Madrona Hill Cafe — Restaurant in Portland

Update: So, the owner contacted me about my review and my concerns. She has been extremely interested in addressing the situation that led to a lesser review. I have to say, her care and concern for the business is really nice, and really refreshing. My friend and I stopped in and had a very nice talk with her, had a nice coffee and a couple nice tasting pastries.

I liked this place the first time I went. I liked it this most recent time I went. And, it seems that customer services issues have been addressed and the staff was extremely pleasant and welcoming to every person coming through the door. It's clear that ownership really cares about the success of the business, the quality of the product, and a fun experience for customers. That changes everything for me.

I'll be back, and I think I can certainly recommend Madrona Hill Cafe to others now.

BTW - It's a great place to stop on a bike ride! It's right off of Ainsworth, a bike street, right near Greeley wrapping around the bluff and overlooking Portland downtown. The Max isn't far, in case you want to bike one way and ride back the other. There are bike racks surrounding the front of it, and outdoor seating. I was riding my bike the first time I went there, and riding the last time I went there.

Previously:

You'll find largely the same review from me elsewhere. I figured I'd share equally, as I'd hate for others to experience the same.

The kids working here need supervision. Having gone here twice, the first time was really nice, good coffee, nice service. The second time, the service was a bit more surly, and upon receiving my latte, it was barely palatable. It looked like the foam had been scooped from the top of the dishwater, and it didn't taste much better than that.

So, I politely asked a different girl working there if she'd mine remaking it. I rarely do this, but if I have ever needed a drink remade at any coffee shop anywhere, well, pretty much in the US, it has always been a kindly accommodated request. This young lady (girl) wanted to know what was wrong. Then, she literally lost eye contact with me and could no longer look at me, staring over her shoulder at the other girl who rolled her eyes like, "don't look at me". Unable to regain eye contact, or even verbal communication, I politely told her not to worry about it, I wouldn't be drinking this one anyway, turned, and walked out.

It's a cute cafe that seems hit or miss depending on the staff, I guess. Take your chances, but I...

Absolutely terrible service, I literally just left rather than continue to wait because it was worth losing the $5 I paid for my drink to be done dealing with the baristas’ service.

When I walked up to the window, there were 2 baristas and 1 customer waiting for their order to be made. I stood at the window for at least a minute with one of baristas, who was in direct sight of the window, never acknowledging me. Not even to simply say, “Hey, we’ll be right with you.”

So I was finally like, “Excuse me? Hello?” Still guy in plain sight of the window said nothing. A voice eventually called out, “I’m making a sandwich.” So I continue to wait a couple more minutes for the barista making the sandwich to come take my order.

During this time, 2 men had walked inside and the other barista was taking their order. I wait for 8 minutes, still my simple single drink is not done. I go back to the window, the barista who had not acknowledged me is standing at the espresso machine chatting with the men who had come in after me and the cup with my order written on it is sitting on the counter.

So I just left. Over 15 minutes of waiting to try to get an Americano with 2 baristas and nobody else in line when I arrived. Legitimately garbage service.

EDIT: After reading other reviews on here and realizing my experience is a pattern, I went back and went ahead and requested a refund. The barista that had originally ignored me cut me off while I was speaking after I told him the situation. I then had to state to him, “It sounds like you are not interested in hearing my feedback.” Extremely rude. I’m so glad I didn’t let them keep my...

Culty Christian Coffee Shop?

I went in pretty early on a weekday. There were a couple of people sitting at the back tables. I ordered food and a drink and planned to sit and work there as well.

The barista, who is a white, feminine presenting person, brings me my drink at my table and with a big grin on her face, asks me, “Do you know Jesus?” I was confused, I was still half asleep. My brain thought she was asking me if I knew anybody named “Jesús.”  I’m from SoCal, so yes, I had multiple friends named Jesús.

I looked at her with my puzzled face, and then she said to me, “Well Jesus loves you.”  I responded with, “Oh I thought you meant a real person.”  And with a big smile and a small giggle she says, “He is real” and walks away.

It was the most uncomfortable experience for me. I did not feel safe, so I packed my things and left the cafe. That experience was triggering af.

I’m curious if she purposely walked up to me with my drink because I am BIPOC and covered in tattoos. Did she single me out?  Is this normal behaviour at this coffee shop?

Why are they advertising that they are a safe space? Christianity has been and is still used as a tool for colonization and subjugation and used against queer and trans people. If you say you’re a safe space for people, then actually make it a safe...