Big Shoulders Coffee

Hog butcher for the world

Tool maker, stacker of wheat

Player with railroads and the nation’s freight handlers

Stormy, Husky, Brawling

City of the Big Shoulders – Carl Sandburg 

A brief snippet of Carl Sandburg’s poem “Chicago” which will be coming up on its 103rd anniversary this March. Sandburg wrote mostly in versions of American social realism, praising at the time, America’s agriculture and industry growth. His poem is a beautiful depiction of life in Chicago in the early 1990’s, unforeseen to all at the time, this is the era that gives Chicago its name in history, the backbone keeping it standing and the “Chicagoan” personality.

I couldn’t be more in love with this grand city or proud to say I live here. As a kid growing up in the suburbs I dreamed of working and living in the city that my parents talked so highly of; Chicago. They would bring us to the city for day trips or on special occasions and to me this made the city even more desirable. I had a love affair with the city one summer when I interned at a company in the city and after that there was no looking back. I knew what I wanted and what I wanted was Chicago!

Now here I am today living that once upon a time dream and being able to share with you my story of love for Chicago through coffee <3

I wrote my first Big Shoulder Coffee review this past summer when I was a frequent coffee truck visitor, they parked right on the lake! How could I not become a regular, it was the perfect pick me up after a morning run.

So I already knew I liked their coffee, I came today really wanting to try a latte (I have recently been addicted).

Side shot: I think I need to try more cortados or cappuccinos, only because I’m getting sick of all the milk in my lattes, I now have to ask for an extra shot of espresso in order to truly enjoy it. That at times can be a bit excessive.

Any-who, Big Shoulders Coffee has a latte they receive so many raving reviews on, their marshmallow latte!

I know what you’re thinking, “But you don’t like sweet” this is true and also why I bring my sweet coffee date with me to try the drinks like this for me, allowing my just a taste. Which is really all a girl needs!

So we hit to road, off to my grandma’s to celebrate her 87th birthday lunch and to grab some delicious Big Shoulders lattes since it in on our way. WIN WIN. Big Shoulder’s is located on a very odd, hard to get to intersection but the main cross roads are Chicago and Milwaukee. So we have driven past the cafe plenty of times just never took the time to stop. Well I am quite glad that we did.

Entering the shop the bean roaster is directly to the left in the window, which I thought was cool, catches your eye right away even from outside.

There is then a huge octagon shaped table in the middle with window bar seats behind it and a coffee bar and counter in front of it. It would actually be a wonderful place to come and work, they don’t play any background music and aside from the hushed whispers of people talking all you hear are the baristas busy at work behind the counter.

Behind the counter there is part of Carl Sandburg’s poem printed on the wall! So awesome and of course fitting and a clear tribute to the name.

But also some of the wall decorations are strips of old Chicago ads and newspaper clipping all pieced together to form one mosaic piece of art. Being a slight hipster at heart I loved to see this and yes I was able to spy a Kellogg’s cereal ad clipping. (mind you this is now, as of recently, a client I work with, no I will ever push for you to purchase their products)

The marshmallow latte might be what they are know for, though there are plenty of other option to pick from for those not looking for something as sweet. I ordered the cardamom latte, I really enjoy that spice flavor in my latte, balances the sweet of the milk. Adds the perfect amount of what I like to call zing to a latte.

Zing = pop in the mouth.

 

OH MY GOODNESS, I also forgot so yes we ordered the marshmallow and cardamom lattes to have, the kicker is there are only TWO sizes to choose from; an 8oz, which a baby can drink or 16oz which is water bottle worthy! So it’s either super small and be ready to be up all night large. We ordered the 16oz naturally 🙂

Caution: they put 4 shots of espresso in the 16oz.

My cardamom latte was absolutely delicious! I’m already in my head planning my next reason to go out that way for more. The marshmallow latte though, yes I can see why this would be the star. One, they toast a marshmallow and put it on top of the steamed milk, amazing! Two, it’s not sugary or overly sweet in the slightest bit, you would think you’re about to drink a melted down marshmallow. Nope not the case here, you can still taste the espresso, once can only hope after 4 shots, and the mellow taste is just a subtle hint.

They should almost rename it to be a toasted marshmallow latte cause that is the taste you pick up on.

The lattes over all where a huge success, the cafe overall was a wonderful quick stop. I am looking forward to finding more excuses to get out there more often.

I would love to hear what you guys think of my Chicago love affair expressed through coffee? Please  share your thoughts, feedback or even what you love most about Chicago!