The Black Cat Cafe

I like this chill little sandwich and coffee shop. There’s cheap beer, an outdoor patio and typically good music with offbeat subtitled television shows playing. It’s a breath of fresh air from the hipster boogie traps that litter Alberta (sorry guys!).
I got a favorite bartender too. She’s the pretty brunette with the brown eyes and cute thrift dresses.

To the woman who served me a cup of coffee this afternoon:
You are obnoxiously passive aggressive and I think you should seriously consider finding a different line of work.
I am so sorry I didn’t know not to sit down before ordering. Your gross décor kind of threw me off and I wasn’t entirely clear on if I was suppose to take a seat or go directly to you. A simple, «hey, you can order something over here» would have been very helpful in that situation. I would have instantly apologized and gone straight to the counter, no question. It was pretty obvious that you were just fuming from the minute I sat down.
When I did go to the counter to order a coffee (I really just wanted to sit and have something to eat), I didn’t appreciate how you SLAMMED the to-​go cup down when I decided not to stay. Also, your condescending tone when asking me if I wanted my receipt made my fucking head spin it was so over the top rude. I don’t mind a little surliness but you really are offensive.
One more thing: how dare you make me use my dormant Unilocal account to write this stupid review. I felt extremely compelled to do so because I’m actually pretty nice and didn’t deserve that kind of treatment.

Very eclectic décor and crowd at this little café. It was extremely chill, and didn’t seem to take it self too seriously or have an aura of exclusivity about it. I stopped in for a latte and the barista was very friendly, chatty and helpful. Seemed like a great place to bunk down and get some studying or reading done.

Meh. I think «Meh Café» would be a better name for this place. Then everyone would know what to expect. The place looks like a motel, a run down gas station, and a junk yard had a baby and dressed it in Café clothes. While I’m not opposed to a «dive café» this place isn’t really pulling it off. I got a reuben and it was ok. The beer selection look ok and was relatively cheap. Those are the extent of the plusses. It just looks like a place that’s stopped trying.

This place is the best hang out on Alberta if you want a good selection if beer, fast wifi and decent music in the background. A bug cup of coffee and an equally good bagel with cream cheese all for $ 4 makes it a good morning place too. Fast wifi and a cool staff. Sweet place…

black cat has new owners. removed all the
outside tables. no longer serving booze. All the grody folks hanging and selling their own «product» have disappeared. We wish them luck!!!

This place is: DIRTY
The coffee is: Folgers… or comparable.
The guys working there: suck at customer service
The owner: RUDE!
Sad that I wasted $ 3 there. Most annoying moment/conversation…we had our own reusable/​personal cups. I simply asked (because some places DO honor it with a discount… and some do not, which is fine) «Do you give a discount for personal cups?» The owner looked at me and said, «Uh, its $ 1.50…why would we do that?» Me: «I was just asking… some places do and some places don’t.» Him: «Yeah, I mean… maybe I’ll think about it later, but its already only $ 1.50.» So, wake up call asshole… I could support ANY business since there are 53 coffee shops within .25 mile radius of yours… I would be nicer to neighbors/customers…and not so stingy.
In the end, we got in the car and the coffee was gross. We dumped it and drove to another coffee shop… where we got way better coffee for the same price…

This is what I picture, when I picture Portland. That may be unfair to the city, but there’s something about weird music, people on Macs, and everyone wearing black that reinforces the stereotypes I have of the place. In know, through experience, the rest of the city isn’t like BCC; I also know I don’t really fit in here. If for no other reason because the music either made me want to cut myself or there was none at all. You know, like a library where you feel like you’re supposed to whisper to those at your table.
+1 star for delicious beer at cheapo prices

I used to go to Black Cat several times a week: the bagel sandwiches are delicious, most of the employees are very friendly (so kind, so personable), and this place is close to my house.
But after hearing the owner reading/​commenting on e-​mails he had received after posting an opening for a position on Craiglist, I was extremely turned off. He was openly mocking the fact that almost all the applicants had used formal language in their e-​mails (i.e. dear sir/​madam, dear hiring manager). Also, he was doing this at the bar where all the customers could hear?
Also, once I asked the nice lady behind the counter for a glass of water with ice (since there were only tiny dixie cups), and he scoffed at me/​made a comment about how there were cups at the water station.
It saddens me that he gets a portion of my bagel sandwich money, but those bagel sandwiches are just so good…

The girl who served me was going to use her bare hands to handle my bagel after handing peoples money. I checked her on right away it and she of course didn’t like it much.
I told her how I felt about that and her attitude went to shit. I should have just walked out right then since there were alot of places to eat in the area, but I figure since I review, let’s just see how this goes plus I was starving. She washed her hands reluctantly and then I went to sit outside to sip on my coffee which was just so so and can hear her talking to the young couple who was waiting behind me. of course she probably didn’t realize I could hear her and them, but I did. They were saying very unkind things but I know I was right about her handling my food. That was very balsy of her to treat me how she did as a first time patron.
Reviews can damage a small place like hers.
Don’t go here unless you want a little ecoli and god knows what else from her hands on your food.

