Ethiopian craftsman makes coffee machines from old bomb shells.

“In his workshop in Mekele, just 120 km from Ethiopia’s border with Eritrea, Azmeraw Zeleke is turning burnt-out shells into cylinders used in coffee machines.”

As interesting as these devices are, we have no plans to purchase any. We have always maintained a strict “no missile” policy and feel these devices would just add unnecessary ambiguity to this rule. We welcome all customers at Ruby’s, but continue to request that patrons leave their ordinance outside—a bike rack is available for your convenience.

Coffee is healthy? Of course it is!

More and more research suggests that drinking coffee can help cut the risk of certain diseases like Parkinson’s, colon cancer, and type 2 diabetes. While none of the published studies we read specifically mention any research being done at Ruby’s, it’s important to note that none of those studies say the research WASN’T done at Ruby’s either.

WebMD: Coffee: The New Health Food?

NPR: Coffee: A Habit that Might be Good for You

BBC News: Coffee is ‘health drink’ says Italian

When the building that Ruby’s Coffee Shop resides in was built about 100 years ago, it was outfitted with the latest technology—doors and windows. In keeping with this tradition of progress, we have upgraded the extensive infrastructure to offer our patrons WiFi internet access. Just like the use of the doors and windows, the WiFi is also free. Come by and enjoy some great coffee while viewing your favorite website (this one).

For information on other WiFi hotspots in Portland, check out WiFiPDX.com. Make sure to add a (favorable) review of Ruby’s to our listing.

From Blog Town PDX: Turns out Ruby’s coffee shop on Couch and NE 20th is also looking for an unpaid intern. The [handsome and talented] guy in there says: “we’d like two people keen to get hands-on experience as baristas while we sit and read the paper, you know…”. Sounds like a racket to me but there you go.

At least one of our loyal patrons used his linguistical forensic skills to determined the statement to be false, saying, “There’s NO way the guy at Ruby’s said the words “keen to” about anything. That sounds like a Brit speaking…”

Incidentally, the Unpaid Intern position is still available. If interested, please come by and apply.