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. read more

Big Shoulders Coffee - Marshmallow latte. Get it hot. YUM. - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've never had a bad experience here. I normally get the infamous toasted marshmallow latte to go. It's like heaven in my mouth. Straight campfire toasty warm vanilla flavor at first to last sip. I just can't get enough of it. I like how the cafe space is open and welcoming. I decided to grab some coffee with a friend to catch up this spring. The barista gave us complimentary pie, free refills, and water. Also, it's nice they have the cta blue line and 66 bus info for the daily commuters. read more

Big Shoulders Coffee - I obviously had to drink some before snapping a picture. - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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. read more

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

Overall: cute, casual coffee spot with delicious marshmallow latte Likes: - cool, hipster vibe - marshmallow latte is amazing, topped with a toasted marshmallow Gripes: - not much seating - not much food here if you are hungry read more

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

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. read more

Big Shoulders Coffee - Iced cardamom latte (only comes in 16 oz size) - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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. read more

Big Shoulders is another pit stop on my Indie Coffee Passport. If I lived along the blue line, I would make this place my go-to for a cup of coffee. BSC roasts the coffee beans in-house, in-your-face. The roasting machine is located near the entrance, and it's like heaven when you're sitting at the cafe and the smell of freshly roasted beans are wafting to your corner of the cafe. Just like BK, BS will brew your coffee "your way": chemex, pour-over, catila. They have specialty lattes and will allow you to smell the syrup if you're hesitant. Had to choose between cardamom spice and toasted marshmallow today, and as big of a chai tea snob as I am, I went with toasted marshmallow. In-house lattes come in glass cups like chai tea does in India. Thick foam that makes you think you're sipping a melted marshmallow. Unimaginable and incomparable sensation unless you try it for yourself. Service was par-excellence. In-house lattes are brought to you at your table. On Twitter? Tweet about your experience and get any drink for $1. No need to hit up BK for "your way" on the dollar menu. Only thing a-miss? Didn't get a toasted marshmallow on my latte. Kinda sorta came here just for that. read more

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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! read more

Nice coffee spot by the blue line and cross streets. They are able to customize your coffee to your liking. I do like that they have a schedule of when the bus or train will arrive - that's awesome! read more

This place is awesome! We had just flown in to town and gotten off the train from the airport and these weary travelers saw BIg Shoulders Coffee as an oasis in the desert. We were rolling up and the Owner? opened the door, helped us with our luggage, offered to help stash it away in a corner while we let us order and get comfortable. A solid and inviting move unmatched by most places. We ordered some coffees, which were excellent, and sat at the bar enjoying them for about an hour. While we were there, several employees talked to us, multiple groups of customers stopped in to chat and we witnessed a coffee tasting by some local roasters. All in all, this place is badass. Will. Be. Back. PS - They have a board on the wall telling you when the next train and bus would arrive...umm, sick. read more

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. read more

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

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! read more

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

Big Shoulders Coffee - mocha with macadamia milk - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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! read more

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! read more

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! read more

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. read more

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 read more

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! read more

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. read more

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. read more

First time in Chicago and loving this coffee place! I think it'll be my favorite coffee spot here! They have marshmallow lattee! So yummy and cute! I didn't want it to sweet and they're very accommodating to adjust it to your liking. Awesome, friendly stuff, cozy decor and amazing coffee! I wish you guys were next to my home in LA! Keep on rockin! Have a blessed day! Aggy read more

Really digging this coffee shop and its proximity to my buddy's place so I can avoid long walks fueled by a hard hangover. Clean lines, a diner-style bar, and knowledge staff make Big Shoulders a win. They offer their coffee brewed 3 different ways... of which I cannot repeat because I'm more of a flavored latte person, even though that's not the coolest thing to be at an artisan coffee place. Still, they made a really solid latte that nursed me back to life. read more

I have found that most coffee places in the city that I visit are bastions of hipsterness. If that is true, then Big Shoulders is their sleek older cousin. It has a very clean, stark, white interior. It is not the most inviting, but it also doesn't make you wonder about any health code concerns. When I visited here I was on a very tight schedule since Z was taking a nap in the back seat. I ran in while the hubs stood guard and ordered a latte to go. The shots were hand pulled - two of them. The drink was good, it just seemed to me to have too much milk. I didn't get enough espresso flavor. I think it is because I am used to three shots of espresso in a 16 oz latte. Next time I would ask for an extra shot. There is limited seating and the staff was very accomodating. They brought drinks out to the customers and kept everything running smoothly. read more

