I was in the area and after a stellar foodie experience at Big E's competitor, Milohas, a couple weeks back, I decided to check out Big E's empanadas! The cafe is not as well decorated as Milohas, it's a lot simpler, coffee shop feels but service was quick and friendly. We ordered the beef empanada and spicy Thai chicken empanada to eat in and 2 each chicken cilantro and chicken mushroom empanadas to go. Each empanada costs almost $4 with tax, certainly not dirt cheap but they are pretty filling. Among all the 4 flavors that we got, my favorite was the chicken mushroom and spicy Thai chicken. The Thai chicken is not spicy but has that rich curry flavor. My fiance prefers the beef but I thought the marinade olive that is mixed in with the beef was a bit offputting with the fermented smell. All the empanadas are filled generously, lots of chicken, lots of beef and not too thick of the dough. The chicken cilantro was in my opinion disappointing as I don't really taste the cilantro at all, so it was just filled with chicken and flavored like chicken pie. Now, comparing the two empanadas, between Milohas and Big E, both my fiance and I agreed that Milohas makes better empanadas. Both stores don't sell empanadas with identical fillings, so I'm not really comparing the fillings.. and both stores actually are generous with the filling of the pies! However, milohas won because the crust/dough of the pie taste significantly more superior than Big E. Milohas' crust/pastry/dough is flakier, more buttery, has richer flavor...it makes the eating experience yummier! Overall, I'm happy with my purchase but if I have to choose, I'll go back for Milohas for empanadas. read more

Big E Cafe - Spicy thai chicken empanada - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

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Beautiful empanadas, the recently added gyros is my favorite. Service is above competent, which is really all I ask for. The keith richards will indeed wake your _ _ _ up in the morning. read more

Absolutely wowed by the flavors in these empanadas. Ordered the spicy Thai chicken, the Mediterranean, and the apple empanadas. The spicy Thai chicken tasted like a spiced up version of a chicken pot pie. The Mediterranean empanada had an authentic Greek taste and would be good for those looking for a good vegetarian option. The apple empanada was like a McDonalds apple pie (don't be hatin' McDonald apple pies). All the empanadas came out hot and fresh.The moment I bit into each empanada, I experienced bliss. The staff here are super friendly and knowledgeable. The combination options, which come with side orders and a coffee of your choosing, make me want to try everything on the menu. Also, there's a Yelp check-in offer going on: If you order a dozen empanadas (too few in my opinion!), you get 15% off your order. Needless to say, I'll be back for more. read more

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I can thank my girl for discovering this little gem. Located just a short distance from my work, I was surprised that i never noticed this pLace before. We have had Big E Cafe on our "to do" List for quite some time and I was ecstatic to finally check this place off the List. My girLs and I rolled though to see what they had to offer and I was pleasantly surprised by the cozy feel that this cafe exudes. We all went directly to the pastry case and I was a bit let down by what they had to offer. A good amount of the platters sat empty and there was not a huge selection to choose from. I ended up ordering the combo #2 which includes your choice of an empanada, one side (fruit, potato, or artichoke salad), and a drink (soda, water, or coffee). My order consisted of the mushroom and chicken empanada with the artichoke salad on the side. My pastry was exactly what you would hope an empanada would be: buttery and flakey. Big E definitley does not fill you up with thick, unbearable dough. SCORE!! They are very generous with the filling portions- whether it is sweet or savory. DOUBLE SCORE!! PROS: The food is Legit. From all of the pictures posted, there should be something here for everyone. Seating indoor and outdoor available. Big BANG for your buck. CONS: Inconsistent customer service- we were greeted with a friendly smile and being that it was our first time here, we weren't sure if the food would get brought out to us or if we should come in and pick it up. The girl at the register said it was slow so she could bring out our meals. We then opted to sit outside to enjoy the beautiful weather. Fast forward: two girls come out with our orders and the initial girl who was at the register rudely drops one of the baskets on the table and proceeds to go on to her break/Lunch. REALLY??! if it was an inconvenience, we easily would have gone in to get the food ourselves. Lack of selection- we anticipated MORE. I'm not sure if it was just bad timing or if this is the norm... once they sell out, that's it?? I'll definitely come back. The food was good and according to all the previous yelpers, the customer service here SHOULD BE on point. Hopefully visit number two will go better...... read more

