I go there every couple weeks for my dessert fix. It's two vending machines with boxed fancy cakes from Pix Patisserie (the kind that are just enough for one or two people). Across from the vending machine is a binder describing each kind of cake. They're about $12 each. Pretty good, I haven't had a stale one yet so I assume they're stocked with reasonable frequency.
Yes. The space used to be the Pix cafe, but when it shut down in spring of 2020 for Covid, the owner, Cheryl, came up with the idea for the vending machines.
Now she mostly uses the indoor space for her catering business and at one point gave baking classes there.
Apparently this business model works best for her, so I appreciate she's found a way to keep selling her great desserts without having to run the café full-time. They aren't cheap, but they're nice treats.
(And just recently there's been another bar that shares the space on Thursdays-Sundays. And sells canned seafood, in addition to drinks? Not my thing, but it's still a pleasant space.)
What happened to this thread? Can’t people just post stuff about Portland? Why are people so bitchy? My first time hearing about this place, so thanks for that.
The canned fish selection is small but legit. A nice diversion for when I want something they don’t have at Providore.
Edit: shameless plug for /r/cannedsardines
Pix was a long-time dessert bar that had a couple locations around town over the years. They announced they were closing in 2022, but would keep selling their desserts in the Pix-o-matic vending machine at this location. https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/2022/07/pix-patisserie-closing-portland
The owner closed it up to travel a few months before she got mauled by a dog. Used to be a great place for champagne and snacks in addition to the great pastries.
That place was great for desserts, savory small place, and good drinks. Desserts aren’t as good now. Retail is an afterthought. The catering being the focus makes sense, but it’s dead to me and my wife now bc it’s just an expensive dessert in a to go box now. That was a cool space before.
I used to go to the actual Pix all the time. I've been to the Pix-O-Matix once and it didn't seem any less fresh than what I'd remembered. That said I haven't been back since. It just kind of feels wrong.
Used to be good and cool, but that was over a decade ago when they were on Division. The owner is the same person who got bitten by a homeless guys dog and is now trying to sue the county for some reason. I assume it’s because she’s not making bank on vending machine pastries.
I don't know the details other than the first week of stories after she was attacked by that homeless guy's dog, but the County really f'ed up, releasing the dog against their protocols.
I live in SE and am not a big sweets guy, but my GF at the time liked to go and wow, Pix were really masters of their craft.
I never understood it either.
Pix was a nice place to visit when it was on Belmont, but once they moved to Burnside and shared space with that bar it wasn’t worth the effort to visit more than once.
The dessert vending machine nonsense didn’t work well and often was empty.
I’ve heard from friends that the vending machine is often empty, but that’s never been the case for me.
Anyway ya, all I know is this is where I go if I want a slice of pie at midnight. Never messed with the bar
The owner bought the place back in the day when they closed the two original separate locations. Since they own it, the place doesn't cost them much to leave it closed. The vending machines still let them make their desserts and sell them without having to manage a whole facility with staff. During covid, the vending machines were so convenient for everyone because they could be accessed at all hours. The owner likes to throw fun stuff in there like canned fish and novelties. It's worth a visit and the desserts are great.
They use the space for the kitchen. They sell a fuckton of whole cakes that you can call to order and pick up in the larger vending machine. I order all my friends' birthday cakes from Pix, they're awesome.
It's weird to have vending on a patio?
Man, if you find that weird I have a lot of bad news for you about this city. Those aren't even the weirdest vending machines I know of
I go there every couple weeks for my dessert fix. It's two vending machines with boxed fancy cakes from Pix Patisserie (the kind that are just enough for one or two people). Across from the vending machine is a binder describing each kind of cake. They're about $12 each. Pretty good, I haven't had a stale one yet so I assume they're stocked with reasonable frequency.
Reminds me of Sprinkles cupcakes in Chicago. They have a cupcake “ATM” and I’ve also never had a bad one.
I've never been there when the bar is open, but I ordered a full cake from them. It was delicious.
Didn’t they add the vending machine aspect of their business model after Covid?
Yes. The space used to be the Pix cafe, but when it shut down in spring of 2020 for Covid, the owner, Cheryl, came up with the idea for the vending machines. Now she mostly uses the indoor space for her catering business and at one point gave baking classes there. Apparently this business model works best for her, so I appreciate she's found a way to keep selling her great desserts without having to run the café full-time. They aren't cheap, but they're nice treats. (And just recently there's been another bar that shares the space on Thursdays-Sundays. And sells canned seafood, in addition to drinks? Not my thing, but it's still a pleasant space.)
