4. Restaurants

Big E Cafe

1683 Branham Ln, San Jose, CA, 95118
  • (408) 978-9040
  • Store is closed

Big E Cafe Menu

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  • James S.

    Great coffee. I drink the coffee here at least 3 times a week. The service and coffee are always fast and awesome. A little side note, I went in last summer some time and asked for a drink that E had not made before. He made the drink and gave it to me for free as a tester. Love this place!!!

    (4)

  • Maria T.

    Great customer service and friendly staff. Family owned business with the BEST Empanadas in town!! Try them with the hot sauce ;) The coffee is super yummy too, lattes and different coffees from all over the world, also great shakes on the menu. Ive been going there for years and still my favorite. This place has it all , worth visiting! Def 5 STARS!

    (5)

  • Liat N.

    Friendly people. Good food (got the spinach/cheese, chicken/mushroom, and beef). Nothing to complain about! I'm glad this local family-run place is still in business. I've passed them many times because my parents house is very close, but this is the first time I've gone in. The only SLIGHT issue is that I wish the prices were a TINY bit lower, but since the people are nice and the food is good it almost doesn't matter.

    (4)

  • Missy C.

    Once again the empanadas were amazing and they really know how to make good coffee. My lattee was perfect and the foam to die for! The owner is always super friendly and chats with everyone.

    (5)

  • Klank D.

    I go to Big E Cafe several times a week. Super friendly staff, very courteous, great coffee and Ernie is a really nice, friendly guy. Can't say enough good things about the place.

    (5)

  • F' the Polic E.

    Get here early or else all the pizza empanadas are gone. The crusts on them are delicious and you can get them heated. There are breakfast ones as well. On my day offs, I like coming here for a treat. The philly cheese and pizza are good. The breakfast ones are: Han and egg Chorizo and egg Potatoes and egg There's another empanadas place down the way by meridian and Branham but it's a little different in terms of filling. I'm more a savory person. There is seating outside too.

    (5)

  • Masson L.

    My wife and I are visiting from Miami and were missing some of our home flavors. Fortunately, we fell upon this place 5 minutes away from where we're staying. We were definitely not disappointed! All the empanadas were fantastic and the owner even gave us an apple one to go as well. I recommend this place to anyone looking for some tasty empanadas.

    (5)

  • Annie B.

    Still 5 stars and delicious. BigE has been packed every time I come no matter what day or time. The employees are super nice and they still take your order and get it to you quickly.

    (5)

  • Yun C.

    I was in the area and after a stellar foodie experience at Big E's competitor, Milohas, a couple weeks back, I decided to check out Big E's empanadas! The cafe is not as well decorated as Milohas, it's a lot simpler, coffee shop feels but service was quick and friendly. We ordered the beef empanada and spicy Thai chicken empanada to eat in and 2 each chicken cilantro and chicken mushroom empanadas to go. Each empanada costs almost $4 with tax, certainly not dirt cheap but they are pretty filling. Among all the 4 flavors that we got, my favorite was the chicken mushroom and spicy Thai chicken. The Thai chicken is not spicy but has that rich curry flavor. My fiance prefers the beef but I thought the marinade olive that is mixed in with the beef was a bit offputting with the fermented smell. All the empanadas are filled generously, lots of chicken, lots of beef and not too thick of the dough. The chicken cilantro was in my opinion disappointing as I don't really taste the cilantro at all, so it was just filled with chicken and flavored like chicken pie. Now, comparing the two empanadas, between Milohas and Big E, both my fiance and I agreed that Milohas makes better empanadas. Both stores don't sell empanadas with identical fillings, so I'm not really comparing the fillings.. and both stores actually are generous with the filling of the pies! However, milohas won because the crust/dough of the pie taste significantly more superior than Big E. Milohas' crust/pastry/dough is flakier, more buttery, has richer flavor...it makes the eating experience yummier! Overall, I'm happy with my purchase but if I have to choose, I'll go back for Milohas for empanadas.

    (3)

  • Kathleen L.

    This place has been on my bookmarks for awhile. My friend and I came in around noon. It was my first time here and I asked one of the ladies behind the counter for recommendations. My friend and I ended up ordering the beef empanada and the chicken and cilantro. I thought the empanadas were flavorful. Both were good. I wasn't a big fan of the raisins in the beef empanada. However, I have to agree with some of the Yelpers. I wished the crust was buttery and flaky. The employees were very friendly and attentive. Great customer service!

    (4)

  • J B.

    The place is clean and the food is good at a low price. The coffee is also good at a fair price.

    (4)

  • Christie B.

    My new boss wanted empanadas for a meeting with 3 days notice. One day for procrastination and one day to search for something local. Um .... Yikes!!! Thank goodness for my faithful Yelpers cuz you all led me to Big E's!! With hours to spare I called to see if we could make thi work. It was a little hit and miss to connect with Ernesto (I'm guessing he's the Big "E") but once I did, he couldn't have been nicer. They don't generally do deliveries but Ernesto was gracious enough to work with me since our offices are down town. Since I've never tried Big E Cafe, I took Ernesto's suggestions on which empanadas to order. We choose the Celantro chicken, the traditional beef and the spinach and cheese. Ernesto delivered our order (40 empanadas) right at 11:30, exactly when he say he would. Displayed on plastic round catering trays, these bad boys were fantastic ! My co-workers all agreed that these were yummy!!

    (5)

  • geoff a.

    Chorizo and Egg is my favorite here. A couple times, I've arrived a little late and Chorizo is all out so I go with the Bacon and Egg. Still very good. Our kids love their fruit empanadas. I'm happy to finish up their leftovers. We end up here close to twice a month. No need to bring coffee, their brews are fantastic!

    (5)

  • Marcus M.

    Great empanadas! I had the ham, egg and cheese and a Philly cheese steak.

    (4)

  • Nina Z.

    Absolutely wowed by the flavors in these empanadas. My boyfriend and I ordered the spicy Thai chicken, the Mediterranean, and the apple empanadas. The spicy Thai chicken tasted like a spiced up version of a chicken pot pie. The Mediterranean empanada had an authentic Greek taste and would be good for those looking for a good vegetarian option. The apple empanada was like a McDonalds apple pie (don't be hatin' McDonald apple pies). All the empanadas came out hot and fresh.The moment I bit into each empanada, I experienced bliss. The staff here are super friendly and knowledgeable. The combination options, which come with side orders and a coffee of your choosing, make me want to try everything on the menu. Also, there's a Yelp check-in offer going on: If you order a dozen empanadas (too few in my opinion!), you get 15% off your order. Needless to say, I'll be back for more.

    (5)

  • Ivy T.

    I read the reviews and expected a VERY tasty empanada along with delicious coffee. My friend and I ordered a chicken cilantro and lomo empanada, along with an espresso. I thought the chicken cilantro had the most flavor, but bad thing was, both empanadas were flakey or hot when we received them. It was more on the dry end. Latte was a latte, nothing popped out about it. I would return only if I was in the area, but wouldn't go out of my way for it.

    (3)

  • Bern M.

    I'll give them three well-deserved stars because they were really nice and served us well! However, I didn't care for their empanadas. The traditional Peruvian beef empanada just didn't have a nice flavor combination and the crust wasn't as flaky as I like. I did also try the breakfast empanada with egg. That was better than the beef empanada. I did choose those because they were completely wiped out of all the ones I wanted to try cilantro chicken and lomo...so maybe those are better choices. I just don't know if I'd drive 6 miles to try this place again. But if I were in the area, I would still support them if i was hungry.

    (3)

  • B-Rock J.

    After falling in love with some empanadas in Washington, DC I was on a mission to find a good place in SJ. In comes Big E cafe. Ok prices, ok empanadas, nice setup. I will be back to try all the flavors. So far it was philly cheese steak and pizza. I look forward to tasting what they are cooking in this hidden Camden gem.

