TESA Cigar Company

Category:	Tobacco Shop
Address:	1039 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60622, USA
Phone:	+1 312-929-3075
Site:	tesacigars.com
Rating:	4.1
Working:	12PM–12AM 12PM–12AM 12PM–12AM 12PM–12AM 12PM–1AM 12PM–1AM 11AM–6PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 9

An Phan

Welcome to the BEST cigar shop in the city. I have been to many cigar shops in the city and when I think of the most comfortable place to be, I choose Tesa Cigars. Conveniently located off the Morgan Green Line stop, its a stones throw away from downtown and right off the 8 Halsted bus for those interested. Want to drive there? You wont find a struggle for street parking or their private lot. Youll find boutique selections in the Tesa humidor including Liga Privada, Padron, La Flor Dominicana, other Drew Estate, Macanudo among others. Test your acumen - there are cigars over ten years old sitting in their humidor! If you are given a recommendation for a Tesa Cigar, by all means take it! I had made the mistake of ignoring the recommendation the first few times because I automatically assumed a house blended cigar was not any good. NO! Well known by the hardcore cigar aficionado community, a Tesa Cigar stands heads and shoulders above many of the classic and commercially distributed big brand cigars. With their own production factory out in Esteli Nicaragua, their cigars are manufactured and produced in one of the burgeoning cigar capitals of the world. The unique distinct flavor profile of a Tesa Cigar is lights out, top of the line, and one you will be hard pressed to find in any cigar in any cigar lounge across the country. If you like light cigars, go for a Picadura King Connecticut, like something medium? Then hit up the Picadura King Habano? Too light? If you want something more medium/full go for the 312 Cabinet and of course the Tesa Shaman Torpedo! Then of course there is the boss of all cigars: GRAD CRU! The Gran Cru is a powerful cigar that will hit your taste buds and explode. A truly complex and beautiful cigar, Tesa Cigars will always burn evenly and give you the rock em sock em feel from smoking a quality premium cigar at reasonable prices. Lets not forget that Tesa is also a cigar lounge! Want to spend a few hours herfing a cigar and doing some work? It will all work out - there are plenty of electrical outlets to plug in and thank god there is free wireless / wi-fi to take advantage of! Big comfortable leather chairs and giant TVs showing whatever game you want will also welcome you. Oh, did I forget to mention? Tesa is also BYOB without any additional fee!! What does this all means? It means you can bring in a bottle of scotch, smoke the finest cigars in the city, and surf the web, and knock yourself out in one of the best cigar businesses in the city. Hands down - take it from one who knows.

Glenn White

I visited the cigar shop on May 5, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. This is the WORST experience Ive ever had since frequenting Tesas. The store manager had a really bad attitude, as he ALWAYS had. First, he was getting his shoes shined by the shoeshine man the entire time me and my guest were there. Yes, the entire 25 minutes. Knowing that you had to purchase a cigar at the shop was no problem, then to say that there was a 2 cigar purchase per person minimum was a bit much. However, we went along with the request. So between my guest and I , there would have been a purchase of 8 cigars. We took the cigars to the counter for purchase and the manager did not move from the seat that he was seated in getting his shoes shined. We went to our seats to smoke cigars that we brought with us and partake of the BYOB as well. When we begin to pour our beverages the manager yelled to us that that "no outside cups were allowed." We actually had glassware and he said that that was not allowed because "we have glass service" and that it would be a charge for that as well. Again, wanting to really enjoy this outing we complied. Finally, we had four bottles of water that we brought and removed from the bag and again, from the shoeshine stand comes the voice...."No outside water is allowed. We have bottled water that you would have to purchase." Enough was enough, we decided that our time spent at Tessa was not going to be enjoyable. The cigars that we had placed on the counter waiting to be purchased were placed back in the humidor and we departed. As we departed, and still seated in the shoeshine chair, his only reply was "its your decision." I think that the focus of a cigar establishments should be the business of cigars and not the business of becoming a corner convenience store. Management Is EVERYTHING.

Twethida Williams

What a great experience! Welcoming, relaxing, and fun! I have been here on a few different occasions & have always enjoyed myself. Honestly I was a little skeptical at 1st...a woman coming into what I use to consider a "mans" world. Tho I put on my big girl pants & just went with the flow. Boy am I glad I did....Fantastic cigars, Good times...& some really great laughs. All that paired lovely with the fine bottle I chose to indulge in for the day/night.(BYOB). They even have great taste in music.. I will be back & most definitely bring some friends!!! Thank you!

Mark Fisker

Was excited to smoke some cigars, friend who was there a month ago brought me and a friend here. Manager was extremely rude, and apparently added a "you must buy two cigars per person rule" After looking us up and down. We were dressed for work and came in with a friendly demeanor. Not sure what the guys problem was, but based on some other reviews on here, seems like the guy is losing his business customers. Come at your own risk I guess?!?

John Keen

I walked in and was kindly greeted by a staff member (I can only assume as everyone was sitting in lounge chairs). When I went into the humidor approximately 80% of the boxes were empty and when I exited I noticed almost all the customers BYOB. If you want a spot to BYOB and have minimal selection then maybe this shop is for you but I personally felt like I was in a worn out hookah shop and will not be returning.

Kevin Lange

Really great laid back cigar shop and lounge in Chicago. The staff is really friendly and always makes great suggestions if you want to try something new. Its BYOB (with no charge), so can easily bring a bottle of bourbon or whatever your drink of choice is. They always have cups to use, so one less thing to bring or worry about. Highly recommend.

Christian Picciolini

Have been in there twice now. Impossible to find a place to sit during peek hours and a cigar I bought from their humidor was dry and cracked. They gave me a second one, but it was dried and cracked too. They only have Tesa cigars, which are not that great. This place needs a serious exhaust fan upgrade too. Its too much to handle and the smoke hangs.

Troy T Heinzeroth

Best place ever. They have a full lounge to smoke in like no other in Chicago. They carry many brands but their best by far is their house brand from their own factory in Nicaragua. Chris Kelly is their master blender and is rivaled by few in the industry. You will not be disappointed. Guaranteed!

Big Merch

Pretty nice setup and chairs are very comfortable. They have a large walkin humidor that lacks most popular cigar we know and love. However they have some of the best house cigars I ever expericed. Also be prepared to pay $$$ because all their cigars are pricey.