Poa Cafe
4025 N Williams Ave, Portland, OR, 97227
Poa Cafe Menu
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Address :
4025 N Williams Ave
Portland, OR, 97227 - Phone (503) 954-1243
- Website https://www.poacafe.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :8:00 am - 4:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Brunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
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Hannah L.
A cafe full of various types of wows. Like, wow there are an insane amount of toddlers running around. Or, wow I can't believe that seemingly all of PDX's upwardly mobile stay-at-home-parents have converged in this one spot. And, wow it's cool that parents and kids have such a family-friendly place to gather but...wow, it's loud. I started ending up here because it's an easy stop after a barre3 workout two doors down, and because they have a wow-inducing Paleo bowl that I've started craving for lunch. It's one of those bowls where every bite is chock-full of something tasty, like tomatoes and slivered almonds and ripe avocado and thick chunks of chicken (or tofu) all generously dressed and tasty. So Good. There are also tempting smoothies and other breakfast and lunch items, all healthy and nourishing yet palate-enticing at the same time. The space is light, bright, and open - thankfully so, given the kid volume in here every time I've been in. I can't imagine eating in the din if I didn't have a kid in the mix, so I happily get my Paleo bowl to go, and try to stay out of the way while I'm waiting. And you will be waiting; service is slow. The first time I came in I had to wait about 30 minutes for my order even though it wasn't that busy. Today it was super-crowded but I only had to wait about fifteen minutes (there seemed to be an extra couple of staff this time, which helped). Overall, Poa is just the kind of cafe I love: smoothies, tasty and nutritious foods I'd want to eat, complete with not only coffee but a little selection of adult beverages. Just be aware that depending on the crowd, it may not be the place you want to linger and indulge.
(3)Aimee L.
Have now been there 4 times and really like this place. Understated, family friendly, good music, and good for a light breakfast or lunch or smoothie snack. Love the selection of classic kids' books! Love the pioneer breakfast plate - great homemade bread!! Very nice alternative to the wait-in-line-for-an-hour places further down on Williams, and friendly staff to boot :)
(4)J C.
I come here all the time because I'm a nanny. Poa is a great concept; good play/performance area, tasty though over priced food- (seriously $4.25 for a cold danish? I know you guys are stoked on the gentrification of Williams but jeez) the main problem is the staff; they all seem to be lovely people w impeccable style, but are not very interested in serving you. there are 5 people working right now and I just waited 8 minutes for a coffee refill w no line (I timed them). they need to put a bell at the counter cause they get lost in that back room. and maybe hire a manager instead of their buddies, next time. they forget to give out numbers w meal orders abt half of the time and so they've had to hire a doleful looking white boy just to walk around trying to remember who he sold this bagel to. (but he might still be training though because he has to ask one of the chicks 6-9 questions for every task he completes so...) their inside jokes they stop to tell each other behind the counter are apparently hilarious so I do take some comfort in that. anyway, prepare yourself to be ignored for a while before you've earned your coffee, but if you're a tired mom who just needs a drink while her kid scribbles on someone else's wall, this is the place for you. I'm just not personally into paying an extra 20% for a reminder that I'm not cool.
(1)Bethany B.
SKIP IT. My experience today: 3:42_realize it's way too hot to continue working in my apartment, and that I could use a healthy afternoon refreshment. 3:43_find Poa online- super close to said hot apartment, has WiFi, doesn't close until 7p. 3:47_enter Poa without acknowledgement or greeting from either of 2 employees 3:52_finally acknowledged by 1 of 2 ladies working there, who comes to the front to ask me what I want, recommends between 2 smoothies I'm interested in (thus the star) 3:54_time of receipt on my order 3:58_as I'm clearly getting settled into a table, after I've ordered and paid for my smoothie with very obvious intentions to set up shop and work for a while, the other employee approaches me and says, 'Excuse me, we're closed.' Huh? Poa, get a bell on your door, post appropriate/updated hours- and if it looks like a customer is about to order just to sit down and enjoy your space, make a bit of an effort to let them know what's up before they order, or even before they settle in! I'm not here to rag on small or local businesses, but seriously- this afternoon's horribly frustrating experience could have so easily been avoided with such simple efforts. I'd much rather have fresh, delicious juice at Canteen or Lula's. I won't be back.
(1)Leslie N.
This cute cafe was a lot larger than I expected and has an urban minimalist ambience to it. There seems to be a small corner for young children to play and would be a great place to study or for families with young children as long as your child isn't bawling. I ordered the green tea latte and it was good although not as hot as I would hope. I also tried the brownie (which was a little dry and hard), and the green smoothie which seemed very fresh but unbalanced in flavor. It also came with complimentary seasoned popcorn and an extra cookie or brownie if you check-in on Yelp! The cafe is clean and the staff is friendly. The price is decent to a little pricier than usual.
