5 ms·

Agree, I don't even order coffee in Portland anymore because everything is "delicate, fruity, floral" light roast aka. tastes like goddam vinegar.

staticautomatic 4y ago
Have you tried Spella?
0xEFF 4y ago
Water Avenue Coffee out of an aeropress tastes sweet to me.
technothrasher 4y ago
Last time I was in Oregon I tried to go into a coffee place and get a cup of coffee. Now, I'm admittedly not a big fancy coffee guy, usually drinking whatever Dunkin Donuts or McDonald's swill I can get, but I couldn't for the life of me figure out what the hell I was supposed to order. It was all fancy names on the menu and nothing that was just "coffee". I finally just said, "I want, like, normal, I don't know, East Coast coffee." The guy rolled his eyes, but obviously understood me, because he gave me coffee that tasted normal and was just fine and dandy.
- tptacek 4y ago
  Presumably the eye-roll was about the manner with which you asked, conveying confusion or distress about the menu, and not the drip coffee order; coffee places are happy to serve you a drip coffee (it's easy for them).
  - jgalt212 4y ago
    I don't think Blue Bottle does--only pour over. For cold brew, I think they sell drip.
    - tomjakubowski 4y ago
      I don't patronize Blue Bottle all that often, but I do recall their locations in LA selling ready to drink batch-brewed drip coffee.
- erikpukinskis 4y ago
  You can just ask for a “small coffee”, you don’t have to turn it into a weird territorial thing. Most places will have normal drip coffee ready to go. In the rare case somewhere only does made-to-order, you want an Americano. It’ll be fast and good and what you want.
  - krageon 4y ago
    An Americano is a normal cup of coffee with a large amount of water added. It's like a medium-strong tea. I was under the impression it was called that as some sort of disparagement of the US. Is this actually what is regularly consumed there?
    - fsckboy 4y ago
      an Americano, in Italy and in the US, is an espresso with water added to dilute it to the strength of "a cup of coffee".
    - goosedragons 4y ago
      An Americano is a normal cup of ESPRESSO with water added. It's a common drink in north american cafes and is similar to a "long black" in Australia and other places. Supposedly it's called that because GIs in Italy during WWII would get it/do it because they wanted a larger cup of coffee. Most coffee in the North America is drip which has a similar strength to an Americano. If you go to a Dunkin' Donuts, Tim Hortons, McDonald's, most cafes and ask for just a coffee they will give you drip.
      - themadturk 4y ago
        Where I come from, and Americano is the only quick and easy way to get decaf; a pour-over takes to long, and an Americano with cream is just perfect in the afternoon.
- eloisius 4y ago
  If you went into a wood oven Neapolitan pizza place, huffed over the menu when you couldn't find "meat lovers" and then finally said "I want, like, normal, I don't know, East Coast pizza" you'd probably get an eye roll too. But, if you just say you're not familiar with whats on the menu, ask what's good and has meat on it, they'd probably be happy to help you find something you like. It's often about how you say something.
  - fsckboy 4y ago
    it's a small point but "official" Neapolitan pizza (or should I say pizza Napoletano) is not available with meat on it
- matt-attack 4y ago
  I never look at coffee menus. They’re all obnoxious. Just walk in an say “I want a medium coffee”.
- tomjakubowski 4y ago
  He rolled his eyes because of your insinuation that their coffee was abnormal.
  - speed_spread 4y ago
    Sometimes you want the drug, not the drink. In these situations it is annoying to have to pretend to care about what feels like overly researched excuses for addiction.
- jquery 4y ago
  Just ask for a coffee. They won't roll your eyes at that. At least, that's never happened to me and that's my typical order at a boutique coffee shop. They're not going to make fun of you for not being a coffee expert. You'll end up with a nice drip coffee of whatever the house recommends.
- bpodgursky 4y ago
  "Large drip" They always figure it out.
