Cooper's Coffee

Just happened to stop here for some coffee and tea on Friday, April 20. Will avoid coming back. Service took forever. Even though there were two employees in the shop, only one was making drinks. It took forever to get served. Then, I had the worst cup of tea. No one bothered to see if the water was hot. You can't make a good cup of tea with lukewarm water. No plans on returning. more

Excellent coffee; great selections. Great staff: many grad students; some eligible bachelors. No stuffed chairs or couches; it's a former fire station after all. Excellent homemade food; cakes, cookies, scones, pies, selected entres...they're providers to other restaurants and coffee houses throughout the metro area and even extending up to Seattle! WiFi of course. Like any popular coffee house, they have their busy periods...but many hours of quiet for computer time and reading. Outside: special tie ups for dogs (which are not allowed inside of course); dog biscuits available gratis...their reward for waiting. Lady manager is a hoot; never know what hairdo she'll be sporting...super friendly and kind. Owner, Michael, has been a longtime supporter of local schools and daycares; Cooper's has several as a venue for several Mt Tabor Middle School Foundation fundraisers...casino night, etc. Trivia Pursuit players have an event on Wednesday's; during football and basketball seasons, events planned around games. Beer/wine...excellent choices...change periodically. Great meeting place for conversation; have met several over the years...all points of view. Can't recommend a coffee house more highly; in short, It's The Best. more

For a place with two locations you would almost think that customer service meant more.. We have been going to coopers for 2 years now.. In the beginning it was awesome, the coffee was great the food was amazing the people were nice and fun to be around.. In October 2010 I blogged about a major coffee mishap I will admit I have been back a few times and the coffee has been okay even amazing a few times.. ANYTHING but consistent. Today I opened my wallet to coopers for the last time.. I order our normal fare 1 iced vanilla latte and one hot caramel mocha. We place this order at some coffee shop EVERY SINGLE DAY. As I have said before that means that in our neighborhood we spend about 300 bucks a month on coffee, it used to be just at coopers (over a year ago) Anyway so The iced vanilla comes up and I taste it.. (disappointment) so I try to be polite as I say ?excuse me this tastes a little off? the barista rolls her eyes at me and says she will remake it then as she turns away she softly says with disgust ?I think its your taste buds that are off ? and I say ?excuse me!? and she replies ?nothing? and continues to make the drink.. Now before I go any further I would like to point out a few things? There are 4 other coffee shops worth their salt right around here, BiPartisan, Monties, Blackwood and Seven Virtues. We frequent the first 3 but we often go to MANY coffee shop and we rate coffee on a almost professional scale. How dare you tell me that my tastebuds are off.. You BURNT the coffee OR their was a bad bean in it.. I am not an idiot, I have made coffee professionally too. I doubt the bean was bad Portland Roasting Coffee is not known for bad beans.. I know its what I use at home. So at this point I am pissed off and I do raise my voice a little and say Ya know I think I just want my money back.. Now the barista walks over and says ?Its like its always something every time we talk? while she opens the till now The manager interjects and starts to tell me how I am wrong that she (the barista) did not say that.. because the manager did not hear it.. Come on.. And how I am difficult.. LOOK I am not difficult I am paying you 4+ dollars for a drink.. I want it done correctly? It was my mistake coming back here I admit it but for you to criticize me for getting offended by your 1 bad tasting coffee and 2 bad attitude is just simply irritating.. Then for you to tell me that I was wrong for speaking up because clearly your employee was right.. well that?s just way to arrogant Portland for me.. sorry I did not play the passive aggressive game and say NOTHING to you and instead leave an anon review on the internet . Instead I tried to talk to you about it.. And all you could do as assert how wrong I was.. and that further talking about it would not solve the problem. You refused to try the two coffee?s to see how they were different. It was not simply about vanilla. Coopers on stark is a cool place, the owner is really super nice! The atmosphere is nice and this review will not affect their bottom line so I feel no guilt in being totally honest. I really hope that the arrogance exhibited by the manager and the barista improves. Reviews do not run customers off.. bad attitudes do. So for at least now until a staff change has taken place or the portlandia wears down.. I wont be bringing my money to coopers again. more

I go here sometimes when I'm out walking the dog because it's about 4 blks. from my house. I admit it, when I go to a coffee shop to hang out & read the paper, I want to sit on a couch or comfy chair, so I don't go to Cooper's for that. Sometimes I stop by for a coffee to go and the other day I decided to take home a piece of their choc. bread. It was REALLY dry. Their pie is probably good, and I will be trying it, but I sure don't want anymore dry homemade pastries. Pros: nice people work here Cons: Housemade chocolate bread was very dry. No couch. more

I'v been frequenting Coopers for about 6 months or so and it has become my favorite weekend destination spot after exercising on Mt. Tabor. I enjoy supporting my local businesses when they are as great as Coopers. The staff is great and the owner is always ready with a smile. He is conscious of the environment and does his part by using eco friendly products and encouraging compostable recycling. The place is great for laptop work or simply enjoying with others. Checking out the night scene here is my next mission.. Pros: Best bagels around - very yummy more

After three years of living in another part of the neighborhood, my family has moved back. We have been to Coopers on occassion and wonder why we even bother to return. The service we experienced when it first opened is not any different than what we have experienced not even a week ago. It's so inconsistent there. Sometimes the staff is friendly, other times we feel it's better to go to the ""corporate"" coffee places. more

