Big Shoulders Coffee

Visiting for the weekend and found this gem while looking through other reviews. Iced espresso tonic was amazing, with the walnut coffee cake to match. Service was even better. Smiles, conversation, and a happy vibe. I'll be back when in town again.

Delicious coffee + breakfast burrito but a bit on the pricey end. Cozy atmosphere. We sat by the bar window because all the table seats were taken up, and it was nice to people watch while we ate.

One of the worst experiences I ever had in a coffee shop as a paying customer. I walked into this establishment and was the only person of color in the entire building. I then went to the register waiting behind someone. Once it was my turn in line no one greeted or acknowledged me. I stood there waiting patiently as the staff helped others and never acknowledged me. I then walked out disappointed by the discrimination and blatant racism. I kept my dignity intact. I don’t recommend this spot for POC maybe another location is not like this but this was just my experience.

I really like the aesthetic of this coffee shop! It’s really cute. I went right when it opened on a freezing day and the staff was so nice and welcoming. I didn’t get the chance to try any food but I plan on coming back. I think I need to give the latte another chance :)

Expertly prepared pour over. With a surprising tea-like mouth feel and lots of nuances and complexity in the cup. Plum notes. I definitely recommend! I didn’t plan on buying beans, but I wasn’t leaving without them!

Some of my favorite coffee and cafe treats in the area! The staff is very friendly and informative and so kind... you could tell they really appreciate your business in these crazy times! I love the to go bags of iced coffee available for purchase. Perfectly set up to maintain social distancing guidelines. Love this place!

Excellent pour over Ethiopian coffee with a tasty egg & al pastor brunch burrito! Enjoyed in-house with a paper copy of the NYT (yes, they still print paper versions...got it at the nearby CVS). Menu photo is West Town, W Chicago Ave location.

Great place to stop for breakfast. Food is fresh and the coffee is to die for… Definitely recommend it.

Popped in on a Saturday morning while I was waiting for the Chicago bus. I needed coffee and something to munch on before heading downtown for a fitness class that my former roommate was dragging me to. They had a case of delicious looking case of scones so I ordered iced coffee and a scone. As the server identified the scone flavors (blueberry, chocolate, etc) my heart stopped on bacon jalapeño cheddar. Excuse me what? I have never seen that flavor combo in a scone! I ordered it and promptly devoured it I continued to wait for the bus. The coffee is good too. I like my coffee as dark as my soul but not all coffee tastes good without cream and/or sugar. Theirs does. Its perfect on its own. It's delightful and I would definitely come back for it alone. My only fault with this coffee shop is that it's not closer to my apartment. If they could open up a location in Avondale, I would be ecstatic. All the coffee and bacon jalapeño cheddar scones for me! Alas they are not next door to my apartment so I will have to remember this place fondly until I can come in again.

A cute cafe with a decent amount of seating and unique lattes and pastries! The 16oz latte has four espresso shots which is actually double the espresso of the 8oz (not just extra milk, which seems to be the usual these days). It was not very sweet and had more of a subtle cinnamon flavor but great nonetheless.

This is quickly becoming one of my standard neighborhood coffee bars. It started with the need for some coffee beans after a workout class, and I thought I'd stop in. I love the free latte that comes with buying beans! Staff was super friendly and helpful when I had no idea what to get. The interior is cozy and nicely decorated. There's not a ton of seating given the small space, but the people working on laptops seemed to have enough space. I'll continue to come back!

used the bathroom and the worker was very nice! The barista lady however screamed at me when I asked for oat milk of the Horchata only had rice milk when i asked for oat milk. I feel like the Orion experience was nice however, it was a little awkward and confusing as to why the barista got somewhat irritated and annoyed because I had asked for outback. I did not know it would've been such a big issue.