    (3)

  • Bianca D.

    Great empanadas for a great price. I got the pizza empanadas and it was delicious and filling. I believe I will become a regular here.

    (5)

  • Toko L.

    I can thank my girl for discovering this little gem. Located just a short distance from my work, I was surprised that i never noticed this pLace before. We have had Big E Cafe on our "to do" List for quite some time and I was ecstatic to finally check this place off the List. My girLs and I rolled though to see what they had to offer and I was pleasantly surprised by the cozy feel that this cafe exudes. We all went directly to the pastry case and I was a bit let down by what they had to offer. A good amount of the platters sat empty and there was not a huge selection to choose from. I ended up ordering the combo #2 which includes your choice of an empanada, one side (fruit, potato, or artichoke salad), and a drink (soda, water, or coffee). My order consisted of the mushroom and chicken empanada with the artichoke salad on the side. My pastry was exactly what you would hope an empanada would be: buttery and flakey. Big E definitley does not fill you up with thick, unbearable dough. SCORE!! They are very generous with the filling portions- whether it is sweet or savory. DOUBLE SCORE!! PROS: The food is Legit. From all of the pictures posted, there should be something here for everyone. Seating indoor and outdoor available. Big BANG for your buck. CONS: Inconstant customer service- we were greeted with a friendly smile and being that it was our first time here, we weren't sure if the food would get brought out to us or if we should come in and pick it up. The girl at the register said it was slow so she could bring out our meals. We then opted to sit outside to enjoy the beautiful weather. Fast forward: two girls come out with our orders and the initial girl who was at the register rudely drops one of the baskets on the table and proceeds to go on to her break/Lunch. REALLY??! if it was an inconvenience, we easily would have gone in to get the food ourselves. Lack of selection- we anticipated MORE. I'm not sure if it was just bad timing or if this is the norm... once they sell out, that's it?? I'll definitely come back. The food was good and according to all the previous yelpers, the customer service here SHOULD BE on point. Hopefully visit number two will go better......

    (3)

  • Eliad G.

    Big E cafe is my neighborhood coffee shop. I appreciate having this place near where I live. From the coffee to the empanadas everything is well done. The staff is friendly and helpful. The owner is constantly improving the place and trying new things. It's nice to see the customer base growing as more people appreciate what they do...

    (5)

  • Maria M.

    Friendly staff, good coffee, & delicious empanadas! Today I tried the spinach/queso & apple/cranberry, both fantastic. The staff was really upbeat & helpful. Free wifi too.

    (4)

  • Jen H.

    Delicious empanadas!!! Definitely eat them fresh! Ordered: 1) Chicken and cilantro empanada--YUM!!! 2) Coffee--okay Not much seating room, but there are outdoor seats and best of all, dog friendly!!! (of course outside!) How many empanada do you need? I would say if you're not that hungry, 1 should be sufficient, and 2 if you're starving. If I am in the area, I wouldn't mind dropping by and trying out some other empanadas. My next one would be the spinach and ricotta!

    (4)

  • Veronica C.

    Since time immemorial, I've been a sucker for pastries. Present me with a baked-till-golden, flaky, chewy pocket stuffed to the brim with juicy, savory meat and I'm sold! At Big E cafe, the range of empanada flavors is pretty broad. Some creative ones are chicken cilantro, blueberry peach as well as pizza. Also, at $3.75 each, they are a good choice for a pick me up/filling afternoon snack. My picks: * Traditional Peruvian Beef: My favorite flavor! Love the combination of chunky beef, caramelized onions, garlic, and sweet, plump raisins - very hearty and flavorful. * Chicken & Mushroom: Not as amazing as I had hoped. I liked how creamy it was but it could've used more seasoning as it tasted rather bland. * Philly Cheese steak: The most savory of all the ones I've tried. Pretty yummy! * Apple: The apple filling was very sparse (mine was mostly empty shell) and tasted kinda sour for my liking. * Spinach & Cheese: I usually love the combination of spinach and cheese, but sadly this one was super bland and boring. Not a favorite. Overall, I wasn't too crazy about the crust either - it would have been better if it was more buttery and generally flakier. 3.5 stars, because some of their flavors did hit the spot and satisfy my Latin food craving.

    (4)

  • Rose A.

    We were lucky to find this spot. The empanadas that we have eaten there were delicious. Empanadas were full of deliciousness. We tried the egg, bacon and cheese, egg, potatoes and cheese, egg, sausage and cheese and the apple and cranberry. I know this is a lengthy review, but worth reading. Customers are treated very well. Ernie, owner, is super nice. We will be customers for s long time.

    (5)

  • Janet T.

    Interesting and genuinely bright place. Plaintain chips, latte frappes, milkshakes, empanadas! Sounds like all of a certain someone's favorites bundled in to one neat cafe. Smooth wooden floors, tables, and clear cut menu. Service is great. Location is great. Lots of parking. Lattes can be subbed with almond milk. Empanadas are heated upon request but may take some time. I think i fancy this place. Can't wait to try the spicy thai curry and bacon empanadas! ...More to come

    (4)

  • Cristal C.

    Craving a quick snack, I have had this place bookmarked for a hot minute. Upon entering, it was cool to see tatted up chicas working the place. They had several delicious non-traditional empanadas ranging from breakfast ones to Thai inspired ones. I went for the spinach ricotta empanada and got the bf their pizza empanada. Both of these empanadas were ridiculously delicious. Though I was satisfied with one, I know I could have inhaled a second one. This little spot also has several different coffee and drink options as well. Overall, if you're looking for a quick snack and want some uniquely flavored empanadas, then definitely check this spot out.

    (5)

  • Samantha L.

    I came here on a late Sunday afternoon with my sister to grab some empanadas and coffee. For about ~$7, I got 1 spicy Thai chicken empanada and 1 medium ice latte. The two ladies working behind the counter were friendly and attentive. The food was delicious. The spicy Thai chicken empanada is definitely spicy from the dried chili flakes. It's great for those who enjoy that extra kick. They will ask you if you want it warmed or not, so get it warmed! The ice latte was good, but the milk tasted creamy when I asked for non-fat. It wasn't a big of a deal. The food was good and I didn't think it was worth knocking down a star. This place is a little far from where I live, but I wouldn't hesitate to stop by if I am in the area. Definitely recommend.

    (5)

  • Susan M.

    Empanada's here are delicious! Super filling and at great prices. This is a family owned store. I remember when I came here with a bunch of my coworkers the first time, the owners came out and welcomed us and even gave us some of their apple empanada's on the house which was really sweet and generous. I've tried the ham and cheese, chicken and mushroom, spinach and cheese, apple and traditional peruvian beef empanadas. My favorite by far was the chicken and mushroom and least favorite was the spinach and cheese. Ingredients are fresh and these bad boys are always freshly baked! My companies caters here for breakfast every so often so that's why I've gotten to try so many of their delicious empanada's. Love supporting local mom and pop shops, especially when they have really delicious food!

    (5)

  • Andy T.

    Good food and service. Small quiet cafe. A lot of returning customers came Into order. Great place for a snack.

    (5)

  • Connie C.

    What Attracted Connie Here: Empanadas with a savory twist! I wanted to try the cilantro chicken, thai curry, etc. My Experience: This cafe is pretty far out from San Jose but I considered myself lucky because my friend happens to work close by and I found it as an excuse to come here to pick up a treat for her. She told me it was a great place for food and coffee. Most empanadas cost $3.50 more or less. I ordered the following: Mediterranean, cilantro chicken, pizza, spinach and cheese. I got to try the pizza , which blows Pizza Pockets out of the water, and the Spinach and Cheese, which was delicious with flavor, savory goodness, and melty cheese. The service was relatively quick and the reheating process took about 10 minutes. Would love to come back!

    (5)

  • Lorrie M.

