Big E Cafe

Category:	Cafe
Address:	1683 Branham Ln, San Jose, CA 95118, USA
Phone:	+1 408-978-9040
Site:	mybige.com
Rating:	4.6
Working:	6AM–6PM 6AM–6PM 6AM–6PM 6AM–6PM 6AM–6PM 7AM–6PM 7AM–5PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 25

Ben Falter

Great food but everything else here makes me confused. Empanadas are fresh and served hot to you. I def would recommend the lomo, the pizza one (great cheese inside), and the Spicy Thai Chicken (Id rename it Thai Chicken Curry; but its great). The Philly Cheese steak does not reflect the flavors of a true Philadelphia Cheese Steak but if you are looking for a beef and onion empanada with random cheese give it a try (sorry Im from PA). Good selection and the friendly staff were very open to giving recommendations. The pricing structure is odd; different based on meat, time of day, etc just make one or two prices #Simplify 1950s Oldies music playing... huh? Not that I dislike that music but what is the tie to the them? The random fishing photos and sports jerseys on the wall make me think they forgot to take down from the previous owners (sure not just feels random) and last... lets talk about your sign from the parking lot. Why is the word COFFEE bigger then Empanadas!?! This place has solid food, a good location, great staff but its like nobody thought through the restaurant theme.

Paul Meyer

Although the ambience is like a coffee and donut shop, the service is friendly and most importantly the food is terrific. Im used to disappointment with empenadas, and it usually starts with the crust. Too hard and you have a mess in your hands, too soft and you just have an expensive burrito. Too strongly flavored and the filling doesnt matter, too wimpy and it just detracts. Here the crust was excellent. It kept its shape and a little crunchiness, but didnt explode when bitten. It added flavor to the filling without overpowering it. Really excellent. And my vanilla latte was also very well done. Enough so to taste the vanilla but not so much that I tasted the syrup. And the base coffee was quiet nice, too.

Neil DiGiacomo

Good custom roasted beans make good coffee. They also have a pretty wide selection of empanadas (sort of like an apple turnover with different fillings, and less like a pastry than a light meal). They also take advance orders through ChowNow app. Ordering a tray of empanadas and big to-go container of coffee for picnics, games, and parties will always a crowd pleaser. Locally owned shop with nice people working behind the counter. This is the kind of local business that is worth supporting.

Cassidy Byrd

The latte was the perfect temperature, and the foam was smooth and consistent. Rich espresso taste. Many vegetarian options here, I got the spinach and cheese empanada, and it was great. Texture just crisp enough on the outside and soft on the inside, mostly thin. Perfect. Spinach and cheese not salty which is good because its so common to get it that way. Very fresh tasting. Everyone was extremely friendly, lots of parking available.

Lenny Markus

Staff is friendly and food was good. However, I came here in order to stay for a couple of hours as an internet coffee place, but the place is way too small, chairs are really really uncomfortable, place is very very noisy (from the staff), and there is no bathroom. if you are looking for a coffee place to stay for a long time, this place will NOT work

Ed Scanlon

This is my go to place for great coffee. Love the cappuccino and lattes. When Ive been to the Starbucks next door I am always disappointed. Starbucks lattes are like drinking warm milk, can never taste the shot they supposedly add. BigEs is the real deal if you enjoy a real coffee drink. Empanadas are great too. Staff and owner Ernie are top notch!

Donald Evans

Why we have tried almost every location but the one closest to our house is beyond me, but we finally gave it a shot! The place was half full around 10 AM on a Friday but the service was incredibly fast. I tried the cinnamon roll french toast which just tasted like basic french toast but the serving size was...

Derick Eddins

The chimmichurri sauce here is amazing!!! I usually get the Portena salad (steak salad), but I tried other things like the chicken sandwich, empanadas, and pastas. All were very flavorful and good. If you have a sweet tooth, you definitely will have to try their flan. One of the best flan I ever had!

Dave Merk

Espresso based drinks are made with real baristas (not using automatic machines). Foam is always like velvet! No need for whip cream with foam like this! Empanadas are awesome! Try the Apple or the Pizza...our the Mediterranean....also, Peach is awesome when available!

Richard M

Super friendly workers, the empanadas are utterly fantastic, drinks are very good as well. If you are in the area you really need to give your pallet an utter delight. And if your far away...its worth the travel, it would be awesome if they had more locations

Emile Antone

Hole-in-the-wall with delicious breakfast and dessert empanadas! Very partial to any of their savory ones, there is not a single one that I dislike. Big E is a great place to grab coffee and some light breakfast with a friend in the morning.

Nicholas Gutierrez

Delicious hand crafted Peruvian style empenadas and strong coffee to boot!! Always a friendly face behind the counter (usually E himself) and plenty of regulars that have been coming for years so you know they are doing something right..

Swan Lin

Cute, quaint, and incredible empanadas! Big E is an independent coffee shop and cafe with pastries and tasty breakfast and lunch empanadas. Favorite was the beef empanada - loved the complex flavors from olives and raisins!

Wynne

i always came here before school started at branham high. they serve delicious warm food and their drinks are nothing to sneeze at either! the staff are always very welcoming and sweet, no matter what hour!

Katherine Sun

My friends and I stopped here after getting our nails done and the owner was at the counter. He was super nice. We grabbed a couple different empanadas that they recommended. Theyre so good, mmmm!

Richard Darden

Great place for breakfast and brunch . Service is great as well Our first time here and loved their food , they even have seating outside which is nice , plenty of parking Will be back for sure

Jaimie I

Mom and pop cafe. Great service! Empanadas are really good. Got the dessert empanada with apples and cranberries. Coffee was surprisingly good too. Definitely going back to try other empanadas.

Chloe Nguyen

Their breakfast empanadas are better than other ones on the menu. The crust is not as good as the empanadas place across the street. Latte was smooth. Friendly staff.

Paul Johnson

This place has great empanadas. The price is low, but the quality is very high. Ive yet to be disappointed when I go there and Im confident that I never will be.

Adia H.

Lovely little neighborhood cafe with friendly staff, strong coffee and yummy empanadas. One of my favorite treats is the vanilla lavender latte.

Shawn Landreth

The menu is limited, but they are great at what they do sell. The food was good, and any place that has Yoo-Hoo on the menu is a must for me.

Vijay Durairaj

Their empanadas are excellent. Every empanada that I have tried has been good. Their artichoke salad is also one of my favorites.

Tim Bromagem

So good. Really nice staff, nice interrupt and seating area on the patio, and the coffee and empanadas are out of this world.

Cynthia Plays

I love this place good not so strong coffees for 13 years of age I also love their Empanadas I highly recommend this place

Claire Lee

I had empanada for the first time in Miami and fell in love. Now I found this place, no need to go to Miami anymore lol!