Portland Coffee House

Elite '08

52

539

Mary T.

Sunnyvale, CA

I had a blended mocha and an iced latte during the two times we came here, and both seemed pretty good to me. Again, I'm not a coffee person, but if it's not too overwhelming or burned, then I'm good. I like how they open late and have free wifi. I ended up doing all my work here, instead of another place because the space was better and the temp was just right.

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1

15

Ellettra A.

Portland, OR

I got probably the BEST mexican mocha here that I've ever had.  That drink alone was worth the 4 stars.  The ambiance was good, people watching was excellent, service was friendly and quick, and the music was good, although a bit too loud.

We were there to write, and the free wifi is nice, but outlets are scarce and weirdly placed, which was inconvenient.  

4 stars for greatness, minus 1 star for too few outlets.

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Elite '08

15

173

Crystal M.

San Jose, CA

Drink #1 was really good, but a few days later a different coffee maker managed to make my drink taste like poop. It's a cute coffee shop & they offer 8 oz. drinks which is cool. I guess you just have to plan your visits around the schedules of good staff.

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1012

188

john b.

New York, NY

Skip it. A no-hassle policy, all-night service, free wifi and acceptance of mediocre coffee is what keeps the under-25 crowd happy at this downtown still-going-strong-serving-weak-coffee 'institution.' Coffee connoisseurs have long steered clear of PCH, preferring Stumptown, Peet's, or Starbucks - all within a couple of blocks - to the cheap weak brew served here. PCH coffee gives Dunkin Donuts coffee a good name.

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75

508

Nic Z.

Portland, OR

What a great place and wow are the prices reasonable!  I got a cup of Numi tea for myself and a coffee cake for Paul and the price was $2.50!!!!!!!!!  Can you believe that????  I was loving that!  The next day I got a different type of Numi tea and I think it was $1.25 or something like that!  I was so confused by the cost, in LA it would cost like $4 or $5!  

It is warm and cozy inside, lots of tables and chairs, couches, and some benches along the wall.  Great vibe inside, I was loving it.  Oh, they have some seats outside as well.  The folks who worked there were really friendly which was great.  

Nice place!  Will totally go back!

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Elite '08

48

158

Chris G.

Los Angeles, CA

The best word to describe Portland Coffee House is unrefined. The interior is slightly dingy. Bizarre yet raw artwork lines the walls and the muted couch pillows are perpetually warmed by the sitting locale. The chai is good and the atmosphere is easygoing but lively.

The dirt from this coffee shop is uniquely Portland's. To sterilize it would deteriorate it into something homogenized and (gasp) multinational. I'm glad small coffee shops like this one still exist in downtown Portland but it's disconcerting to know ten equally clean Starbucks encircle within a mile radius of this location.

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4

48

Joanne H.

Seattle, WA

I've always been intrigued by how packed and alive this place looks whenever I pass by on Friday nights, so one weekday morning I had some time to spend before running errands and going to class and decided to stop by.

The crowd was a bit odd (creepy men, homeless people?) and the drip coffee wasn't great, and they played really horrible music -- sorry, but 9:30 am is a bit too early to listen to nu-metal. The longer I live in Portland, the less willing I am to go anywhere that doesn't French press and/or at least serve Stumptown beans anyway, so I doubt I'll return.

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Elite '08

681

372

Laura N.

Portland, OR

Pretty good coffee, GREAT vegan trail mix bar, plentiful bar, couch, and table seating, free wifi, and of course fantastic downtown people watching (read Alex K's review), but something seemed a little off.  I can't quite put my finger on it...

Here is what it might be: when I walked in and set my laptop down, there was a wait (which is a good sign) so I began responding to e-mails.  Before I knew it, one of the baristas came up to me and asked  if I had purchased anything.  hummmmpph.....

In her defense, how shady is it that people go into independent coffee shops and rip off their Internet without making a purchase!? But still, I just never quite got that "welcome vibe" that I've gotten at other places.

So, I'm giving it 4 stars and another chance.  Note to self: purchase something BEFORE sitting down!

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31

87

Alex K.

San Francisco, CA

when I saw all the local crust-punks camping out in front of this place I figured it would be my kind of place.  lots of local flavor, great location, right next to pioneer square.  reasonable prices, great vegan muffins, free wi-fi, funky couches, this is the kind of place I was hoping to find in Portland.

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7

24

Alyssa P.

Portland, OR

They were playing Nelly Furtado a little too loud, but I did snag a couch, and there was wireless. The coffee is not much to boast about (I got a raspberry mocha), but there's a good view of the street from a bar thing, if you like to watch people. It's okay, but not awesome. Seems to attract hipsters, especially outside.

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Elite '08

154

1203

Andrew K.

Washington, DC

The best coffee I have ever had. They also serve the best yogurt I have ever had -- huckleberry-flavored from Tillamook Farms -- the place that makes the yummiest sharp cheddar. The barrista was a one-man show which made for a wait, but the people in line were good looking hipsters, which made the wait very bearable.

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