Your Barista Brought to Life

A Trip to Roseline Coffee

In the heart of the Alberta Arts District in Portland, OR sits Roseline Coffee, a neighborhood staple for coffee classics and seasonal specialties. I’ve come to Roseline today for one of those specialty drinks, the Banana Bread Hojicha Chai. It does not disappoint and its name is entirely accurate. It’s like biting into homemade banana bread seasoned with warm chai. But, I haven’t just come to Roseline for a sweet treat, I’ve also come to meet the barista behind the bar, and luckily he’s got a few minutes left before his shift comes to a close. Meet Tyler.

Tyler is classic Portland. He wears a 90’s style cable knit sweater with a flat brimmed hat. It’s mid day and the coffee shop is moderately full, though the line never exceeds more than one person at a time. There’s a warm and cozy atmosphere. Red and gold upholstered seating lines the shop and forest green walls stretch up to a set of mounted antlers and a stuffed duck in mid flight. There’s a rounded L-shaped bar around the working baristas where Tyler and I sit for our interview.

Q: How long have you been in Portland?

A: 5 years

Q: Where did you grow up?

A: Newberg, OR

Q: How long have you worked at Roseline?

A: Year and half

Q: What’s your favorite drink to make here?

A: Cortado.

Q: Why’s that?

A: It takes a lot of skill and accuracy but can be made quickly. You know it’s good when the art, temp, and taste are all well executed.

Q: What’s your favorite drink to drink here?

A: Whatever people don’t drink “the excess drink” excess chai or hot chocolate

Q: What’s the most popular order?

A: Latte, black coffee. People like simplicity.

Q: Do you have any hobbies?

A: Art - painting with acrylics

Q: Where can we find your art?

A: https://www.instagram.com/magoonart/

[insert one of Tyler's reels]

What do you love about art?

A: Loves saturated colors

His favorite artist of all time is Bill Watterson. He did Calvin and Hobbs. was an incredible water colorist. So he draws a lot of inspiration from it. He was limited in the work that he did (limited by the platform that published his work, cause it was comic strip). Sunday comics he’d paint water colors.

Comics weren’t his passion but it allowed him to make the art he did like

Q: Do you have any pet peeves?

A: Dirty dishes in the sink at home

Q: Can you share a Portland rec?

A: Rose city book pub, has events every single night

Keys Lounge, best jazz in town

Nalu Lounge, cava lounge, incredible vibes

Tyler shares that he used to work in Sales when he first moved to Portland. During this time he found the city to be small and a bit exhausting. He said it was hard to meet people. So he made a radical move. He quit his sales job, sold his car, bought a bike as his primary mode of transportation, and took a new gig as a Barista. Suddenly the city opened up for him. He experienced the city more tactically and met new people. Tyler looks at me, knowing that I have just moved to Portland, and lets me know that in order to meet people, one has to get out. It’s as if he’s telling me what I need to do as I’m currently doing it. I don’t take offense to this. Tyler is a human just like me. I have connected with him and he feels that. He is mirroring to me, what we all want. Connection.

Visit Tyler, and the whole Roseline Coffee crew Monday-Sunday from early morning till 6pm.