams dose weight 28-30 grams beverage weight 25-27 seconds 8-10 days off roast When brewing as batch brew, we recommend a 1:16 coffee to water ratio.
  $50.50
- Hearthside 2-Pound
  Hearthside offers a rich, spicy and full-bodied cup - perfect for any darker roast lover! The components of this blend change a few times a year as new coffees roll in and older coffees go out of stock for the season. Currently, it is comprised of two really great coffees from Mexico and Honduras. It's great! Certified Organic.
  $50.50
- Wayfinder 2-Pound
  A great morning cup, Wayfinder is designed to offer a sweet and snappy, lighter roast, coffee experience. The components of this blend change a few times a year as new coffees roll in and older coffees go out of stock for the season. Currently, it is comprised of two really great coffees from Mexico and Honduras. It's great! Certified Organic.
  $48.00
- Nightfall (Decaf) 2-Pound
  Nightfall (Decaf) is our year-round decaffeinated offering featuring a mellow, nutty and deeply satisfying cup. The components of this decaf change a few times a year as new coffees roll in and older coffees go out of stock for the season. Currently, it is comprised of a really great decaffeinated coffee from Huila, Colombia.
  $50.50
- Colombia Manos Juntas Micromill - Natural 2-Pound *Fresh In*
  Manos Juntas is a Colombian micromill whose purpose is to simplify and streamline the process of producing natural-processed coffees, which have been steadily growing in popularity in the specialty coffee world. Look for sweet and dessert-like flavors of chocolate truffle, dried cherry & guava.
  $64.00
- Short Story - A Special Blend 2-Pound *Fresh In*
  Since 2020, we have been working with Higa Coffee on sourcing excellent coffees from smaller washing stations in Rwanda and Burundi. Higa is an importer with an emphasis on paying its workers and farmers more while pursuing the highest quality in coffee. This year, it is shifting the focus of its business away from importing coffee. We created a special blend to mark our last year of sourcing coffees from them: A blend of coffees you may recognize - Rwanda Kilimbi & Burundi Businde! In the cup, expect flavors of mulberry, maple, and dark chocolate with a rich and syrupy body.
  $56.00
- Java Frinsa Collective 2-Pound
  This lot comes from the Frinsa Collective in West Java. The flavor of this coffee is big, wild, and complex! We get upfront notes of a tropical fruit punch medley and a touch of balsamic, followed by floral notes of elderflower, hibiscus, and grapefruit, all supported by a syrupy body. The flavors are wild and intense, yet remarkably balanced! It’s a nice, summery reprieve from the winter weather. Enjoy!
  $72.25
5-Pound Coffee Bags
- Legend 5-Pound
  Legend is a classic blend designed to offer a creamy and sweet, medium roast, coffee experience. The component coffees change based on seasonality (like all of our blends). It is designed to be very versatile - great for batch brew, espresso or cold brew alike. When brewing as espresso, we recommend the following recipe: 19 grams dose weight 28-30 grams beverage weight 25-27 seconds 8-10 days off roast When brewing as batch brew, we recommend a 1:16 coffee to water ratio.
  $101.00
Apparel
- Maroon Beanie
  This knit, acrylic beanie features a patch with our logo and is designed to accompany you on all of your winter adventures!
  $25.00
- Backstory Hat - Blue/Green
  $29.00
- BCR Scarf
  This stylish scarf will keep you warm all winter long! Features our logo and tree mark in lively greens. Made of 100% acrylic, the tight knit results in a soft, stretchy scarf. Measures 59" x 7".
  $20.00
- Forest Green Hoodie
  This super comfy zip-up hoodie features our BCR tree crest logo on the back and our vertical BCR logo on the front. Printed locally by Phenom Print Studio. Available in S-XXL.
  $50.00
- Vintage Brown T-Shirt
  This shirt features our BCR tree crest across the back, and our logo on the front. Printed locally by Phenom Print Studio. Available in S-XXL.
  $20.00
- Bandana
  Black with green lettering, this bandana features the BCR owl, wings outstretched, looking out over the night sky. Printed locally by Phenom Studio.
  $15.00
Drinkware
- 12-Ounce White Nomad Tumbler
  This 12 ounce tumbler looks and feels great! Created Co is based around the idea that we have a responsibility to create good in the world. With this in mind, a portion of their sales goes to the nonprofit, charity:water, to help bring clean and safe water to developing countries. From Created Co: "Effortlessly stylish and undeniably practical, NOMAD features a 100% leak-proof lid and maintains temperature performance for up to 10 hours.Our first fully ceramic-coated vessel ensures the purest experience in taste. Featuring a seamless transition between interior and exterior appearance with color-matched ceramic coating. Flip Lid: The original NOMAD lid. This classic design features a convenient flip-top for easy sipping, while ensuring a leak proof seal. Compatible with all NOMAD colorways and sizes."