    This place is super cute but in a very random part of South San Jose. I love the staff here because they're extremely helpful and friendly. But of course, let's get to the point. The empanadas! These are definitely on the larger side as far as empanadas go, but that doesn't mean they lack in flavor. I got a variety of their chicken and vegetarian ones for a Friday night fun night with my study group and they were definitely a hit. My favorite actually was the chicken and mushroom because I felt it was the most flavorful and tasty. However, I did like the spinach one even though I mainly enjoy having protein and meat as part of my empanadas. They also do coffee, which wasn't half bad here. I totally recommend this place! It's very small inside though so it's best that you take it to go.

    (4)

  • Heather A.

    I have been living down the street for 15 years, why oh why have I just now tried Big E Cafe?!? I went in on a Saturday morning with my mom. They were busy, but the food was ready quickly. We ordered a chicken with cilantro and a bacon n egg empanada. Both were delicious. The chicken cilantro empanada was so flavorful. I had a bite of my moms bacon n egg and it was equally impressive. My only wish is that I would have discovered this place sooner.

    (5)

  • Alton L.

    My significant other REALLY likes empanadas, so I've gotten empanadas from them several times. The crust may just be a tad thin for my taste, but it is nice and flaky. The fillings that I've tried have all been good (lomo, beef, chicken/mushroom, chicken/cilantro, apple/cranberry, ham/egg). Just be aware, though, that coming in at 7:00 am thinking that there'll be lots of fresh empanadas is not necessarily a good idea... I was told that the breakfast empanadas won't be ready until 7:30 and the normal ones won't be ready close to 9:00-10:00. But just like any other good bakery, don't come in late, either - or you'll be stuck with weird fillings. Buy them not heated... go home and warm them up yourself at around 400*F for about 5 minutes, and you're good to go! That way, you can just have a stockpile in the fridge.

    (4)

  • Janet P.

    I had 2 different empanadas - Lomo and Chicken Cilantro. The Lomo was flavorful and delicious. I liked that there were sundried tomatoes in there. The Chicken Cilantro, on the other hand, was quite bland. I had to smother it in hot sauce in order to eat it. Unfortunately, I can't give 4 stars because the Chicken Cilantro really wasn't good.

    (3)

  • Lily N.

    Awesome place with great customer service! :) I had the breakfast empanada which was fairly cheap but yummy!! I highly recommend this place for brunch.

    (4)

  • J. B.

    I love, love, love Big E's. It's a neighborhood coffee sop with character, delicious empanadas, and excellent coffee. The staff is always friendly, especially the owner, and they get to know their regulars and treat them like old friends. And there's something for everyone -- if you don't want a coffee or an empanada, they also have smoothies, fruit, salads, juice, and cookies. Thank you, Big E's, for being a great local cafe!

    (5)

  • Azizi M.

    Empanadas (hearty & flavorful) Coffee Both great here! Big selection Nice place to sit & chill or grab & go! Indoor & outdoor seating. Once you try it, it leaves you wanting to come back for more. You can come here for breakfast & grab a breakfast empanada, such as a egg & sausage, and have your morning coffee too. Or you could come for lunch and have a beef empanada with a side salad... Whatever floats your boat, empanadas are tasty and are great option for a easy quick meal to grab.

    (5)

  • Christine L.

    This place is awesome for a quick bite and chat with buddies! I recommend the breakfast empanadas, but their menu sounds really cool. The owner is really nice and friendly, make sure to say hi to him! :)

    (5)

  • B W.

    Really? 4.5 stars?? Gotta be a joke. My husband brought me back few empanadas home and usually I like the beef ones but after the 1st bite I had to spit it out. Raisins???? I can see the combo with olive and beef but raisins? ? Oh.... just not a good combination for me. Then off to the next one.. the chicken and mushroom. Tasted more like a thick chicken fettuccine soup base. Was not a fan. And lastly the cheesesteak. Probably the most swallowable of the the other 2s. Oh dear what a waste of $ and my taste buds.

    (1)

  • Maleah M.

    My girlfriend and I's love for empanadas and trust in yelp led us here. Service was fantastic, the owner was very helpful guiding us what to choose, they had full stock of everything I wanted to try. So what do we do!? WE TRY THEM ALL, YEAH ADVENTURE! Okay not all, but we tried 6. Kind of risky for our first time but this place specializes in Empanadas, they had to be good! We had the Lomo Empanada, chicken cilantro, spicy thai chicken, spinach and cheese, pizza, and Peruvian beef. Unfortunately the flavors just weren't all there for us... Each one tasted similar to the other. It wasn't as crunchy and flaky as I would like my empanada to be. The pizza one tastes exactly like a hot pocket. It's comparable to something I'd buy in the freezer section at safeway. Judging from all the great reviews, maybe I came on an off day? I like the concept of this place, so I will come back to try again.

    (2)

  • C J.

    Yummy! We tried several of the different flavors today. Our favorites were the chicken mushroom, Philly cheesesteak, and Thai empanadas but I have to say they were all pretty good.

    (4)

  • Guille D.

    Sausage empanada had just a few sausages and too much egg.. left disappointed.

    (1)

  • Anna L.

    Got the Thai, cilantro, Mediterranean!! So full of flavor!! I like the spiciness of the Thai ! Def coming back

    (5)

  • Lauren C.

    Absolutely OBSESSED with empanadas here, and the coffee is great too!!! My favorite hands down is the thai chicken empanada!!! It's the perfect size too. But you can't go wrong with any of the empanadas here, I've tried them all and they all taste great. Definitely get one of the combo meals. Service is awesome, I've never had a bad experience before. The atmosphere is very friendly and warm, although the interior of the place could work to be a bit cozier!! That would have to be my only complaint.

    (4)

  • Mike M.

    Empanadas!!! This is a great local spot and you need to check it out its right around the corner from my house and it is consistently amazing. The coffee is always fresh and hot. I get the Americano! They have a good selection of drinks for the kids too. BUT their empanadas are ridiculous! They have an enormous variety of them. I get the sausage, my kids get the pizza and my wife gets the Mediterranean one and she loves it. The people that work there are always friendly and willing to help you get the right empanada. So, keep on driving past Starbucks and stop at BigE!

    (5)

  • Katherine S.

    My friends and I had a mani/pedi girls outing and two of us hadn't eaten breakfast, so we were starving. We looked on Yelp to see what was nearby. We were thoroughly surprised by the number of highly-rated food spots within half a mile! Big E Café was just a few yards away, around the corner, so we stopped here. I was so happy to see that there was a 15% deal on Yelp with a check-in off 12 empanadas. There were only 3 of us, so we each ordered 4. The gentleman who took our order seemed to be either a General Manager of the owner. He was really warm and welcoming -- he saw that me and my friend had sat on the couch with our other friend sitting at a table (they have 2-person tables here) and he offered to combine two tables for us. Thank you! When we got our orders (he bagged them up by our orders too!), we quickly unwrapped one and wolfed 2 down. Two is perfect for a meal. We each saved our remaining two empanadas for later. +Friendly and warm staff +Delicious empanadas! They warm them up for you if you'd like (recommended) -- the Beef (traditional Peruvian) is a MUST! I liked the peaches and blueberry one too for dessert. +Lots of options: there are options for those who like beef, pizza, chicken, or are vegetarian too! You can also make your order into a lunch meal/combo. I'll be back with my family again :)

    (5)

  • Jenny T.

    I gave in for the yelp check in coupon etc etc. I shouldn't have.. way too much for two. We consumed all in 3 days... it was quite expensive.. Our favorite was not the beef!!!!!!! My first experiences with empanada was with beef and it is darn delicious at Eat Real Fest. But not here.. it was weird with raisins. What we liked was the pizza one, chicken, and Philly cheese. Some of them taste like Hot Pockets... sorry. The staffs are very nice but food is overpriced. Kindly, JD

    (3)

  • Christopher C.

