The Cardamom spice latte was very sweet and not especially spicy (I find this is often the case with tea and coffee lattes -- maybe I need to try to modify my ordering...or just stick to plain old lattes, which is sort of boring). The coffee was good, but I wish I'd gone with a basic, unflavored, unsweetened latte instead. It's in a great location right at Chicago and Milwaukee. There's a bike rack right outside. The staff was very obliging, making my latte in my travel mug so that I could take it with me on my bike without disaster. It's also a nice space with big windows, and since it's right on a busy corner I imagine there's some fun people-watching to be done. read more

Pretty cool spot, free WiFi which is great and the staff is awesome! I had a rhubarb scone (delicious) and a chai lattee. The lattee tasted pretty watered down, so I'll be giving their other beverages a try next time. read more

Had a cup of the regular ass coffee here and it was fucking incredible. I'm not a "coffee drinker" so to speak and generally don't have serious preferences but this stuff really spoke to me. I will be back anytime I have to switch from the Blue Line to the 66! The space looked really nice too but I'd imagine that it can be tough to get a seat. read more

Bright and clean space right off of the blue line and next to the Chicago bus stop. Loved the Kraakamandel, which is made with almond syrup. Had it iced and it was delicious. Also enjoyed the iced 216/365 read more

I think this is the first slow coffee bar I've been to in Chicago. Was up to par, but nothing I would go out of the way for. Space has a cool set-up, but a little on the small side. Definitely a hipster vibe and clientele. Had the Chemex-Kenya (preparation method-bean origin). Coffee was good: bright, acidic, hints of fruit, and like most slow coffee preps, very intense. Enjoy the coffee at the bar. You'll get a small cup to serve yourself coffee in with a decanter to store the rest and a cup of water. Drinking the water really cleans the palate and lets you enjoy the coffee over and over again. read more

Big windows, 1 big table, but also counter seating. Music chill, not too loud. Staff wonderful. Right by the Blue line entrance. read more

Nice location if you come walking our biking (or uber like me) but I think parking would be hard to find. Nice bite of Hancock. Coffee was decent, loved the cup they used to serve the cappuccino. Only downside is limited plug points and the Wi-Fi could be faster (Chicago public libraries have ridiculous fast Wi-Fi in case you didn't know - I just found out today). There's a lovely wooden custom table in the middle. read more

Big Shoulders Coffee - Cappuccino in a special cup with no handle. I love it! - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I am from out of town, but went here twice with family and the coffee is really great. I enjoyed the slow pour-over and the attentiveness of the owner. The place is very comfortable, quiet and impeccably clean. I swear you could perform open-hear surgery in here. The bean are roasted on site, which made things a touch loud last time I was in there but it also made the place smell fantastic. Truly great coffee and a great location right off the blue line. read more

I finally stopped in here for a quick breakfast. The coffee was clean tasting and the baristas were friendly. Frankly, I think not enough has been made out of the apple pie. It was basically, the perfect slice of apple pie - really thin apple slices, not dripping in fake syrup or sauce. I even ate the crust. I never eat the crust. Fabulous. read more

Nice airy, bright coffee shop. Right around the corner from the Intuit Museum. I'm still thinking about the spiced hibiscus iced tea. read more

Captive view and staff in the multiple intersection of streets and CTA ( train,/bus) stations. The amazing window can show how is the neighborhood. Music of my favorite tunes. Cold chocolate with almond was so fresh and tasty. The pieces of art ate diverse and nicely picked. Recommended it. read more

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Strange customer service. 9:30 waiting for a bus I walk in. A barista was making coffee for the one other customer at the bar. I edited. Another employee was checking supplies across the bar. He walked back and forth never even looking at me. The barista handed the customer his coffee and walked away. Neither even looked at me let alone asked what I wanted. I'm a 5'6" tall woman mature dressed up for work. Strange to feel invisible. And I really wanted a latte. I'm walked out. Next time I'm on that corner I'll cross the street to Dublin Donuts. read more

Lovely coffee and raspberry scone. Barista was super friendly and helpful in his recommendations. It's understood that, being situated in front of a Blue Line stop, parking is super limited, which sucks for drivers like myself. But that's my only real gripe. Great place, otherwise. read more

The quintessential coffee shop. The service is excellent, coffee quality is top-notch, and the ambiance is great. I like the open space and ample seating. The hand crafted cappuccino I had was delicious. I highly recommend it. read more

My husband and I love Big Shoulders! It is part of our Saturday morning routine. My husband loves the marshmallow latte & I love asking the baristas for their suggestions as they have never steered me wrong! Definitely one of my fave coffee spots in the neighborhood. read more

Had to chill for a few hours with painters in the house, so brought the laptop over. Great coffee and fine selection of other drinks plus some yummy looking pastries. Very light airy space with big windows and lots of natural light. Fair amount of seating and also has Wifi and coveted power plugins! It's not a comfy chair, intimate chat, curl up with a book kind of place, but for a quick cuppa, a good place to get some work done, or a short meeting, it's perfect. read more

