Tandem Coffee Roasters

After visiting a whole lot of coffee shops in Portland I have to say that this is by far the best. Standing here, waiting for my coffee as my girlfriend walked across the room to get a plastic top, I felt this strange joy and fear.
To be in love is to become one’s possession, like a book they hold on their lap and leaf through on a whim. But this is so impossibly beautiful: that one might choose you, you, out of an endless library of other books, and that they spend the time to understand you. It’s so impossibly lucky.
This coffee shop made me think all that, with truly exceptional baked goods, including a top notch poppyseed cake and flaky, perfectly crafted cheddar jalapeño biscuits. The coffee here is equally good, and you can get your drink made with a house-​made almond milk, which – trust me – is worth trying even if you don’t like almond milk.
I love that this coffee shop is in an old garage, and that you can barely even tell it is a coffee shop from the street. Do you remember the first time you saw the person you love? Did you see the future laid out before you? Could you see every moment you would have together? No. You simply saw the exterior, their outward beauty, and you hoped, hoped that there would be a chance to get to know them further, that you might be lucky enough to share a few more moments with them.
This coffee shop is like that and, God, I felt so glad to be here.

I have a love/​hate relationship with Tandem. I LOVE everything they sell and HATE the way I feel after a week long go-​there-​everyday-​for-​a-​loaded-​biscuit binge.
In a town of pretty incredible baked goods and coffee, Tandem stands out.
First, their coffee is strong, smooth and delicious. Tandem taught me to love dark roast coffee.
Second, their baking team is seriously gifted. Their cookies and breads are delicious. Their scones come in unique flavor combinations. Their quiche and pies are heavenly. They even have a brown sugar pie which takes Christina Tosi’s «crack pie» and knocks it on it’s ass! For me personally, all roads lead to the loaded biscuit. An absolutely perfect biscuit that is both sweet and salty, buttery, crispy AND soft, is split and loaded with butter and jam. YOU REALLY WANT THIS!!!
Third, they have incredible sandwiches on pillowy soft focaccia bread, with fillings like hard boiled egg, remoulade and greens or cheese, honey and black pepper. The sandwiches are pretty expensive, usually in the 10 $ range, but are huge by sandwich standards.
Tandem has communal picnic tables outside in the summer making it easy for customers passing by with dogs and/​or strollers to feel welcome.

I’ve been to this place a few times, and I REALLY enjoy their baked goods. That being said, the service and the coffee are sub par.
My boyfriend and I arrived and there were only a few people in line, we ordered quickly (he got a double espresso, I got a red eye), and proceeded to wait a very long time for our coffees. While waiting for what seemed forever, I quietly commented to my boyfriend how long it was taking. His finally came up, and he went outside since we were very bundled up and he was sweating bullets. I then CONTINUED to wait for another few minutes. I finally saw the barista brewing my espresso shot into my coffee! Hallelujah! While the shot was brewing she tidied up a bit around the counter, and then turned around and started a conversation with a co-​worker. My coffee sat there, getting cold. I finally walked up to the counter and cleared my throat to get her attention, she turned around and said, «Oh! Your coffee,» and handed it to me.
Perhaps she really did forget, but it’s unlikely since I was standing directly in front of her waiting for it.
Perhaps she over heard me say it was taking too long and decided to get even.
Either way, I will not be going back.
When I finally got out the door, coffee in hand. I took one sip, and I dumped the rest out. Their coffee has a weird tang to it that makes it just awful. My boyfriend didn’t like his either.

Very good baked goods, sticky bun and biscuit were great. This place was rec ended to us by a bartender the night before, and we really needed this food to bring is back to life. But, the cold weather had the windows fogged up and everything was sort of jungley inside — water dripping on all the bar seats. Couldnt really enjoy our food. Maybe take it to go for a walk around the city!

One of my crew came in with this moderate-​sized box, plunked it down on the desk, and said:
This is gonna be the best cinnamon bun you ever eat. Ever.
What a challenge! I had to rise to the challenge! I think one of those bad boys is a 3000 Calorie challenge, easy.
So I got me a cup of hot black coffee, dug in with two sticky-​fingered fists, and was it the best cinnamon bun I ever ate?
IT WAS.

2^nd time here!
The loaded biscuit was amazing. Biscuit had just the right fluff and crisp, and the jelly/​cream cheese ratio was on point.
Was dissapointed with the cheddar jalapeño biscuit and especially the sticky bun since it’s featured on the review highlights. I was surprised by it’s lemony zest. I think they both would taste better if they warmed it up a little before serving.