(4)Vicki N.
They were closed on a Wed at 4pm - looks like their shop hours for the weekdays gave changed to close at 4 instead of 7pm which is a shame
(4)Geri W.
We joyfully came upon this place after leaving a certain other place down the way that had a 1.5 hour wait. What a find... Instant seating at 11am on a Saturday, and so many options for vegetarian and paleo folks. I loved my Thai bowl with broccoli and quinoa and tofu, and the chocolate chip cookie was divine.
(5)Katherine V.
Discovering a BOGO drink coupon in Chinook Book was reason enough to try Poa. Not to mention they're right next to Sampling Lab...what a great location! I decided to go for the Banana Avocado smoothie and the Super Foods smoothie. The Banana Avocado was delicious! I've never really thought to add avocado to my homemade smoothies before, but it's super tasty. The Super Foods was pretty delicious too. I like when places can make 'green' smoothies taste good. Sometimes they taste too much like grass or are too sweet, but this one was very well balanced. $6.25 for a 16 oz smoothie does seem a little steep, especially with only one size option ($5 kids size is only for actual children). However, I would be more than willing to pay this amount if it was made with organic ingredients. Poa's website explains that they use local and organic ingredients whenever possible. I love that, but it would also be helpful to indicant on the smoothie board which ingredients were organic (perhaps with an asterisk next to the organic ingredients). I also appreciated that I was able to used both my Yelp check-in offer (one coffee or one cookie w/ order) and the Chinook Book coupon at the same time. I received a $2 cookie for free. It was an excellent cookie. The location is bright and cheery. Their decor and open-space reflects their community-centered values. Also, they seem to be very kid-friendly.
(4)Christa T.
So yummy and healthy! The quinoa with bacon and B - sprouts is the best. Wish it was open for dinner!
(5)Meg C.
To be fair I didn't order any food, just coffee, but it was borderline undrinkable; oily, dark, bitter and burnt. The atmosphere in the early morning was peaceful but sterile. The interior is bland, dressed in the standard Portland white, black and wood theme that seems to be the norm for all new coffee shops now. The staff at the counter were friendly and the music was good. Seems like a great place to bring kids, there is a large play area, chalk board and outdoor patio but I can't recommend it for a place to get a good cup of coffee.
(2)K S.
Janice and her team work very hard to make POA inviting, hospitable, and healthy. We had a holiday work party in their space and the POA team made delicious (allergy-friendly) fare, served and hosted the party, and shared their special space with us. This cafe was built with heart and it's clear that the intention is to make it a home for parents and children, colleagues, and friends. We'd highly recommend booking POA for a holiday or special event, or just swinging by for a coffee with friends/family.
(5)Tara N.
Wish they had organic whole milk. I had their latte which apparently is made with non-GMO milk. However the bloating and upset stomach I got after says otherwise... Probably additives that I am reacting to. :-(
(3)Leslie L.
Watermelon mint smoothie get in my belly now! We stumbled upon Poa while waiting for our table at another place. So glad we did because 1) free chocolate cookie with a yelp check on 2) ridiculously refreshing smoothies 3) great spot to chill Seriously, the watermelon mint is so good. If you just think refreshing summer, that's what it tastes like. The place is also very kid friendly and I love that there's space for families and kids to enjoy themselves.
(5)Drake S.
Spacious cafe and eatery located just down the street from Tasty & Sons, making it an ideal spot for a meal if you're looking to skip the line. They have an assortment of bowls, a daily scramble, a breakfast sandwich, and a smattering of other food options to accompany a very thorough menu of coffee drinks, smoothies and cocktails. Personally I find the idea of paying $7 for a smoothie appalling, but the same-priced breakfast sandwich was tasty if basic--just eggs, bacon, and cheddar cheese. It would have been nice to have some kind of house-made sauce, but the sandwich is decent sized and the ciabatta was fresh. Another member of our party got the Paleo bowl with an egg which looked like a substantial serving and he said it was delicious and similarly fresh. They clearly pride themselves here on fresh ingredients and I really liked the atmosphere, very inviting and friendly.The clientele here was varied--a few people were posted up with laptops and papers, there was another group of younger folk in addition to ourselves, and there were quite a few young-ish parents with children in tow. There's a very spacious children's area so this is a good place to go if you have kids and are looking for a cup of coffee and some food. Not quite your drawn-out brunch restaurant, or a place to go to recount tales of last night's drunken revelry, but a great cafe nonetheless.
