1900 Barker Bakery And Cafe

The best coffee in Lawrence? Could be. Barker especially knows their espresso, and you can find the less common specialties like Gibraltar here. The alluring smell of fresh baked breads and pastries is also accurate: the menu is not long but delicious through and through. Parking fills up quickly, though you can find spots on the street. Better walk or bike if you can. Then sit outside on the patio!

Definitely the pastries and croissants were worth the drive from Overland Park. I don't recall having a better pastry outside of France than the ones we got at 1900 Barker. We intended to get some to take home with us but everything we purchased was consumed in ten minutes. I can't give this place give stars though because the service was very unenthusiastic. Maybe they are just trying to recreate the complete French experience, but if I worked here I would be so delighted to share the love of a really good croissant. Or maybe it's just the kind of service one gets in a college town--that better-than-thou attitude that infects so many college students. Masks are unfortunately still required in the shop. Maybe that's what contributed to the surly service. Masks block normal human connection and communication. I'll come back for the pastries but next time I'll order online and skip the service.