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Gotta love the mom and pop shops! Support them wherever you go! :) Met Ernesto on Saturday, and he gave me the low down on their store and their history. He really does put everything into this shop, and it's amazing that their hard work has attracted so many people to drink their coffee and eat their delicious empanadas. I finally got a chance to eat their spinach and cheese, and I'll definitley be getting these more often. So delicious. It's almost like creamed spinach with some cheese and garlic nestled into the flaky dough. I also received the thai chicken as a treat, but sadly, I have not tried it yet, but will be trying it tonight! This is a great place for a quick snack/meal and a cup of joe. As Ernesto said, the empanada is a perfect meal to eat while driving for those on the go. So glad that this place is in my neighborhood. read more

Big E Cafe - Spinach and cheese empanada - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

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My new boss wanted empanadas for a meeting with 3 days notice. One day for procrastination and one day to search for something local. Um .... Yikes!!! Thank goodness for my faithful Yelpers cuz you all led me to Big E's!! With hours to spare I called to see if we could make thi work. It was a little hit and miss to connect with Ernesto (I'm guessing he's the Big "E") but once I did, he couldn't have been nicer. They don't generally do deliveries but Ernesto was gracious enough to work with me since our offices are down town. Since I've never tried Big E Cafe, I took Ernesto's suggestions on which empanadas to order. We choose the Celantro chicken, the traditional beef and the spinach and cheese. Ernesto delivered our order (40 empanadas) right at 11:30, exactly when he say he would. Displayed on plastic round catering trays, these bad boys were fantastic ! My co-workers all agreed that these were yummy!! read more

Big E Cafe - Yum! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

I recently moved from Fremont to San Jose and found Big E on Yelp one day while I was searching for food places around me, and I'm so grateful that I did! Their empanadas are delicious. My fave ones are the sausage and egg one for breakfast and the chicken and cilantro for lunch. The hot sauce they provide is pretty good too! Everyone I've encountered who works there has been pretty friendly. Def one of my go to spots, can't wait to try the other flavors! read more

My husband and I love this cafe. We moved into the neighborhood roughly 3 years ago, and have been visiting since then. Their empanadas are the best and the coffee is great. Best of all, everyone is so friendly there. From the regulars to the amazing staff, everyone is always smiling in this place... even if you can only tell that they're smiling with their eyes through the masks these days. Highly recommended! read more

Big E Cafe - Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

This place has been on my bookmarks for awhile. My friend and I came in around noon. It was my first time here and I asked one of the ladies behind the counter for recommendations. My friend and I ended up ordering the beef empanada and the chicken and cilantro. I thought the empanadas were flavorful. Both were good. I wasn't a big fan of the raisins in the beef empanada. However, I have to agree with some of the Yelpers. I wished the crust was buttery and flaky. The employees were very friendly and attentive. Great customer service! read more

Big E Cafe - Left: Beef empanada. Right: Chicken Cilantro empanada - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

They make fresh delicious empanadas right there and they are absolutely worth the drive. It is conveniently located right by the hwy. I ended up buying a bunch and they were all good. Minor nit, wish the spinach and cheese one had more cheese. They also have smoothies and coffee and outdoor seating to people watch. Next time! The women who were cooking and serving were super nice and smiley. The guy at the counter...not so much. Was grumpy and was an off note in the otherwise great experience. read more

I love this place! Great empanadas. Just discovered it now it will be one of my favorite spots as I travel around the Bay Area

So yummy and fresh! Great customer service. I ordered the special empanadas and Cappuccino is the perfect foam to liquid ratio read more

Big E Cafe - Breakfast empanadas so yummy and fresh. Their Cappuccinos are the perfect foam to liquid ratio! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

After 45 minutes I finally got the right empanada I ordered....they kept giving me a ham and egg by mistake I have no idea how.....after the 3rd one, when I finally got what I ordered, I was gonna leave if it was wrong again I didn't even care about a refund lol this was bbbbsssss! The empanada was good but I was so frustrated I didn't enjoy it, won't be coming back here smhhhhhh read more

