Big E's Coffee Lounge

Big E's Coffee Lounge

5131 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL

★★★★★4.5(222 Google reviews)

Crema's Take

“Big E's is a wonderfully eccentric neighborhood spot where the real draw isn't the coffee but the chaos of Friday night turtle races—a delightfully absurd tradition that keeps locals and curious visitors coming back with cheap pitchers in hand. The vibe is pure Chicago dive energy, where you're just as likely to end up swapping stories with the bartender or watching the races unfold as you are to nurse a drink, and the cash-only policy only adds to its authentically no-frills charm. It's the kind of place that becomes a highlight of your trip precisely because you stumbled into something genuinely quirky and unpretentious.”

What to expect

Classic coffee drinks done right. A slow-sit spot, good for meetings. Open late. Cash only.

MeetingsTraditional drinksLate nightsCash onlySlow sit

Google Reviews

Katie Morris
★★★★★4 months ago

We had an awesome time here for drinks and turtle races. Good silly fun!

Justin Kwan
★★★★★4 months ago

The turtle race is just big energy. Cheap pitchers and endless fun.

Andrew Smith
★★★★★a year ago

Wonderful, quirky, local bar. I happened in for happy hour, since I was in the area. Watched some TV with the regulars and traded stories with the bartender. My kind of afternoon! Bring cash. They don't take cards, and maybe stop by for Friday night turtle races!

Leah Day
★★★★★2 years ago

This was honestly the highlight of our trip to Chicago. We came all the way from Florida and knew we had to come here when we heard about it. We ubered from downtown which was easy enough. We arrived pretty early--around 7:30 or so which was honestly a fantastic idea. We staked…

I D
★★★★★3 years ago

Neighborhood bar with big Friday fun - turtle racing. It is great fun plus an opportunity to drink...the more you drink the more tickets you get to have a chance to participate in the race. Prices are totally reasonable, the crowd is friendly and the music between races is…

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