Ordered a slow drip coffee for myself & two shots of espresso for my boyfriend. The coffee was a little bitter for my taste, despite adding cream & sugar, but I loved the conversation that I had with the store owner while waiting for my coffee. He was super friendly & kept the conversation flowing despite helping other guests. The community table is cool if you're in to that type of vibe. It was totally full with people reading & working on their laptops. Not exactly my favorite setup, so I'm not sure I'd work here myself. Cool feature: a flat screen monitor that lists arriving bus & train lines. Pretty handy! I'll stop in again at some point, but will stick with my homemade Nespresso drinks for the most part. Worth a trip to check it out & see if it's for you! read more

Fantastic coffee shop right off the Blue Line at Chicago. All of their coffee is great, in particular the Kraakamandel which has a lot of almond taste and is truly fantastic. I also love how they provide bus and train estimated schedules. Perfect for those headed into work in the morning. 323/365 read more

This place has delicious and strong coffee. I love the different variety of drinks you can get. The Almond Latte w/almond milk is excellent. The atmosphere is very chill and inviting, too. The workers are very, very kind. I feel like they value you as a customer whether they've never seen you before, or see you every day. They make great conversation, are very considerate and kind, and take great care of you. Awesome cafe! read more

Great coffee shop. Stopped in to grab some beans, since this place is right on the blue line. Walked in and the first thing you see is someone roasting coffee, which is a good indicator. They have a good selection of whole bean coffee from various locations. When you buy a bag of coffee they give you a complimentary cup to go, which is a nice touch. Also, the barista was super friendly and took the time to describe the different options they had available for my to go coffee. They serve drip, press, clever and chemex to order. And most important, the coffee was really good. They have a coffee bar and some tables. If I wasn't on my way somewhere I would have enjoyed hanging out here for a bit. read more

This is the first post for me in a long time but wanted to ensure that I reward great service. Kinzie was Amazing!!!!!! I purchased a bag of coffee (free coffee drink with bag purchase) and asked for a pour over. I told Kinzie my pour overs at home never taste nearly as good as when I order one. She walked me through a step by step recipe and actually wrote it down for me. I made some this morning using her instructions and it was the best cup of coffee I have ever made at home. Thank you so much Kinzie if you read this. Still not as good as yours but still delicious. read more

I was walking to the Blue Line from a meeting, and saw the sign for Big Shoulders and it opened up my eyes, I saw the sign, so I knew I had to go there (as I had been contemplating the Dunkin Donuts across the street before I saw it). I walked in, and it was a cute atmosphere--really trendy looking. As I read over the menu, I came across something called the "Iced White," and I asked the barista "What is that?!" She was super friendly, and gave me a great description (cold brewed coffee, milk, simple syrup, spices) and offered me a sample. It was *delicious* so I had to order it. It was a little pricey for an iced coffee (about $5), but it came in a little to-go plastic jug thing, so it was a nice quantity for the price, and it's really tasty. It's what every iced coffee should aspire to be. This review is based off of one drink and one experience, but it was delicious and the staff was really friendly, so I will definitely stop back in next time I'm in the neighborhood. read more

Really great tasting coffee. They offer a variety of ways to brew (fast, slow, french press, and I think one more). It takes a few minutes to brew using any method but fast, however it's totally worth the wait to get a better tasting cup. All of their coffee is strong, but very flavorful. read more

Really good coffee, and really good service. I've lived around the corner from this place since it opened, and I've never had anything less than a positive experience. Small businesses in Chicago take note: this is how it should be done :) read more

Loved the coffee blend here. So smooth! Might be my favorite coffee in Chicago out of the ten or so coffee shops I've visited

Its nice to see something this good around the Chicago/Milwaukee intersection, since I sometimes work around there. But I think it merits a stop on my way home just for the sake of it. A very professional coffee shop with cool looks and well-done coffee. The communal table is cool and shaped to the space. Power outlets are underneath. A nice touch. I only wish it was in Logan Square. read more

Finally a coffee shop in the neighborhood!! Sip is good but a little to far away to be convenient. I really think Big Shoulders has the best coffee I've ever had. I don't know anything about drip coffee, but I like it! The staff is really friendly (the manager even comes outside and holds my dog if I want to run in and grab a coffee while on a walk, try that at Starbucks...) Happy to have these guys in the neighborhood, they will be getting a lot of my money. And I'm OK with that. read more

This place is terrific. Great location. Great service. Great coffee. The Subway arrival time monitor is excellent. read more

Amazing iced coffee; and I also highly recommend the Sonny D for a hangover or just a kick-start to a busy day! The staff is ALWAYS friendly and I'm blown away by their knowledge of coffee and the care they take into making every order. A bit on the pricey side but the product and ambiance are well worth it. Also a great place to do work, read or people watch... and the bus/train countdown on the monitor over the cashier make it a great winter spot. read more