(4)Anna S.
Love the smoothies, the Superfood Green is my favorite, especially after a workout. It's filling but still fresh and perfectly sweet! Only bummer is when your cup only gets filled 3/4 full. At $7-$8 a pop, it's a risk almost not worth taking...
(3)amanda d.
The food is so delicious, the place is open and bright and has a good vibe (although if loud kids aren't your thing, take out is your best option). Even the happy hour rice and beans with garlic sauce is delicious. I haven't had a thing here I didn't enjoy. My only issue...I saw them pointing out different bread types using the hands on approach after handling money. And the cashiers finger nails were very dirty. Not one person was wearing gloves. As wonderful as Poa is for making healthy food delicious, I'm not sure hand sweat, finger nail grime, and money germs are an addition I'll be able to stomach again. Yuck.
(3)Emerson H.
Nice cafe, interesting atmosphere. Went on a Friday mid day (while waiting for Tasty n Sons down the street) and the place was full of moms and their toddlers. It doesn't take away from the experience but it's definitely interesting and probably want to watch your language. The children books are a nice throwback. The matcha latte is delicious. If you're going to get the chai latte, they'll ask you if you want spicy or sweet. I would recommend asking for both as the spicy alone just wasn't very flavorful.
(4)Beatriz W.
Nice clean place for moms to hang out with their kids. It has a play area designed for children. As a mom, that is super cool. You can get a cup of coffee and let your little one play. The coffee is strong! Not a huge selection of foods to eat, but enough to keep away the rumble in the tummy. Overall, great place to hang out.
(4)Maret S.
Came back for happy hour and was disappointed. The sole employee was unfriendly and kinda clueless. Actually she responded to my questions as if she hated her job and hated me. I Asked how much well drinks were and was told "we don't have well drinks" .... .... Okaaaaay? So then I asked how much the small bites were and was told they were $8. Even though I've seen repeatedly that the owners have commented that there's some $3 menu for kids, I've yet to see it. Finally I was able to drag the happy hour specials out of her which apparently was just $3 for a tiny pizza and $1 off the $9 single shot cocktails. From the website it sounded like there were more options and that we would get popcorn (which I eventually got, but had to wait and ask for it) . I'm bummed. I really want a place to take my kid and eat relatively stress free, but the unfriendly people and the spendy menu don't really do much to encourage me to come back. The kids area is great. Everything else. Meh. In response to the owner comment below: I asked your employee whether there was a small plates thing and she referred me to a section of the menu for kids where everything was $8. And I had previously read your comment about there being a $3 thing, so I asked and she said the pizza was $3 for happy hour. So I dunno. Sounds like you've got a staffing problem. Because your food and drinks are decent and your kid area is cool. By the way--this is what your website says: Happy Hour 6 days/week M-Su 3-5:30pm. $4 house wines, $5 special cocktails, $3-5 app plates + free organic popcorn with nutritional yeast. This is what brought me in. The reality was an $8 instead of a $9 cocktail and one kid's pizza for $3. Your employee indicated there were no other specials.
(3)Ilana G.
I can't say enough good things about this place. If you have young kids it's a god send. The food is delicious, and nutritious. The play area and great. And now they have a sand box which is a game changer. It's the perfect place to get a break while your kids play!!!
(5)Layne M.
Popped in to get a quick cup of coffee this morning and luckily, there were only two people in line in front of us. Unluckily, those two people were soon joined by twenty other family members who instead of standing behind me, cut in front. Super. How considerate. Finally got my cup of coffee to go after about 20 minutes. By the time I left, the rude family was swarming the place, bitching out the counter people and interrupting other patrons. I can't say it was the cafes fault and maybe I'll give it another shot another day but since it seems to cater towards families, I may get my coffee from a quieter, less rowdy place.
(2)Maria C.
POA Cafe is awesome! Great coffee, delicious food, clean modern look and friendly staff. Oh I also like that they have gluten free options. If it's nice out you can go on the back patio. Kid friendly as well Mimosas as well lol
(5)Mutsumi O.
Food is great and the coffee is my favorite. The staff is so kind.
(5)Jessica D.
My friend and I ordered two cocktails. The strawberry margarita and the effervescent. Both delicious and came with popcorn. The gal who helped is was friendly and knowledgable. Currently sitting on their back patio enjoying the wonderful music selection.
(5)Heather C.
