02/03/09

The St. Johns location is even better!

by northwestshopper

The Anna's location in St. Johns is my spot. You know... where everybody knows your name? And they're always glad you came? The baristas are friendly and funny and very knowledgeable about what they serve. It's comfortable and cozy and very, very Portland. Free WiFi makes it a great place to spend the day and get stuff done, which I often do, and there's a nice room in the back for private meetings or study sessions for the scads of UP students who regularly hang out there.

The coffee is good, the treats and food are yummy and more than anything, it lacks the pretense and ultra hipster atmosphere that permeates most typical Portland coffee shops. The staff is genuine and down to earth, as is the decor, which features various local art that rotates regularly. Kids are welcome and there are plenty of them toddling about with their parents on the weekends.

They're open late all week long, which is more than anyone can say for most Starbucks or most any other coffee houses in the general vicinity, really. And the music is almost always very cool, if not interesting... when they are playing it, but if you're really lucky, you might be there when they turn on The Daily Show or the Steven Colbert Report on the TV over the bar. Then you can share a laugh with the guy next to you and Anna's shines in all the glory of what it does best... creates a sense of community.

• Pros: Off-Street Parking, Free WiFi, Friendly Service, Great Ambience

05/29/08

Interesting experience, relaxing if you want it to be

by sannemichelle

Though the coffee is not fantastic and the chai was unbearably spicy, the vegan treats and funny "Keep Portland Weird" atmosphere make this coffeehouse worthwhile. Service is not great but the hands-off approach caters to a fruitful session of hanging out, studying, reading or even napping. They let you smoke in the basement but 16 year olds also apparently know this and usually take over the couches down there. Flying pigs painted on the ceiling and a Talking Heads soundtrack make this place very Portland.

• Pros: epitome of PDX
• Cons: average coffee, servers disinterested

04/29/08

If you don't like it, go to hell

by djpresidente

You might get freaked out a bit by the perm chair at first or that manikin in the fireplace, but if you can't take this, then you can go back to your shit|y starbucks in the suburbs slurping your watery frappuccinos and talking with your middle-aged friends from the health club about minivans. Anna Banana's is for people who really care about coffee and the Portland coffeehouse tradition. It is the best coffee in town in my opinion, and you should get to know the baristas a bit before you give them a mean stare, zip up your Banana Republic sweater, and disdainfully walk out the door.

• Pros: Ambience, damn good coffee, interesting furniture...
• Cons: Take a second look at that avocado before you take a bite