I was traveling a lot this year. As my friends may know, I am a huge craft coffee lover (some may call my a coffee snob, but that's neither here nor there). Big Shoulders blew me away. The owner was an awesome dude with an EXTENSIVE knowledge of brewing methods, and most importantly, which coffees he was bringing in and serving. I had one cup brewed in a Chemex and one brewed in a Clever. Both phenomenal. If I am ever in Chicago again, I will absolutely be frequenting this place. read more

Big Shoulders Coffee - Cup of pour over, expertly brewed by the shop's owner in a Clever brewer. - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I recently found out about these coffee guys by drinking their coffee in another restaurant. The next weekend we drove there purposely just for their coffee from the other side of town. My wife and I are truly coffee snobbish. We actually picked where to live by how many coffee shops were close by. I have to say this is some of the richest roasted coffee I have yet tasted in the city. If you are tired of burnt coffee by a Seattle company you will be utterly delighted by Big shoulders. The only drawback is they have the worst parking problem though. But get there early and leave with a pound or two, and you might see me there too. Brad & Linda read more

It's a blast having this place around the corner. The fresh roasted coffee entices me every. damned. time. Regardless of whether I take advantage of this or not, their special discounts for CTA Riders & Biking commuters is really a testament to their core values. Kudos there. read more

What a great cup of coffee. As their website says "no-nonsense brew delivered fast and hot" and that's right on the money. And speaking of money it's reasonably priced. But the coffee - well balanced and flavorful- bold but not over the top; fresh roasted beans and perfect brewing does the trick. Very good customer service from the two baristas too. The shop is clean and, in my experiences, not overly crowded. Makes me want to get out the door a bit early to stop in and enjoy my cup before transferring to the blue line. I'm not so much a specialty coffee guy but they have a nice variety on the menu - the marshmallow late looks delicious. Other in house made syrups/infusions. I need to bring my wife here... she loves that kind of thing :). Doing coffee right over there, no doubt about it. read more

Great coffee. Good environment. Air conditioning was on full blast and was freezing which kinda sucked, and the wifi connection was pretty shorty as wel read more

Big Shoulders Coffee - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place was not really what I expected. I got a chai tea latte with almond milk and it tasted like straight up water with a bit of spice. I thought they made a mistake so I brought it up and eventually the person working offered to make me another drink. I accepted and she said she would make me a chai with added vanilla and horchata mixed in. I'm rlly down for sweet stuff. When she brought it to me it literally tasted like the exact same thing I had before but slightly Milkier lol My friends espresso was also burnt tasting I'm not sure what was up with this place but the drinks were just so bad. The staff was kind though! read more

I love coming here in between my appts. I'm a simple girl and just want a simple cappuccino, they nail it every time. Service is always welcoming and pleasant. Very comfortable atmosphere as well. Thank you Big Shoulders for providing such a great place for me to hang out and decompress! Cheers! read more

Good location right off the blue line. I stopped in here before my yoga class to do some work (I had an hour and a half before class). I had the horchata latte which was great. I like that they have multiple options for brewing coffee (french press, chemex, etc). The internet connection, however, was horrible. It took me 5-10 minutes of multiple attempts of putting in the same password and disconnecting and reconnecting to wifi in order to finally connect to the internet (the employees assured me that this happens to them as well), and once I was able to sign on, my connection was too slow to accomplish anything. I would definitely go back for the coffee, but not my preferred coffee shop to hang out and get work done based on this experience. read more

Granted this review is based on the Chicago Mid-way location, but save your money and do not order a chai latte. I took one sip and will only take a few more just so I don't feel like I completely wasted my money. I'm not sure what they use, but it's water downed something that is barely even warm. read more

The cardamom latte has a really nice flavor! The espresso is on point as always. The male barista was awesome, the female was definitely not. read more

When I visited: 9.5.16 What I got: Shakerato (Maple) Drink Review: This was an odd offering the Shakerato is an attempt at iced coffee meets a float, with a maple undertone. Unfortunately this drink ended up being too crowded with flavors such that it would have been better left as either of its constituent parts. The float part comes off very sweet, almost imperceptibly so. This is alongside a bitter brew which really needed a cream cut to calm things down. Additionally the low level carbonation comes in an unsettling fashion, not a welcome finish but a strong linger. The drink was well constructed and may be great for another patron but definitely was not my jam. Coffee Review: Friendly staff flutter around this concise Cafe off the corner of Chicago and Milwaukee Ave. The spot is small and functional with bar seats, stools at the large gallery windows at the store front and a large communal polygon table for mingling and working. There is no good reading or relaxing nook for a solitary stakeout. All in all, this just was a bit off from what I had hoped. I respect Big shoulders style and feel, yet sadly must say that it just didn't work out with us. Overall Visit Rating:6.0/10 read more