The everything breakfast bagel with bacon is delicious! Perfect for a hangover. So, this might just be my hangover talking… but the breakfast bagel was just what I needed. They have outdoor and indoor seating, it is dog friendly, and also serves alcohol. It s a little divey, so beware if you’re not a fan of diving.
They take a little longer than I would expect for them to make it, that’s why they aren’t getting a 5^th star. Plus, I feel the pricing is a little expensive.

At the end of our Last Thursday walk, my friends took me to Black Cat Café for drinks. I ordered a simple hot cup of loose leaf tea for $ 2.00 ($.75 for refills). There is an assortment that you can choose from located above the mini fridge (stocked with plenty of beer). Pick out your tea and the person working up front will be happy to make it for you. The black mango tea I chose was fragrant and has a mild flavor. Actually, many of the teas there smell terrific, so it was difficult settling on just one.
There are benches outside where you can sit, chat, and enjoy your drinks. Staff is cool, and the overall vibe of the place was chill when I visited. Not a bad spot to unwind at after Last Thursday.

Ok. The annoying dude wasn’t annoying this time, He was a great example of perfect customer service. What can I say, everyone has a bad day. So I take that bit about him being annoying back, he was annoying then, but he’s not annoying every time. He’s actually very nice and super conversational with customers.
They tidied things up a huge amount and moved the tables. I don’t like the new arrangement, I liked the booths. But it’s so open now! That’s nice. It feels better.
Demoting a star though…
The grouchy chick with the shaved head and septum ring. I saw her rub her nostrils and then finger them, while playing with her nose ring. Then immediately she started making food, without washing her hands or putting on gloves. Wash your fucking hands. I work in food service, wash your fucking hands. I also have a septum ring, wash your fucking hands. I will never order food if she’s working again, wash your fucking hands, please.
And if you’re going to be careless with your hand washing, at least be a little friendlier.
Booger breakfast sandwich? No thanks.

My profile is not «imaginary»; I am a new Unilocal user, but very much so a real human being writing real reviews of places I really visit. I have no prior connection to the Black Cat Café or anyone affiliated with it. My review was written on an actual experience I had. The person I was with when I visited this café had the same experiences I had.
The employee and the business practices in question brought this review upon themselves. Y’all fucked up, and I’m calling you on it.
Original Review:
These things that actually happend to me are why I hate the Black Cat on Alberta:
1. When I walked in, I saw an employee and the owner pouring cheap booze into more expensive booze bottles.
2. The owner made several highly inappropriate comments in front of me and my partner while we were sitting at the bar, including dispariging remarks about «fat chicks» and a «hot little piece of jailbait.»
3. Poor customer service — when an employee menitoned they thought something was wrong with the keg, a customer with a ²⁄₃ full messed-​up looking beer agreed and asked to please switch out for a not-​messed-​up beer. The owner gave the customer a hard time about correcting the error that he was responsible for.
4. The owner removes negetive reviews on Unilocal.
There are much much cooler places to go in Portland, trust me.

A little dive coffee shop with some food; interesting place.
Met a friend here Sunday afternoon, 1pm. Place to lock my bike out front, (1^st plus for me).
Music playing made me remember high school, 1980s back in Brooklyn NYC. It’s not a fancy looking spot, it functions; get ya coffee, bagel, simple sandwich. Saw some working on their lap top, believe it has wifi.
Enjoyed my coffee. I do wish the self serve coffee wasn’t lined up with the cashier, (need to space that out so people aren’t bumping into each other).

Good coffee. Cheap beer. Cool staff. Good Location. And good biscuit sandwiches for like $ 2.75 or something.

Hello?! Mind the name of the establishment!
The staff is generally pleasant, but they quite often have to throw out the riff-​raff. This is because of the cheap drinks. No, do not order the liquor. It is not swapped, they water it down. It is kind of their tip system.
This is one of the last grunge hangouts on Alberta street. Problem is that Babyboomers and Pearlies are trying to look hip by invading it. Hell, now you even see parents there with their children. This is no place for parents!
Alberta street is decaying. Black Cat is the last vestige of what once was. But you can still get drunk cheap on beer and watch bums beg for cigarettes. This will all end once the old farts finally take control of the street.

Still looks like a mini-​mart on the outside and the cappuccino isn’t as good as it used to be, but it’s OK + I dig the breakfast sammies and the lady behind the counter is always super friendly when I come in.
Now — how do we get restaurants to stop letting their patrons smoke outside? It sucks to be forced inside on a beautiful day because restaurants allow people to smoke at their outdoor tables. Boo.

Cheap coffee, chaos, and creeps,
in the best kind of way.
Now with liquor!

I used to love this place. First coffee shop I started frequenting when I moved here and loved to stop in for occasional beer and bs after work. I stopped coming in when the staff stopped being so friendly. Today was the last time.
Ate down the street and brought friends in for coffee afterward. We walked in and were so blatantly ignored by the guy at the counter on his computer, we all thought he was possibly fixing it and not making coffee. Nothing was said and after a couple of *minutes* he says, without even looking at us, «just shout it out when you’re ready.» We left.
After leaving and us all talking about it, it was obvious he was intentionally being a dick. For BC’s sake, I hope an employee and not the owner.
Either way, we won’t go back. If you think your business is good enough to treat your customers like shit and join the holier than thou ranks of douchery with Montage and Bombay Supper Club, staffing your business with assholes, then you can watch my money go elsewhere.