Bipartisan Cafe — Restaurant in Portland

I really wanted to love Bipartisan (it’s in a great location, a lot of effort has been put into its design, the menu has a good variety of options, and it’s open an hour before most other cafes which is fantastic when you want to get up and at ‘em in the morning) however I’m sorry to report that I left underwhelmed with my experience there today. Perhaps this visit was an anomaly so in the spirit of fairness, I have laid out the pros and cons below.

Pros: open early on a weekend great outdoor seating on the street nearby good menu options one of the staff members was incredibly helpful when it came to a dietary concern- I so appreciate this. good range of menu options the gluten free deli sandwich was very good (hard to accomplish on gf bread) they have a curbside window for pandemic precaution food pick up

Cons: the food took forever to arrive (we were there early in the morning so perhaps they were still getting ready for the day) they mixed up two of our orders which was an incredibly frustrating and disappointing discovery at the top of our hike some hours later when we stopped for lunch two of the servers (not the server who helped with my dietary concern) really weren’t very attentive. This is fine early on a Sunday morning when someone is tired and just trying to do their job, I get that- I don’t expect you to be best friends with me- but they could have made the effort to make sure our order was correct (two people across two different orders received the wrong item), I wouldn’t bother mentioning this if our order had been correct.

The pros were on point however the cons made me consider whether I would visit again rather than go to another nearby cafe so 3...

Update - Well, it's 2024 and not much has changed. I came here because the shop around the corner is closed today and I needed a quick bite and place to get a little work done.

They're STILL playing screamo-angry-school-shooter-vibe music.

Tables still rock (some might find that charming, but I'm in my 40s now and I've got work to get done).

The staff behind the counter seem less anxty, but not exactly helpful. I had to ask if the bagel I ordered was indeed a jalapeno bagel. There was a nod and a laugh. They seemed to know how bad the bagel was... but yet it's still on the menu. (insert eye roll here!)

And on that note, do not oder the jalapeno bagel. It's basically a plan bagel dredged in salt. There's barely a hint of an aftertaste that could slightly resemble some kind of pepper - maybe. Furthermore, my chew-meter says this thing is two days old. Or maybe it was made by someone who is still learning. I don't know, but it's the most unfortunate bagel I've ever eaten.

Really sad to report I'm more disappointed than the last time I stopped in to see if things had improved. Nope. Bye. Again.

Used to be a great place we frequented often. I’ve lived in the neighborhood for 12 years and have recently decided to give up hope of this old favorite spot making a positive change (and I’ve been hoping for several years, now). I’m sure the pie will remain delicious as will some of the other menu staples. But the atmosphere and service sours the food. A visit today feels angry, noisy, and weirdly snobby (for what, I don’t know). Sorry, old friend. You lost...

Bipartisan pie baker here! Our pies are not flashy or arrogant, but humble, and wholesome. Everything is made entirely from scratch (my whisking-arm and rolling-pin-strengthened hands can attest to it) - the way our grandmothers did. The shop is a staple of the neighborhood: folks who came here as children now bring their children here. Their stories and energies fill this place with meaning.

This coffeehouse has had such a clear, positive history and impact on Montavilla. I absolutely adore when customers tell me their memories of time spent with their friends and families here, about so many important past events held within these walls, about the role this institution has played in their sense of belonging. It is a storied place. And we all love a good story, don’t we? I feel proud to be a participant and, here, a witness. Familiar third spaces are hard to come by these days. Cherish and support the ones you love!

PS- Pie opinions and recommendations: -The blueberry pie is a sleeper, don’t miss it! -Our Chocolate-Peanutbutter cream pie is 10/10 every time. -Our Cranberry-Apple pie is a must-have at the Thanksgiving or Rosh Hashanah table.

Pie is suitable for all milestones and gatherings, everyone will love that you brought one! We are always honored to bake for big events, such as weddings and birthdays. Thanks for...