- sushid 4y ago
  Go to a McDonald's next time. Would you ask for the Applebee special at a fancy steakhouse?
  - mrguyorama 4y ago
    In fact, mid range "fancy" resteraunts often have a "boyfriend special" cheapo burger and fries, with nothing fancy or special about it, for when you don't have the taste, or wallet, for overproduced, overpriced "we cut this normal food into weird shapes" meals.
- kQq9oHeAz6wLLS 4y ago
  You gotta get outside the Portland metro area. Then you'll find normal coffee.
- gpgn 4y ago
  Relevant clip from The Sopranos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLyn_feOptg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLyn_feOptg
aaronbrethorst 4y ago
I'd legitimately rather drink Starbucks than Stumptown for all of the reasons mentioned above. Starbucks is 'meh' but at least it doesn't have that sour, floral taste.
- salt-thrower 4y ago
  I actually agree. I’ve tried to like Stumptown so many times, but the flavor is too sour for me. Sisters Coffee Company is my favorite Oregon brand so far.
  - aaronbrethorst 4y ago
    Thanks for the tip. I'll check them out next time I see them at PCC or wherever. Meanwhile, I think my two favorite Washington roasters are https://www.mukilteocoffee.com https://www.mukilteocoffee.com and https://fidalgocoffee.com https://fidalgocoffee.com
    - YLE118 4y ago
      I like Herkimer but somehow my partner recognizes the taste anytime I brew it to share. I'm not sure how given that I usually can taste differences but it's been consistent and impressive.
- stevage 4y ago
  As a melburnian used to espresso, American Starbucks just tastes like milk to me. I try to order the smallest, strongest thing I can find and it's still just...milk.
  - mrguyorama 4y ago
    I WISH Starbucks tasted like milk. Order just a normal iced or hot coffee from them, and put in as much cream or sugar as you want, it still tastes like you are licking the little hot plate under the carafe in a drip coffee maker. At least it doesn't taste like battery acid though.
  - 4y ago
salt-thrower 4y ago
Check out the track “Coffee In Portland” by John Craigie on your music app of choice. It’s a great folksy bit about attempting to order coffee at a trendy coffee shop. Hilarious. (I say this as a Portland resident myself).
- robocat 4y ago
  > “Coffee In Portland” by John Craigie https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PWqoq4UQtQc https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PWqoq4UQtQc Link is more of a comedy sketch, not a song.
malaki01 4y ago
Live in Portland. Can confirm there are places that lack a simple dark roast / house coffee option. Portland literally encourages a "keep it weird" ethos that imo just results in folks trying too hard, as in banana-rosemary-licorice blends ...
- sizzle 4y ago
  Portland is the first and only place in the world where I was able to order a “lemonade coffee” and it was super unique and the flavors worked well together. They really get my respect for creativity alone, I like trying new things and changing my perception of what coffee is!
  - mrguyorama 4y ago
    My friend once asked the workers at ColdStone to mix some lasagna into an ice cream. It was disgusting. Not directed at you, more at the zeitgeist of boutique places mixing seemingly absurd things: Putting random shit together doesn't make you "unique" or "special" or "creative", sometimes it just means you didn't put much thought into something.
    - sizzle 4y ago
      Yeah trust me I agree, novelty without mastery is not pushing the envelope at all. The place I had this drink you can tell they were masters of the art of crafting coffee, they taught brewing masterclasses and had awesome coffee brewing/roasting equipment. The passion + appreciation for the art of the craft + experimentation + sufficient iterations leads to true innovation
sweetgiorni 4y ago
So funny to see this comment. Having moved to Portland recently I've been wondering why most coffee here is undrinkable to me. Guess this explains it. If anyone is looking for recommendations, Clinton St. Coffee House has never once served me a sour cup of coffee.