I was a bit taken back by the harshness of one of these reviews about the evening vs. day staff. I thought it would only be fair to write an opposing opinion. The wine tastings are FREE all around...including wine, food, and live music. What more could you ask for in a simple coffee shop! That in itself is exciting. While Cooper's staff strives to work as a family, it is a bit silly to contrast the ""coldness"" of the night and morning crews. Their employees always offer me a smile if it is in the rush of the morning or when it begins to wind down at night and I can come listen to jazz and work. Perhaps one should treat others as they wish to be treated. We are all or have been on one side of that counter in our lives. Give it a break ""cold"" critic. Cooper's is my corner coffee stop. Pros: A wonderful space with friendly employees Cons: Critics take themselves too seriously more

My mother, niece and I stopped by Cooper's for a late lunch. The chicken salad sandwich I had was the best I can remember having anywhere! Kind of sweet with raisins and just the right amount of mayo. Wonderful. My mother/niece said the potato salad was great. Really good coffee too! Good food and a good neighborhood vibe. Pros: Good tasty food and coffee more

My husband and dog pals have really enjoyed the morning experience at Cooper's. Great coffee, tasty pie and a free biscuit for our furry friends. So, we were looking forward to trying their wine tasting and dinner--totally different experience. COLD staff, even smart remarks when ordering and cool looks instead of asking how your food or wine are, or perhaps if you might want something else. What a difference 8 hours makes. Pros: Nice ambience, good for dogs, great coffee in the morning Cons: Evening staff gives you the cold shoulder more

The people at Cooper's sure know what they're doing when it comes to making espresso drinks. I've yet to have my drink wrong or not turn out good. You'll always get cool people helping you and very cool folks hanging out with their dogs. I'm looking forward to their ""Blind Wine Tasting"" event. more

I'm and artist. My exterior is rough, I hang out with others who are the same. So when I get good service which is friendly, attentive and prompt I return as a regular and I bring my friends. Pros: Informal, atmosphere, Service Cons: It's too far from my house to visit daily more

I used to get mad attitude whenever I went into this place, but that has all changed. Not sure why. But now they have really nice people behind the counter. I like the guy with the big blue eyes. Grreeeattt iced coffee on a hot day, especially when they have the sugar syrup out. Pros: pie, dogs more

Cooper's Coffee is the best coffee spot in town. A lovely view, friendly dogs, local neighbors and great coffee and food. And the best part is the owner, Michael! I love him. He always remembers my drink and better yet, my name. I find myself a bit disappointed when he is not there. Pros: Beauty, dogs, service, friendly, clean Cons: Hmmm.....perhaps one just needs to slow downa bit to realize there are no cons. more

Really like this place. Perfect destination for us after a cold, wet walk across Mt. Tabor. Good coffee, good pie, no blaring music, locals hanging out chatting, few posers, good pie, etc. Great place to read the Sunday paper and fatten up on pie for the walk home. Pros: great pie, good coffee, relaxed, relatively blaring music free. Cons: none - I'm just not that picky. more

To hear some of the other reviews was very untasteful, the bad ones anyway put yourself on the other side. Customer service is a great thing to have but if you have a attitude of everything is about me. Then expect bad service. Especially if you have never been in food service. Micheal is a great supporter of the community around him. He also treats people very well, But if you are rude expect to be treated that way. And for a local coffee shop the prices are more than fair, its not like other coffee shops were it is a chain and they can charge cheaper prices. If you feel that you deserve the everybody drop everything and service me then maybe you should go some where else. Everybody is entitled to be treated with respect both employee and customer. As far as Coopers goes you won't find a better place then that. Way to go Micheal on your great success of your new place. You deserve it! Pros: Great service and awesome coffee Cons: That there are not more coopers coffee more

Wow, I was surprised to read the glowing reviews about the customer service. My sister and I were there on 8/3 for a quick drink in the afternoon. We had to wait a couple of minutes for the gal behind the counter to get off of her personal phone call to take our order. She was so blah and unfriendly that we were talking about it later and wondering what the owner would think if he/she knew that. I wasn't feeling all that great so I had an Italian Soda, which tasted very watered down. My sis's coffe was just okay. In spite of all that, we liked the idea of the place and the other patrons and their dogs were very friendly, and the food in the case looked fabulous! So I asked the guy behind the counter for a menu that we could take, as we both live a ways away. They don't have a printed menu at all. I asked if they have a website, he said he thought so (haven't found it yet, which is how I got here), but he wasn't sure if there was a menu there or not. Believe it or not, I plan to go back once to taste the food, but if the service is the same that will be the last time! Pros: Not yet. Cons: You have to be an insider to know what they ser ve or keep everybody waiting while you look all around. more

Beautiful space Pros: good parking, cheery atmosphere, clean Cons: N/A more

I love this place! Free wireless internet, good strong espresso, expansive menu variety, customer service is fantastic! First visit was a bit rough in that a transient came in an was nagging customers (myself included) for money and even trying to sneak into the tip jar. The situation was handled promptly and appropriately. Whoever was working behind the counter (maybe the owner?) later gave us a complimentary dessert as an apology for the hassle. And it was DELICIOUS! My fiance and I have been back several times now and plan to make it our regular joint since it is just right around the corner from our new place. Highly recommend! Pros: customer service, menu items, wireless internet, location Cons: none so far! more

Staff is very friendly, they have free wi-fi, coffee is good but mocha's are just average. Top draw for me is that they are dog friendly, free biscuits for the pooch and no one freaks out when you bring your pup in while you place your order. Pros: Nice staff, dog friendly, nice ambiance. Cons: Just a little steep in price (3.50 for a large mocha) more

Just read the last review and was floored! Michael is a great guy. He'll call you on it if you are rude to him, and I've seen people being rude to him when I was standing in line behind them. Just because someone is working behind a counter doesn't mean they are your servant and have to withstand your bad behavior! If you lose your coffee card, it isn't his problem- how can he believe everyone who says that? No business owner would. Cooper's Coffee is a generous contributor to the community, regularly donating to the local schools. What a great addition to the neighborhood! more