Big E Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

Great assortment, tasty, friendly atmosphere, fun! Love the neighborhood feel with regulars gathering chairs around tables to break bread! The crust on the empanadas is absolutely delish! So difficult to choose the one(s) I want, as just ONE with a mocha fills me up. Today's choice? Chicken & Mushroom - hot, flaky, moist...yum! read more

Big E Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

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Good empanadas but wish they were doing their sides and sauces. They are trying to hire staff and having trouble finding folks. Also the Mexican mocha was terribly sweet and not drinkable. Coffee drinks need some improvement so taking off a star for that. For empanadas, I love the thin and slightly flakey dough, pretty much perfect and the Thai empanada was really good. I'll be back to try the sauces and sides once they are able to hire. read more

Had a egg chorizo and cheese empanada wich was delicous reminded me of how my grandma made me breakfast when i was little . Had a mocha frappe wich was also very yummy. Place looked very clean and staff was very welcoming and friendly. The service was great! read more

From the reviews on Yelp, it appears that the empanadas by Big E Cafe are the best in town! With so much hype and the testimony of so many Yelpers urging me on, I drove half way across town just to try out the empanadas! I got there on a weekday morning at about 8:30. Noticed that the outside seats were all occupied by patrons with their dogs. Dog friendly establishment is a plus! The place was smaller than I imagined, but quaint. The inside probably seats about 20 people, most of which were occupied. As I entered, I was greeted by someone behind the counter. My eyes immediately darted towards the menu on the wall, then to the small display case that featured the empanadas. I must have looked like I was lost, cause the young lady at the counter asked if it was my first time! I confessed, then she proceeded to tell me some information about the menu! She was awesome! The most important thing I learned was that everything is available ALL DAY!!! Yippie!!! I ordered every empanada on the lunch menu, and had them heated! Also noticed that they offer milkshakes, one of my weaknesses! So I ordered that as well! I had my order to-go so that I can eat it at home. But when I got in the car, I had to have a taste of one of the empanadas! Just one bite! I ended up finishing 4!!! They were unbelievably delicious!!! So much flavor! read more

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Another bookmarked checked and moved into my "Places I've been" collection. I finally got to try this place out when I was in the area. I was greeted by a man who I quickly identified was Ernie. I mentioned it was my first time here and he was very polite and patient and helped me decide on the empanadas. I told him I planned on getting 3. I ended with the the traditional Peruvian, the chicken and mushroom, and the ham and cheese breakfast. All his descriptions match the exact taste of each empanada. The traditional Peruvian - weird at first with the raisins inside, but it matched my taste buds and I really enjoyed this one. Ham and cheese - on point. It was like an adult hot pocket, without the preservatives and real smoked black forest ham! Chicken and mushroom - probably my favorite of them all. I love chicken, so no doubt this was more enjoyable for me. The mushrooms complemented it well. Ernie gave me a free apple empanada to try as well. I wanted to love this one, but I may be biased about it. My mother in law makes the best empanadas, so it's hard to compete. The apple was good, I like that it had cinnamon ontop, but that was the downfall. The cinnamon was too much and only in one spot. The apple filling was also good, but there was just too much filling compared to the empanada. Overall, I like this place. It's not mind blowing, but the customer service really shined. You can tell all the workers get along and enjoy working here. While waiting for my empanadas, I noticed how pack it was for a Wednesday morning and I got that this place was all about community. There was someone with a disability and everyone was so quick to help him out. I knew it was a tight knit community because when people would walk in, they knew someone inside. Looking forward to trying the other flavors of empanadas they have. read more

wonderful employees, great food and drinks! always love coming here. the customers are also always a delight to converse with! it feels very nice and cozy in there -- the employees always decorate for the season as well. read more

Amazing empanadas - they are so addicting - I could eat a dozen and still go back for more. The chicken cilantro one is amazing but you can go wrong with any of them - I would get one of each if you can - just to try them all. read more

Can't believe I hadn't rated this yet!. Been eating here for 3 years now. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner empanadas to die for! All of them are great, and a good value. I usually get 3 or 4 just for myself, and eat one a day. Nothing like a fresh hot pocket! Now my family swings by every time they visit. Also easy to eat while driving. They are also a coffee shop, though I have not tried it is popular. They have some nice patio seating options, and dog friendly. Be forewarned, the popular options sell out early, and they are open mornings till only mid afternoon. read more

