The Fresh Pot

There’s nothing better than good coffee and a great staff. The Fresh Pot (or maybe just Lauren) helps me start my day on the right foot. Sure they can’t fit 50 people with MacBook airs but I feel the enthusiasm and friendless of the staff well makes up for any of it. Great place to chill with a buddy or grab some quick roast to go. ¹⁰⁄₁₀

Good coffe, convenient location, delicious pastries and the staff is wonderful. I don’t know what happened to the other commenters on here, but I will tell you that I love the baristas at fresh pot!

I was not going to write a review because it’s a shame when the bad attitude of one employee reflects poorly on a business, but I read another customers review about the blonde/​grey haired hipster girl. She was so rude, my sister and I walked out. There is no shortage of great coffee in Portland, no one should put up with a snotty barista.

I’ve been to many coffee shops in Portland and this one does not have friendly staff. Especially the blonde/​grey haired hipster. Honestly not worth the $ 4 Portland latte.

In the same way that felons aren’t allowed to vote, I’m sure your old friend Jack won’t be allowed to be a Duke of anyplace on Unilocal.One, checking-​in to places is lame as hell. Two, my reviews are are kept way too real.
That being said, I have definitely been to this place almost more than any other coffee shop in PDX. Which is strange because I don’t particularly prefer Stumptown coffee all that much, which is all they brew here. It’s kind of a Catch-​22.
Any place in Portland that does good coffee, generally uses Stumptown. Anyplace with zero Stumptown in is probably Starbucks or Peet’s.
And those places are only so helpful when you’re not looking for a syrup-​based coffee drink. Hey, I’m not knocking it, sometimes that’s what you want. Or you’re on a date with a freshman girl and you know all she can handle is a caramel mochalatta, whatever the hell that is. You gotta do what you gotta do.
Anyway, the point is, why go to TFP pot then if everyone’s brewing the same thing? I’ve had the same exact espresso at the Black Rooster that I’ve had at TFP, but the approach is totally different.
Some other places downtown (cough*The Black Rooster*cough) just generally have the most stereotypical barista approach to everything. There’s pretense without any justification. Being that snobby about coffee is just passé at this point, but many downtown coffee shops haven’t gotten the memo.
Meanwhile, TFP looks like it could be an old garage and has four main caffeine-​slangers that I’m aware of and they are all equally awesome. I forget the names, but I’ll describe them to you so you’ll know which one of them you would pick if you were playing a 4-​player Portland videogame and you had to pick a coffee character.
The Quiet Girl — In some ways she could be the mascot for Portland. Infinitely friendly, very softspoken, pretty, but somehow slightly alternative, and somehow always in a good mood. She sometimes seems like she’s stepped out of the New York Times Magazine Style section to make your tea. I think your mom wants you to marry a girl like her, but it’s a complicated time in your life right now. I understand.
The Suicide Girl — The tatted up blonde girl is the leather to Quiet Girl’s lace. I can see an argument for her being the mascot for Portland as well. She’s also incredibly nice, but while maintaining roughness around all edges. Obviously, I’m the type of guy who appreciates that. Based on some of the guys I’ve seen walking around Portland, I could imagine that she’s been «the man» in many relationships. I’m pretty sure she’s got a boyfriend though, so no dice anyway fellahs.
The Cool Chick — If there’s a middleground between are first two heroes, this girl-​next-​door has found it. She dresses like she’s heading back to campus after the shift. I mean that in a good way. She’s super-​laid-​back and yet will turn your ass out with a double espresso with the best of them. In some ways, she’s the pure antidote to the snotty barista stereotype. And she’s probably down to stay in and watch Netflix.
The Owner Dude — The only male barista there, if he doesn’t own the place, he should. In a western shown-​down this dude can quick-​draw a cappuccino before Wild Bill had his hands on the pistols. A lot of times I see an owner of a small business who just happens to hire only attractive female workers and I’m rolling my eyes. Not at all in this case. If anything, this guy is as cheerful as Quiet Girl. If he’s ever had a crap day then I’ve never known about it.
Are you still reading this? You could have finished your coffee by now. The one you’d do well to get from The Fresh Pot.
Oh, the other thing I give them credit for is they will customize however you want. If you have a coffee dream you want to come true, I’m sure they’ll do it.