As a customer sitting in the Big Shoulders Coffee location on Chicago Ave, I was very concerned to overhear the hiring manager asking questions during a job interview that were illegal to ask. I was sitting in the coffee shop on the morning of July 5th, and the hiring manager on duty was interviewing a job applicant for a role at the coffee shop. The hiring manager noted that the person's resume indicated that they had held a job in another country years ago, and the hiring manager proceeded to ask if the applicant was born in that country. He then asked the applicant an odd question about "why they do coffee," using wording that didn't quite make sense, and then proceeded to question the applicant's fluency in English when they asked for clarity about his poorly worded question. The hiring manager then proceeded to ask if the person is a US citizen, which is also illegal to ask any potential job applicant. Then he kept saying "I don't know how that stuff works" and he also said that he didn't know how well this person would "fit in when talking with coworkers." The whole interview was very biased, discriminatory, and contained questions that are illegal to ask potential job applicants. I was a regular customer before this incident, but I have not been back and will never go back to a company that allows this blatantly discriminatory behavior.

I went to the location on Jackson Blvd and Franklin Ave in Chicago. The proprietor was nice, attentive, funny and engaging. Even when they were out of a particular blend, he was quick to make a recommendation of a new coffee concoction of his own design. Not only was the flavor perfect, but the temperature was at a level I would describe as "just right." Thank you for the great service, product, and experience!

Horrible customer service at the midway location!! Definitely never again will stopped to buy anything! They should hire people with better attitude!!

I've not been to the coffee shop so I can't say about the shop itself but I've had their coffee at Home Run Inn and it is next to Intelligentsia, the best coffee I've ever had. Those two are my favorites ever!!!

Coffee is fresh and flavorful and most importantly STRONG!! Staff is friendly and the atmosphere is peaceful. Space is clean and air conditioned well!!

I bought Big Shoulders Uganda coffee beans and it was superb .. I bought 4 more and sent 2 to my brother and all 4 of our beans were terrible.... no flavor at all .. very disappointed .

Great coffee and it has a neighborhood-y vibe. The Milwaukee & Chicago one has a great location. You can see the John Hancock building and the Chicago Academy for the Arts

There is a new location at 213 W. Lake Street. I figured what the heck let me try something different. I wasn't impressed. I ordered the regular size dripped coffee. Besides, they only have one size cup for $2.79. I'm not a fan of Lattes or Expressos. The coffee was not hot and it was a bit too strong for my taste. The guy behind the counter was very nice and polite. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming but the coffee is not on my hit list. Maybe, I will feel the urge to stop in again and give them another shot.

Not only is their coffee some of the best in Chicago, their customer service is even better. Coffee is flavorful and fresh!

I have visited a lot of independent coffee shops in Chicago, around the country and even Internationally. Big Shoulders is one of the better ones. First, I love the name. It's a play on of Chicago's nicknames. They score points for that. Second, they have a very cool interior. It features a lot of clean lines and a pop of color with their plants. Third, and most importantly, the coffee is great. On my most recent trip, I got a oat milk latte. It's as good good or better than oat milk latte that I've had at an independent coffee shop. The coffee is smooth and creamy, but flavorful. If you are in the mood for something on the sweeter side, then I recommend ordering the marshmallow latte. That will blow you away. The only negative is that the prices are in the high side. A large size latte might run you between $5.00 and $6.00. However, this par for the course for most independent coffee shops in Chicago and the coffee here is totally worth it.

I got to try 2 of their coffee lattes and I loved them!!! First of all, the marshmallow latte is delicious! Just sweet enough for my tasting! You also get to enjoy a toasty marshmallow at the top of your latte. I ordered the horchata latte and it was also pretty good. Two great options to choose from. Didn't try other ones but I'm sure they're just as good.

I might be a bit partial since I love steps away, but believe me, I've done my fair share of coffee tasting all over town and this is still my favorite spot. Best coffee, relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff and a variety of treats from local bakeries all adds up to a great experience. Their variety of pour over options used to be better, but it's still a solid choice, plus their cold brew will keep you powered up for days!

How much can you say about a nice cup of coffee and a donut? Visiting Chicago our friends brought us here. A mocha that was just right and hit the spot. Not to take any shine away from the coffee, but the glazed donut was just perfection. Pillowy soft, not too sweet. Great way to start our day.

Stopped by on my way out of town before getting some work done and was just looking for a good/local coffee roaster. Atmosphere: +decent amount if seats (10ish for their smaller space) +lots of natural light +friendly staff -not a ton of outlets Coffee: Ordered the espresso which was decent. Nothing special but it was fairly priced. Their coffee bags didnt have descriptions of coffee notes so basically a shot in the dark but The bags of coffee are reasonably priced and include a free cup of coffee Overall: 3/5. Okay drinks, not a ton of variety and a good place to stop by if local.