Well this is definitely a hidden gem on North Williams! There's so much space here, I can see people coming here to work and/or do school work. There is even a little kids area if you want to get your munchkin out of your hair for a bit. I ordered brunch here (can't order bowls/lunch items until 2 pm I guess on the weekends) and it was delicious! They offer vegan options (tofu, etc.) but also meat/cheese/eggs. Want a morning cocktail? Done. Want an after-work alcoholic bev? Done. The people here are super nice too!
(5)Shelby M.
Went on Saturday around 11am. It took 30 minutes to get a yogurt bowl, 40 minutes to get the egg scramble. Food was good, but service doesn't exist. Owner let kids behind counter, lacks a sense of professionalism. Shame, because it does have good food. I'm not willing to give a cafe style place 40 minutes of my time.
(2)Tiffany M.
My kids and I met up with a friend here for breakfast, it was all of our first time ever going there. The place itself is trendy, and cute. I liked the decor, and parking was convenient at 8:30am (probably not so convenient later in the day though). It is a bit on the expensive side. I ordered a Belgian waffle, carrot cake smoothie, and kids meal of yakisoba with applesauce. The dishes were very nicely arranged, it made everything feel quite fancy and elegant. The Belgian waffle was just okay. The carrot cake smoothie was tasty; their drink selections sounded delicious, I had a hard time deciding what to order. the play area is small, but quite entertaining for my kids. They really enjoyed playing in the area, and remained in the play area for almost the entire time we were there. Luckily, this meant I got to enjoy a short time talking to my friend while eating breakfast (a luxury I have not had in at least two to three years). :) The negatives.. it took awhile to order as the person at the register was by herself, and making another customer's order. I was at the register for a good 10 minutes waiting then ordering. Also, it was very disappointing that I went up to the counter to ask a question, and was never acknowledged before I answered my own question. I was waiting at the counter for a good three minutes before any of the employees noticed me. Then, they were all so busy none actually stopped to acknowledge me. Quite frustrating. I would like to give this place another opportunity if I have the time to make my way out there again (it's out of the way as I live on the east side), but that might be awhile.
(3)Tim L.
Really enjoyed hanging out here. Perfect for everyone, but we really appreciated and enjoyed the play area for kids in the back. The free popcorn is always a nice treat!
(4)Rosalyn G.
Such a cute spot, especially if you have little ones! A great place to connect and grab a cup of coffee or a healthy bite to eat. I definitely recommend the southwest bowl... Soo yummy!
(5)Wahkeena S.
Just went to Poa Cafe today for the first time. Blown away by the food I received. Salad greens with Scrambled Eggs and Cornbread. It was heaven. Seriously, I was over the moon! (although the salad dressing could stand to be a wee less lemony & more tahini to balance it out...) Pretty impressed. I will be back!
(4)Neal C.
Great coffee, tea, and food. It's a really nice space and layout. This is the spot for moms and dad's to bring their kiddos to draw on the chalk walls while getting some much needed caffeine (or a cocktail).
(4)Kimberly R.
Super Delish. I had the baked avocado eggs. It was everything I hoped for. Lovely environment. Quaint. Sweet. Will visit again soon.
(5)Stephanie D.
Excellent food. Great place for kids to play freely while grown ups enjoy their lunch. Very clean.
(5)Rebecca V.
The good is fresh and super good. On top of it they have an awesome kids play area! Great place!
(5)Jessica W.
Poa is a great cafe and definitely one of my go-to places to meet my other friends with kids. There is a yummy kids menu, indoor play area, and lovely outdoor patio. I have enjoyed all the food and smoothies I've had there. It can get chaotic when busy and I've had a my order get mixed up a couple times, but the staff is super friendly. Great place for parents and families - try it out.
(4)Vy S.
The atmosphere was pleasant and the staff was nice (although one of them looked at me like I was speaking another language when I ordered something off their menu). It's nice for parents bc there's a kid space. It is also spacious and had outdoor seating in the back. But might get crazy if too many kids were around at once. However, food and drinks are a bit overpriced. $8.50 for a thin layer of brussel sprouts and bacon with an egg on top? I wouldn't advertise it as a "bowl" when it barely covers the bottom of a bowl. I expect bowls to have a little more substance, esp for $8.50. Maybe just manage expectations better by calling it what it is, which is a side portion of brussel sprouts. And the smoothies were also around the same price. Although I guess that's what Portland charges nowadays for smoothies.
(3)Marshall M.
The egg scramble was good but cold because it took 40 mins (I think they forgot about it sitting out). The space is cool and I like the concept. Service blew though which is always a turn off
(2)Aaron M.
