[4] Julie Lee of 1859 Oregon's Magazine described Sesame as a "community-oriented, old-school donut shop with vintage favorites" such as buttermilk and maple bars.

[2] U.S. President Joe Biden carried a box of Sesame doughnuts during a volunteer event with the Oregon Democrats at a Service Employees International Union (SEIU) office in Portland.

In Portland Monthly's 2011 "quest for the quintessential doughnut", Anna Sachse wrote: Now here's a real reason to brave the death-defying four-way intersection where the 10 meets the 210 in Raleigh Hills.

The unbelievably friendly and talkative Lebanese family that owns it, works the counter, and likes to listen to opera may be reason enough, but the donuts are mighty fine too.

There are a billion options, but real stand-outs include the crackly, caramel-y, and heavy-on-the-cinnamon apple fritter, the glazed raised ring with the perfect combo of softness and chew, and the flavorful sweet-and-spice pumpkin cake donut served year-round.

"[16] Rebecca Roland and Nick Townsend included Sesame in Eater Portland's 2024 overview of the city's "most delicious" doughnuts.

The writers called Sesame "the most commuter-accessible" of the listed businesses and opined, "The shop's doughnuts are reminiscent of Dunkin Donuts, but better — expect a lighter, fresher dough with more care given to glazes and toppings.