The story of Kings Road Cafe begins with a deep-rooted passion for coffee, inspired by the founder’s childhood memories of helping his grandfather, a tough ironworker who had lost his sight due to diabetes. Despite his blindness, the founder’s grandfather crafted his unique version of “cowboy coffee,” simmering it slowly on the stove and testing its texture by touch. This early experience shaped the way coffee is prepared at Kings Road Cafe today—each cup is individually extracted to achieve a rich, full-bodied flavor.
Growing up in San Francisco during the 1960s, the founder was introduced to espresso, cappuccino, and lattes in North Beach, a vibrant Italian neighborhood known for its exceptional cafes. This early exposure, particularly to the small-batch roasting methods of the Graffeo family, left a lasting impression.
In 1981, the founder began his formal journey into the world of coffee roasting. Under the guidance of a gourmet coffee roaster, he honed his skills, mastering the roast spectrum, single-origin cupping, and varietal blending. By 1990, this dedication culminated in the creation of Kings Road Cafe, where small-batch roasting and a commitment to quality have defined the brand ever since.
Kings Road Cafe now brings this legacy to the streets of Los Angeles, offering expertly crafted coffee through their mobile coffee truck, serving up the same rich flavors and dedication to quality that started it all.