It looks like, shockingly, mine is the first one star review. However, when I run Big Shoulders down the checklist of things that could possibly be bad about a coffeeshop: Bitingly acidic, bitter macchiato? Check Price tag approaching $4 for a "double", which is smaller than most singles? Check Aloof, seemingly drugged staff? Check Hipster vibe, in a bad way? Check What's not to dislike? read more

Well lookie here - a lil' hipster coffee shop channeling a vibe from the Pacific Northwest in the west river area of Chicago. But unlike the cold, dreary greeting you receive when schlepping up to the counter of most counter culture java joints... you get that awesome midwestern hospitality that seems to overflow in the Second City. Me likey. The espresso based drinks are better than average, it's a bright, relaxed hang, and being right by the Blue line, it's pretty awesome that they a screen with real time arrival info so you don't miss your train. Why don't any coffee shops in New York do that? If I were a resident of this neighborhood, I'd likely be here every single day. So if you're anywhere within spitting distance, I recommend you dial 'em up when you're in need of a jolt. read more

I've been here a few times for a drip coffee and it has been fine, however today I stopped in for an it's-Friday-I'm-gonna-treat-myself-to-a-nice-cappuccino and was pretty disappointed. You'd think that the owners would put as much energy into teaching their staff how to make espresso drinks as they did in designing the space. I ordered a cappuccino, and saw the woman making it steam my milk once, tap the pitcher down on the counter to get rid of all the big bubbles (not a good thing) and then steam it again! The same milk! Anyone who is a coffee lover, and anyone who ever worked in a respectable coffee shop knows that when you steam the same pitcher of milk twice, it gets too hot and will scald the milk. This makes the milk taste burned and creates a drink that tastes awful. Which is what I got. A terrible cappuccino that ended up costing almost $6. I would have been better off just drinking the free coffee my office has for us. I can't give 1 star because I do really like the space, and I think the staff is friendly, but that's not enough for a place that has high prices and bad coffee. read more

My first completely mobile review is pretty simple, just like Big Shoulders. They don't have a particularly pimped out space, or really any food options other than a couple coffee cakes, but the java just absolutely fantastic. Get a latte and see why this place is rated as highly as it is. read more

Remember as a kid you'd hear, "Well if you love it so much, why don't you marry it??" *scoff* HA. Well, I do. I want to marry this place: Big Shoulders Coffee. Though I easily adore independent coffee shops, I don't fall *in love* hard for all of them... but Big Shoulders in a welcome addition to my "in love" short list. (I guess that would make me a bit of a coffee house hussy for having multiple coffee house loves... so be it!) What makes this place extraordinary? First, the location is at the intersection of LIFE. And by that, I mean West Town's Chicago/Milwaukee corner. It's right off the Chicago blue line and near the 56 and 66 bus stops. Moreover, it's literally on the corner (with HUGE windows!) which means, great for people watching while sipping coffee... and speaking of the drinks, I think my morning infinitely changed having the Marshmallow Latte (!!). It doesn't come, however, in a conventional mug. No, no. It comes in a nondescript drinking glass... but it's not dangerously hot so you can totally hold it like there's cold soda in it! (Or for the native Midwesterners in the house, "pop") The glass, however, is a great way to present the latte so you can see the drink's layers AND well, you gotta find a way to hold that beautifully roasted marshmallow on top. The marshmallow latte is like "s'mores in a cup" (minus the chocolate). It's smooth and *just* a tad sweet... just how I like it! While you're drinking it, go on and bite into that marshmallow! Go ahead. Do it... or if you're like me, I often wait til the end of the drink so I can have a happy ending. (Gutterminds: You can excuse yourselves now.) Though there isn't a plethora of seating, it can comfortably seat about 20 customers. The interior design is minimal, but tasteful with a few "old school" homages to our lovely city of Chicago (a metropolitan map, a "retro" clock, and some classic architectural features with a slight industrial motif). Big Shoulders also has free wifi and a number of pastries to choose from. When you pay, you can request your receipt by typing your e-mail on their iPad cash register. The music piping is your standard indie coffee shop playlist --- not that I'm complaining. I mean, you can't sit in a coffee shop unless you hear some XX and The Smiths. Don't forget: Mazzy Star's "Fade Into You." (I'm seriously not complaining or being facetious. Thank you for the lovely soundtrack, folks!) If you can't already tell by this review, I am beaming with love and appreciation for Big Shoulders. I am hoping this remains a long, lasting, and loving relationship... er, marriage. You had me at Marshmallow Latte, my dear. read more

