Krankies
211 3rd St E, Winston-Salem, NC
Crema's Take
“This downtown Winston-Salem roastery and café inhabits a beautifully converted tobacco warehouse with genuine industrial character, where both serious coffee enthusiasts and casual weekend brunchers feel equally at home. They've built a loyal following for their espresso-focused approach and pour-over precision, paired with a solid breakfast and pastry program that keeps the place buzzing without feeling chaotic. It's the kind of place where you can linger for hours with a laptop or catch up with friends over carefully crafted drinks in a space that actually feels like something real is happening.”
What to expect
Google Reviews
Krankies is a very cool space. The shop and roastery have a great atmosphere — industrial, open, and full of character. It feels like the kind of place where serious coffee is happening, and the roasting operation and selection of beans definitely reinforce that impression. Unfortunately, my drinks didn’t quite live up to the promise of the space. I ordered a small brown sugar iced latte, and it ended up feeling a bit flat. The espresso and the housemade flavor seemed to get lost, leaving the drink without the depth or complexity I was hoping for. I also tried the iced matcha with honey, which was similarly underwhelming. Not bad by any means, just a little muted and less vibrant than expected. That said, I’d absolutely be willing to come back and give Krankies another shot. Their selection of coffees looked fantastic, with a wide variety of roasts and flavor profiles available, and the roasting program clearly has a lot going for it. Next time I’d love to sit down, spend more time, and try one of their pour-overs, which feels like where their coffee might really shine. Overall: great space, impressive coffee lineup — I just hope my next cup hits the mark a little better.
Went here with a couple of friends after a morning run and this hit the spot! Definitely a popular breakfast/brunch space but it wasn’t overly crowded and we were able to get a table to sit and eat at. We shared the wedges which had a phenomenal dip, and didn’t stand in line too long.
Stopped in here on a whim for coffee. Didn't realize this seems to be a hot-spot. There were quite a few people there and a very long line. Instead of leaving I figured with a wait like this it must be good. So glad we stayed. The line move swiftly. The coffee and food were phenomenal! The chicken biscuit was huge and so good. The location is pretty cool too, an old historic building in the downtown area. There's a really nice park around the corner and you can jog via sidewalk and jogging path all the way to the Old Salem section, which was cool too.
Krankies is the quintessential Winston Salem dining experience—families, couples and individuals flocking to the place on weekends to grab either a quick bite or to lounge around slowly sipping a drink. We visited on a Saturday afternoon for lunch and weren’t disappointed. We got their biscuits—Krankies Classic and Nashville Hot—the former being your traditional southern style chicken with honey, and the latter being your usual hot Nashville style fried chicken. Both hit the spot. A lot of their biscuits come with bacon, but I guess you can ask them to get rid of bacon if you don’t eat it. The chai latte was decent, it was nothing to write home about. Their drinks menu is quite extensive with your usual coffees to creative takes on hot beverages to interesting cocktails. Parking area is quite small, but you can find parking nearby if you’re willing to wait. The seating area inside is comprised of a main hall with 2 auxiliary smaller seating areas adjoining it. You walk up to the counter, order your food and they call your name when it’s ready. Overall, it was a pretty decent dining experience.
First Visit to Krankies, Winston-Salem Stopped by Krankies for the first time and really enjoyed the experience. The place has a sweet vibe — set in an old tobacco-style warehouse downtown with a cool, relaxed energy that fits Winston-Salem perfectly. I ordered a Nitro Cold Brew, which was incredibly smooth — one of the better ones I’ve had in a while. For food, I tried the Egg & Cheese Biscuit (added sausage) and the Krankies Classic, their chicken biscuit topped with hot sauce and honey. Both sandwiches were full of flavor — the sausage and chicken were excellent, and the flavor balance was spot on. If I had one small critique, it would be the biscuit itself — a little dry and crumbly for my taste. But the contents more than made up for it. Overall, Krankies has great coffee, solid food, and a welcoming atmosphere that makes you want to come back. I took a few videos while I was there — the space really has that perfect blend of history and charm.
Crema Reviews
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