    Atmosphere: Homely, feels like you are visiting an old family member. Parking: spacious, the lot is big. Due to the plaza being here Food: the empanadas were great. A real unique taste with the cold weather or rainy days it is great to have a warm comfort food. Tried the spicy Thai chicken, and the sausage empanadas. Both had warm crispy outsides, the sausage had eggs and sausage which were good for breakfast. The Thai had green peas, chicken and jalapeños inside very good if you like spice. My wife had the chicken cilantro and apple/cranberry empanadas. She said they were delicious as well. Drinks: coffee, had the Sumatra very good with some half&half. Smooth drink.

    (5)

  • Joy P.

    Love the chicken cilantro empanada, but all are delicious. Beef is unique, with kalamata olives and raisins, and the spicy Thai is like a chicken pot pie with extra spices.

    (5)

  • Maria Jose R.

    5 stars!! Empanadas are great, the services is awesome, Veronica and Ernesto are excellent, actually all employees really care about the customers. I ordered 40 empanadas for my son's birthday party all guests loved and asked where I bough it. Thank you so much for making great food a good price with a smile. :)

    (5)

  • Cathy H.

    This is a great little coffee shop. They are empanadas are great. It's not as fancy as the Starbucks but it is a nice place to have coffee and catch up on a little work. Parking is easy.

    (4)

  • alma d.

    Love this place. The empanadas are amazing. My favorite is the spinach and cheese. The staff is always very friendly and helpful. The coffee here is also very good. I love just hanging out here when I have nothing else to do. The environment is very quiet and relaxed.

    (5)

  • Sarah S.

    Delicious and unique! Yelp reviews and curiosity led us here, but the amazing flavor will be bringing us back. Chicken and mushroom was our favorite but the philly steak came in to a close second. The owner is so friendly and gave us an apple empanada to try for free, which was amazing. The empanadas are all hand made, which I love because we try to steer clear of processed foods. Check this place out!

    (5)

  • Jackie S.

    Like it enough, but can't say I exactly loved it. Despite being near my house, I would probably only come if someone dragged me along with him/her. I got the chicken cilantro empanada and although it was big and filling, the chicken was pretty dry. There was a good amount of chicken in there, but "bigger" doesn't always mean "better," huh? I thought the outside was pretty dry as well.

    (2)

  • Mike B.

    I'm so angry! I'm so viscerally angry that this restaurant for me is a vacation restaurant. I'm gonna go home in a matter of days and Big E cafe wont be anywhere near me. I'd have to take a 5 hour plane ride for empanadas... which for these, might be worth it. Near me in Maryland there's this posh place called "Panas Empanadas." It has seats that are made out of large pieces of plastic, lots of bright orange lights, and empanadas that will make you rethink ever eating an empanada again. My friends and I went a while ago to Panas and all got sick for a week afterwards. This place.. Big E Cafe is super the opposite of pretentious. You wouldn't even know how awesome it was unless you checked out this awesome website... what is that name again... this website that helps you can connect with great local businesses... starts with a "Y"... Big E currently has 124 reviews with 4.5 stars. You can also take a look at their website. It's very well done. But, I'll warn you, I encountered some empanada flavors in house that wern't on their website. Let me tell you what we got. 1. Chicken & Cilantro Empanada- their most popular flavor- very good 2. Meditteranean- delicious - I would have done a little less olives in this one 3. Ham and cheese- I think my favorite 4. Potato and egg- absolutely wonderful The empanada dough is really tops. Super flaky, melt in your mouth, perfect compliment to the filling. Light not filling. Perfectly browned. It's just such a great empanada dough. This place is wonderful. If you can't tell by their great reputation on Yelp, take it from me. Certaintly a place you need to check out.

    (5)

  • Cheryl K.

    The most delicious empanadas around. I'm in the area every 5 weeks and always stop here for their empanadas!!!

    (5)

  • Thuy C.

    Great local business. Their empanadas are extraordinary with friendly service. Make sure you come early for the Thai Curry, they seem to run out quickly. I usually get the Philly.

    (5)

  • Jennie N.

    I love Big E! So much YUMS in one place! I always get the Spicy Thai empanada and when I'm really hungry I add either the beef or chicken cilantro. Everything is good! You can't go wrong! And yes, their coffee is great! :)

    (5)

  • Anya G.

    The potato cheese and egg empanada is amazing. The staff are really friendly and made great suggestions! An excellent place for breakfast and lunch. I am not a coffee drinker, but HAD to try the "girl from ipanema" blend....yummy! I will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Maria G.

    This place is the best you can find no empanadas like this one and also the best coffee ever if i could give more than just five stars i will give 100% to this coffee shop best service also and the family owner also are the best if u ever want to have a good coffee and relax come here and enjoy so happy to come here !!!!!

    (5)

  • Tolga g.

    Awesome! Love their spicy thai chicken empanadas. Stuff is always friendly as well! Would like to come here everyday but little far from where I live.

    (5)

  • Ashley T.

    About a year ago I moved into this side of San Jose, never really coming on this side of town I had to start looking for a new coffee shop to become a regular at. I saw the Starbucks and had it once and hated every second of it.... But then noticed next door there was a little shop. The next day I stopped by after work ( very close to closing time for them) they made use a couple cups of coffee on the fly and offered us a empanadas, I had never had one and Ernie the own insisted that I tried one then and there for my first time. I have had the pizza, apple and peach and all are sooooooo amazing. My boyfriends favorite is spinach or one of the breakfast ones (bacon, ham) We a few times a week to get a cup of coffee ( I love the mocha my boyfriend gets the red eye )

    (5)

  • Kim C.

    I live near by and have been in several times. It usually takes them a decent amount of time to heat up the empenadas, so today when they gave mine away to a guy who ordered several minutes after me, you can imagine I felt frustrated. Then they told me the one they had just thrown in the oven for him was ready for me...but--surprise-- it was not heated properly. The empanadas are ok, but definitely not worth poor service and long wait times. I had to go home and put it in my toaster oven so I could have breakfast. I won't be back.

    (2)

  • Freeda L.

    Love the empanadas. The Chicken Cilantro and the Mushroom Chicken are my favorites. My husband really likes the Thai Chicken. Sometimes you need to get there on the early side for lunch or they will run out of the favorites. The people that work there are always nice too. It's a local small business gem.

    (4)

  • Melissa S.

    The Husband and I had never been here but empanadas sounded good so we stopped in for lunch and we weren't disappointed. We were immediately welcomed and when The Owner found out that it was our first time he was more than happy to give us the 411 on all the flavors and the best-sellers. I went with the spinach & gruyere and the chicken & cilantro and both had amble filling and flaky crust. Two were more than enough (I got the meal that came with two empanadas, a side of fruit and an inca soda) and really flavorful. The Husband also got a meal and tried the "pizza" flavored one and the Philly and he was happy with both of his. We're definitely coming back to try more!

    (5)

  • Soap P.

    Came to taste the empandas but missed the breakfast portion so I order combo #2 which came with 2 empandas a side and choice of beverage. Order: -Thai empanda was good but was lacking some heavy authentic flavor. -Traditional beef I probably took couple bites and was done with it maybe I was full from the first but it didn't meet my taste buds. -Side potato salad was good but how can you mess that up. Overall a good place to try if you're in south San Jose ..good customer service and neat the cooking lady was nice to check up on me to make my sure my order was right.

    (4)

  • Lewie G.

    What a great little place. I LOVE family-run establishments and being able to hear some authentic Peruvian accents in a place serving Peruvian foods. The drinks are great and they'll customize upon request. Empanadas are fantastic. The sides look really good, too (I've only had the artichoke salad and it was great). Ambiance is cozy. This is the perfect place to get away, especially on a rare chilly day. Caution that when they bring out the empanada the insides will be *really* hot, so don't expect to just grab it and take a big bite. Fantastic establishment - will be back!

    (5)

  • J A.