Seems like a nice little coffee shop. There was nothing particular about this place that would make me go here instead of another coffee shop.

There are many great coffee shops in Portland, however, most were closed for the duration of the labor day holiday weekend. Thankfully, Starbucks are plentiful (more so than in Seattle, I swear) and open weekends and holidays. We refused to give in to Starbucks, and we sought out The Fresh Pot. Neat spot, friendly barista and hot coffee.

I was in Portland for a week and I was disappointed to only make it to The Fresh Pot twice. Excellent coffee, very nice and friendly staff, and cool unique stamped cups. The next time I am in Portland I will absolutely go to The Fresh Pot, or recommended it to anyone traveling to Rip City.

I was stuck having to work during a vacation, and figured I at least wanted a true Portland experience. This is it! Neighborhood folks walking in with their own coffee cups, earthy Portland vibe, fantastic and well presented coffee. The place is small, but was perfect for me to set up shop for a bit (free wifi). Wish I could call this my own neighborhood coffee shop!

Great lil spot. Artsy and different with great coffee and hot chocolate. Def try it out. So tired of Peets and Starbucks. Has local artists paintings up and set up well with good music.

Vinny, Emily, Emma are great. Vinny the owner always get my cheese bread and Americano perfect. My office coffeehouse.

I have noticed the last few times that I came in here, they charge me say, $ 4.00 on paper, but they must add a tip to my receipt when I don’t, because when I check my bank account later in the day, my bill is always a buck or two more than I actually paid.
Cheating customers out of money just because you didn’t get tipped isn’t cool. It’s illegal and douchey.

I’ve been here twice now and both times have been great experiences. The coffee is fantastic and the service is excellent and friendly. It has a nice atmosphere, though some people say it feels cramped, I find it rather cozy. A nice place to sit down and relax with a latte. Take the window seat.

Cute place

Needed to grab a quick bite and this place was on the way. We got a mocha, croissant, and cheesy pretzel. No complaints from either of us. Everything was good. The cheesy pretzel was really good.

I stopped in because I wanted something hot that wasn’t Starbucks and this was the first coffee shop I stumbled upon (weird because there are so many coffee shops in Portland, I suppose I walked an odd path). This place is cute; from the logo to the shop, to the foam leaf design in my drink to the guy making the drinks. I ordered a hot chocolate because I wasn’t in the mood for coffee and I dropped my voice a bit to do so. The other patrons in the shop seemed to be semi ‘hipsters’ and I felt my non-​caffeinated drink would cause offense. Anyway, I got a chocolate chip cookie too and it was pretty good (crispy outer edge, soft middle). My only qualm is I wish the drink had been hotter and more chocolatey.

Lacking atmosphere, the space is arranged tighter than it has to be, and the furniture has all the hard-​backed wincing discomfort of back-​to-​school night. My mocha was served understeamed, hastily-​pulled, and light on chocolate. Quality gluten-​free brownies. But nothing to hand it the crown over the 5 other coffeeshops within a 2-​block radius.

Crummy service/​attitude for overpriced coffee. Every time I go I keep thinking it was just that one time that was bad, but every time I am reminded it’s not. I won’t make the same mistake again.

Yum… you know the best soy latte you ever had feeling? Had it at Fresh Pot. Solid 4 stars…
Extra star for the ahhhhmazing vegan bar that was locally made that I got from there. It was so delicious I practically ate the wrapper… hence, I don’t know the name but, I got the banana and coconut one which was the hit!

My first (and so far only) visit had it all:
Friendly & fast service. (Cute hipster guy with glasses)
Delicious Treats. (Salted Pretzel & Flourless Chocolate Brownie Cookie)
Strong coffee. (Americano)
I’ll be going back, for sure.