Get the 'world's best cup of coffee' at an 'Elf' pop-up in this South Milwaukee café

“Everyone loves Will Ferrell,” a customer walking into the Better Together Café on Nov. 28 exclaimed upon seeing the life-sized Buddy the Elf at the counter.

Customers coming in to get the “world’s best cup of coffee” as Buddy the Elf would say ― and the sign out front says, too ― visitors can enjoy some special holiday drinks while also enjoying the "Elf" movie-themed pop-up inside.

Owners Zach and Becky Kinzer started a café food trailer by the same name in 2018 before opening this coffee shop in South Milwaukee in September 2021 at 1301 N. Chicago Ave. Becky Kinzer said the business has grown exponentially and allowed her husband to quit his full-time job.

“The community really rallied around us,” Zach Kinzer said.

The couple still visit events with their Better Together Café trailer, but this is the first pop-up event they’ve done in their brick-and-mortar café which was formerly a Dairy Queen.

The business is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and closed on Sunday.

Originally, the couple planned to do a "Christmas Vacation" theme, but they decided on "Elf" to be more family-focused and because their three small kids love the movie.

In addition to Buddy the Elf greeting guests at the door, a sign welcoming Santa hangs from the ceiling along with nearly 600 snowflakes, all hand cut from paper reminiscent of the décor in the movie. The corner of the café contains Legos for kids.

“We really wanted to look like Gimbels,” Becky Kinzer said.

The Kinzers, their employees, kids and customers all helped cut the snowflakes over the course of a month, Zach Kinzer said. A teacher from nearby E.W. Luther Elementary School also had their class create some snowflakes for the café.

While the pop-up, which took seven hours to set up, has only been "up" for a couple days, “everyone keeps saying it made their day,” Becky Kinzer said.

Customers can take a piece of the movie with them if they order a Buddy the Elf-themed shake available starting Dec. 1. Becky Kinzer said it has “basically everything he eats on top of spaghetti,” including fudge Pop-Tarts, M&Ms, marshmallows, the spaghetti itself (licorice whips) and a side of maple syrup.

The shake itself is a candy bar milkshake with Heath bar, brownie pieces and Crunch bar “since one of Buddy’s main food groups is candy.”

Other specials for the month include a peppermint mocha named Candy Cane Forest, a frosted sugar cookie latte called the Swirly Twirly Gum Drop and a crème brûlée latte titled The Lincoln Tunnel.

The main menu is also still available, including their most popular drink the EspressOreo ― espresso, Oreo cookies, milk and ice cream.

Better Together Café will be holding a children’s book reading in partnership with Jellystone Park in Caledonia on Dec. 8. A representative from the campground will come in dressed as an elf to read to kids.

The Kinzers also hope Santa can stop by sometime during the month ― especially since they have the sign welcoming him.

Now that they’ve created their first pop-up, the couple said they are considering more, including next Christmas and possibly Halloween.

Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on X @Redheadliner.