I love this coffee shop and recommend any of their locations. Friendly, knowledgeable staff and delicious coffees. Selfishly, my only gripe is that they close at 5pm. There are times on my way home from work I want to unwind with a good cup of coffee or buy some beans for the weekend, but they're already closed.

Grabbing a quick drink for my caffeine fix. This place is small but the space feels really open. There is a chill and relaxed feel that i like. I like the music, it's not the typical playlist or music you hear constantly on the radio. I got and iced cardamom latte with almond milk, pretty good. I definitely taste the espresso with each sip and that's how I know it's balanced and not too sweet.

If I ever want to introduce the local places to my out-of-town friends, Big Shoulders Coffee is certainly on my bucket list. That was my first time this late morning. The location is just as prime as it can be; take the "southbound Chicago ave." exit of the CTA Chicago Blue Line station, you will see BSC and can't possibly miss it! It's a small place, but they utilize windows and simple, clean-looking decors to visually enlarge the entire venue. Without any hesitation, I ordered the marshmallow latte, while hubby had the cappuccino. I've been browsing through pictures on Yelp and curious about what and how the marshmallow latte tasted like. Let me be as descriptive as possible with this human ingenuity. The latte was pretty "honey-strong" with a mild tone of marshmallow to draw a correlation between the "toasted-marshmallow stick" on top of the latte. I anticipated that some might not like the sweetness, yet some would go bananas with it since it definitely added playfulness and innovation to a regular latte. So what did I think about the marshmallow latte? I'm a fan of this, especially when I want to have a lazy day in the city. They do have restrooms available; they share the facilities with the playwright theater next door. Please ask for a key at the service counter. They have bus trackers on the big monitor (56 Milwaukee and 66 Chicago). If you're catching a train, you can track the progress on the monitor attached to the entry/exit of the Chicago Blue Line station. In the meantime, you can enjoy people-watching, the free show of the day.

Big Shoulders Coffee is the epitome of coffee done right and it's a place that makes me so glad (ecstatic, in fact) that coffee culture exists. They have high quality beans, a straightforward menu and the friendliest, most hard-working baristas who care as much about preparing the coffee as ensuring that you're enjoying it. Wonderful. If you have the Indie Coffee Passport, they don't have a separate drink menu to choose from; you can have any drink already listed on their menu. Even more wonderful. The moment I walked in, I was greeted with a "Hi, how are you?" For every person who leaves, the staff wishes them well with a "thanks for coming by" or "have a good one." Even the call-and-answer way the baristas communicated with each other behind the counter displayed the fluidity of their teamwork. When I was seated at the counter, I was kind of fascinated. They would constantly give each other tips or experiment making different kinds of coffee. I realize now that they're relentlessly perfecting their trade. I ordered a Uganda dark roast in a press which is timed to 4:00 minutes. I absolutely love how they talk each other like scientists geeked out in a lab... along the lines of: "Is your timer set?" "You bet, it's to 4 minutes." I did have a front row seat to witness their craftsmanship. Words from Carl Sandburg's "Chicago" poem were painted on their walls: "Hog Butcher for the World, Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player with Railroads and the Nation's Freight Handler; Stormy, husky, brawling, City of the Big Shoulders:" Their space is open and inviting, and somehow they capture some of Chicago's history and embody its hardworking spirit. There are bar stools at all the windows and their counters even have purse/jacket hooks underneath! You will see shelves of pour over contraptions with names like kalita wave, stacked alongside beakers, kettles, scales and timers. To go with my coffee, I also ordered a Basque pastry (like a petit madeleine in the shape of a tart, dusted with powdered sugar) and those run about $4.00. It was exceptionally good. If I hadn't gotten a dark roast coffee, I would have ordered their Cardamom Latte. A friend (also with the Indie Coffee Passport) had raved about the Marshmallow Latte that comes with a toasted marshmallow. It has been awhile since I've given five stars to a cafe, but both their coffee/staff top the list in the coffee world and are nothing short of wonderful.