    Came here because of the good reviews...but we must have gone to the wrong store...we got there around 10am and all their empanadas were sold out and they were not making anymore. The negative review is based on their lack of product preparation...

    (1)

  • Terry C.

    Yummy!!! First time here and I will definitely come back. My favorite was the chicken cilantro. The other empanadas I tried were good but I wasnt to fond of the sausage egg cheddar cheese. I came late so they ran out of the other varieties that I wanted. I will be back to try the pizza empanada. Got myself two chicken cilantro togo and I shall devour it soon! :)

    (5)

  • Hope F.

    Stopped in this quaint spot to have a quick bite and glad I did! Who doesn't like a hand held meat pie / empanada? A nice variety and very eager to please staff led me to choose the Thai chicken empanada. While the flavor was great, the pastry was not as flaky as I would make myself, but delicious just the same. The cappuccino was perfect too! A quick and easy place to grab a bite for sure and definitely would revisit to try something new! Hmmm, maybe I should have taken home a dozen for dinner ... Next time!!!

    (4)

  • Juan V.

    Great empanadas. A small little place work seating outside. If you are interested in having great food at a very reasonable price, this is the place.

    (4)

  • Bria S.

    AMAZING EMPANADAS!! Got the Chicken Cilantro hot and fresh from the oven with a side of fruit salad. Very nice staff, cheap but very fresh and good quality food. Definitely want to come back to try the others! Simple, yet fresh and tasty! I don't eat Empanadas too often, but that's about to change now since coming here. They have a good variety from breakfast, lunch, or dessert Empanadas. Also great for a quick snack or light brunch ;-)

    (5)

  • Oanh L.

    I tried the Chicken Cilantro, Pizza, Spinach cheese empanada. My favorite was the Spinach Cheese. Chicken cilantro is a crowd favorite but not for me. The empanada crust wasn't as flaky as I'd like but this is probably just a different style of empanada. Workers here are super nice. It takes about 4-5 mins to get your empanadas because it's served nice and hot!

    (3)

  • david b.

    Boyfriend and I went here for a hangover lunch. Staff was very friendly, food was great, coffee drink was good and strong. Had lunch there, took more to go. Great place. I shall return.

    (5)

  • Glenn B.

    Oh man first bite I was sold! Flaky and the texture was perfect! I got the chicken and cilantro and traditional beef empanadas and the flavors were phenomenal. These were probably the best empanadas I've ever had! Even better than my native filipino empanadas that I grew up with. Additionally the sides were just as good as their empanadas. Definitely gonna come back for these empanadas when I'm craving one. So come get them here!

    (5)

  • Karen K.

    Discovered this place through Yelp and am definitely a fan. The empanada pastry is the right amount of thickness, flaky and not dry at all. The fillings are tasty. The service is friendly and fast. Also, they make a delicious café mocha and have a nice seating area with umbrellas. Tried the following on multiple visits - 1. Beef 2. Loco - spicy 3. Chicken Cilantro 4. Chicken and Mushroom - a favorite 5. Egg, Potato, Cheese - a bit plain, needed the hot sauce 6. Blueberry Peach - not too sweet I purchased additional flavors "to go" and am looking forward to try them. Heats up well in the oven. Try the hot sauce in the packets, not too spicy and compliments the empanada.

    (4)

  • Ron K.

    If you want an empanada then this is the place. They have a pretty big selection from spicy Thai to veggies or meat, and even fruit ones. The place is very chill and the prices very reasonable considering how big they are and handmade. The coffee is also very fresh and flavorful, even decaf which I normally drink. The staff is also very helpful and nice. My only slight complaint would be for them to make a vegan choice as an option. I'm not a cheese fan so wish they had that option. Other than that the empanadas are awesome and worth the trek. Now if I could figure out how to type an "enye" then my spell checker would behave.....However they are spelled go try one.

    (5)

  • Pete N.

    They have really good baked Peruvian Empanadas. If you come here in the mornings try their breakfast empanadas (egg & sausage or ham)...their other empandas (chicken cilantro, chicken mushroom and beef) are also a hit at this place! I think this place is owned by a Peruvian but the only knock on this place is if you buy 3 or 4 empanadas you'll be spending more than $15

    (4)

  • Jessica L.

    Big E. Is good! Been here 2 times and there's always someone either eating inside, outside or ordering to go. Everything I come, I end up ordering about 9 empanadas. They are easy to heat up at home and great for the next day when you don't want to cook. Add a salad from safeway next door and you have dinner. I like big e. because 1) the service is always friendly. they are mostly very efficient and patient with their order taking. The cute blond cashier is so nice and bubbly. She works on Sundays. 2) the empanadas are good and fresh! What I always get is the chicken cilantro. It's has a slight kick from the cilantro flavor and it's not dry like the spinach and cheese. Pizza is oh-so yummy!!! It's a Hot Pockets but 20 times better. For me, the chicken mushroom is just okay. I don't like the cream of mushroom taste. It seems to need some more spices or something. But hubby likes it. Do get the apple cranberry empanada. Again, like a McDonalds Apple pie but 20 times better. Today, along with my usual orders, I also ordered a ham and cheese, philly beef and peach blueberry but have yet to try them. Will report back on my assessment. For about 3.45 for each is not too steep. But you can make meal for 6.00. One empanada, small serving of salad and a drink. I saw a guy having his lunch meal while on his ipad. It's very comfortable in there to hang out for a quick bite.

    (4)

  • Lorena F.

    Love the empanadas and best lattes! I have been coming here for over 10 years and it's still a treat to stop in and get a treat!

    (5)

  • ryan b.

    Best empanadas. Period. Chorizo is my fav. Great coffee. Friendly service. What more could you want?

    (5)

  • Elsie G.

    Best empanadas in the area! I go there regularly. The prices are great. About $6 for a breakfast combo with an empanada, coffee, and choice of fruit or salad. Staff is friendly and efficient. Well deserved 5 stars

    (5)

  • Rachael S.

    I have been here twice and would say three stars is based purely of quality. The owners and staff are very nice! I decided to try them out again and can't say I'm happy I did. Honestly I think my pure love for traditional empanadas will always send me a skip up the street to milohas.

    (3)

  • Sam C.

    The service staff is incredibly friendly, and the empanadas are ridiculously tasty. My wife always gets the spinach and cheese, and I have the sausage, egg, and cheese. DELICIOUS! Watch out for the coffee, though - that stuff is potent and you don't need as much as you would at your average coffee house - everything at Big E really is bigger (and better).

    (5)

  • Melissa Y.

    Really good coffees and Empanadas!

    (4)

  • Jen O.

    I love this place. Everyone is so friendly and their coffee is really wonderful. The empanadas are fresh and delicious, give them a try!

    (5)

  • Dyan C.

    We love this place. We've had many of the empanadas and they've all been fantastic. The staff is super friendly and does a great job even when they are slammed (and they often are).

    (5)

  • Alea G.

    I found Big E Cafe because I had decided that the one thing my mom would really love to start her day with on Mother's Day was a brunch of empanadas. I wasn't wrong; she was incredibly happy. Taking advantage of the 15% discount, I ended up going with a dozen, plus a few. The woman helping me was incredibly helpful as I slaved over the hard decision of which empanadas to get and then wrapped and labeled them individually for me. Very much appreciated effort. Everyone there was seriously nice. The empanadas were delicious. I was a big fan of the breakfast ones and would have loved the beef one much more if I loved olives as much as I should. All in all, I was very impressed with the flavors they had. Favorite was probably the bacon and egg. They weren't as flaky as I would expected, but I think this is because it took a while for us to get around to eating them. We just threw them in the microwaved, but I think this was something an oven is better suited for. I should also note that these empanadas are filling. We probably each had 1.5-2 and that had us stuffed for almost the rest of the day. Only downside is that they are a bit pricey. I ended up running a high tab on the empanadas, but they were worth it.

