Coffee Stop Spotlight: Hope’s Cafe
Once upon a time, PBC’s Monday Meander advertised that there were many ways to ride to Gresham from the Gateway Transit Center. All those rides were destined to end at one or two of the most PBC popular coffee shops (see November Spotlight). It’s a Monday tradition! This month’s Spotlight is a wonderful cafe with which most club members are unfamiliar; and it’s in Gresham (not too far from Donut World). Hope’s Cafe has delicious food, sociable staff, and a welcoming atmosphere. Hope Duran is the owner, baker, greeter, server, and cleaning person too! You can choose from the pastry case, order breakfast or lunch. All the delicious choices are handcrafted in the tiny kitchen that’s next to the serving counter. That’s how she’s able to prepare delicious dishes and interact with the customers. Her staff, usually one person, shares the same happiness and warmth of serving customers like good friends. On the wall, over the serving counter the sign reads, “Where Friends and Flavors meet.” In this case saying and doing are synonymous. ✎
As you can imagine, serving pastries, breakfast and lunch means they have an extensive menu. It’s deceiving since the shop is only staffed by Hope and an equally cheerful co-worker. The pastry offering includes breads, muffins, scones, brownies, cinnamon rolls, and biscuits. The cinnamon rolls are available daily “until sold out.” I’ve been told by PBC OG’s that the biscuits and gravy are amazing. My choice is the biscuit and egg sando that features a soft, flaky, homemade biscuit. The lunch options are highlighted by wiener wraps which are wieners wrapped in a handcrafted pastry. Everything is fresh and lovingly crafted by Hope.
Hope’s Cafe is located at 455 NE Burnside Road, which is on the north side of Burnside in a row of shops behind Auto Zone. Inside the shop, you’ll feel the warmth of a cafe that aspires to serve a community of friends. They include “the cyclists” as their friends. The shop itself is suitable for medium to small group rides, so plan ahead. The back wall of the shop displays newspaper articles, the Best Bakery in Gresham award, and other certificates of recognition from the Gresham community. During pleasant weather, an outdoor, undercover seating area is available. If you want delectable handcrafted pastries, great coffee, and welcoming people, go to Hope’s.
Richard Higgins, Vice President