We're often asked, "What your favorite coffee"?
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The Big Shoulders Coffee Story
How It Started
The Backstory
At Big Shoulders Coffee, we stand for Fresh roasted, no-nonsense artisan coffee. Our coffee is born out of a love for learning about people, food, and culture. Founder Tim Coonan began as a chef working at some of the most prestigious restaurants in New York, France, Italy, and Chicago. His love affair with coffee goes back to the 1980’s when he went on origin trips and studied roasting techniques. What began as a hobby roasting beans in his garage evolved into Chicago’s premier roasting facility and Big Shoulders Coffee cafes.
Reason to Believe in Big Shoulders Coffee
You can taste a chef’s attention to detail in every cup of Big Shoulders coffee. Beans are sourced from farmers we have grown relationships with and roasted specifically to preserve the integrity and essence of the coffee. We brew the coffee with down-to-the-second precision. You will taste the difference.
More Than Coffee
Life is a thrilling, hectic, and sometimes exhausting adventure. That’s why Big Shoulders Coffee is designed as an ideal “third place.” Somewhere separate from home and work, where you can go for comfort and a chance to relax.
Our locations are sanctuaries where you can enjoy the smells and tastes of our freshly roasted coffee in a welcoming environment.
A Culture That Mirrors Chicago
Hospitality is equally important at Big Shoulders Coffee. We truly value service, kindness and manners. Just like our fellow Chicagoans, we work hard without pretense. Our only goal is to bring you the best coffee possible in a welcoming atmosphere.
MEET THE FOUNDERS
Co-Founder & Owner
Patricia Coonan
Patricia Coonan shares a heritage of over 30+ years in hospitality and the restaurant business with her fellow co-founder, Tim Coonan. Patricia met Tim at the legendary Chicago restaurant Spiaggia and together they forged a partnership in life and in business.
Prior to Big Shoulders Coffee, Patricia spent 12 years working as the CFO of LFP Restaurant Management, an affliliate of Levy Family Partners (LFP). LFP is an investment enterprise focusing on early stage, often food or restaurant, investments. (LFP was formed after the sale of Levy Restaurants, an international enterprise of restaurants and concessions at sports venues.)
Patricia’s unique background in both restaurant operations and business allowed her to thrive in this organization. During her tenure, LFP invested in Blaze Pizza, a fast casual pizza franchise. Her role included guiding the financial health of a 25+ multi-state franchise restaurant organization. She oversaw financial responsibilities to investors, franchisors and multi-state compliance entities.
Co-Founder
Tim Coonan
Tim Coonan has spent over 35 years in hospitality, training and working at some of the finest restaurants around the world. At heart, he remains a Midwesterner.
Raised on a farm in Indiana, Tim developed a love for food and flavor at the family table, inspired by PBS chefs like Julia Child and Graham Kerr.
He got his start under Stephen Quigley at White River Coffee in Indianapolis, where he first learned to appreciate coffee. At 22, he shifted to pursue cooking full time, training in France and Italy. He apprenticed at Michelin two-star restaurants in Avignon including Chez Messonier L’Ermitage and Le St. Didier, as well as Le Petit Bedon.
Back in the US, Tim earned an AOS degree from Johnson & Wales University and landed an internship at the Rainbow Room in New York, where he later continued his career. He eventually returned to the Midwest and became a standout in Chicago’s culinary scene, starting as Sous Chef at Gordon and later becoming Chef de Cuisine at Spiaggia, one of the country’s top Italian restaurants.
In 2000, he joined P.F. Chang’s as a partner and regional chef, deepening his knowledge of Asian cuisines. After he and his wife Patricia welcomed their daughter, Tim began teaching at Washburne Culinary Institute.
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