Palio Espresso and Dessert House

Category:	Coffee Shop
Address:	1996 SE Ladd Ave, Portland, OR 97214, USA
Phone:	+1 503-232-9412
Site:	palio-in-ladds.com
Rating:	4
Working:	7AM–11PM 7AM–11PM 7AM–11PM 7AM–11PM 7AM–11PM 8AM–11PM 8AM–11PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 8

Thubten Comerford

The food is passable. The pastries are usually excellent. The coffee and espresso is decent. The staff is cordial. The wi-fi is usually slow, likely because the place is often filled with students studying for tests. The proprietor is non-social (the most polite description I can manage). Although I am a regular, and have introduced scores of people to this relatively obscure cafe, hidden at the center of Ladds Addition, he had yet to say a thing to me, until today. Im staying here long enough to write this review, and then I doubt Ill return. Whenever Im at Palio I can feel his tension. Hes like a nervous rodent, terrified that hell be eaten by an eagle at any moment. This energy permeates the place, and comes through his staff as well. Im guessing that his terror revolves around the business, as it seems like he cuts every corner he can. The food that they prepare looks like it comes from Cash & Carry. Its very food-servicey. Ive been a weekly patron of Palio for nearly five years. I spend perhaps $50/month, so its not like losing my patronage will make a huge impact on his cash flow. I am, however, very connected and very vocal. If I were to rate my average experience here, it would be three stars, but it took todays attitude to compel me to write this review. Palios getting one today.

Josh Del Villar

Im the type of person who will order a chai or mocha, think about life for a while, take a sip, read, rinse and repeat. I spend many moments of my life in coffee shops (less than Id like to.) Ive passed by Palio with a fair amount of frequency until one day I decided to explore for myself; yesterday to be more specific. I found the owner to be quite an interesting man, not only in the interior of his business or his hard to read demeanor but as well as the interactions with customers who seemed to take the time to know him and the murder of crows who showed their thanks in the frantic scarfing down of offering from said gentleman. It left a lovely taste in my mouth or rather a culmination of the spicy chai and that experience. Further, the food looks divine and coffee pleasantly aromatic as well as fair prices for the value of flavorful delights, ambiance of design and magically comforting jazz music that interacts superbly with one another. I live in the SE Neighborhood and have found a new cafe to consider one of my favorites. Palio is a wonderful place to experience for your own self and its all because the owner is a grade-A person who took a vision and created it into something tangible for others to enjoy in.

A Private User

Well here i am writing a review; taking the time to go online and share my thoughts about my experience at Palio. Clearly, my recent visit has made an impact on me. I was so utterly amazed at the lack of any attempt to be friendly, to offer anything even remotely approaching customer service, and the too cool for school vibe at this unfortunate and highly prosaic coffee shop. I had the utter nerve and termity to ask about what kinds of green tea that they served at Palios. The man behind the counter just sighed and handed me the menu!!! I also made the mistake of asking where the lids were, thats when the pepsi generation, pseudo hipster "Barista" got annoyed and said theyre right there." Listen folks, in these days, where we spend our money has new meaning, and importance. I will never go back to this place and I will boycott Vincentes Gourmet Pizza if its the same owner. I will prefer to spend my money and give my business where it is appreciated. It clearly wasnt here!!!!!!!!!

Edward Vesely

The service here is a bad joke. We bought $18.50 in drinks and handed over our last $20 (we had our credit card but this business wanna-be doesnt offer credit card facilities in 2017). Were happy to tip when service is good and if we had another $5 we would have gladly handed it over prior to experiencing the service here. Everyone else in the cafe was served their order but not us. We werent even told our drinks were ready and were left on the counter getting cold. We were in the next room so we were relying on the staff letting us know. They need to get over their entitlement mentality. Theyll be tipped when they provide service. After what we experienced today, they should be refunding us. After reading of other reviewers experiencing terse, surly and rude service, one star is extremely generous for this mob. They should be concerned at the significant minority of unhappy customers posting here.

A Private User

RUDEST & WORST customer service Ive ever had!! And I truly mean that too. The short haired girl there named Alex doesnt attempt for a second to be friendly, decent, say hello or thank you. I went here once a few wks ago & couldnt believe that attitude this obviously extremely unhappy girl had. She snatched my debit card receipt out from under my hand as I was still filling it out, slammed it beside the register & walked in the back!!! I watched as she would go in the back to talk to her friend that was visiting and going in the back kitchen with her as customers waited at the counter for 5-10mins. Its just ridiculous this girl has a job, but its more absurd she treats people with such disrespect. Hey Alex, you clearly hate your job, so do something about it! You also hate your life, you should do something about that too...youre a very unhappy, pathetic person.

A Private User

Tonight my wife and I chose Palio for a light dinner and dessert. Though we are aware that this is a popular place for students, we thought that we should be able to get a table for 2, at least, w/o much wait. To our disappointment, all of the tables were taken up, and since most everyone had laptops, we could tell none would be available soon. So we ordered $20+ worth of takeout, as we were too tired to go anywhere else. The funny thing: I wonder if the owner realizes that most of the people taking up tables probably ordered less than $10 worth, yet they take away the opportunity from other paying customers when they establish themselves there for hours. Our wish is that the owner dedicates the new room for students, and the original cafe for customers who will be there less than an hour. Is that too much to ask?

Doug Young

The selling point is the atmosphere: in the daytime you can see outside into the dead-center of scenic Ladds Addition. When its dark the interior is intimately lit with candles and dim lights. Palios menu is OK, but honestly you can find a broader and higher quality selection of the same treats, cakes, soups, and sandwiches at comparable prices down at New Seasons on Division less than two blocks away. Again, youre probably here for the atmosphere, but if youre here to eat, ehhh... Ill just say I wasnt as blown away. Most people come here to do homework, but there is a hipster crowd (youre in SE, buddy), so prepare to hear twenty philosophy & film discussions at any given time within your eavesdropping proximity-- headphones may be a good idea.

Margaret A

I went into Palio because I needed to get work done that was outside of my house. The other reviews werent kidding when they said this was a great place to work on things/study. They had a wide variety of food and drinks, fast wifi connection, wide table space, and a decent amount of outlets. I ordered a latte and was a little less than thrilled. It was more expensive than lattes that I would get at other coffeeshops but the flavor and presentation was lacking. I was one of two customers that were there at that time - so the barista wasnt in a hurry. But you couldnt tell from the latte that was given. The bagel was decent - Im a huge fan of cream cheese so I enjoyed the generous amount given. Not sure if I will go here again though.