Anna Bannanas

02/03/09

The St. Johns location is even better!

by northwestshopper at Citysearch

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 at Citysearch

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 at Citysearch

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

10/12/07

Fabulous

by angelphish at Citysearch

Comfy, friendly, charming, good service, good conversation. People that have something to say, which is nice to find. And great coffee! I love this place. Wish I worked there, lived closer, could hang out more. And not sure what grumpy butt (the guy that gave the lousy review) has a problem with. Unless he is decidedly against freedom of speech, thought, expression, or a persons right to their own sexuality. In any case, better that he not return. Although if he did, I'm sure everyone would be nice to him. Hmmm

(And I think the prices are more than fair. )

• Pros: location, ambiance, local flavor
• Cons: long way from my place in the burbs

10/07/07

poor for cruising

by zippppy at Citysearch

although the previous reviewer claims there to be an atmosphere not conducive to my desire of boys. i found there to be not enough stalls in the bathroom.

i wont be coming back until there are at least two.

love as always,

senator larry craig

p.s. dont tell my wife about this

08/30/07

Coffeehouse done right

by coffeehouseloser at Citysearch

Rachel Ray made good mention of this establishment on her show. Rightfully so.. This is not the modern coffee shop full of pretentious folks typing on their Blackberries. Nor is the kind of place that reeks of corporate ambiance. It is the kind of place where you go to celebrate Portland, and the coffeehouse tradition. The register reads ?Friends don?t let friends drink Starbucks.? That mentality is what you can expect to find at Anna?s. mixed in 21st avenue?s support of the goal to ?Keep Portland Weird.? So the bandanas might be ratty, but they?re clean. The baristo may not look like the cover of GQ, but he?s clean too. And a drink at Anna?s is truly experiencing Portland as Portland should be experienced.

• Pros:  Free WiFi, It's not Starbucks,
• Cons: limited seating inside

08/13/07

Negative atmosphere with poor coffee and service

by AveragE JoE at Citysearch

This coffee house has poor service, poor coffee, and negative energy.

Their mantra is one of homosexuality and anti-establishment. The barista (who did not appear to have showered recently) wore a dirty bandana to cover his ratty hair, and had on a pro-communist shirt. I would advise him to move to a communist nation and give it a try.

The docor does not contain a positive message about anything. It is all negative.

This place lacks everything required to draw intelligent people to gather and converse over coffee. It is however, a great place to go if you are a disgruntled, incapable failure of a person who needs to whine and cry about everything that is wrong with your miserable life becasue you are too ignorant or lazy to change it.

• Pros: I don't need to go here for coffee
• Cons: This place exists

11/07/06

Best Coffeehouse in Portland

by msomera at Citysearch

I love this Portland classic. It feels like being in someone's livingroom, only with an interesting mix of people that might not otherise come together. It's not just the feel of the place that is nice, they have amazing coffee, real employees (not polished corprate espresso machines and cashiers), and the music is always different and interesting.

• Pros: ambience, service, music
• Cons: baristas can be a tad slow, so not reccomended for to go coffee if you are in a hurry

11/02/06

wonderful service and great coffee

by riki2000 at Citysearch

I come to Portland from LA every couple of weeks for business, and I stay at the northrup station (a wonderful place!) and i frequent Anna Bananas when I am in town and just love the people, atmosphere and most of all the dank coffee! ya all rock!

07/10/05

so cool

by pixichic4 at Citysearch

rockin', hipster coffee shop set in a very cool venue. great front porch where you can read, talk, people-watch, or stare off into space. laid-back interior, and very cool, chilled-out lounge-area basement where you can drink, smoke, and (again) stare off into space. nice alternative to starbucks!

• Pros: good coffee, good vibe
• Cons: slightly pricey