Old School Coffee

Published by Dawn On November 18, 2019

Feeling a bit nostalgic? This is my style of school. This subtly themed coffee shop is up-scale old school – no cursive handwriting borders framing the walls, but rather long wooden tables with old-school chairs. The school theme is appropriate as the coffee shop is located on the corner of the Portland Community College east side campus school library. There is limited free parking nearby if you don’t want to pay for parking in the school parking lot.

The large community table is a main feature – and it is beautiful. It has a large insert that runs down the center with moveable word tiles. Unique and quite a showstopper that is reminiscent of elementary school table seating. Except it is doubtful that any school you attended was ever this beautiful. Since I was here to read the newspaper, it was nice that the overhead music wasn’t too loud and you can concentrate on your book or newspaper. The word “old school” does not apply to their coffee though, as their coffee was excellent and nice and hot and they offer all the standard espresso drinks.

I think I’d like to practice my ABCs

beginning with an Americano, followed by a Breve, then a Cappuccino, Drip, Espresso con panna, French press, etc.

The walls are lined with unique artworks and the staff was nice and friendly. I loved watching the slow drip drip of their cold-brew method coffee system. Better than a lava lamp, it’s so relaxing to watch.

The coffee shop is just a few blocks off of I-205, and so I took advantage of the location and hit the trifecta by starting at Monticello Antique Marketplace (a favorite antique mall,) followed by a cup of coffee at Old School, then a trip to Portland Nursery (another favorite place to wander) just down the block at 91st and Division on the way back onto I-205. Antiques, coffee, gardening… nice triple win.