STUMPTOWNBLOGGER

FIRST & MORRISON

THEY WERE THE BEST COMING OUT OF THESE BOXES

OOPS

PATRICK F. SMITH FAMILY VACATION PHOTO • 1950

BEHIND THE SCENES OF CASINO

McDonald Brothers opened their first fast food concept on this day in 1940 • San Bernardino Ca

LINDNER’S JAVA WORLD

 One of my favorite things about serving at the Beaverton Farmer’s Market all these (24) years, has been watching the little kids grow up. Family farms often include the kids on market day, so I’ve seen oodles of them go from babies to having babies. In fact, I’ve been honored to officiate at the weddings of three market kids—one marriage is in dissolution, the other two are holding steady. A yield of four babies between them thus far.

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But I also see the children and grandchildren of my customers as they grow. Including one young girl whom I call “Customer X.” Her parents bring her and her two girlfriends to the market with them almost every Saturday, then they cut the girls loose while the parents shop for flowers and produce. I’m guesstimating they're in their early teens. They’re energetic as hell, already wound up when they arrive. So where’s the first place they go? To the Javamobile. I always tease Customer X, and she dishes it right back.

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Keep three things in mind:

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1) The line at the coffee truck is always 8-12 people deep, nonstop, all day long. I schmooze with friends and customers as I work, but I have to keep the line moving. And kids order the DARNEDEST things. 🤮  

 

2) At Customer X’s age, she’s midway between being a bona fide coffee drinker and a typical tween sugar-junkie. Kids that age loooove the sweet, but they’re beginning to dabble in the strong.

 

3) Coffee is a quasi-taboo to them. They know it’s not bad, but it’s always been “for grownups only.” And now that they’re on the cusp, they want to experiment. Much to the consternation of old, overworked baristas. 😩 

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Her two friends ordered first: two 16 ounce iced mochas with whipped cream (of course). Boom! Done in one minute. Customer X: “I want something cold, but I can’t decide. What do you suggest?”

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Me: “Oh no, I can’t do that.”

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X: “What do you drink?”

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“Black coffee.”

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(She's literally doing this 🤔, looking at the milk options sign).

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“Okay, I want your biggest iced Oregon Chai. Can I get that with espresso in it?”

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“Sure. But keep in mind that my biggest is 24 ounces. How many shots of espresso do you want?”

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“Three.” <this kid weighs maybe 85 pounds, soaking wet. Besides, without parental approval, I didn’t want to go there.>

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“That’s a lot. Are you sure you want that much?” <I look out at the line behind her. The natives were fidgeting restlessly>.

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“Okay, just one then.”

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“So a 24 ounce iced Oregon Chai with a shot of espresso, coming right up, your majesty.”

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“Oh, and with almond milk. No, wait! You have macadamia nut milk now? I want that!”

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“Okay, but that stuff is expen...”

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“That’s what I want. What kind of syrup would go good with that?”

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“You want a syrup too? Well, I make a homemade cardamom syrup that goes well with Chai.”

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“No, I tried that two weeks ago. I want to try something else <two people near the end of the line peel away>

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“The all-natural Turkish hazelnut is good, but it costs a little more.”

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“I want that.”

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“Okay. So a 24 ounce iced Oregon Chai with one shot of espresso, Turkish hazelnut syrup, and macadamia nut milk in place of dairy. Is that correct?”

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“Please. But make it two espresso shots instead of one. And light ice. How much will that be?”

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“I have no idea.”

JIM LOUIE • HUBERS

HE WAS A VERY NICE KIND PERSON

BULLITT