Give everyone who works here a medal or an award or something. Seriously, parents can be the Worst Customers Ever, and this place caters to parents. In a serious way. There are a ton of toys, loads of kid friendly stuff to eat, and booze to help the parents get mellow. If you're lucky you'll get to see Mo Phillips play... One of Portland's coolest kid-focused musicians on the scene. Yes, there is a kid music scene in Portland, and it's awesome. Kids play, adults drink, and normally it's all very civilized. Today Mo is playing to a crowded house at POA and it's a freakin zoo here. There's about 9 million kids running around. It's loud. I've seen some really crabby parents being snotty at the staff as if they're in charge of all the little rugrats running circles around the place. Give 'em a break, people. Kudos to the calm, cool and collected folks sweating buckets trying to serve the "needs" of tons of families. (I say "needs" because you don't really "need" that cocktail, do you? After chasing your kid around all day, you just really really want it, that's all. If you do in fact need the cocktail, you need to take yourself over to AA and don't be wreckin the family vibe over at POA.) But come on over, bring the kids and have some fun.
(5)Chris S.
I think this place is super cute, has tasty food including the yummy tahini garlic sauce (although smallish portions and a bit pricey for being really simple), and good kid's menu options (again kinda pricey at $7 for things like basic beans and rice with a little fruit and yogurt). They also have a pretty cool kids play area which makes me willing to pay a bit more for food, coffee, etc. they have a simple cute back patio with tons of potential and I'd love to see them put in a sandbox or something of that sort, but I know that's tricky. My only complaint was paying $8 for a mojito that truly had barely any alcohol in it. I'm a light wait since I'm a breast feeding mom, so when I have a cocktail I get a buzz off hardly anything and I got zero anything from my nearly virgin drink. $8 for that? come on really? It was also quite sweet for my taste. Cocktails need work but otherwise a great place and an answer to our NoPo prayers for a play cafe!
(4)teresa m.
we've been meaning to try this cafe for lunch...i began with a pacifico, and my partner had a cinamon toast cocktail...both hit the spot...we then shared a big house salad with tofu and a sw bowl with tofu...all the food was so delicious...the space is geared for parents and children, but the patio out back offers some quiet space...the kid space is creative and verstile...the staff are friendly too...only criticism is that it's too white internally...some color would help...
(4)Maggie S.
Great spot to take the littles! Nice play area for toddler-ish age kids and yummy food for both adults and the kids. Wish they had a couple of comfy chairs for nursing moms, but otherwise pretty awesome. A great option for something to do while it's so rainy out!
(4)Erika S.
I have visited POA Cafe twice now, and I'm so happy to have them as an addition to the neighborhood! The tomato, basil, havarti and honey panini is incredibly delicious with a nicely dressed salad on the side. I would also highly recommend their little ricotta pies... to die for! I don't have kids, but the dining area is spacious and their outdoor seating means that you can escape from other people's little ones if need be. Highly recommended!
(5)Adrienne C.
POA cafe is a Godsend. This is a play cafe where my 3-year old can play with fantastic toys while I can eat yummy food in peace or have a mommy date. The staff and owners are always friendly and understanding (lots of kids can mean lots of craziness.) The food is healthy and delicious and made with care. I would eat here even without the play aspect. They have gluten-free bread for their sandwiches and always one gf treat to choose from so that's a big plus for me. Thank you Poa cafe for opening in my neighborhood! You've made being a parent just a little bit easier.
(5)Marty X.
I live close by and was excited to see a new cafe open up. Here's the deal: the prices are awesome-brunch-spot high but the food is sadly mediocre. What really surprised me is that despite this place's outward appearance as a trendy cafe, it's really a coffeeshop for families to bring their kids. All good, but an important note for us non-breeders. If you don't enjoy screaming kids running around while you work on your cover letter, try nearby Ristretto, Fresh Pot and Kenny & Zuke's.
(2)Ijf K.
Great place to bring your kids with decent food and good coffee as well. They have a kids corner where kids of all ages can play games, draw, build stuff and more. The staff was very friendly and both kids and I enjoyed our meal. Would definitely go back. The ambience is a bit minimalistic but otherwise nice.
(5)Gina L.
Huge fan. Met girlfriends for a coffee play date and enjoyed a delicious matcha green tea while the littles played happily for over an hour. Went back a week later to check out Red Yarn's Monday night show and enjoyed a glass of wine while the kids went crazy over popcorn, singing and dancing. After the show I ordered the grilled cheese meal for my kids to split. My nine year old ate the sandwich and my one year old ate the yogurt and fresh fruit. The staff was friendly and attentive. We will be back most definitely. PS- if you don't like kids, don't go to a cafe' that caters to families like this one does. (However, the patio seating just opened up so this may be the solution for those that want a quieter environment.) PSS- if you're bringing your kids to POA, teach them to respect their surroundings by treating the toys nicely and helping to clean up before you leave. This is such a great space and we can all pitch in a little to keep it that way.
