Diego Guartan

Meet Our Head Roaster

You may not know Diego yet, but he is the reason every Big Shoulders bag tastes just right. After more than a decade as our head roaster, he entered his first competition and was crowned the 2025 US Coffee Roasting Champion

Today, he leads our roasting program with the same care, precision, and dedication that earned him the title of the best in the country.

Read The Interview With Diego

#1 INDEPENDENT COFFEE SHOP IN THE U.S.

“With multiple locations in the Chicago area, Big Shoulders Coffee is a must-stop for no-nonsense artisan beans, roasted to perfection.”

– USA Today

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  • Coffee Review

    Coffee Review, established by Kenneth Davids and Ron Walters, pioneered 100-point coffee ratings to help consumers find exceptional coffees while supporting quality-focused farmers and roasters. Editor Ken Davids, an acclaimed coffee expert since the 1970s, has authored three books and leads industry workshops worldwide.

    Read Our Reviews
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Best Coffee in Every State, Illinois Winner

“In case you ever wondered, or if anyone ever asks you, where do you go in Chicago, for a really good, no-bull cup of coffee, look no further.”

– Food & Wine 2019