3.5 stars. I came here a couple years ago solely to try the Marshmallow Latte, which is still my favorite drink there! I've been there a handful of time since, so now I feel like I have a better grasp to leave a review. If my rating was based only on the drinks, I would give it closer to 4.5, but the reason why it's not is because of my experience buying bagged coffee. Vividly I remember going in a couple months ago, looking to buy a bag of coffee for a friend. I knew he liked a medium roast and more chocolatey flavor, NOT FRUITY. I looked on the shelf and wasn't immediately sold on anything, so I looked at the menu that they had right next to the cashier. There was a blend, I believe was the Colombia, that looked perfect, so I asked the cashier about it and he said yeah just look for it on the shelf. I hadn't seen it earlier, but I went to double check just in case I missed it. As I had expected, it wasn't there. I asked him if he had anything in the back that wasn't put out here and he said no came around to help me look. After looking he pointed at the Lake Street blend, which if I remember correctly was fruity. I had already mentioned to the cashier that I was looking for something more chocolatey because my friend wasn't a huge fan of fruity. So I was a bit confused when he pointed at that one. I told him nicely that the one I was looking for was the Colombia blend, and he responded with oh I guess we don't have it. But this one is similar and is also good *proceeds to point at another fruity blend*. At this point I said thanks for your help and just went with the best I could find. I asked this guy in hopes that he could give me suggestions on what he liked and also based on the information that I gave him as to what my friend liked. He wasn't helpful at all and even gave bad/opposite suggestions of what I was looking for. I will definitely back for coffee and drinks and hope that if I ever buy bags of coffee there that the employees will be more helpful.

Love Big Shoulders Coffee. Chill atmosphere...almost too quiet sometimes. Thankfully one of the workers today was belting out the song on the speakers so that eased the silence a bit. There was a couple in doing some kind of engagement or couple photoshoot, but other than that it was all guys solo sitting around the big table - aside from me and my friends. The workers were both really friendly and patient with us, explaining anything we needed. They had apple pie & coffee cake and even offered the last piece of pie to whoever wanted it! Two guys raised their hands and they split it for them...very sweet! I had a delicious chamomile tea for $3 and the coffee shop worker brought out spoons, spoon holders and glasses of water along with our tea. Really liked the vibe and service, would definitely come back to Big Shoulders Coffee.

What a great coffee/tea spot. Stopped by for a quick caffeine fix and it was great. The place has a good layout despite it being a smaller venue, good high ceilings. There is some space to do work if thats why you need a coffee shop. They had a wide variety of honey syrups and some breakfast sandwiches. I got the chai latte which had a great taste to it. I also spilled some of it on accident and the barista topped it off for me, it made my day. Definitely a place to try if you are in the area and need some caffeine. The friends I was with also enjoyed their drinks, trying the horchata chai.

I tried a tasty golden turmeric, honey, cayenne pepper latte with almond milk while waiting for my train. The convenient location next to the blue line makes this place a good waiting spot. They also have monitors showing the wait for the next trains and buses. Their do-rite donuts looked scrumptious, though by the time I had gotten there this Sunday afternoon, most of the selections were taken.

Mocha was rich and delicious. Marshmallow iced latte was also delicious. We did a mobile order and pick up was very quick and convenient.

My friends and I came here on a coffee crawl, which we planned after seeing the Eater list "16 Innovative Iced Coffees to Try in Chicago" They're actually on the list for The Painted Lady, but we couldn't remember what drink it was when we were in, so we went with the marshmallow iced latte. We asked them to pour it into two glasses--because coffees at multiple locations already made me bounce off the wall--which they obliged. It's pretty cozy inside, but there were still some seats left near the window. The baristas even brought out drinks over to us. The latte was presented with a toasted marshmallow on top. I was nervous that it'd be pure sugar but it was actually well balanced and not overly sweet. It was my favorite coffee of the day and something I'd come back for as soon as possible.

Great spot! I had a marshmallow latte and boyfriend had a cold brew. Loved the latte and it didn't taste overly fake with sweeteners. We'll come back!

I don't know what they put in those cookies, but I would drive 10 miles for those! The staff is very friendly and quick to serve. Definitely recommend this location :)

Some of the best coffee I have ever had (even after having been to Costa Rica and Columbia ). I tried it at a local shop and then bought a bag of the medium roast. Don't hesitate to buy some!

