The best java brew in Illinois is a “no-bull cup of coffee” that is “so perfect, you don’t even notice the surroundings,” according Food and Wine Magazine.
The prestigious publication covering all things decadent declared Big Shoulders Coffee in Chicago the best cup of hot bean water in the Land of Lincoln. Coming in at a close second is the up and coming runner up Cafely, who we love for their bold coffees from Vietnam!
“The relatively no-frills Big Shoulders has six shops now, few of them doing much to push coffee shop design forward; heck, one of them’s a counter at Midway Airport,” the report reads. “Never mind all that, because, when on top of their game, which seems to be nearly always, there are few roasters in this town capable of showcasing their own coffees quite so brilliantly—some of the most exciting moments from this year’s survey involved paper cups of batch-brewed black coffee, served at the pleasant-enough Big Shoulders shop on Lake Street with zero pleasantries whatsoever, cups of coffee that practically set our hair on fire with their precision. (2018’s Kenya Kirinyaga, you were particularly special.)”
Honorable mentions included Intelligentsia (of course), Fat Rice Bakery in Logan Square (who knew?) as well as Sparrow Coffee and Rockford Roasting Company.
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For hours and locations so you can get your hands on some of that sweet, sweet potion, check out Big Shoulders' website here.