(5)Jasmyn M.
The food is fine, the service on the slow side, and a bit expensive but it's a price I'm willing to pay for a truly family friendly (read: kid-friendly) place. My kids love it here, they have healthy kid food options and the staff are all terrific. Since they opened they've hosted more and more regular kids events like Red Yarn and Mr. Ben, which our family really enjoys. We are certainly neighborhood regulars!
(4)Lara G.
Yay found an awesome KID friendly cafe! Not just a 'regular' cafe but a little gem that has great food, wine/beer/alcoholic drinks :) The kid area is HUGE and great for meeting up with a group of moms. The owner was very sweet and she mentioned also a cabinet with lots of crafty project for the little ones. I can see myself coming here quite often. Very happy to have something so close to home.
(5)Tara T.
Great space, friendly staff, and awesome food! Our son played and played while my husband and I enjoyed coffee and lunch. Almost felt like we were on a date! Took a while to get our food, but it was well worth it. We were back the following week, and will be back a again. Thanks, POA!
(5)Kerry S.
I initially visited Poa in their first soft-open week and was charmed by the thoughtful menu and holistic approach. I have become a big fan of their baked eggs, cornbread, smoothies and their delicious raspberry tart. It's a nice change to find food that hasn't been doused in salt, garlic and other spices. Quality ingredients, well-made, with reasonable portion sizes is a pleasant change. Especially in Portland's food scene, which has been hurtling towards Paula Deen-levels of additives and portion quantities for the last few years. Poa is still only maybe a month old now. It's obviously a family-run place with a vision, and it's nice that they seem to be implementing the idea of "family-friendly" without being solely child-centric, or it meaning a compromise in food and decor. I also really like the central table, and I do enjoy seeing the parents and little kids. Eateries can feel segregated at different times of the day and week, and although I do enjoy the company of my own, I find it detrimental to the civility of our city when we intentionally or unintentionally isolate ourselves from demographics outside of our own. I will note that when Poa is crowded, the need for some noise-control installation becomes an issue. But, since they're new, and obviously not propped up by "name" chefs and venture capitalists, I'll give them a little time to get the bumps worked out. I still plan on stopping in a couple times a week, no matter what.
(5)Leo L.
Great little spot for kids and adults , the craft cabinet is great and the food was tasty.
(5)James B.
This place is kind of weird. Stopped in to get a cup of coffee and there was one person in front of me. Suddenly an army of moms with babies in those sling things that make you look like a koala bear and some toddlers rolled in and cut in line and I was thinking, damn those are some rude moms but I don't want to call them out cause they are moms with kids and stuff. I guess this place is kid themed even though it doesn't really look like it? I'd expect Wiggles posters and that kind of vibe from a kid coffee shop, but this place was kind of minimal and all. Maybe Portland kids are all Bauhaus or something? Oh, the coffee was good and the barista lady was nice, not sure I'd come back though given the much better options a two minute bike ride away on Mississippi.
(3)S Luc S.
I found this place to be way over priced and an utter disappointment. It definitely gets props for being kid & baby friendly. We were able to let the little one loose and go beat away on toys, and place random things in his mouth while we had our meal and attempt at adult conversation. I had the basil, tomato, havarti, honey sandwich. I figured with those combinations, it'd be an interesting and tantalizing delight. Nope. My sandwich was greasy and flavorless. The salad portion that came with my sandwich was skimpy and over dressed. Plus, the server's hands were covered in dressing so when she put down our silverware and napkins, they were smeared in her hand goo. She might want to consider using tongs for the tossing. Also, to pay $2.50 for a mug of coffee and then .50 refills is just ridiculous. I would think you'd be able to get at least one free refill, but nope, they are going to squeeze every bit of money out of you. That I saw when they were charging $4.50 for some ricotta muffin thing. I guess for parents who are desperate for some restaurant reprieve and want to go where they won't get dirty looks by childless patrons, this will be the perfect place for them. For my SINK self, I'll pass.
(2)Kristi P.
This place must have been reviewed in some 'Portland Parenting' magazine or something, because kids and parents are all I saw in there today. The food was good; I had the avocado baked eggs, and while I would say i am inspired to make this at home now and it was delicious, it was overpriced for what you get. Service was fast considering the amount of people in there and what I had ordered. If you don't like kids or can't deal with a noisy environment, this place isn't for you. Luckily, I love coffee shops that are loud (so you can't hear one dominant conversation but rather everything is loud, so you can focus on what you are actually doing). I'd definitely go back to try more of the menu items when I'm in the mood for an unpredictably loud environment, or with friends who have kids.