You just spent an hour of a November morning at the IRS office. You might have preferred something stronger to ease your suffering, but a cup of coffee was all you could afford any more. You decided a 10:30AM coffee break at Tandem (Congress Street location) would be your reward for enduring your encounter with the US Treasury Department. You still had enough dignity not to be reduced to the 99-​center at Cumby’s.
You had been to Tandem’s Bayside location twice before and had had excellent cups of brewed coffee. The first time, on a bitter cold winter day, you had braved the winds howling over the ridge of the Eastern Prom to walk to Tandem from the Portland Winter Farmer’s Market at 200 Anderson Street. You had not only decided that the Tandem aesthetic was a welcome change from the usual sofa/​bistro/​Wi-​Fi coffee house but had also enjoyed a superb pour-​over coffee. Your Lively Companion, even before caffeine had had an opportunity to work its magic on her neurons, had hinted that her latte compared favorably to ones she had had in the homeland of espresso (i.e. Italy). A well-​deserved second visit had confirmed the virtues of the first. You added Tandem to your personal list of approved spots.
When news of Tandem’s second location had eventually reached you (not being a habitué of the Forest City Food Scene), you had eagerly checked it out. Although the renovation of the former gas station had confirmed Tandem’s flair for reviving abandoned, light-​industrial buildings, and the products of the bakery appeared to have had many fans, you had been slightly disappointed by the lack of attention to detail (as in curdled milk in the pitcher and the staff’s active indifference to this circumstance). Yet, these minor blemishes did not dim the overall luster of the Tandem brand.
Thus, considering that any life experience is likely to be superior in some way to a visit to an outpost of the IRS, you were greatly anticipating the pleasures of a return to Tandem. You wanted reassurance that the universe was not a cold, callous place. You wanted to ward off the icy grip of the IRS on your soul. You wanted to feel that you could escape Sauron’s all-​knowing Evil Eye.
Alas, you did not find the refuge you sought. Although you are no expert, you knew that the carefully roasted beans had been not so carefully ground or brewed. The alternately bitter and sour coffee-​like beverage in your mug crushed your spirit. If it were not for your desire to get a caffeine buzz, you would not even have consumed the half a cup you did. Remembering how the staff had dismissed your prior complaint about the curdled milk, you did not even attempt to draw attention to the flaws in their brewing process. You might have preferred arguing with the IRS over the Alternative Minimum Tax.
As if the assault on your taste buds were not enough, the staff had selected to play Morphine as that morning’s soundtrack. You imagined the DJ-​du-​jour pondering, «which album in our collection is most likely to irritate the un-​cool bourgeoisie and thus assure us of having only true coffee and music cognoscenti for customers?» You wondered, «is there an IRS agent hiding out in the back room?» You remain impressed that Tandem has managed to carve out a spot for itself in the hyper-​competitive specialty coffee market, but you fear that it will no longer be one of yours. Then you realize, even the staff at the IRS office care more about you than the staff at Tandem. ¡Que lástima!

Wow, how is it that I haven’t reviewed Tandem yet?!
I love the coffee and the baked goods, without a doubt! I usually like darker roasts but they do a good job and can appreciate the coffee. My favorites, however, are the latte and the malted iced coffee. Its just the right blend of sweet, flavor and a bit more toward the dark side than some of the drips I feel like.
Baked goods… ok I have one beef with Tandem — Malted loaf is one of the BEST THINGS EVER and was featured in Bön Appetit but you can never get it! Why have something so well featured and then not make it. I did ask, they said its very labor intensive… still doesn’t seem like a good reason to not make it and have it available more often. Don’t other places have very labor intensive foods that they service at least somewhat regularly. Ie: beef bourguignon. I was told you can get it on special order still however.
There is some good stuff that is available however! Cheddar jalapeño biscuits are AWESOME and always good go to (and no they’re not very spicy). The loaded biscuits are quite fantastic and I recommend trying it despite the idea of just being butter and jam haha. Its really good! The cinnamon bun is always a good fallback with its citrus awesomeness
I would make my review 5 star if the malt loaf starts making a regular comeback… maybe not daily but when you have something that gets you known and gets your featured in a major magazine, it would be nice to be able to eat it and show it off to your out of down visitors now and then!
Also, while I do enjoy the décor and the people, sometimes I walk in and feel judged by some of the other patrons for not being a hipster… but not the staff, the staff is friggin’ AMAZING
Did I mention the staff are truly great people to talk to and always smiling and having fun?!

