It closed in October 2019 because of lease issues, renovations required to address the building's structural problems and Birch's desire to focus on family.

[1][2] USA Today said the coffee shop offered Wi-Fi at no cost and had a "laid-back setting, complete with oversized couches, a fireplace and outdoor patio seating".

[6] Rita A. Leonard of The Bee described Southeast Grind in 2019 as "a unique, safe, reliable spot to come at any time for coffee, healthful snacks, music, and uninterrupted wifi Internet service, in a comfortable laid-back atmosphere, year 'round".

"[8] In 2020, Willamette Week's Shannon Gormley said, "In the era of white-walled third wave coffee shops, Southeast Grind retained a well-worn charm, complete with slouching armchairs and worn couches, and served as a living room of sorts for college students and addled patrons working on their laptops late into the night.

[13][14] Writing for Willamette Week in 2015, Pete Cottell included Southeast Grind in the "dive" category in his overview of Portland's best coffee shops for working on a laptop.

[17] In 2017, Morgan Watkins of Portland State University's Daily Vanguard said Southeast Grind offers "some bomb-ass coffee and tea to warm you up on chilly nights".

[6] The student newspaper's Hannah Sievert recommended the coffeehouse for late-night cramming and said the space has a "distinct Portland vibe with their healthy foods and locally made art".

[18] In her 2019 overview of quality locations for studying, Natalie Nygren called Southeast Grind a "super cute spot" offering "unique coffee creations".