  $30.00
- 16-Ounce Travel Tumbler
  We are really excited to offer this tumbler in collaboration with Created Co! The tumbler looks and feels great! Created Co is based around the idea that we have a responsibility to create good in the world. With this in mind, a portion of their sales goes to the nonprofit, charity:water, to help bring clean and safe water to developing countries. Holds 16 ounces of delicious coffee. From Created Co: " Created with 18/8 stainless steel, a double-walled design, and vacuum insulation because we’re going to keep your hot drinks hot and your cold drinks cold. Made for specialty coffee with heart and style.
  $35.00
- Angle Drip Mug
  We are really excited to offer this smart-looking mug in collaboration with Created Co! Created Co is based around the idea that we have a responsibility to create good in the world. With this in mind, a portion of their sales goes to the nonprofit, charity:water, to help bring clean and safe water to developing countries. This restaurant-grade clay mug is fired at incredibly high temperatures to create the most durable surface possible. It features our arrow logo on one side and our iconic BCR tree crest on the other. Dishwasher friendly. Holds 12 ounces of delicious coffee.
  $22.00
Brewing Equipment
- Aeropress
  This unique brewing technology features both immersion and pressure to produce a tasty brew! Compact and lightweight, it is perfect for on-the-go brewing needs or your everyday cup at home.
  $42.00
- Aeropress Filters - Pack of 350
  Pack of 350 specialized filters for the Aeropress.
  $10.00
- Chemex - 6 Cup Brewer
  The Chemex Coffeemaker is a classic! It was designed by a chemist in 1941 and inspired by how liquids are filtered in a science lab. We love it for its design, ease of brewing and that it is both brewer and server in one. It's worth noting that it is the only piece of coffee equipment on display at the Museum of Modern Art. Because of the way the Chemex filter rests on top of the brewer, slow even draining takes place. This is because, as coffee drips into the lower chamber, air is displaced by pushing up the spout and past the filter. This is the 6-cup size, and is designed to brew up to 30 ounces of coffee. We offer both the Classic (with wooden collar) and Glass Handle version. It's a fun way to brew our coffees and it's easy to get consistent, delicious results!
  $49.50
- Chemex - 6/10 Cup Filters - Box of 100
  The Chemex filter is a thick, folded paper filter that's designed for the Chemex Coffeemaker. This thicker paper helps to hold back oils and to create an even, steady flow for consistent and delicious results. Pack of 100 pre-folded filter squares.
  $11.00
- Chemex - 3 Cup Brewer
  The Chemex Coffeemaker is a classic! It was designed by a chemist in 1941 and inspired by how liquids are filtered in a science lab. We love it for its design, ease of brewing and that it is both brewer and server in one. It's worth noting that it is the only piece of coffee equipment on display at the Museum of Modern Art. Because of the way the Chemex filter rests on top of the brewer, slow even draining takes place. This is because, as coffee drips into the lower chamber, air is displaced by pushing up the spout and past the filter.
  $44.15
- Chemex - 3 Cup Filters - Box of 100
  The Chemex filter is a thick, folded paper filter that's designed for the Chemex Coffeemaker. This thicker paper helps to hold back oils and to create an even, steady flow for consistent and delicious results.
  $11.00
- Chemex Glass Lid
  $11.00
Gifts & Other Items
- Maple Standard Soy Candle
  A naturally-scented soy candle handmade in collaboration with Bergliot Care Products. With notes of maple, honey & coffee, this richly-scented candle is reminiscent of our cold brew menu staple, the Maple Standard!
  $20.00
- Bumper Sticker
  Represent your favorite coffee brand around town in style!
  $3.00
- Spirit Tea Kodama Sencha Green Gift Box
  This green tea is a blend of spring & summer harvests from Fukuoka, Japan. Known for big umami flavor, it features notes of toasted nori, sesame & honeydew. This 8-serving box is a perfect gift for the tea drinkers on your list!
  $12.00
- Spirit Tea Kodemari Matcha Gift Box
  Gift the very same matcha we use behind the bar- or take it home for yourself! We love this matcha on its own or in a flavored latte, for its delicious notes of cherry blossom, sesame & toasted rice. Box contains 25 servings.
  $41.25
- Angel- Sacred Blossom Herbal Tea Blend 2oz bag
  We are proud to serve this herbal blend from Sacred Blossom Farm in Mondovi, Wisconsin. Incorporating mints, lemon balm, nettles & milky oats with sweet apple fennel & elderberry, this tisane tastes great hot or iced! Caffeine-free.
  $15.00
- Dream- Sacred Blossom Herbal Tea Blend 2oz bag
  This blend from Sacred Blossom Farm is intended to bring calm to your day or your bedtime routine. It combines California poppy with tulsi, lemon balm, anise hyssop, catnip, cornflower & the thin layer of inner-bark from sustainably harvested wild cherry trees, for a fragrant & flavorful floral experience.
  $15.00
- Turtle- Sacred Blossom Herbal Tea Blend 2oz bag
  This blend from Sacred Blossom Farm features lemon balm, milky oats, wild raspberry leaf, Tulsi & chocolate mint.
  $15.00