Tandem is the cute kind of neighborhood coffee place you want to love, but there is good news and bad news here. The baked goods are phenomenal: pies, buns, loaves, it’s all delicious. The coffee is not great. The regular coffee is too light for my taste and I’m not really into fussy barista drinks, which are expensive here. Plus on weekends the room is too crowded for me, and it tends to the snobby side. It helps to sit outside when the weather allows. If I could come on off-​hours and figure out a basic coffee order that wouldn’t break the bank I’d like Tandem better. Because the baked goods really are out of this world.

Café in what appears to be a former petrol station or laundry mat — either way; Lovely Open kitchen.
Solid baked goods — we enjoyed a jalapeño and cheese scone (dense and appropriately salted) and the coconut cake (not too sweet, just right) both very fresh. Pies by the slice or whole for takeaway. Looked delicious.
Staff were very friendly. Seating inside — high tables and low — more dining than lounge vibe. Outdoor picnic tables were perfect for us on this sunlit fall day.

Best coffee and sandwiches I’ve ever had, I mean ever. The iced coffee is so strong and tasty that it still gives me the shakes and I’ve been drinking coffee for many years now… Try the egg sandwich at lunch. I know it may sound like the least exciting listed on the board, but it is the MOST exciting once you taste the flavor complexities happening within the biscuit-​bun. What this place is doing is everything right. It has outdoor seating and you can even bring your pooch for a lunch session. Make sure on weekends and summertime you get there early before they run out of sandwiches (breakfast and lunch).

We paid a visit to the newer, larger location of Tandem Coffee Roasters on our way out of town. It is quite cool looking, offers a cover over their outdoor seating, and has a rather long delicious looking line up of bakery options in addition to their caffeinated menu.
Far from undiscovered, the seats were filled and the line was out the door when we arrived. Sadly, however, due to their popularity, they seem to churn out their product here, as the dripped coffee we ordered was pre-​made and was missing the roasted quality that had so impressed my friend at our inaugural visit to Tandem, at their original location.
You know how they say, don’t go shopping on an empty stomach? Well, that worked against me on this visit, since I had just come from a satisfying and filling breakfast. Baked goods — you and me, next time…

If you come by around brunch time (aka 11 – 1) on a weekend, prepare to stand in line and wait… BUT if you come during off hours, like say a 4pm on a Sunday afternoon, there’s no wait!
The winner was the the ginger cookie with white chocolate chunks. If you love ginger snaps, love chewy cookies with crunchy edges, you’ll love theirs. Totally worth every calorie and the $ 2+ dollars boyfriend paid. muhahaha
For a hot day, the lemonade beverage they have is an excellent choice! The juice was fresh, pucker-​face sour (!), but had a really tasty minty/​rosemary type flavor infused. Tandem makes it real concentrated, which is fine by me cuz one of my pet peeves is paying for watered down beverages that taste like water (*cough* LFK brunch iced tea).
Boyfriend got a regular hot coffee. No happy dance or anything observed, so I assume it’s prob pretty standard.

Coffee was bitter, tangy, and actually undrinkable. I can’t believe they call themselves coffee roasters! This was worse than bad diner coffee. Beautiful space but they need to learn how to actually roast coffee.
Food: Meh. Had the egg sandwich — I found it odd that they were kept hot in a drawer and not made to order. Biscuit was a nice texture but too sweet for me, especially with egg. Egg square was a little slimy and overall the sandwich needed something else to brighten it – fresh herbs, something spicy or salty — but it was basically egg, cheese, sugary biscuit.

They brew a solid cup of coffee and they should. The beans are roasted locally by them. It would be even better if there was additional variety of beans and flavors offered. I love a great cup of coffee and I love a choice of great coffees even more. If the primary coffee style isn’t your thing then you may not be excited. Hand crafted drinks are also available. Baristas are capable and professional.
The baked goods and kitchen are clearly the primary focus of this location. The offerings look fantastic, tasty biscuits piled high on elevated platters, delicious looking pastries and appetizing quiches. This is not a place, as a respected reviewer noted, to count carbs. These «sometime treats» are worth the extra gym time!
The seating is sunny, with many indoor window options and picnic tables just outside the door. There is ample off street parking, a plus in this neighborhood. The staff is friendly and not fake. Credit cards are welcome. Pro tip: Order holiday pies in advance. Your friends and family will thank you.