(4)Anita H.
I'm not sure how long this cafe has been open for, but I think it is relatively new. I ordered their specialty drink which was a Mexican hot chocolate with vanilla. Actually, their specialty drink was a mexican chocolate with vanilla, almond milk, spiced rum, and cinnamon stick. If I wasn't driving, that spiced rum would have made my day. So I had to settle for a virgin version which was just as satisfying. There was a bit of a delay, but the manager or owner (I believe) explained the steamer was out of commission that morning and assured my drink was going to come right out. She also gave me a complimentary cookie, which was a nice touch possibly for the delay. The mexican hot chocolate was creamy and infused with a delicious flavor of cinnamon and vanilla. Their pastry and sweets selection seems a bit limited and not necessarily too appealing, but maybe they are still working on that front. Also, the cafe has a pretty decent sized area for children which makes it a great family friendly cafe.
(4)Doodly D.
This place has so many great things going for it, but sadly I don't think I'll be going back. I have been there 2 times. The first time was nice and quite and the food seemed all right... but very slow for how unbusy they were. The second time I went I brought my family for breakfast, and it was a total disaster. Not only was there no where to sit because of all of the baby strollers parked everywhere, and few people hogging huge tables, but the noise level was unbelievably loud. We placed our very small order.... salad with egg & a bowl of yogurt with granola, and it took 50 minutes to get it. No joke. By the time our food came, our coffee was gone and they said we would need to pay 50 cents for a refill. I just waited 50 minutes to get a salad and yogurt, then they ask me to pay for a coffee refill? Suggestions: (1) They need to make the kid space smaller and open up more seating for customers. (2) They need to do something to control the noise level while all of those kids and parents are there. (3) Get some better customer service.... a simple smile and apology can go a long way. (4) Ask parents so park their strollers outside.
(1)Sarah B.
UGHHHHHHH. Worst experience. Just for the record I went here twice before I wrote this review. The interior is so pretty and clean but with the hundreds of loud, messy. Kids crying and screaming it's immediately ruined. They ruined this place. It could have been a great spot for people to get work done and eat healthy food but it failed at this. Also I saw two large spiders on the cactus plant while I was eating that I had to move. The staff looks like they hate their job and no one ever welcomes you or smiles because the sound of kids is toooooo loud. Never ever going back.
(2)Tia K.
I was really excited about a new kid-friendly place in town. I was really surprised to see that meals for kids were $8, which is about double what most other places charge. I settled on a juice and pastry for my toddler. The pastry was small and pricey. The bottom was horribly burned, and the inside was raw. I brought this to the attention of the woman working the counter - after I went in the kitchen to find her, since she didn't come out the entire time I was there. She shrugged, said a non-apologetic "sorry" and then just stared at me. No offer to refund my money or to give us something else that was actually edible. I threw it away and my toddler and I left. Two stars for being kid-friendly, but I won't be back.
(2)Kelly K.
This seems like a great place to go if you have kids and some money to burn. The food is not very good, and pretty expensive for what you are getting, so it's not a great place if you don't have little ones in need of distraction. I'm pretty bummed about the poor food quality because even though I don't have my own kids, I will soon, and I really support having family-oriented spaces like this. Given how much potential seating is being taken up by toys, I understand needing a steeper markup to cover costs, but $10 for a bland curry that wasn't particularly filling seems a bit extreme. We also ordered the bread "pizza" that brought me back to when I used to melt cheese and tomato sauce onto an english muffing in a toaster oven in my dorm room. Except this got soggy even faster and cost me $8.50. (with an admittedly decent salad included) They're still new, so I'm hoping they step up the food game a bit because this is really a nice spot. There's nothing else this kid friendly in the area, and I think it has a great role to play and is a wonderful idea. I wouldn't mind paying the premium for the food if it was actually delicious, but I probably won't be back until I have my own toddler and am too exhausted to care that I'm paying way too much for mediocre tasting food.
(2)Kersten G.
What a fantastic space!!!! This beautiful, open, well-lit spot caters to kids and mamas both, with an ample play space, lots of fun toys, and a yummy menu. A friend was waiting for me at the cafe when I arrived with my little, and she excitedly announced, "They have baileys for your coffee!" Lovely touch. Will be back.
(5)Jen W.
