Crema Coffee + Bakery — Restaurant in Portland

I am conflicted because there's a lot I adore about Crema. Truly, some of the best pastry case options, stellar coffee and drink selection, great location, love the outdoor seating. We come here frequently.

But the service is chaotic to say the least. There's always a line and that's fabulous for the business, but the process between the employees doesn't seem streamlined.

Your wait will vary - sometimes service is relatively quick and sometimes, like this weekend, you might get stuck waiting over 30 minutes for 2 drinks and a handful of food items.

I was handed a number and told the number would be called for my order, which never happened. Our order was placed incorrectly because the barista was distracted at having forgotten to charge a patron two people ahead of me (which happens, I get it). I was told to stand there and she'd get my pastry item after charging the patron and then...just never did (was eventually given to us after the 30 ish minute wait).

Our order was called out but not by number, rather by item, and since it was slightly incorrect, so we had no idea it was meant to be ours. When our drinks finally were made, I fully think they were forgotten about because folks who had come in after us had had their drinks, drank them, and left by the time ours were made. They were placed on the bar on top of the receipt obstructing our order number, which again, was never called out, so again, had not idea those were mine. The bar at this point was STUFFED full of drinks and food. Really easily could've been solved by just writing the number on the cups or calling out the number. Other patrons were confused as well - we chatted about it while we waited.

The chaos of the order process can get so bad that you physically feel the stress of the team and the area for pick-up is pretty cramped because there are seating tables tucked away in there, and nowhere else really to wait.

Really solvable service problems - just put a name or a number on the cup or call out the number if you're going to give folks those buzzers to hold. I held it for forever...

I have been coming here for 7 years, as it is walking distance from my house and my kids enjoy the macarons. They have good pastries, an interesting array of beverages, but unfortunately historically poor/mid customer service. I haven't written a review for an establishment in all of Portland but today I reached my limit. I'm not sure if scornful or unwelcoming is a qualification for applicants but I got a particularly well-versed one today. No welcome or acknowledgement when I reached the checkout, no eye contact. After my order was taken I couldn't remember if I told the cashier if my order was to-go so I went to tell the person prepping my food that it is to-go because the cashier was busy. They turned to me, paused with a glare, and said in a pissed voice "He told me it was to-go, so APPARENTLY you did." Glared, and looked away. I'm sorry, this is not how you treat a customer, I don't care what is going on with the team or the day, it was unwarranted and blatantly made me feel really upset afterwards. And for what, some rubbery ciabatta sandwiches? I will never be returning here, nor will I invite any of my traveling guests to visit either. People will always remember how you made them feel. Done with...

If you aren't a hipster (you know who you are) or a local (you say everyone else is "from away"--as if there are really any locals, save a couple dozen holdouts), you are treated with utter disdain. I'm neither a hipster nor a local, therefore, I don't deserve to be treated with dignity, respect or fairness. The gal who took--and filled--our order would have clearly rather been boiled in oil than serve the likes of ordinary folk. While she beamed at the older locals in front of us or the couple covered in tats, and wearing fedoras behind us--now those are people to serve. People with t-shirts and jeans---please go elsewhere.

Downtown Portland is growing tired and pretentious, filled with the hipster folks who wear just another form of uniform that you don't--but who betray their "openness" by being boorish and condescending to those who don't look like they do--and that's the difference. These folks don't seem to realize that the uniform doesn't make the person--no matter it's...