I was seriously unimpressed by Tandem. I had really high expectations and had heard really wonderful things. However, it was kind of a strange experience. They do not have one outlet so don’t come prepared to study or work with a laptop. They also do not have wifi, which I understand the whole, no technology, connect with people thing, but I feel like coffee shops should generally have wifi? Call me crazy.
Also the coffee was less than impressive. I’m pretty coffee informed if you will, and my almond milk latte tasted incredibly burned and frankly I could have got a better tasting latte at Starbucks, was that harsh? My bad…
I’m not one to complain about coffee prices because I have a legitimate addiction to caffeine and will get it at any price, however, for the quality of their espresso, it is incredibly over priced.
The people were nice, the location is sick. But I feel like it’s trying too hard to give off that «hipster» vibe, and there are coffee shops in Portland with WAY better coffee! Oops, sorry to be harsh.

I wrestled between a 2 star and 3 star review for Tandem. I’m settling on a 3 star review because of their food. Nowhere else in Portland has such imaginative (and still edible) scones. The food incorporates creative flavors. I wouldn’t go out of my way for some of their food items, BUT I’d recommend them. They only have a lot of carb heavy items so if you’re looking for a carb-​less breakfast or snack, try elsewhere.
Their coffee is why I was considering a 2. This is probably just due to personal preference. I’m not really big on acidic coffee because of my acid reflux. I have yet to have a cup of Tandem coffee and be satisfied. I’ve gotten a cup 3 — 4 times in the last year, spread out over time (aka forgetting, revisiting, and remembering). I’ve actually had good interaction with the staff (typically barista). The ambiance is cool and the patio really makes the spot. I was a big fan of the new location, and what they’ve done to really make it shine.
So moral of the story is, if you want to be seen with an inventive scone and some acidic (hey some people are into that thing) coffee then go to Tandem. However, if you find you don’t like Tandem then there is a bevy of other coffee fish in the sea. In the meantime I’ll probably keep trying to give Tandem a try every 3 — 4 months.

Full disclosure on this review. This coffee shop belongs to extended family. Also, I don’t drink coffee.
The atmosphere is great at this location. The staff is knowledge and helpful.
Now on to the real business. I dropped by this location right before 2pm, and ordered a breakfast biscuit. Yummy! The biscuit made my southern stomach happy; the egg and cheese inside kept me quite filled for a late lunch. My buddy’s broccoli sandwich was inspired. Great flavor profile guys, and never lose that biscuit recipe.
I did also try the sticky bun, rye shortbread, and blueberry scone. All very good. I may have eaten too much.
The sticky bun was huge!

Not going there is difficult for me. I use to visit their original location on Anderson back when I worked in that area. Now I live just a few block from their Bakery location and it’s downright dangerous! The coffees have always been pretty spectacular. Occasionally, a specialty coffee might take a bit of time. Some would say a good coffee is worth waiting for and others might say yes but for how long. I’m in the former camp. No major complaints from me. They take their coffee seriously and you can taste it in every cup even down to a simple drip (which if you’re eating there comes in a nice clear glass mug.)
So let’s have a quick chat about the food. The breakfast sandwiches at first glance reminds me of what a McDonald’s egg and biscuit sandwich might look like if made by hand from scratch. Take a bite and you’ll forget I even brought up McD’s. It’s soo delicious. I’ve tried a few variations including with bacon, without, with ham and they did a jalapeño pulled pork one (I believe?) but I remember it being off the hook. I’m also a huge fan of their chocolate chip cookies. Be warned, they’re decadent and delicious with a nice sprinkle of sea salt on top. There is always loads of great bakery choices. If you find yourself holding up the line, just close your eyes and point. Most likely you’ll be happy.
It gets busy and there’s not LOADS of indoor seating. However, I am a fan of the interior design. Sometimes customers bottleneck the pick up area which can make for difficult navigation. There is a nice outdoor picnic table area if the weather permits.

Here is a conversation that I imagine has happened at least once in the Tandem kitchens:
Head Baker: How are those sticky buns coming?
New Assistant Baker: I’m having some trouble with this recipe. This must be a typo right? That’s way too much butter!
Head Baker: Get out. You’re fired.
Seriously though. It’s a lot of butter. But there is also a lot of sugar and flour and cinnamon and some orange zest in there as well. The primary impression I get from them is a total refusal to compromise. Who ever created that recipe never once held back in the name of health or thrift or reasonableness. This is the sticky bun you are hoping for every time you order one.
The biscuits with strawberry jam and clotted cream were definitely created with the same philosophy in mind.
I guess they have coffee and stuff as well. I don’t really go in for that kind of thing.