    (4)

  • KïttïëS Z.

    Picked up lunch here a couple of times. There were no lines around 11:45am and the empanadas are heated up pretty quick. I have tried the pizza, Thai chicken, philly cheese steak, and egg and potato empanadas. All have been delicious! The pizza one was definitely my fav though. Staff is friendly and the place always looks nice and clean.

    (5)

  • Ryan Q.

    I love small businesses that really believe in their product. & the empanadas made here are definitely from the heart. Rich in Peruvian culture. The service was on point. I had a combo of the chicken cilantro empanada that came with a side of potato salad and a cup of coffee. The empanada was on point and I'm glad they had so many different choices of hot sauces. Definitely coming back to try more of their wide selection of empanadas. A great little niche to have in the South Bay!

    (5)

  • Valerie V.

    I love empanadas, and they are good. But it's not fully stuffed with filling. Maybe empanadas are made to be eaten right when it's done?

    (3)

  • Kyle D.

    A solid 3.5 stars. This little cafe is cute and quaint, definitely a mom and pop kind of place as prior reviews have mentioned. Not crowded nor pretentious in any way, Big E is the kind of place you'd take your mom or dad out to breakfast or brunch on just another Sunday morning. Their reheated empanadas are nice I suppose...just not "amazing" as the yelp rating would have led me to believe. And considering it was nearly a half hour drive to get here, I admit, I was expecting a mouthful of awesome. A friend and I shared four of their flavors. Spicy Thai Chicken: Not spicy at all. Very reminiscent of a chicken pot pie. Spinach & Cheese: Akin to maybe creamed spinach? Pleasant. Also veggie friendly! Chicken Cilantro: Their most "popular" item. Lots of onions, chicken and cilantro. A-Okay. Pizza: Their "newest" addition. Tasted like a pepperoni hot pocket to be honest. The pastry dough here is nice and flaky. Our empanadas were a bit on the luke warm side however -just a little bit more time in the oven and I think we would have had a better experience. The girl working here was super nice though! Overall, it was decent. But definitely not amazing enough to endure the commute.

    (3)

  • Nina K.

    Super random location, but one of the few places around here with bomb empanadas. Great service and very warm/kind vibes from the young girl and older woman working. Very affordable and great variety of options. Love it!

    (4)

  • Evelyn S.

    Amazing service. Workers were super helpful and very yummy, (the food, too. ;P) As I was looking at the case, they let me know they had fresh breakfast empanadas coming out soon. I had the bacon breakfast empanada with a black coffee- cheesy, warm...cozy :)

    (5)

  • Hao T.

    This place is awesome. Love the Thai chicken empanadas. Coffee and service is great too. A must try if you're in the neighborhood.

    (5)

  • Mark D.

    Found in the small plaza with Safeway this is inconveniently located around the corner. Offering fresh empanadas, Big E brings a new twist on a traditional cafe. We tried 3 different emps. The traditional beef was tasty, a little on the sweet side. The chicken cilantro was savory and bursting with flavor. the meat was finely chopped and a little on the dry side. The Pizza emp tasted very much like a calzone but my kid liked it.

    (3)

  • VANESSA H.

    Delicious the service was wonderful the food was delicious nice clean positive environment.

    (5)

  • Jenna I.

    Breakfast empanadas are delicious. I like the egg and ham one the best. The only problem is they take awhile to heat up, so if there is a line expect at least a 15 minute wait which isn't ideal on my way to work.

    (4)

  • Lori K.

    Big E Cafe has saved me on numerous occasions when I needed to grab something quick and inexpensive for lunch. I've tried just about all of the empanadas, but my favorite is the spicy thai chicken. They have other savory flavors, such as chicken & mushroom, chicken & cilantro, pizza, beef, and mediterranean. Their sweet empanadas are also pretty good. Last time I tried the peach empanada, which was similar to a peach pie. I've also recently tried one of their breakfast empanadas, which was really tasty. Their empanadas are packed with yummy ingredients and baked in a perfectly textured dough, which has a great flaky to chewy ratio. I highly recommend getting the empanadas warmed, whether you have them do it, or you pop them in your toaster oven at home. Savory empanadas run you $3.20-$3.40 and fruit ones are a little over $2. They also do combo meals, where you get 1 empanada, a side dish, and coffee for just under $6, or a 2 empanada combo for just under $9. Big E is also worth a stop if you're in need for a good cup of coffee. The food and coffee are great and the staff here are always pleasant and friendly. Overall, Big E is a great place to stop by if you're in or around the Safeway plaza.

    (4)

  • Kelly P.

    Amazing empanada place. After living in South America and basically surviving off of empanadas for a while, it is a food close to my heart, and I can be picky. I also prefer the baked kind over the fried or flaky pastry kind, which is what they serve here. The prices are decent, the empanadas are delicious (especially with hot sauce!), and it's a fast, easy thing to grab if you're in a hurry. I have become a regular here and my standbys are the Spicy Thai, Mediterranean, and Chicken Cilantro.

    (5)

  • Sandra A.

    I love coming here on my way to work. Always friendly service and great coffee. I'm so happy I found this place.

    (4)

  • Cindi M.

    So this is conveniently located next to Safeway. They make breakfast empanadas as well as serving coffee. The guy who services me each time, sorry don't know his name, is very friendly and helpful. I ordered a Meditarrian Empanada for the second time. It was much better the first time. Today, the spinich had a metallic taste to it. I also ordered a caramel coffee. The coffee was bitter. I've been here before and today was the first time disappointment.

    (4)

  • Ashish B.

    Went there because Starbucks in Safeway was busy. Glad I did - for two lattes - one regular and one with soy. The owner and his niece were there - they were very friendly - asked me if I had ever had an empanada before - when I said no - the owner treated me to one. That was a nice gesture. The coffee was thick and creamy and my wife loved the empanada. Good stuff all around - definite repeat

    (5)

  • Ana W.

    A small, friendly neighborhood-style coffee shop. It's nothing fancy, and not hectic. The counter girls were helpful in explaining the different empanadas to a first time visitor and patient in allowing me time to make my selection. The empanadas are reasonably sized and decently priced. I ended up taking out 4 or 5 different empanadas due to a Yelp deal. They were nice enough to individually wrapped each empanada and write the flavor on each one. It was thoughtful for them to write each flavor, since I didn't even ask them to do so. I'd go back again, even though I'm usually not in that neighrborhood.

    (4)

  • Craig D.

    I stopped in here for the first time ever today, I commute through the area and ended up in the parking lot on a lark. I plan to end up there deliberately in the future. The staff was great and the coffee was awesome. I had a "Keith Richards" because I needed a jolt and figured the name meant "Good things are to follow!' I think the name might be an understatement. I'm normally immune to the side effects of major infusions of caffeine and sugars, but this one put me on edge. Even over two hours later I'm still feeling the last tingles of the coffee rush this one created. If you are the sort who needslotsofoomphinyourjavanao this is the one for you. I'll try something else on my next stop, I don't need that much of a rush - but I am stopping again for sure. It was good and a sign that they know what they are doing.

    (5)

  • Gomerio G.

    Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner - Snack - Desert - Good Coffee.......Rare establishment with handmade Empanadas - usually a meat pie/ pasty - the style of E's are Argentine/ South American and they are made fresh daily. There are many types from breakfast variants to meat filled to desert to vegetarian. For less than the price of a fast food burger, you get handmade, tasty, goodness. The key to Empanadas is the crust, its a fine line, and probably as tricky as a Neopolitan pizza crust to get right. Slightly crispy on the outside, soft once bitten into.....these are baked, not the mexican style fried empanadas which are just not the same. I dont really want a bunch of Yelp drones snapping up the Empanadas from me when I want them, but I think these artisanal type of places need to be supported as I dont like supporting large corporate chain restaurants.

    (5)

  • Jared M.

