Northeast neighborhood is on the rise with a new coffee shop and destination golf depot
Visit this historic neighborhood in northeast Portland and discover a community working hard to build bonds, create welcoming spaces and have fun doing it.
Parkrose Coffee Shop
Lily Burnett and her husband Peter Irby opened Parkrose Coffee Shop in May after Burnett realized the need for a community gathering space in the East Portland neighborhood.
“Last fall I was doing a lot of canvassing for the Parkrose teachers levy and one of the things that I kept hearing from neighbors was how much people love being out here and love East Portland, but wish we had something you could walk to,” she said. “And that just stuck in my brain.
Burnett continued: “You know, we don't have a library here. We don't have a community center here. There’s nowhere for high school kids to go after school. I’ve always wanted a community space — coffee was the vehicle.”
In addition to offering a warm and welcoming space, the coffee shop has a large back patio with seating and a play area for kids. Inside, families can sit and relax while the kiddos play in a specially designed corner full of games, books and a play kitchen.
Burnett said she envisions the business as more than a coffee shop, but a place where the community can come, mingle, study, play and interact together. The shop has already hosted a movie night, a poetry night and plans to host a Hocus Pocus-themed outdoors event in October, so long as the weather cooperates. The shop has art on the walls from an artist who lives just three blocks away.
Although Burnett is new to the world of coffee, she says she loves coming up with fun, creative drinks with her five-person staff, all of whom live in the area.
She is especially proud of their current fall-forward options, including their take on the pumpkin spice latte, which they call the PSL, as in Please Support Local.
“We also have a Mexican Orange Mocha that's like a spiced chocolate with orange infused milk,” Burnett said. “It's really good — that's my favorite.”
Cider-inspired drinks on the menu include the Apple Chai-der, ginger-spiced chai and apple cider, and the Bobbing for Apples, which is a caramel cider. Both are perfect to enjoy on a crisp Portland autumn day.
Burnett also recommends their signature latte, the Parkrose Pistachio, which can be served hot or cold, and encourages visitors to try their array of food items, including bakery bites, bagels and other pastries.
Opening the shop marks a big career shift for Burnett, who recently left her job in the non-profit sector to focus on the shop full-time. She says she loves chatting with customers and has the ability to talk with folks all day.
“I am an extrovert. I love being around people,” she said.
Address: 4826 NE 105th Ave. Website: parkrosecoffeeshop.com Instagram: @parkrosecoffee Don’t miss: Vibe PDX is hosting a kid craft hour on Oct. 4 from 10-11 a.m. at the shop.
Disc Golf Depot
Disc golf enthusiasts from around the world come to Parkrose to visit the Disc Golf Depot.
“We are close to the airport which means we get to meet a lot of travelers from other states and countries,” said owner Valerie Holtz.
The specialty store has called the neighborhood home for three years but has been serving the disc golf community for more than four decades.
“I know people from ages 3-to-82 who have taken up the sport to just get outside and exercise with a purpose," said Holtz. “It’s an easy sport for anybody to have fun and get moving.”
For those who need a quick lesson: disc golf follows the same basic principles of regular golf except players sub in golf discs —think: round Frisbees — in place of golf balls. The object is to throw the disc from the tee to the basket in as few throws as possible. Just like golfers use a variety of clubs to get the shot, disc golfers rely on four different types of discs during the game — distance drivers, fairway drivers, midrange discs and putters to make their shots count.
Holtz’s staff help customers with grip adjustment and picking out the right disc for their game.
“There are many different skill levels in disc golf, ranging from the casual disc golfer to the occasional competitive player to the hard core PDGA professional,” Holtz said.
Interested in taking up the sport? Holtz recommends starting slow.
“Do not get a distance driver right out of the gate,” she said. “Get a midrange or a fairway driver and go from there. Higher speed does not equal more distance.”
Holtz wants everyone who comes by the depot to leave with the best disc for their needs. She's more than happy to share tips and favorite disc golf spots.
“Timber Park in Estacada is a beautiful well-maintained park for an entire family to enjoy and Rockwood Central Park on 179th and Main Street is the first basket course to be installed in the state, plus they also have two playgrounds for the kids,” she said.
Holtz said she loves having her business in historic Parkrose and appreciates all the support from her fellow business owners.
“All of the businesses around us really care about all of the people who come to patronize our businesses as well as the people who live in the area,” Holtz said.
Address: Website: discgolfdepot.com Instagram: @discgolf_depot Don’t miss: The Rockwood Winter Series starts November 8. Interested in joining the fun? Go udisc.com/events/rockwood-winter-series-rockwood-winter-series to learn more and sign up.
El Sombrero Mexican Restaurant
Move over pumpkin spice lattes. It's all about spooky spirits at El Sombrero Mexican Restaurant.
“October marks the return of our Spooky Margaritas, a tradition our guests look forward to every year,” said restaurant spokesperson Flor Guitron Navarro.
In addition to their eerie take on the signature Mexican cocktail, Navarro says El Sombrero is introducing their Beary Pumpkin Horchata, a seasonal twist that includes creamy house-made horchata infused with pumpkin spice and reposado tequila served in a hollowed-out pumpkin and topped with whipped cream and cinnamon.
“Each one comes with a custom El Sombrero teddy bear pumpkin sugar cookie — the perfect sweet companion for this cozy autumn cocktail,” she said.
Creative takes like these encourage customers to continue coming back time and time again. So do the refried beans.
“Our customers rave about them,” Navarro said. “The secret is that we dedicate 2–3 hours daily to making them.”
Navarro said it’s hard to pick a favorite dish because “Mexican cuisine is so rich and layered.” However, she says you can’t go wrong with Mama Elvira’s Mole — a sweet-yet-spicy chocolate-based sauce full of depth. She also recommends their Jalisco-style birrira — low-cooked beef and pork marinated in adobo with bold spice.
“Each dish is meant to bring comfort to our guests, whether guests are celebrating a special moment or simply need a warm hug on a tough day,” she said. “Many of our customers feel like extended family and having them be part of our journey is incredibly meaningful.”
The same goes for the staff, which includes four family members and three employees who’ve been with the team for more than a decade.
“We treat our entire staff like family and, in turn, that spirit radiates out to our guests.”
Navarro says another secret to El Sombrero’s success is the aforementioned Mama Elvira, who has been with the restaurant since it opened more than 20 years ago. She started as a busser, worked her way up to server and eventually stepped into the kitchen.
“The food was already good, but Mama Elvira gave the kitchen a true home feel. Every dish carries more than just spices, it carries amor.”
Another source of pride, according to Navarro, is the support of the Parkrose community.
“We wouldn’t be where we are without the love and support of our community,” she said.
Address: 10820 NE Sandy Blvd. Website: elsombreropdx.com Instagram: @elsombreropdx Don’t miss: Sip on their Vira Rita, the house margarita mixed with orange liquor.