Big Shoulders Coffee - Marshmallow Latte. - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

One of my new favorite coffee shops! - The staff were so friendly: said good morning upon entrance, brought my coffee to my seat, and brought me a glass of water! - The roasted marshmallow latte is rare to come by elsewhere but so so wonderful--coffee was smooth, latte had just enough sweetness, and the marshmallow was a delightful treat! (Also only $3.90 with tax for a sizeable glass that is considered to be their small) - The background music was soft and just my style--potentially the same exact songs as the Spotify acoustic coffee house playlist (aka Head and the Heart-type folk music) - There is wifi and while the place is small, the one main table seats 8 or so, plus there are about 6 window stools Overall a perfect coffee shop experience--I definitely recommend and plan to return often in the future! read more

Big Shoulders Coffee - Small marshmallow latte ($3.90 w tax --awesome!) - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Again, just a food truck review, so I can't say much about the physical location on the west side. What can I say about my coffee? I like my coffee like I like my Death Stars. Big, dark, and strong enough to destroy a planet. And while this may be me on the cusp of coffee snobbery, I think weak coffee is the equivalent of pissing into a Keurig. I was dragging myself across Wacker on my way to the office. I hadn't had my morning cup yet, so homicidal thoughts were running pretty high. Just when I thought 20 years in Cook County correctional didn't seem so bad, bam their coffee truck was right there. Literally, I wasn't paying attention to where is was walking and I actually bumped into their coffee truck. Some lady was in front of me taking her sweet ass time completely unaware that she was standing at scene of the July 17th Chicago coffee massacre. (The date this review was written) And just when I had all I could stands and I can't stands no more... she left, a nice young man within the truck provided coffee for $2 (not a bad price) and a disaster was averted. Seriously, I wash with powdered soap, I totally can't go to prison! Thank you Big Shoulders Coffee! Oh yeah, the actual coffee... Duh. It wasn't the strongest cup of joe I've ever had, meaning I didn't have to chew it. But it was a nice blend of fragrance and acidity. Overall a good choice. They also have some dessert items on their menu. I can never know if Jenny Craig is reading my reviews, so just to be safe I didn't partake, but you should probably try them. When was the last time you and a brownie didn't get along? read more

I'm very surprised to find such a high rating -- the emperor has no clothes! Their coffee consistently tastes burnt and their espresso is extremely bitter and acidic. I have to say I love the feel of the space. Large windows, natural decor, and pleasant seating arrangements. Purely based on the aesthetics, it gives all signs of serving up some great coffee. Sadly, this is not the case. Also, don't think of setting up your computer before making a purchase. You will be reminded that you have to buy something if you are going to stay. Not always the most gracious staff. If you are in the area and really want a great coffee/espresso, places I do recommend (also nearby) are Buzz Killer Espresso and Caffe Streets. read more

Open at 6:00am during the week - these people mean business. They have self-serve drip coffee, which means I never dump half an inch into their trash can in order to get enough room for cream. Whenever I go in, there are more spaces to sit than there are people sitting. The space is light and airy, kind of bare-bones with white walls and the stanza from the Carl Sandburg poem which gives this coffee shop its name. Its branding and logo are genius: well-designed, easy to read, eye-catching. It's very pleasant, easy to pop in and grab a cup and a scone to go. Best option in the neighborhood (and perhaps the city). read more

Served in a "one-size fits all" cup, the coffee is simple in its delivery yet complex in flavor - the kind of cup that represents the nature of the city of Big Shoulders. Depending on what's brewing, you might get a cup that's fruity and bright or rich and chocolate-y; either way, it will taste fresh. If you crave milk and sugar, you'll find your yearning for coffee fused with your childhood love of hot chocolate in the form of a marshmallow latte. A giant marshmallow is roasted, skewered and set over the cup for a drink that is perfectly sweet, not cloying. It's lighter than a traditional cup of marshmallow-studded cocoa, but cozy enough for a Chicago winter's day. read more