    In my opinion this cafe is awesome!!! Staff is always so pleasant and welcoming. The gentleman who seems to be the owner always jumps in to hellp a guest out regardless of what he is doing. Did I mention the taste of coffee?? Delicious! I always get a mocha no whip and couldn't be more pleased. I've also recently tried there strawberry smoothie an d that was an excellent refreshment after my work out. All around I would recommend this place to anyone. Did I mention I drive 10 min in the wrong direction to indulge in this deliciousness??? Great place! Oh yeah they have empanadas!!!

    (5)

  • Tomes G.

    Need a wifi spot to do some work? Does the trick, in a pinch. They have homemade empanadas which are decent (although the lunch ones are very light on the inside... I would prefer to pay them a little more and get some more filling; the breakfast ones are decent enough) The wifi is fairly week. I tried to get on a skype call for work (no video, just audio) and the connection was pretty bad. My compatriot at the cafe was having problems working on his VPN when logging into a remote machine... we're not talking about major bandwidth here. Oh ya, and the music is pretty crap... they just play some hits radio station, with commercials, pretty consistently. Overall, it's pretty weak, but hey, if it's the closest one around, that's what you do.

    (2)

  • Samara S.

    Tasty empanadas for a good price and the owner is super friendly.

    (4)

  • Kenny L.

    Great place,better food than most of the overpriced junk found at other coffee shops.One disadvantage is the smoking and the fact that they need to get more shades--it can get pretty hot in there,even in winter.Also can get pretty noisy.of late this bald guy comes in and has loud phone conversations--and unfortunately if he is speaking Engliah,you can ehar him use the f word 7 times in one sentence!!Know when the hell to takeit outside!Jeez!

    (5)

  • Daniel P.

    If you were to take out all of the floor space needed for the tons of mostly useless retail items that make up your more famous, national chain coffee house and replace all of the sugar-based pastries with empenadas and focaccia bread sandwiches, you would have a small, cozy, and wonderful alternative called the Big E Cafe. Seeing the Big E across the street from where I get my hair cut, I decided to try it one time when I was a bit early for an appointment. Now, I make sure I'm early, and if I'm not, I just go after. There are all the coffee drinks you could want as good as anywhere else, and the food is actually quite a rare treat served up in a friendly, family style atmosphere.

    (4)

  • B E.

    Empanadas are not all that popular here in the US, but big in South America, especially Argentina and Peru, so I was happily surprised to discover Big E's and their amazing empanadas, as they are some of the best I've ever had. I tried several of them and they were all very delicious, starting with the dough, which is absolutely perfect! I highly recommend Big E and their awesome empanadas and if you don't know what an empanada is, you should definitely find out! :)

    (5)

  • Paul S.

    Tucked waaay back into a strip mall that is usually passed only by commuters trying to get to 85, this place actually serves up a mean cup of joe. Not too smokey and over roasted, nice pastry selection, and a friendly staff which really helps when you are in a hurry. The owner Ernie is a great guy, and goes out of his way to make his customers happy. I always hear him talking up clientele when I am sipping my latte and reading the paper. A good chill spot, if only a bit misplaced in location.

    (4)

  • Amy R.

    Both the coffee and empanadas here are amazing! They aren't really traditional Argentine empanadas, they are bigger and the stuffings are different. But the flavors are really creative and delicious, and the pastry crust is to die for! And the owner, Ernie, is super friendly and loves to chat.

    (5)

  • Kimmi H.

    It's great place to get your coffee and empanadas! The owner is very pleasant to talk with.

    (5)

  • Claire K.

    This sis my second trip there, the owner was very friendly and greets his customers.We had the combos and my friend had quiche which wasn't part of the combo, but they compensated and gave her a side dish..Joe made me an americano for the price of a regular coffee since the regular wasn't ready yet...Ernie added extra strawberries in my fruit cup..How's that for customer service??? food was fresh and good tasting..Will go back and try other varieties.. Keep it up...Wil definetely return...

    (5)

  • Ryan L.

    super yummy empenadas

    (5)

  • Tessa S.

    Excellent prices, excellent service, and excellent empanadas! I love the peach and blueberry one and the ham and egg for breakfast. Very affordable and something different every once in awhile!

    (5)

  • Wesley H.

    Went here for the second time ever this morning as I happened to be in the neighborhood. I am impressed that Big E Cafe has survived as long as it has because there is a Starbucks located in the Safeway in the same shopping center. The coffee is good (I have not tried any of their food) and the staff was nice. My only complaint is that after they make your drink and fill it up to the top, they don't put the lid on it for you. I had to perform a circus act to bring my coffee over to the counter to get a lid and not spill it on the floor. I can see myself going here for coffee more often and maybe try the food sometime too.

    (4)

  • Paul K.

    My wife and I go there at least 3x a month. Ernie (owner) is super nice. He has a passion for his delicious empanada. Place is simple but clean. Its comfortable place in the sense that you see the same customers and has a sense of community. I would give it 5 stars however minus 1 star cause if the empanada has to be warmed then the inside is only luke warm while the outside is hot. The uneven temperature makes it not has enjoyable as it can be. My recommendation is to get the empanada that was freshly out of the oven or if Ernie can buy a food warmer and keep it hot at all times. That is my only small complaint. Anyhow, grab a cup of coffee and empanada, take a seat, relax and enjoy.

    (4)

  • Ralph L.

    Nice place for coffee...the blueberry and peach empanada is delicious!

    (5)

  • Tom V.

    What makes this cafe different? They have amazing food! Most coffee shops have your usual bakery goods and a maybe a few sandwiches/salads but for people like me who are sick of the usual stuff, finding Ernie's Big E cafe was a huge find. They make fresh empanadas everyday with all kinds of stuff. It's got a great non-corporate cafe vibe to it and a nice place to get some work done.

    (5)

  • Sandra T.

    Great food. I got the lunch special, 2 empanadas a drink and a side for $8!! The beef empanadas I had were soo fresh and hot. I expected ground beef, but oh no they dont skimp, it was more like carne asada beef! The service was attentive and wicked fast. A new fave for sure!

    (5)

  • Julia C.

    Good deal but my empanada tasted like a hot pocket (the dough, not the filling). I like hot pockets, but I expect better from a made to order establishment.

    (3)

  • Pamela C.

    They are the Best empanadas I have ever tasted. I would recommend to everyone who likes empanadas.

    (5)

  • Nathan J.

    Great empanadas in a really mellow environment.

    (5)

  • Monica P.

    This is a lovely place and the empanadas are delicious... I strongly recommend to visit BIG E... you wont be disappointment.

    (4)

  • Pancho P.

    Ok, there are a few good things and a few bad things about this place. The Good: This place is typically pretty empty; it is good because it ensures that I usually have a table to study or what not. The drinks are pretty decent, not bad but not the best either. The Bad: The girls working here need an attitude adjustment. Sorry if you are reading this, but you're not cute and both need to act like your stuff doesn't stink. They play the music WAY too loud, the people that I have seen in here are usually middle aged people with families. They don't want to listen to your hip hop. Its not about what you want, its about what your customers want! The younger guy that works here is good, he is the only friendly person I have encountered here. Alternative: Go to Lime Tree Espresso down the street, better drinks, better service, better experience. Whether it is a family owned business or not you have to have rules or else customers will not like your place and you will have people (like me) writing a review on you to spread the word. Focus on the customers wants/needs and not on pleasing your employees 100%; its business...

    (1)

  • Varlin D.

    Good local coffee shop with great special coffees ...

    (5)

  • Megan P.

    Loving this place - cool concept too! Their empanadas were tasty and fresh, with great crust, and the customer service was excellent. Definitely look forward to returning.

    (4)

  • Victoria M.

