Photo: Courtesy Fresh Pot (from the website)
Coffee Shop Review: Fresh Pot on Hawthorne
Location: 3729 SE Hawthorne Blvd; enter through Powell’s Books
I’m sitting at the Fresh Pot on SE Hawthorne for the first time in years. I’ve stopped by to grab a coffee or tea a couple times while browsing at Powell’s next door, but didn’t sit down and hang out. This is one of the first places I visited in Portland when I first moved here in 1999 — which was two years after they opened. For all the change that has hit Portland since, Fresh Pot remains astonishingly similar to my first visit almost a quarter century ago—and for that I’m deeply grateful. It feels like a combination of coming home, seeing an old friend, and visiting a nostalgic, beloved eatery all in one.
All Gender Restrooms: Yes. One all gender restroom in the shop, and Powell’s has one all gender restroom, as well.
Seating, Number: 12 tables. Most are two-top, with two four-tops. Two-tops can be pushed together.
Seating, Comfort: Old-school comfy wooden chairs and tables.
Vegan and Gluten-Free snacks: A variety of wrapped and fresh pastries and bagels. Quite a few vegan and/or gluten free items from Gem.
Plant milks: All
Wifi: Password-protected guest wifi. Solid and speedy.
Power Outlets: At a few tables, including a power strip with USB ports.
Vibe: Old school Portland, with a very welcome late 90’s vibe. Very SE Hawthorne through and through.
Mugs: Comfy, solid, ceramic mugs.
Swag: Shirts, sweatshirts, stickers, etc.
Noise Level: Just right. Enough to drown out nearby conversations, but not overwhelming.
Coffee / Beverages: Caffe Vita coffee and a large selection of tea and soft drinks