Big Shoulders Coffee - Beautiful marshmallow latte - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Really lovely place..very drinkable coffee with a fantastic smoothness and finish. The people at work here are great, including the owner, who is really trying to ensure people feel comfortable and goes out of his way to make sure the experience is great. Beans are roasted in house so super fresh and the "slow" pour-over type of preparation which is definitely worth the wait and is very reasonable price at $3. Also, the music was really great the couple of times I've gone, which makes the coffee experience even better and it's in a prime location for anyone either biking on Milwaukee or Chicago or taking public transportation around there. Definitely worth a visit! read more

This is an odd review, in the sense that my only experience with Big Shoulders Coffee consists of a cup of brewed coffee my brother-in-law brought me while we were prepping for his wedding to my sister. Also we drove by the store once. But if coffee tastes that good having been driven 5 miles in a paper cup, then everything he's told me about Big Shoulders must be true. This is a rich and deep bean, that in my view would suffer from too much milk or sugar. Heck - drink it black and slosh it around yr mouth to get the full experience. It was very good indeed. I hope to try their other drinks. read more

First time there. Sour pull on the macchiato. I have never experienced this before and hope to never experience it again. At first I thought it was a "thing" so I didn't take it back, not wanting to appear like a coffee ignoramus. My friend said her scone was terrible but I personally never trust a coffee shop scone anyway. Should I try again? read more

Big Shoulders, Your coffee is as comforting as your name. Decided to venture in here to get some work done and study for a few of my classes in the afternoon. Loved how clean, modern (yet cozy), and minimalistic this little coffeeshop was. From the friendly staff to their craft roasted coffees, everything seemed a bit too good to be true. I ordered a mocha latte made with soy milk and it was, hands-down, THE best mocha latte I have had in a very long time. Smooth and balanced with just the right amount of richness, I would have downed this drink in 2 seconds if it weren't for its hot temperature. While there aren't a lot of tables to sit at, they do have a nice little bar area with seats, a stand-up counter by the windows, and a sizable triangular community table situated in the center of the cafe that is ideal for those that want to get work done. I'm glad I stumbled upon this gem of a coffeeshop. Not gonna lie, I thought long and hard about writing this review, mainly because I don't want too many people discovering just how great this place is. I like the fact that it's not very popular... yet. Good location (right off the blue line) and great coffee. Big shoulders, you will be carrying the weight of the masses someday. Until then, can you be mine? read more

Love love love this place. It is the perfect combination of great coffee, comfy atmosphere, and exceptional service. COFFEE - So nice to have simple and clear options in a shop that has high quality coffee. I love how you can get "Fast" or "Slow" coffee. Grab a quick cup to go, or sit back to get a slow cup brewed just for you in a Clever drip system or a French press. They usually have about 3 or 4 offerings of beans from different regions with different profiles. I don't make it to the cafe as much as I would like, so I usually pick up a bag or two of beans when I'm in the shop. They have a pre-bottled iced coffee that has some magical mix of flavors too...wouldn't be surprised to see those bottles in store coolers some day. Oh yeah, every time I stop in, there are 3 or 4 tasty pastry offerings as well. ATMOSPHERE - Great location right on the corner of Milwaukee and Chicago means windows galore. The space is bright and modern, but somehow warm at the same time. One community table in the middle where I occasionally end up meeting some other local, which is nice. Then a nice coffee bar, and a standing area by one of the front windows. Beautiful roaster right in the other front window. SERVICE - This is really where Big Shoulders sets itself apart. There is definitely some great coffee in this city, but half of the places make you feel uncomfortable if you're not a hipster, don't have tattoos, or don't have extensive knowledge about the science of coffee. What about the other 95% percent of us who just want an exceptional cup of coffee, but aren't in some elite hipster coffee club and are tired of the milked-down Starbucks experience? This place has knowledgable staff who smile at you, ask how they can help, and seem to genuinely appreciate that you are there. This seems so obvious for ANY business, but it is amazing how many places get it wrong. The owner, Tim, is there most of the time, and he obviously has taken the time to really think this all through and do it right. Long live Big Shoulders Coffee Works! read more