Words by Deven Wilson | Photo by Will Bowling

Stripped Back & Elevated Coffee on the Eastside

“Desnudo means naked,” Sergio Trujillo, co-owner of Desnudo, translates the name on every coffee lover’s lips in Austin that he says is “reflecting the purity of our coffee itself.”

Transparency runs deep in the mission at Desnudo as the Trujillo brothers care deeply about the quality of the coffee they pour and also the quality of care they provide to their small-scale Colombian farmer partners. Beyond simply buying their beans, the brothers maintain active relationships to positively impact a group often neglected by larger-scale purchasers.

Sergio recalls the farmer’s disbelief in their success. “Next year, we’re going to buy more, and then we want to pay more,” Sergio assured them, adding, “because you’re going to have to work more.” Despite the doubt, the brothers returned after a successful start and bought a whole kilo of beans, leaving the farmers saying, “Oh, these guys are for real.”

This dedication to deliver good coffee runs so deep at Desnudo that it spills out from the trailer and into every customer’s experience. Visitors arrive hoping to try their coffee, only to be met with an intimidating line of like-minded coffee connoisseurs. Yet, each one leaves feeling beyond satisfactorily served by Sergio, Juan, and their crew. “We always focus on the experience,” says Sergio, elaborating, “We want people to get that feeling of being with family.”

That feeling aptly comes through in many ways once the coffee hits taste buds. While others might disguise poor quality with mass-produced syrups, Desnudo carries its high expectation for excellence by finding the right balance for its espresso pour and any house-made syrup added to it. “We’re always striving to provide better products,” Sergio grins.“People respond to that.”

It’s hard not to sing their praises once the rich umami miso flavor mingles with the sweet touch added to the robust espresso in their Brown Sugar Miso Latte. Any time the season allows, they’ll partner with Eastside farmers, Boggy Creek, to keep their fruit-based syrups sourced locally. So, each seasonal syrup carries a fruitful vibrance that can only come from land to latte as soon as possible. Even their drink aptly named Desnudo, the stripped-back concoction of a simple double shot espresso poured over ice, brings out the vibrant flavors of their coffee beans that the brothers take pride in alongside their supported farmers

Rumor has it
Is Desnudo ditching the camper and moving to brick and mortar? “No,” Sergio answers coyly and reveals, “Do you know Rogue Radish? We convinced Chef Max Snyder to join our team.” This means that not only will the insane culinary talents Max offers reside on the Eastside, but there will also soon be even more incredible quality to experience at Desnudo. While the menu is still in the works, the brothers hint it could begin with pastries made to accompany their coffee for a well-rounded order, satisfying both the growing thirst and eventual hunger Austinites have for Desnudo.

Contact:
2505 Webberville Rd.
desnudocoffee.com
@desnudocoffee