Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Big Shoulders Coffee

    4.4 (297 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Big Shoulders Coffee Takeout or Delivery

    Big Shoulders Coffee Photos

    Business Info

    You might also consider

    More like Big Shoulders Coffee

    Recommended Reviews - Big Shoulders Coffee

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Marissa M.

    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!

    Vanilla Latte
    Princesa Keke Moné R.

    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.

    Maronda H.

    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.

    Iced vanilla latte with oat milk
    JuJu J.

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

    a drawing of a city street
    Tina T.

    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

    Chamomile tea
    Sarah S.

    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.

    Uganda in a french press
    Eva S.

    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.

    Rosa J.

    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.

    Columbia 5lb bag

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

    See all

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Big fan of the coffee and the ambiance - staff is always so friendly and welcoming! Always a bright spot on busy days

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Very nice staff! Made some nice conversation with them. Food was good too. I appreciate it

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Big Shoulders, big sausage sandwiches, big cups of coffee, big happiness! 10/10 would come back.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dan L.
    0
    14
    41

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Maronda H.
    111
    1146
    13753

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of JuJu J.
    2
    84
    105

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Gina P.
    3
    134
    62

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of J S.
    0
    3
    0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Tina T.
    242
    37
    78

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Eva S.
    408
    429
    7151

    11 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rosa J.
    540
    1239
    4024

    11 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Josh N.
    0
    47
    10

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    14 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

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

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dan E.
    0
    127
    2

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Leesah R.
    164
    50
    21

    6 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alma C.
    2338
    1055
    8474

    12 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 8

    Ask the Community - Big Shoulders Coffee

    You might also consider

    Happy Monday Coffee - River North

    Happy Monday Coffee - River North

    (46 reviews)

    River North, Near North Side

    I cannot believe I've not been to this amazing gem. If you're in the area (or even if you're not)…read moreyou should DEFINITELY come here. First of all, the ambience/atmosphere is soooo cute and unique. It is in the "lobby" of the apartment building above it, but it's done so seamlessly you wouldn't even realize it unless you were looking at the resident mail boxes. Either way - tastefully done. My favorite part was this area to the right of the coffee counter. Cozy chairs and inviting space. Loved sitting here and enjoying my latte and donut. Secondly, such unique drinks! They have some really fun seasonal and specialty drinks. I highly recommend the Thyme is Honey - it comes in a cute bear cup with a sprig of Thyme. The also carry Beacon's Donuts (if you haven't had them, this is your sign to!). And lastly, the barista, Clara (I THINK that was her name), was delightful. Super friendly and inviting. So, thank you to her for rounding out a really nice coffee break.

    The guy who makes the coffee with the short black hair he is very rude. He seems racist, he didn't…read morespeak or anything. Not a great first experience. P.S I never ordered a beverage from there so you need to watch your camera again because you referring to the wrong person. You can't tell me what type of experience I had at that establishment. Just the manner you replied shows me you are hostile & your male barista is rude as a previous stated.

    Big Shoulders Coffee - Toasted marshmallow latte

    Big Shoulders Coffee

    (158 reviews)

    $$

    Near North Side

    We enjoy grabbing sacks of whole bean coffee while traveling and after reviewing their selections…read moreonline this made our list. Two sacks stuck out the most with our palate. NIGHT SHIFT: -- online tasting/sniffing notes: full body; deep chocolate; malty notes; dark chocolate; peanut butter; caramel; toasted marshmallow -- for me I noticed this more on the nose than the mouth, and especially when I "buried my beak" in the grounds after brewing -- the taste is nutty, smooth, nothing sour or bitter to speak of, caramel and light PB with some dark choc coming through...marshmallow only on sniff I believe RATING = A COLOMBIA (house drip): -- sack to be reviewed at a later date, too many sacks in the house right now STAFF were polite and efficient. No free drip cup offered with sacks purchase. Store is small but nicely appointed. It was not too far of a walk from our hotel which was a plus.

    If you want great, small-shop-quality coffee with the speed and consistency of a streamlined…read moreoperation, Big Shoulders Coffee is hard to beat. The coffee is consistently excellent high quality, well crafted, and full of flavor yet the experience feels fast and streamlined like a large coffee chain. You get that neighborhood, specialty-coffee vibe without sacrificing convenience. It's the perfect balance between specialty coffee and convenience, which is why Big Shoulders has become my go-to coffee spot when I'm in the area. Highly recommend!

    Happy Monday Coffee - Loop - Butter croissant and iced grandma's bag

    Happy Monday Coffee - Loop

    (100 reviews)

    $

    The Loop

    We really liked their coffee. Bought extra to bring home with us. Super cute coffee spot super…read moreclose to the hotel we stored at.

    There is a theory about why Garfield hates Mondays so much. He's a cat who stays home, so what is…read morethere to not like? Well, this is the day after a weekend when Jon goes back to work! With that in mind, the phrase "Happy Monday!" is an oxymoron, even though I send it every week in the Teams chat. Something that helps fight the Monday blues? Coffee! Yet, despite their oxymoronic name, Happy Monday Coffee is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. As someone who doesn't often make coffee runs during the workday, this means my coffee time is relegated to lunch. Some more expanded hours would be helpful not only to me and others like me but also to boost business. Where the coffee itself is concerned, I love the creativity displayed in the latte selections. Even as someone who is not a big latte lover, this is the kind of beverage I always get here. Are these the greatest things ever? No. However, I can't fault them too much, as lattes by design hide the bite of espresso under milk and often sugar. The vibe inside is relaxed and modern-boho, with a tasteful DJ set playing at a reasonable volume on the flatscreen. While I always take my coffee to go, it seems like a comfortable place to relax with a cup for a bit. Finally, I want to give credit to the service. While there isn't often a long line, service is consistently friendly, welcoming, and fast. Their prices aren't the cheapest around, but they are in line with what I'd expect for premium beverages in a high-traffic, downtown area. Final Verdict: Does Happy Monday have the best coffee anywhere that has me stopping in religiously? No. However, as someone who drinks soda rather rarely, when I am craving a solid and creative latte while at the office, Happy Monday is the first place that comes to mind.