I ordered the horchata latte - would highly recommend! This is a nice spot to get work done. Its not super spacious but it doesn't feel cramped either. The staff is incredibly friendly and provides a great space for productivity.

in Chicago Midway today sales person was very rude trying to have be respond so to gave argument .I just asked about is this a double espresso and she could not answer politely yes or no she went on and on avoiding my question I'm going to stop payment . bad business.

Cute, clean, lots of seating and natural light. Had an iced cardamom latte w 2% milk. Friendly staff. My only complaint is that it's pricey, as are many specialty coffee shops. The iced latte with syrup (which only comes in the 16 oz size) came out to $5.30. Definitely want to try out the marshmallow or horchata flavor next time.

The chai latte here is awful. There is one communal table with about 8 seats, and a bar with tiny uncomfortable stools. Too bad, because otherwise the atmosphere is quite pleasant. The location is good though, so there's that.

Great coffee shop, quick, pleasant, and efficient baristas. Had a nice balanced espresso, my wife enjoyed her cortado as well as our drip coffee to-go. Design of the decor was airy and light. Our friend who lives near their newer location recommended this is, and we enjoyed our experience.

My friend and I decided to stop in Big Shoulders Coffee before dinner one night. This place is not your fancy coffee shop and doesn't offer many options, but everyone is friendly and their options are truly unique. My friend tried the marshmallow latte and I opted for the horchata latte. For my lactose intolerant friends, they do offer other choices of milk: soy or almond. The flavor of my latte was delicious. It truly embraced the flavors of a horchata while still having the rich aromas of coffee. It was a tad sweet for my liking, but nothing asking for less sugar (or even no sugar) won't help with. Overall, this is a great place to sit and enjoy your cup of coffee or on the go in a hurry. It's conveniently located steps away from the blue line. Definitely go grab yourself a cup.

I had a horrible experience at this coffee shop and don't know why it is rated 4.5/5. I came here after a flight from DC on a Thursday morning. I figured it would be a great place to work and have a nice, warm latte. I ordered the matcha latte with almond milk. First, my drink tasted SALTY with no amount of sweetness added. I didn't even taste the matcha in it - disappointing. It was nasty. Like I was drinking warm whole milk with salt. SALT. Secondly, they used regular milk instead of almond milk. THANK GOD I wasn't vegan or I wouldn't have forgiven them for that. It was still nasty nonetheless. Lastly, their WiFi wasn't working. I couldn't connect to do my work and ended up trying to figure it out for 15-30 minutes which ultimately made me late for logging into work. I ended up leaving and going to the closest Starbucks instead, which I was able to log into the WiFi just fine!

Tasty, friendly, quick service! And look at this beauty! The macademia milk is the best!

Great coffee, great location right next still to the Chicago blue line, relaxed atmosphere, and friendly staff.

I had some family in town to visit my 6mo old daughter, and I googled "best Chicago coffee", and Big Shoulders came up on almost all the blogs and sites, and low and behold it was only 0.6 miles from my place. I was concerned this was going be another generic "good but not great" coffee shop that's next to a high volume pub-transit location (66 bus, 56 bus, Chicago blue line). Boy was I proved wrong. Between the 4 of us we were able to get a plethora of options including the cold brew, horchata latte (home made horchata syrup!), marshmallow latte, and the simple (honestly any thing but simple) drip coffee. We were blown away. The home ground beans definitely give us smooth and robust flavor that you can see in the cold brew and drip coffee. But the specialty lattes truly were treats. Also the intangibles and service was off the charts. Let's just say, this may become a new regular spot for my daughter and I. Came Tired and Thirsty, left animated and happy!

Great coffee and atmosphere. The location is right off the blue line! I ordered a latte and a blueberry scone, both were delightful. The staff is friendly and inviting!

The Midway location is truly horrible. On a Monday morning, they only had brewed coffee, and only regular. There were zero other coffee drinks available. This is beyond false advertising. This is Big Shoulder Coffee, correct? What massive issue could this location be having that literally only regular brewed coffee, in one size only, for close to $4 is available? I should have stayed on line for Dunkin Donuts, whose coffee can be surprisingly decent.