The empanadas are good. My favorites are the Lomo Salteado and the Chicken Mushroom. The apple is also good. What I can't understand is why they never have chimichurri. How can you sell empanadas without it? It's like selling pasta and not having parmesan cheese, or tacos with no hot sauce. read more

Everything from customer service to location to taste was excellent! Easy access, indoor seating and outdoor seating was a huge plus for me. I arrived at the end of breakfast and beginning of lunchtime, thank goodness the store had breakfast empanadas. I chose A large hot regular coffee, with sugar-free vanilla syrup, and a sausage, egg, and cheese empanada. I forgot to ask for chimichurri sauce however I got Tapatio, still added a great text to my empanada. The outside layer was slightly crunchy the inside was a complete meal for me, with the egg, cheese, and sausage. I really wanted to try their chicken and mushroom empanada but I will leave that for the next time I return. A great Peruvian choice to have in this part of San Jose a definite must try. read more

Big E Cafe - Sausage, egg, and Sausage, Eggs & Cheese Empanada - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

I drove all the way from Sacramento, my friend told me about this place having the best empanadas. I'm not going to lie I've never had empanadas before and it was very delicious and flavorful. I had the chicken cilantro empanada with hot sauce and medium ice white chocolate mocha. Total was $7.35 I ate some of my friends chicken and mushroom empanada. Omg let me tell you, it was the best. For me, being someone who doesn't like mushrooms it was amazing! Will definitely come back to try more! read more

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Great place to get Empanadas and coffee! Big E is located in the corner of a huge shopping center so no need to worry about parking. They have plenty of seats inside with outlets so it's a great place to get together with friends or get work done. I've tried the Thai and Chicken with Cilantro Empanada here. They were both equally delicious! The crust was flaky and warm and the inside had tons of flavor. Besides the ones I tried, they have a huge selection of breakfast and other savory Empanadas. For drinks, I would recommend the Vanilla Latte. They have other caffeinated drinks and juices as well! Five stars for the friendly staff, delicious food and great ambiance! read more

Big E Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

I can not say enough great things about this place!! Honestly for me customer service goes a long way and The Big E has it down to a tee. You get a really warm greeting when you walk in, the place is small but spotless and very nicely decorated. I went in for lunch on a Friday around 1 there was a few people there but I got served pretty quickly. For around 7.50 you get a yummy empanada a side (I picked the potato salad) and a coffee or drink I was very excited when they agreed to give me iced coffee which was pretty good I must say! I really haven't tried many empanadas so to be completely honest I don't have many to compare them to but my pizza empanada was awesome the crust was really good and they were generous with the filling In all, amazing customer service, good fair priced food.... I'll defentely be coming back for ever! read more

Big E Cafe - All this for 7.50 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

The empanadas and the sauce they give you is a good pair. I've never had an empanada with so much filling before. They have so many different empanada options, from breakfast to lunch but come early to get the breakfast options. The Peruvian empanada was pretty good. read more

It is a pleasure to praise the Big E Cafe. It is located near a very busy intersection of important streets. Highway 85 and Camden and Branham. It in on Branham next to the Safeway. The shop is on the corner of the strip mall and tables and comfortable chairs in black mesh wrap around the corner, so you can find sun or shade most any time of day. Very convenient. The E stands for empanada, the house specialty. This fills a special niche in the area.The empanadas are all hand made and filled with an amazing assortment of breakfast or lunch type food. There appears to be something for every palate. The empanadas are quite large, perhaps four inches across and amply filled. The crust is hot and crunchy and baked with a sprinkling of course salt and they are not buttery. Very authentic! Packets of sauce are served on the side for those wanting more spice. The fruit- filled empanadas are a delight. They are flavorful and not overly sweet. Seasonal fillings add to the interest. The pumpkin empanada offered in autumn is just delicious. Many people come just for the coffee which speaks to its quality. Parking is a breeze as its a strip mall with a huge parking lot. read more

