Sam, Barista and Coffee Shop Owner
I'm Sam. I run a busy kosher coffee shop and wine bar in Kew Gardens, Queens. We opened in 2012, right by the LIRR station.
Our first customers were commuters on the way to the train. Commuters still line up at 7 a.m. for a pour-over or a Toddy cold brew.
In 2013, we added a small wine bar. On Thursday nights, the room fills with open mic music and poetry readings.
Two shops, one menu
In 2014, we opened a second shop on Avenue J in Midwood, Brooklyn. The Midwood shop grinds every bag on a Mahlkönig EK43 and pulls espresso on a La Marzocco Linea.
We switch to a new single origin coffee every week, so I dial in fresh beans all the time. You can see what we pour on our menu.
We close early on Fridays for Shabbat. Our kosher supervision comes from the Vaad Harabonim of Queens.
Why the name Odradek?
Odradek is a small creature from a Franz Kafka story. The full story is on our Our Story page.
How I write reviews
I have used coffee gear every day for 14 years. My reviews explain what matters at home: grind, build, cleaning and value.
Each review comes from my shop experience and careful research. No brand pays for my verdict. Some links may earn us a small fee at no extra cost to you.