staticautomatic 4y ago

Have you tried Spella?

0xEFF 4y ago

Water Avenue Coffee out of an aeropress tastes sweet to me.

technothrasher 4y ago

Last time I was in Oregon I tried to go into a coffee place and get a cup of coffee. Now, I'm admittedly not a big fancy coffee guy, usually drinking whatever Dunkin Donuts or McDonald's swill I can get, but I couldn't for the life of me figure out what the hell I was supposed to order. It was all fancy names on the menu and nothing that was just "coffee". I finally just said, "I want, like, normal, I don't know, East Coast coffee." The guy rolled his eyes, but obviously understood me, because he gave me coffee that tasted normal and was just fine and dandy.

tptacek 4y ago
Presumably the eye-roll was about the manner with which you asked, conveying confusion or distress about the menu, and not the drip coffee order; coffee places are happy to serve you a drip coffee (it's easy for them).
- jgalt212 4y ago
  I don't think Blue Bottle does--only pour over. For cold brew, I think they sell drip.
  - tomjakubowski 4y ago
    I don't patronize Blue Bottle all that often, but I do recall their locations in LA selling ready to drink batch-brewed drip coffee.
erikpukinskis 4y ago
You can just ask for a “small coffee”, you don’t have to turn it into a weird territorial thing. Most places will have normal drip coffee ready to go. In the rare case somewhere only does made-to-order, you want an Americano. It’ll be fast and good and what you want.
- krageon 4y ago
  An Americano is a normal cup of coffee with a large amount of water added. It's like a medium-strong tea. I was under the impression it was called that as some sort of disparagement of the US. Is this actually what is regularly consumed there?
  - fsckboy 4y ago
    an Americano, in Italy and in the US, is an espresso with water added to dilute it to the strength of "a cup of coffee".
  - goosedragons 4y ago
    An Americano is a normal cup of ESPRESSO with water added. It's a common drink in north american cafes and is similar to a "long black" in Australia and other places. Supposedly it's called that because GIs in Italy during WWII would get it/do it because they wanted a larger cup of coffee. Most coffee in the North America is drip which has a similar strength to an Americano. If you go to a Dunkin' Donuts, Tim Hortons, McDonald's, most cafes and ask for just a coffee they will give you drip.
    - themadturk 4y ago
      Where I come from, and Americano is the only quick and easy way to get decaf; a pour-over takes to long, and an Americano with cream is just perfect in the afternoon.
eloisius 4y ago
If you went into a wood oven Neapolitan pizza place, huffed over the menu when you couldn't find "meat lovers" and then finally said "I want, like, normal, I don't know, East Coast pizza" you'd probably get an eye roll too. But, if you just say you're not familiar with whats on the menu, ask what's good and has meat on it, they'd probably be happy to help you find something you like. It's often about how you say something.
- fsckboy 4y ago
  it's a small point but "official" Neapolitan pizza (or should I say pizza Napoletano) is not available with meat on it
matt-attack 4y ago
I never look at coffee menus. They’re all obnoxious. Just walk in an say “I want a medium coffee”.
tomjakubowski 4y ago
He rolled his eyes because of your insinuation that their coffee was abnormal.
- speed_spread 4y ago
  Sometimes you want the drug, not the drink. In these situations it is annoying to have to pretend to care about what feels like overly researched excuses for addiction.
jquery 4y ago
Just ask for a coffee. They won't roll your eyes at that. At least, that's never happened to me and that's my typical order at a boutique coffee shop. They're not going to make fun of you for not being a coffee expert. You'll end up with a nice drip coffee of whatever the house recommends.
bpodgursky 4y ago
"Large drip" They always figure it out.
sushid 4y ago
Go to a McDonald's next time. Would you ask for the Applebee special at a fancy steakhouse?
- mrguyorama 4y ago
  In fact, mid range "fancy" resteraunts often have a "boyfriend special" cheapo burger and fries, with nothing fancy or special about it, for when you don't have the taste, or wallet, for overproduced, overpriced "we cut this normal food into weird shapes" meals.
kQq9oHeAz6wLLS 4y ago
You gotta get outside the Portland metro area. Then you'll find normal coffee.
gpgn 4y ago
Relevant clip from The Sopranos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLyn_feOptg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLyn_feOptg

aaronbrethorst 4y ago

I'd legitimately rather drink Starbucks than Stumptown for all of the reasons mentioned above. Starbucks is 'meh' but at least it doesn't have that sour, floral taste.

salt-thrower 4y ago
I actually agree. I’ve tried to like Stumptown so many times, but the flavor is too sour for me. Sisters Coffee Company is my favorite Oregon brand so far.
- aaronbrethorst 4y ago
  Thanks for the tip. I'll check them out next time I see them at PCC or wherever. Meanwhile, I think my two favorite Washington roasters are https://www.mukilteocoffee.com https://www.mukilteocoffee.com and https://fidalgocoffee.com https://fidalgocoffee.com
  - YLE118 4y ago
    I like Herkimer but somehow my partner recognizes the taste anytime I brew it to share. I'm not sure how given that I usually can taste differences but it's been consistent and impressive.
stevage 4y ago
As a melburnian used to espresso, American Starbucks just tastes like milk to me. I try to order the smallest, strongest thing I can find and it's still just...milk.
- mrguyorama 4y ago
  I WISH Starbucks tasted like milk. Order just a normal iced or hot coffee from them, and put in as much cream or sugar as you want, it still tastes like you are licking the little hot plate under the carafe in a drip coffee maker. At least it doesn't taste like battery acid though.
- 4y ago

salt-thrower 4y ago

Check out the track “Coffee In Portland” by John Craigie on your music app of choice. It’s a great folksy bit about attempting to order coffee at a trendy coffee shop. Hilarious. (I say this as a Portland resident myself).

robocat 4y ago
> “Coffee In Portland” by John Craigie https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PWqoq4UQtQc https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PWqoq4UQtQc Link is more of a comedy sketch, not a song.

malaki01 4y ago

Live in Portland. Can confirm there are places that lack a simple dark roast / house coffee option. Portland literally encourages a "keep it weird" ethos that imo just results in folks trying too hard, as in banana-rosemary-licorice blends ...

sizzle 4y ago
Portland is the first and only place in the world where I was able to order a “lemonade coffee” and it was super unique and the flavors worked well together. They really get my respect for creativity alone, I like trying new things and changing my perception of what coffee is!
- mrguyorama 4y ago
  My friend once asked the workers at ColdStone to mix some lasagna into an ice cream. It was disgusting. Not directed at you, more at the zeitgeist of boutique places mixing seemingly absurd things: Putting random shit together doesn't make you "unique" or "special" or "creative", sometimes it just means you didn't put much thought into something.
  - sizzle 4y ago
    Yeah trust me I agree, novelty without mastery is not pushing the envelope at all. The place I had this drink you can tell they were masters of the art of crafting coffee, they taught brewing masterclasses and had awesome coffee brewing/roasting equipment. The passion + appreciation for the art of the craft + experimentation + sufficient iterations leads to true innovation

sweetgiorni 4y ago

So funny to see this comment. Having moved to Portland recently I've been wondering why most coffee here is undrinkable to me. Guess this explains it. If anyone is looking for recommendations, Clinton St. Coffee House has never once served me a sour cup of coffee.