Rose City Coffee Co. — Restaurant in Portland

TL;DR The menu board doesn’t show prices and hasn’t for six months, per another reviewer. As of January 25, 2022, there is currently no way to know what you’re paying before check out.

The intent of this review is to advocate for ethical business practices at Rose City Coffee. When this changes, I will update my review.

I visited RCC last week for the first time. While ordering a coffee and bagel, I noticed the menu board didn’t show any prices, nor were they listed anywhere else. I asked the person at the register about it, who is also the owner, Kristy. She explained that a new menu board was being printed and would arrive soon. Okay, cool.

First visit: friendly service, hearty breakfast sandwich, pleasant space, underwhelming café au lait. 4/5

I went in again this morning, excited that this coffee shop has early hours. This time, I felt bothered by the no-prices menu, and here’s why: I noticed the “old” menu board never had prices (see photo). As in, it was printed without prices. Weird.

I’m a curious human. I sat down with my coffee and popped over to their reviews. Six months ago, Dale Hanson wrote, “Its our local coffee shop and we've enjoyed getting fresh beans and the occasional drink here but they just changed their menu above the cashier so that prices are not displayed. Not a fan of that choice.”

Okay, not cool. Here’s why: it’s classist. Some customers are on a budget. Maybe someone doesn’t have $9.25 to pay for a bagel? Or $4.25 for a coffee? Taking away the freedom of choice (showing prices) shuts out folks who can’t afford to not know what they’re paying until they check out. Further, it doesn’t take six months to reprint a menu board.

Again, I asked Christy about this, this time showing her the review from six months ago. Her response was, “I don’t actually know if we’re going to list prices, because things keep changing. I think we’ll eventually have a QR code where you can go and look at prices.” So at this time, no prices. I expressed that while I empathized with her experience as a small business owner in a pandemic, I was advocating on behalf of folks who, by her not listing prices, couldn’t afford to come into her business. What’s a good way to keep low income or houseless folks out? Don’t post your prices.

I told Christy I was posting this review and why, and that I’ll update it when she posts prices. She let me know there were a lot of other coffee shops I could go to.

Second visit: Unethical business practice, dishonest owner. 1/5

The coffee shop is full and was last week as well. This review isn’t going to adversely affect their business, but hopefully it’ll offer a point of reflection for equitable, inclusive...

I’ve been here a two times before, each time feeling like I would likely not return either because espresso beverage and food was only OK for the price or because of weird attitudes behind the counter. Decided to give it one last go tonight because it’s open later than other coffee shops in the area and I have some serious studying to do. I was still deciding on my order when the aging goth (baby doll dress and all) barista and was in the middle of saying “oh gosh, it all sounds really good” when she cut me off mid-sentence to say flatly “There’s a line”. I hastily ordered. Then while paying, I pointed out to her that the line just formed 3 seconds ago. (I had been standing there for 60 seconds before she walked up and there had been no line.) Then I said, “Lines happen. In coffee shops, lines happen. In customer service, lines are part of it.” She just stared at me blankly. Then I said, “What’s not OK is making the person in front of you feel bad because you don’t want a line.” She just glared at me in disbelief that I had the audacity to call her out.

I almost canceled my order and walked out. Third strike. But it is open later, and I do have this studying to do.

Just SO VERY OVER this sort of very bad type of service in “hip” places. Get over yourself. Drinking my drink now, and fortunately it is delicious, no thanks to the pounding heart I’m still feeling from...

I came in to this coffee shop for a personal sale. And we ended up ordering a couple coffees and man were they delicious. We tried coffees from their specials menu and they were truly unique. Mine reminded me of caramel popcorn and my mothers tasted like a pastry in liquid form. They were absolute heaven. And they were unique to the coffee shop which I loved; it’s so difficult to find a coffee shop where it’s not just mochas, lattes, and red bull drinks. If you want a delicious unique coffee this is definitely the place to go.

The theming and general vibe of this place is very cozy and welcoming. It’s one of the largest coffee shops I’ve ever been in so if you’re the type of person who needs a place to study or just like to lounge with a coffee then this is certainly the place for you. They also have quite a few adorable products that you can purchase like stickers, shirts, and earrings. Which is a lovely addition to shop around while you wait to order your coffee 😁

Also I would like to add that the customer service is absolutely lovely. They did not rush us to order but when we were ready to order they were promptly there with amazing attitude. We also got the pleasure of meeting the owner and she is so incredibly kind and sweet. This is a lovely establishment that I can’t put into words how amazing our experience was. You just have to try it for...