Reception
The book series Walking Portland (2012–2013) describes Bipartisan Cafe as a "stellar" family-friendly coffee shop with "fantastic" pies and pastries.[16][48] Portland Monthly included Bipartisan Cafe in a 2013 overview of Portland's best pie shops. The magazine called the business the "unofficial community center" that "practically demands that you slow down and share a slice of pie and a steaming mug of Water Avenue Coffee with a friend". Portland Monthly also recommended the venue's espresso cream pie.[22]
Nathan Skidmore included Bipartisan Cafe's cream pies in The Oregonian 2008 overview of the best desserts in Portland.[49] The same year, The Oregonian Seth Lorinczi said "the pies are benchmark; the crust thin, flaky and unadorned, the fillings fresh and abundant".[19] In 2010, S.J. Sebellin-Ross called the triple berry pie's filling "dull", and the crust "pale" and "overworked". Sebellin-Ross also called the curd in the marionberry lemon pie "cloyingly sweet", and the Chantilly cream "perfectly whipped and rich".[15] Lizzy Acker ranked Bipartisan Cafe third in The Oregonian 2018 list of the city's best chocolate cream pies and said the cafe's "chocolate cream had generally good texture, good flavor, but too much cream for many of the pie eaters, and a somewhat problematic crust".[20] In 2023, the newspaper's Michael Russell said, "Before the rise of Lauretta Jean's, Random Order and Bipartisan Cafe were the go-to cafes for Portlanders seeking good pie."[50] In 2010, Patrick Alan Coleman of Portland Mercury wrote: "The huge selection of pies is what makes this Montavilla hangout so popular for politicos of all stripes."[51]
In 2008, Willamette Week included Bipartisan Cafe in an overview of the best places to drink coffee in Portland and said "the standout collection of political ephemera and housemade pies ... almost overshadow the perfect neighborliness" of the venue.[29] In 2015, the newspaper's Jay Horton said the cafe "kickstarted Montavilla's rebirth with nationally acclaimed pies".[52] In 2016, Penelope Bass called Bipartisan Cafe "a neighborhood pillar built of delicate, flaky crust ... where it's easy to while away a day among the neighborhood regulars".[53] In 2020, Nina Silberstein of Southeast Examiner said the cafe "boasts the best homemade pies in Portland".[23] In 2023, Jacob Loeb of Montavilla News said the business "helped launch the century-old downtown main street's resurrection, defining Montavilla, and has served as the community's living room for nearly two decades".[47]
Cheryl Strayed recommend the "lovely" cafe's coffee and pie in her 2019 guide to Portland.[54] Thrillist's Pete Cottell included Bipartisan Cafe in his 2020 list of Portland's best coffee shops with Wi-Fi.[55] Eater Portland included Bipartisan Cafe in a 2017 list of 18 "hidden gem" restaurants in Portland.[56] The same website's Michelle Lopez included the business in a 2022 overview of venues in which "legit" pies in Portland could be found,[24] and writers included Bipartisan Cafe in Eater Portland 2023 overview of recommended eateries in Montavilla.[18] The cafe's marionberry pie was included in the American Automobile Association's 2022 list of the ten best regional Western dishes.[25]