Reivew #1: 1 Star 21+ minutes for avocado on toast and there was only one other customer in the place... This was to be a treat at $8.50 but I had Cafe Gitane (NYC) on my mind...so I am not even going to comment on the toast. I gave the star that I did for the wait but it also seems like this place is trying to define itself. What is clear is that they are promoting kid friendly so not a good study spot (what I was hoping for today). They promote a patio but wonder if it is still under development as it looks that way... It doesn't have a comfortable vibe back there but the inside seems great for a cloudy day. Had hopes based on their offerings but when I got a look at the rice bowls (someone left half in the bus bin) I am not sure I will be back. Think I will need to hear good things about this place to try again. Imagine it will be popular for the smoothies but most have bananas and agave and I have the Vitamix at home. :-) Good luck to this place but service needs to improve... that's the key point here. Review #2: 2 Star I went back as I was just so curious how service would be a second time. Ironically, they kept commenting like "we will have it out quickly" and "it will just be a minute." I only ordered a smoothie. The smoothies are just generic (not a smoothie person anyway). However, I decided to move from 1 to 2 stars because it looks like it was a great place for the kids, and on this day it was crowded with them. I am not a parent but will tell parents in the area about it. I imagine it may be a nice place for parents to meet with the kids or even a place to meet other parents. I don't think I am in the demo of this place but it's convenient so I had to try again. I am just a food snob. ;-) So this review is more for people who are going to study or going for the smoothies or food... If you are going for a good place for kids, this seems like a decent place.
(2)Kristen M.
I discovered this place while walking around N Williams and it was such an awesome surprise! Delicious food, fresh smoothies, tasty cocktails. The people who work there are super friendly -- I've gone in 3-4 times now, and each time I'm greeted warmly. It's the perfect happy hour spot, as they offer HH seven days a week and they have patio seating. It's also a great place for weekend brunch. I took a group of girlfriends for after work dinner + drinks and they absolutely loved it. It's my new favorite cafe in North Portland.
(5)Amy M.
Since the opening I've repeatedly gone back to Poa hoping each time that they would have it it a bit more dialed in. Saddly, it has not happened yet. the concept is every parents dream- a place where your child can interact with other children and play to their hearts content while parents catch up with friends over coffee and snacks. the open floor plan really allows that type of non-helicopter parenting that I'd love to achieve. the execution is a little rough. my biggest complaint is that every time I've ordered more than just coffee I wait 40min and don't actually get everything I ordered. its tough to say anything, because by the time I get the food my toddler is hungry and tired and we end up leaving in a hurry to avoid a meltdown. since the food is pretty spendy, you can see why paying $8 plus tip for something I never received would ruffle my feathers. I just really want the owners to hire experienced wait staff instead of trying to do it on their own. That being said, I'm not giving up on this place but I do think that it will be a little while before I return.
(2)Anne A.
I will put up with a lot if I can feed my daughter some decent food, then let her play while I eat in peace, or sip my coffee. Thankfully we don't have to put up with too much at Poa. I've had their cheese pizza with salad twice and it was nice, especially the light and bubbly whole wheat crust. My friends liked their veggie yakisoba, full of interesting veg. Pastry/sweet choice is slight and the one I got was stale. Kids meal was substantial - grilled cheese, fruit, yogurt. They had more sophisticated options but my kid is not too sophisticated I guess. But the real prize here is a huge kid's area chock full of fun Ikea toys and a good book collection. I probably wouldn't hang out here without my kid but it's a Godsend on a dreary winter afternoon.
(4)Jodie T.
Man, I want to like this place because it's close and I love the concept of it and my kiddo likes it. Buuuut... it seems like every time I go, it's a let down. First visit: rude order person who messed up my order and brought my iced latte hot. Not a big deal, OK. Second visit: went to see Mr. Ben for the Wednesday show. We showed up and he cancelled. I checked the website before the 5-minute drive over and there was nothing of the cancellation. Note: Tons of people go JUST to see this show. If he's not there and parents have miraculously gotten their kid out of the house on time and are fired up for Mr. Ben and he's not there, it's a fail. I commiserated with lots of other parents walking away completely frustrated. Third time: my food order was messed up and my daughter contracted hand-foot-mouth disease :( Does this place get sanitized regularly? Fourth time: went to see Mr. Ben. AGAIN, we show up and there's a cancelled sign on the door. **THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE*** AND these cancellations need to be posted on the website so parents know before they scramble to get out the door. Kids food is overpriced, but I overlooked that because there are healthy options which is nice. They make a good cup of joe when they get the order right. However, this place needs to get it together before we decide to go back. And please sanitize!
(2)