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If there’s anything we love more than delicious food at Portland Pedal Power, it’s delicious unique food that you would struggle to find anywhere else. The kind of food that makes someone do a double take and say “Wow, where did you get THAT?”

That’s why we are very excited to be delivering for Happy Sparrow Café, who specialize in making the Kolache (kuh–lah-chee)!

Now if you’re anything like me, you may have never heard of a kolache. But Happy Sparrow’s creations compete with bagels and donuts as the favorite breakfast meal in Texas. A pastry that competes with donuts? Color me surprised… and more than a little curious.

So what is a kolache? According to Mary and Danny Quach, the owners of Happy Sparrow, it’s a “sweet soft bun filled with yummy fillings, then baked to a beautiful golden delight.” Like many things in life, it’s the insides that count! (But take it from me, the outside is just as tasty!) This special pastry was brought over to the States by Czech immigrants, and once the locals in Texas got a taste, they couldn’t get enough.

Today, Mary and Danny continue the tradition of creating delicious Texas-Style Kolaches like the ones they enjoyed growing up in Houston and Austin. But now, they get to use some of the best local Northwest ingredients resulting in a fresh and delicious treat. You will find Tillamook Cheddar Cheese, Zenner’s sausages, locally crafted fruit preserves, all fitting inside a hand-rolled, lovingly made treat.

On our menu, you will find kolaches for the sweet tooth, savory kolaches for those looking for a hearty breakfast, and even mini kolaches for those just looking for a quick snack before work. No matter how you’re feeling, there’s a kolache to compliment the mood.

So what are you waiting for? Do yourself a favor: try a kolache, and change the way you look at breakfast!

Miguel Menendez, owner of 9 coffee farms in El Salvador

There’s nothing like handcrafted coffee to help you start the day. Portland Pedal Power is proud to deliver for coffee roaster Water Avenue Coffee, a local coffee pioneering the unseen frontier of micro-roasted craft coffee from countries around the world. Check out how Water Avenue Coffee got its start, and how it’s become a Portland Phenomenon.

Water Avenue Coffee (WAC) was founded in the early days of 2010 with the goal of becoming Portland’s neighborhood coffee roaster and offering the best handcrafted coffees from around the world. They purchased a 1974 Samiac coffee roaster from its Swiss owner and set to work providing Portland with fresh roasted fresh crop coffees.

WAC’s father and son ownership team of Bruce and Matt Milletto have a wealth of experience in the coffee industry. Bruce began his coffee career in the 1980’s by opening his own espresso carts, but quickly moved into education, founding Bellissimo Coffee Infogroup in 1991 and the American Barista and Coffee School in 2004 to help others follow in his footsteps and pursue their dreams of owning their own coffee business. In the ensuing decades he and Bellissimo have published books, DVD’s, and educated thousands of budding entrepreneurs.

With a father recognized as an industry luminary, Matt started his career with a wealth of coffee knowledge already at his disposal. Beginning in Eugene and Corvallis in the early 90’s, Matt started as a barista, café manager, and barista trainer before joining his father at ABCS, and later opening WAC. Together they have assembled a team with further years of experience and passion for coffee to help produce the best coffees. WAC’s goal is to share the best of the world’s coffee crop, working as closely with coffee producers in countries of origin as possible. Through careful roasting and extensive research it is their goal to offer these coffees at their freshest and best, celebrating the seasonality and diversity that is inherent with any agricultural product.

Finca Las Delicias in El Salvador

WAC’s menu has something for just about every coffee drinker. It features many seasonal single origin coffees for the more adventurous, changing regularly as coffee producing countries begin exporting their produce. For those looking for a coffee that is consistent month in and month out Water Ave also offers two blends, the El Toro Espresso and No 7 House, designed to appeal to the more traditional coffee drinker.

Education is also key to WAC’s mission. They strive to provide as much information and traceability about their coffees as possible. Their roastery crew posts about new offerings on the company blog full of information, and the friendly staff in their café are always happy to help with brewing tips!

Ready to get some Water Avenue Coffee? Take a look at our menu, where you can order coffees from distant locations and delivered right to your office!

Happy Sparrow – Bringing the Kolache to the NW!

Water Avenue Coffee – The Unsurpassed Standard of Coffee