    Starbucks Reserve Roastery Chicago - Starbucks

    Starbucks Reserve Roastery Chicago

    (2.3k reviews)

    $$

    Near North Side

    DAY 1: This "sniffs…read morein" at 4.5 stars... We sniffed in here multiple times during our 3-day visit. Some of the things we consumed: YUZU NITRO COLD BREW: -- my favorite coffee drink here of the trip -- yuzu works very well and is clearly present -- very visually appealing -- smooth and tasty and not too sour -- only orange or multiple citrus blend coffees may beat out this for me RATING = A WHISKEY BOURBON CAKE DONUT: -- lightly sweet w/gentle lean towards moderate -- up to moderate bourbon sniff and taste -- not oily or greasy -- soft interior almost layered -- leans moist, not dry -- size is small -- $5 plus is pricey but a rare find donut flavor RATING = A NOTE: I do miss their Sicilian cannoli from 2022, but I tried something else here as a substitute later in the trip PROSCIUTTO PROVOLONE CROISSANT: -- buttery -- not heated up -- medium sized -- soft flaky croissant flatter, not airy -- nice quality pastry -- lightly loaded inside but good balance of inserts to bread -- a good light snack to save belly for our Italiano dinner RATING = A- We snuck in at the last moment apparently as we were nearly cut off from lining up at the bar at 9:29pm. We ordered the "ESPRESSO MARTINI FLIGHT" for $25.00. CHERRY LIMONE (LEMON/CHERRY): -- very cherry forward -- partial slices of fresh lemon rind -- not too tart, tad bitter -- it works RATING = A- MOLE SPICE: -- tiny cacao bean shrapnel on top -- moderately plus spicy overpowers the chocolate -- okay but weakest of the bunch RATING = B+ ORANGE CACAO: -- cut slice of orange rind -- clear orange on sniff and taste -- my fave of the three -- all 3 had creamy heads to them RATING = A DAY 2: NITRO COLD BREW w/UBE COCONUT WHIP ADDED ON TOP: -- very pretty visually -- initially the slow sipping for nitro drinking worked and I got a balance of everything in my mouth but then I mostly just tasted coffee....so I stirred it up and agitated it to blend it better and it improved -- not an item I would order often -- 2" foamy head RATING = A- RASPBERRY MASCARPONE CHEESECAKE: -- semi-firm exterior -- big price around $11.00 plus -- medium-sized -- bone/ecru coloring -- 5 fresh raspberries on top with a slice of dark chocolate -- thin shortbread crust was fragile and not thick enough, but I love the shortbread vs. graham cracker idea -- texture is layered and dense -- it is not NYC style nor Chicago style w/mascarpone but closer to Chicago style than NYC -- very creamy -- I tend to prefer ricotta cheesecake or Chicago style, but this is nice and anything is better than firm heavy brick dense NYC style RATING = A- The wife grabbed a fresh bag of the "Chicago" beans that we sampled on day one. It was a smooth tasty cup. The seating is great here if you can get it. Weekends are "sold out" almost so pick your time carefully and cross your fingers.

    DRINKS I had their signature tiramisu latte. It was a solid…read morelatte, but I couldn't taste the tiramisu flavor. It is on the expensive side at $8+ for the drink. FOOD I tried their raspberry croissant. The pastry was flaky, and the raspberry cream was light and not too sweet. SERVICE The staff are kind and friendly! You can order at any of the floors. The first floor is largely for grab-and-go customers and ordering at the floors above are typically for sitting down. AMBIANCE Ample seating across floors 2 and upward is available inside the reserve, ranging from tabletop seating to small round tables. Most guests visit the reserve in a tourist capacity, but some visitors were working/studying as well. PARKING Paid street parking is available at a limited capacity.

    Kapéj Coffee - Breakfast Bagel

    Kapéj Coffee

    (104 reviews)

    $

    Old Town, Near North Side

    This place is really cool with a very chill, cozy vibe inside. I was visiting my sibling over the…read moreweekend who lives just down the street, so I ended up stopping in twice. On my first visit, I tried the dulce de leche hot latte, which was good but nothing particularly stood out. I also had the egg, sausage, and cheese sandwich on a jalapeño cheese bagel. It was huge and overall good, but I found myself more of a fan of the bagel itself. On my second visit, I tried the vanilla lavender hot latte, which stood out much more to me. It had a great balance of coffee and sweetness. I also tried the egg, ham, and cheese jalapeño bagel and definitely preferred it over the other sandwich. It was savory and filling. I'd come back again the next time I'm visiting!

    Seating in the front is cozy and comfortable. The back area with the high chairs and big wooden…read moretables is good for groups but the chairs are very hard so bring a cushion or a hoodie to fold up and sit on. The back table can handle a group of about ten people comfortably. The coffee is very strong! They have oat milk. As a whole grain person I can't really eat anything because I try to avoid plain white bread. But if you like paninis you'll probably enjoy it. Service is tepid. I think they're afraid to talk. The staff act like they're always about to get yelled at for something. They don't look like they're having a very good time and it doesn't seem like a fun place to work. The location was convenient at the time I stopped in.

    Big Shoulders Coffee - coffeeroasteries - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...