Ken's Artisan Bakery

09/28/09

good food, bad service

by orygungurl

Love the food, hate the workers, they've never been outlandishly rude, just not friendly or polite. The area is cramped but in the summer the windows are raised and its awesome. I've noticed that if I go in there in a less busy time, the staff is more enjoyable, along with the whole experience.

• Pros: delicious baked goods
• Cons: unfriendly staff, cramped space

02/21/09

Used to be better

by kumm

About a year and a half ago, there was some staff turnover at Ken's on NW 21st. The staff in general is not very friendly, but it was worth it for the food. My friend and I went to Ken's for about one year nearly two or three times a week. Now we hardly ever go. The Oregon croissants, for example, don't taste the same. Either they are overcooked (just had one that was slightly charred) or undercooked. We thought after so many months, the new staff would be better trained. Not so. After many dollars spent, we'll take our patronage elsewhere. Sorry, Ken's, we loved you once, but no more!

• Pros: stumptown coffee
• Cons: inconsistent pastry quality at best, too many kids/strollers

09/11/08

Rude staff

by Mackay

We have heard mixed reviews about Ken's but decided to try it the other night. We found the staff to be particularly unfriendly and not customer service oriented. We ordered one of the most expensive bottles of wine and were literally rushed to finish the bottle and leave the table. The hostess who was helping clear tables actually tried to take our filled wine glasses three times! When a place receives such mixed reviews it is time take a look at the inconsistencies in customer service. We will definitely give our money to Appiza Scholls who has excellent pizza and consistently great customer service.

08/25/08

Horrible Customer Service and the Food is not great, either !

by albee

I have never received such rude customer service. All we wanted was to enjoy a quick bite and some relaxing atmosphere. We were greeted with rude and rushed employees. We had never visited this location before and the staff expected us to know the menu and when we inquired about two of the items, they responded in a way that would chase anyone away from their establishment. The bakery items were extremely overpriced, too ! Walk the extra couple of blocks and go to Starbucks, instead.

02/22/07

very dissapointed

by tbone1821

first of all, the pizza is not even in the same league as apizza scholls. everyone always complains that apizza scholls has too many rules, but if you pay attention, kens has more rules. you cannot even make your own pizza there. They forgot about us once and we waited over two hours. Last time we were there we were a party of six and they had automatically charged a gratuity. we did not notice and left a 20% tip and the waitstaff did not bother to point it out. They should have pointed that out.

• Pros: ambiance
• Cons: the actual pizza and the service

02/04/07

GREAT SERVICE

by portlandpalate

The employees are so helpful and create such a wonderful atmosphere. Not to mention, very easy on the eyes!

02/04/07

Excellent

by rustyanderson

Small range of baked goods, made up for by their superb quality. The oregon croissant (or wahtever it is called), jammed with berries; the wonderful breads; the excellent macaroons. Great coffee. Excellent, fresh salads with good dressings. Roast beef sandwich is heavenly. This place would be a success in Paris.

• Pros: Absolutely superb food and coffee
• Cons: cramped space, hard to find seat, small portions (all minor points)

12/23/06

Superlative! I moved to Europe and I miss this bakery

by scottythebody

I lived a few blocks from here when I lived in Portland (NW 21st) and stopped in for breakfast, coffee, or a quick bread fix while walking my dog or en route to work. The staff consists entirely of friendly and pretty people who truly brightened my day. And that's BEFORE the baked goods. I moved to Vienna, Austria -- allegedly famous for its bread products, and I've yet to have a single thing as good as at Ken's (and believe me, I've tried).

I didn't get to try all of the excellent bakeries of Portland during my brief stint there, but Ken's joins Crowsenberg's Half and Half as two of my favorite locales in the entire world. Portlanders are truly blessed with the staples: bread, beer, wine, cheese and coffee!

I miss Ken's!

• Pros: expert bakers, unpretentious attitude, really lovely counter staff, really good coffee
• Cons: it closes

12/02/06

New to Portland; superb breads

by doctor_stu

Just learning Portland; have only been here two weeks. Excellent breads; better IMO than Pearl Bakery. Petite Provence which is a lot closer to our home, is just as good.

• Pros: Excellent bread
• Cons: parking

11/26/06

Great bread

by lisaclovis

I only got to taste their breads. While staying at the nearby hostel, I learned that this bakery donates breads to the hostel and wow! it was absolutely delicious.