Sleek, modern, simplistic. The name implies ruggedness but this shop is far from it but without being pretentious. I had a cup while at Windy City Cafe across the street but really wanted to stop in for an iced coffee to go. The menu is not large but it doesn't need to be when you are serving a premium product. I ordered the iced black and was taken aback by the amazing, rich flavor! I added just a splash of cream and a packet of Stevia in the Raw (first time seeing it a coffee shop and I was totally psyched!). They offer an amazing product and would like to go back and buy some of their beans so that I can enjoy it at home.

Ok, so there are typically a few lines that are drawn when it comes to coffee. There are those who find Dunkin Donuts acceptable, and there are those that do not. There are those who drink only black and those that need milk/add ons. The list goes on and on. Invariably though, there is one thing non-industry coffee drinkers seem to agree on, and that is describing coffee as "acidic" (the pH of coffee is actually just below neutral, but for some reason people's tongues suddenly morph into hypersensitive pH test strips the second coffee is sipped). Big Shoulders roasts on site, the coffee is fresh, and yes, depending on what you order, it can be acidic, if by "acidic" you mean fruity or bright. If by "acidic" you mean sour, that would surprise me b/c these guys really know what they're doing. The coffee here is very good and I've personally had no complaints. Different strokes for different folks I suppose. I really enjoyed my espressos, lattes and the Kraakamandel that I ordered, I say give Big Shoulders a shot. Or a double.

Great spot just right off of the Chicago blue line! Julio is the man and displays a great attitude and customer service. Bottomless coffee for only $2.51! That's a killer deal! The place is somewhat tiny so not great for bigger groups, but it's phenomenal for individual work or for groups of two. Regardless, it's a rad spot

This place was great. I wanted to stay much longer, but was with others that are not coffee worshipers. They follow genuine (European) practices for drinks, and knew what I wanted when I asked for a Cortado. That said, most Chicago cafes seem to know what they are doing, in stark contrast to way too many Seattle coffee shops (my home town!) that seem clueless about anything beyond chocolate-vanilla-strawberry these days (with some great, notable exceptions, thank you Zoka!). This place is a good people-watching spot, but be polite and let the table turn over when it gets packed, as it will. The staff were kind, patient, and helpful. The bathrooms are clean and dare I say attractive. The decor is quirky modern cute. Try a macchiato. Don't just come for the flaming marshmallow!

Big Shoulders made a list of Chicago's most innovative coffees, so my friends and I headed here with the intention of seeing what all the rage was about with their "Painted Lady" drink but instead got sidetracked and wide-eyed when noticing a marshmallow latte on the menu. Once we saw the baristas firing up roasted marshmallows there was no turning back. If you're reading this and looking forward to trying one yourself, be forewarned that this latte is not a syrupy sweet, Starbucks style latte. It's a latte that is only mildly sweet. There's also a horchata latte. I love coffee spots that do something a little bit different; it makes going out of your way for coffee worth it. It was super cool of the baristas to bring our drinks out to us. Thank goodness they did, or I would have spilled something. The inside is big, clean, but almost sterile and big in the wrong ways. The ceilings are high, which makes conversations boom and echo, and there were a few people working in here. It's fun to people watch from the stools at the window, but not for long as the stools aren't too comfortable. I prefer my coffee houses to be spacious but still cozy with acoustics that don't make my conversations a burden to others.

I live off Chicago and damen. I would drive past this place and I have been wanting to come in here. I am an avid coffee lover and let me tell you.. this place is great. The owner is EXTREMELY nice.. so friendly and easy to talk to. I ordered the slow drip coffee (clever method) and it was outstanding. So smooth and sweet. He brought me the coffee and a glass of water as well. After I finished my coffee.. he asked me if I wanted another drip coffee.. FOR FREE! wow. talk about some great customer service. Also, once i finished my water.. he refilled it for me and brought to the table! Extremely impressed with the service here. The only problem with this place is the size. It is a bit small with one table.. granted the table can fit 9. There are some additional bar stops as well. The design of the coffee shop is very clean and beautiful. I like the black tiles and the steel pillars. Anyway, this place is great. 2$ for drip coffee and 3$ for clever coffee.. oh and did i mention.. they roast there own beans?? MMHHHH!!! they got a huge roaster in the front. its purrrrtyy. ALSO.. they have a marshmallow latte???? wahhhhhh! i have to try. for another time. good day.