The Little Red Bike Café caters to neighbors and?cyclists with tea, local ice cream and organic food
By Michael Houston
Entering the Little Red Bike Café is like entering a cave during a harsh storm. Waves of cars are crashing all around as you walk or bike down North Lombard Street to the small haven. But then you enter and feel calm, comfortable.
This was at least the feeling I had after locking my bike in front of the café and stepping inside.
There were people waiting in line to order coffee, ice cream and snacks. Old Fashioned Buttermilk Shakes and Root beer Floats were served in old Mason jars. Spots seemed to open up right as you are about to sit down.
Six small tables fill the inside and chalkboards display the variety of coffees and ice creams the café offers. I tried a cone of the Sauvie Island blueberry lemon ice cream and had a chat with one of the owners.
Owners Evan Dohrmann and Ali Jepson live close to their new café, located on the northeast side of Lombard. They became interested in opening a restaurant after traveling around New Zealand, among other places, after college graduation.
The Little Red Bike Café has everything a Portland café should, starting with the bicycle theme. Because the café is located in such a bike-friendly city, it is appropriate to have pumps on hand, tube and repair kits for sale, and the bike drive-through window for easy pick-ups. Portland bike courier Joel Domreis delivers coffee under the name Courier Coffee.
Dohrmann said he and Jepson "have a strong emphasis on locally grown food."
Dovetail Bakery and Fleu de Lis Bakery supply the local pastries and Noris Dairy delivers the milk products. All are located near Portland.
They use only organic milk and ice cream, veggie-fed, cage free eggs and the list goes on about their natural products.
Dohrmann wants to have a stronger presence on the UP campus. When coming up with the menu, he thought of college students when creating such food combinations as the Paperboy Special. For only $5, the special comes with a fried egg, cheese and optional bacon/veggie bacon for a buck, all served on ciabatta bread. It also comes with a cup of coffee or tea.
Eventually Jepson and Dohrmann think it would be great for students to stop by on the way to class and order a sandwich.
And they would prefer that you go by bike. Currently, they offer 50 cents off coffee or tea if you arrive on pedal power. They would like to have more specials like this in the future.
One of the best places to open in the university neighborhood, the café is worth checking out for breakfast, lunch or a cup of tea. Chat with the owners and servers to hear a piece of their story.
The Little Red Bike Café: 4823 N. Lombard St.; hours: Tuesday through Sunday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the bicycle drive through (which has seating out front and may be walked through) stays open until about 5 p.m.; phone: (503) 289-0120; blog: littleredbikecafe.com.