Empanadas !! Perfect place to come to on a Sunday morning when you want some coffee and not the same ol' brunch foods or bagel or Starbucks. My man and I shared the Chicken & mushroom, Cilantro Chicken, and Spinach&Cheese. 3 of these are definitely way more than enough for the 2 of us but we just wanted to try a lot of flavors :) They were all delicious and taste fresh. Also well-priced at around ~$4 each! read more

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This little cafe is right off 85, I stop by on my way to work for my fix! They have the best vanilla latte and it's much needed right before work. The staff is always friendly with a warm smile. They have breakfast & lunch empanadas; I have only tried the potato, egg & cheese empanada but I am hoping to try them all... read more

Big E Cafe - Potato, egg & cheddar cheese empanada. Seriously delicious, it taste like a pot pie but it's perfect when you are on the go. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

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This is our go-to place for empanadas! Always get the Bacon, Sausage, and Ham empanadas for breakfast. The Chicken Cilantro, Spicy Thai, Chicken Mushroom, and the Peruvian Beef empanadas are favorites anytime they're available. For something sweeter, the Peach and Blueberries is my favorite. If the line isn't too long, I get a mocha. Parking is easy although if it's busy you might have a walk across the parking lot, and it's an easy exit to Branham. read more

dang this place is pretty good, I had a craving for Red Ribbon empanadas and I figured someone had to specialize in these.. they're quite delicious, picked up 3. I'll be back to try a bunch more read more

I haven't been here in a while, but when I did come in today it reminded me why I stay away. The empanadas are good, but the service is slow and they can't ever seem to get my orders right, and the workers are unfriendly. Today I asked for a ham and cheese empanada- just one simple easy order - and instead I got a nasty one with cilantro. I HATE CILANTRO! I was already miles away before tried it. There was only one other person ahead of me, nobody behind me. How hard is it to get just one order right? I've ordered coffee drinks before and they've been wrong, too. They have their regulars who sit outside and enjoy their food. Maybe because I don't go there everyday they don't care about my business. Never again. read more

This is an updated review just to continue raving about this place. I can't get enough of their delicious empanadas, they are full of flavors and the best you can possibly get in town. We tried different places, nothing is comparable. Staff is also very friendly and welcoming every time we go. Love love love it there. read more

I found big E Caffé by accident Trying to find something to eat I saw the sign that they sell empanadas I will highly recommend you to come and enjoy their breakfast chorizo empanadas and their beef empanadas they're just very good flavor and the crust is so crispy is perfect especially now with all the covet 19 they're doing their best to stay open and the taste of the food is just amazing read more

Big E Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

My 31st time here. Do I need to say more? The empanadas are amazing. Light crust and just the right amount of filling. My favorites are the Mediterranean - stuffed with spinach and amazing spices. The Sausage and Egg - makes a perfect breakfast grab and go meal! The owner is super friendly and he gets customer service! The staff is very friendly and cheerful. I highly recommend this place. read more

Big E Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

I was super excited to try this place! I read such good reviews, and when I got there, it was apparent there were a lot of regulars, which seemed like a great sign. I ordered a mocha, which was good. Standard mocha. No complaints. We tried a variety of breakfast empanadas: sausage, bacon, and ham. They were all surprisingly bland, and the eggs seemed like they were egg beaters rather than real egg. The apple and cranberry empanada was great though! Customer service was good and friendly. They had a steady flow of business when we were there, but the line moved fast and it didn't take long for our food and coffee to be ready. These would be a great breakfast to take to-go, but I just didn't think they were very good. read more

Excellent Empanadas!!! 1. The texture of the dough must have a flakiness and be soft as you bite down... 2. With just the right amount of filling - meat and cheese, breakfast chorizo are flavorful and hot without making the dough soggy... 3. Served with a smile and plenty of hot sauce packets. Big E has it down, are you? read more

Delicious empanadas. I ordered them online, and they were ready when I arrived to pick them up. Reasonable prices and friendly staff. It's on my list of places to go again. read more

First time here. Nice customer service was observed! I tried the chicken empanada and the egg/potato/cheese breakfast empanada. Both were dangerously good. I'll be back to try the others soon! read more

Big E Cafe - Chicken Cilantro - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California