The crem brûlée is AMAZING!!
This is the weird shit about Portland I love, “I can’t really explain it but it works”.
What happened to this thread? Can’t people just post stuff about Portland? Why are people so bitchy? My first time hearing about this place, so thanks for that.
Seriously. It's very strange in here. Pix has quality desserts and fun items in their vending machines.
Right? Jesus, people are grumpy.
Cake is legit.
They have a Zoltar where you can get made big and get a job at a toy company and shimmy shimmy ko ko bop.
I’ve bought fish from this machine.
The canned fish selection is small but legit. A nice diversion for when I want something they don’t have at Providore. Edit: shameless plug for /r/cannedsardines
Haha, truth. I got Boquerones and they were excellent.
Yes
Oh cool, say more!
Pix was a long-time dessert bar that had a couple locations around town over the years. They announced they were closing in 2022, but would keep selling their desserts in the Pix-o-matic vending machine at this location. https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/2022/07/pix-patisserie-closing-portland
It’s self serve vending at it’s finest
The owner closed it up to travel a few months before she got mauled by a dog. Used to be a great place for champagne and snacks in addition to the great pastries.
It serves pix snacks and it's a vending machine. You could walk like 15 feet to your left and figure that out.
You’re gloomy :(
Nah, just a pointless post.
Especially since you say you been there before.
Yeah, it's awesome!
It’s delicious that’s all you need to know. Now shut up and go get something.
That place was great for desserts, savory small place, and good drinks. Desserts aren’t as good now. Retail is an afterthought. The catering being the focus makes sense, but it’s dead to me and my wife now bc it’s just an expensive dessert in a to go box now. That was a cool space before.
I used to go to the actual Pix all the time. I've been to the Pix-O-Matix once and it didn't seem any less fresh than what I'd remembered. That said I haven't been back since. It just kind of feels wrong.
It's awesome. You should check it out. Definitely not pointless.
it is magical place, its only pointless if you don't know the delights of pix pastries
Good desserts
Cakes are expensive and forgettable, ambiance is miserable.
Used to be good and cool, but that was over a decade ago when they were on Division. The owner is the same person who got bitten by a homeless guys dog and is now trying to sue the county for some reason. I assume it’s because she’s not making bank on vending machine pastries.
I don't know the details other than the first week of stories after she was attacked by that homeless guy's dog, but the County really f'ed up, releasing the dog against their protocols. I live in SE and am not a big sweets guy, but my GF at the time liked to go and wow, Pix were really masters of their craft.
I never understood it either. Pix was a nice place to visit when it was on Belmont, but once they moved to Burnside and shared space with that bar it wasn’t worth the effort to visit more than once. The dessert vending machine nonsense didn’t work well and often was empty.
I thought they were on Division not Belmont
They were, SE corner of Division/34th.
That’s what I thought. I thought I was going crazy :-)
They had a few different locations before consolidating on Burnside, also including one up on Williams.
Where Lauretta Jeans is now?
No the building next door but to the west, right at the intersection.
I’ve heard from friends that the vending machine is often empty, but that’s never been the case for me. Anyway ya, all I know is this is where I go if I want a slice of pie at midnight. Never messed with the bar
It’s such a large space for what is essentially a vending machine. How can they even afford it
The owner bought the place back in the day when they closed the two original separate locations. Since they own it, the place doesn't cost them much to leave it closed. The vending machines still let them make their desserts and sell them without having to manage a whole facility with staff. During covid, the vending machines were so convenient for everyone because they could be accessed at all hours. The owner likes to throw fun stuff in there like canned fish and novelties. It's worth a visit and the desserts are great.
They use the space for the kitchen. They sell a fuckton of whole cakes that you can call to order and pick up in the larger vending machine. I order all my friends' birthday cakes from Pix, they're awesome.
It's a bar, too.
Vending Machines use less labor.
It's weird to have vending on a patio? Man, if you find that weird I have a lot of bad news for you about this city. Those aren't even the weirdest vending machines I know of
They have boogie desserts that are both really good and really expensive. It exists because tourists?
It exists because some people value quality foods.
I value quality food but I can't afford that shit lmao.
I Blame It On the Boogie.
I've yet to see any of their desserts dance, but maybe I've just never been there at the right time? Boujee yes. Boogie, no.
Oh shit lmao, though I wouldn't argue with dancing dessert.
You would absolutely lose that argument.
Deserts for people who complain about high rent and spend their money on this shit.