    So I'm sitting in the office and my coworkers are eating their lunch. Why is it that when people eat in front of me I get so freakin' hungry? I mean I *just* ate lunch at home before getting into the office! Anyway, I got to use my Yelp Deal today at the Big E Cafe and got $10 worth of empanadas for only $5 what a deal!! This time I tried the Beef empanada and the apple blueberry empanada. The beef empanada was very tasty but I think it had kalamata olives in it which I'm not a big fan of, but regardless it was good! The apple blueberry empanada had delicious apples in it, wasn't too gooey, however it was lacking in blueberries! And if you know me, I love blueberries! I shared half of it with my friend Doreen, and although she liked it too, she kept saying KFC has better fried apple pies, hmm... Oh I also got a plain latte which I used a pack of stevia in, and I have to say they have good Lattes!!

    (4)

  • T V.

    Great coffee. Fabulous Empanadas. This place is a step up from the coffee chain shops with satisfying coffee in a neighborhood setting. The service here is excellent with friendly young staff and generous owner. I have come alone and with my family. I come for the coffee and empanadas while the kids enjoy the smoothies and hot chocolate. Lot of treats and free wifi in a comfortable setting.

    (5)

  • Austin J.

    I work across the street and I'll take Big E over Starbucks every day of the week, baby! Empanadas are stuffed full of goodness as well!

    (5)

  • Lisa B.

    Darned yummy spinach empanadas. And as noted by others the staff is nice.

    (4)

  • Genki R.

    This is my favorite coffee shop in my neighborhood. They use the organic coffee beans from the Barefoot Coffee Roasters, which is excellent. My favorite is mocha (hot). They make really good foam, so I recommend you order your espresso drink without whip cream. During summer, I also recommend Mocha Frappe. It is a cold drink with mocha and ice being blended. It's like a Frapccino at the Starbucks. I personally like their Frappe much better than the Starbucks' Frapccino, although the Starbucks makes great coffee/frapccino, too. Everyone is very friendly, which is nice, too. :)

    (5)

  • Rokgoo R.

    The drip coffee is just OK, but if you order Espresso or Latte etc. you will get a much more better coffee than Starbucks. The Wi-Fi is not fast but fine for regular browsing. The good thing is that this cafe is not crowded and you can find always a free table although it is a small shop.

    (4)

  • Nhat V.

    The coffee's good, not great. About what you expect for a decent coffee shop. The thing to get is the empanadas. Good service. A nice place o grab a bite and relax bit.

    (5)

  • Alyssa d.

    I loved this place. I kept seeing it on my way to work. I decided to give it a try. The traditional empanada is homemade and very good. Will be coming back soon!

    (4)

  • Thomas M.

    Revisiting this shop after a long break. The coffee by a new barrista is still well brewed and attractively presented. The owner has refined his empenadas to now be cook-to-order so they are even better. I highly recommend this independent coffee shop.

    (5)

  • Alejandra A.

    Got the Chicken & Cilantro Empanada as well as Beef Empanada with a Capuccino. The Empanadas were good, they had that South American Touch! Lived in South America and have to say that these empanadas are bigger then those in South America, but yet good. The prices are ok. Nice small cozy coffee shop place, recommended!

    (3)

  • Judy K.

    I noticed this place on groupon now deal and have been in twice. The food was fresh and tasty. I got a variety of empanadas and took them home and to share with two other family members so we could sample a little bit of each. I like all that I have tried. the employees are freindly and helpful. I will go back again and recommend it to others looking for something different that a burger or burrito for a take out meal.

    (4)

  • Anosha S.

    Cute little coffee place. They serve fair trade coffee. A great place to study, they have free internet access. Def a place I would go to for minimal distractions and noise.

    (4)

  • s r.

    I love this place. It's small, quaint, and the owner works there. The coffee is awesome! As good as Peet's, imho. They have comfy chairs and a couch for those who like to hang out and do work while sipping coffee. They have free wifi. It's password protected, but just ask for the pwd and they'll give it to you. I'm a consultant and work from home a lot. This is a good place to go for a change in scenery.

    (5)

  • Carey R.

    the empanadas are delicious! I just had the breakfast (ham and cheese) and I didn't know it would be so difficult to resist eating it in the car.

    (5)

  • AJ R.

    It's a cozy cafe. I never really had empanadas so much in my life but since I've worked so close to this cafe...sheesh I eat empanadas from there so often! My fave are the spicy thai chicken and the chicken & mushroom. The coffee is great, vanilla latte frappe is by far my favorite drink! Service is nice, ambience is great...and...well...they have such a comfy couch inside! I think I'll order a nice chai latte and sketch one afternoon while lazying around on that couch lol. Hopefully, it'll be raining :)

    (5)

  • wheatberry s.

    Although I only had coffee (they offer food/sandwiches/etc) it really was suboptimal. I can sort of understand if I walked into a coffeeshop during an "off" or odd time of the day and the coffee wasn't fresh, but I came during a normal hour on a weekend and found the coffee to be less-than-appealing. Not only did it taste watered down but it was extremely lukewarm.

    (1)

  • Tony T.

    I'm happy with the place. It's such a neighborhood coffee shop feel, but even better in that it serves empanadas. The service was a tad slow, but still good and friendly. I tried out the spinach and cheese and not disappointed at all. Very convenient being next to Safeway and I definitely need to head back out in the morning to try out the breakfast stuff and coffee.

    (4)

  • marcus J.

    My family and I regulary explore the culinary scene around the bay area (thanks to the help of yelp we have found many great spots). We all felt compelled to write a review about this eatery. So to be quick and frank; this place is terriable, the bad food is perfectly paired with the bad service. Save your time and money and find something else. If you are still compelled to come here to try the empanadas do your self a favor and pop a hot pocket in the microwave; you will be doing your taste buds a favor. Peace and happy eating.

    (1)

  • Jennifer H.

    we tried Mediterranean, spicy thai chicken and sausage and cheese empanada, not a fan for Mediterranean because i didn't like the olives/cheese, but the spicy thai and sausage ones were pretty good. the spicy sauce gave it a kick.

    (4)

  • Andrew L.

    good stuff

    (5)

  • Jill S.

    My husband & I have been regulars here for years. Our old house was only a few blocks from there and we used to hit this place on the way to Safeway or taking our daughter to the park. The owner, Ernie, is charming and he always has a big smile for his customers. I LOVE the empanadas, not to mention the FRESH bean they use. The only very minor, tiny complaint I have is when we order a cap, some of the staff (not Ernie!) tends to make it like a regular latte style. Someone there suggested we call it a "dry" cap and that seems to help. Anyway, if you are a coffee snob and care if your beans are fresh and sick of the coffee chain places you must come here. . Have NEVER experienced rude service either. Thinking back to to the baristas now...hmmmm.....i wasn't served by any gals, only guys (I think one might have been Ernie's son or something..not sure). Just wanted to point out you do have to give the baristas some slack ....remember, this isn't a chain place where they slam out crappy, stale espresso drinks FAST by using a (sad) automatic espresso machine. Therefore it will take longer to get your drink. They actually make espresso using proper espesso gear- meaning your drinks are "grind to order" from a burr grinder. We used to go here back in the days it was owned by someone else (Bar ney?) and the previous owner used to roast his own beans. I'm glad to see Big E still uses "freshly roasted" beans too. (I believe they now use Barefoot?). We have since moved to Almaden so we don't come in as often. I miss this place. I sure wish Big E would move over by us. They have a few open stores in the Almaden shopping complex on Meridan and Redmond--they currently have a coffee shop there but it doesn't light a candle to Big E's

    (4)

  • Marji M.

    Big E's is my favorite coffee shop -- and I frequent locally-owned shops all over South Bay (avoiding the corporate shops as much as possible.) I love being able to find a spot to work when I need wifi, but mostly I love how the staff knows me and other regulars -- they have been known to spot me outside in my car (finishing a phone conversation) and bring my drink to me in my car (they know my order, since I'm there 2+ times/wk -- and it was my buy-10-get-1-free drink, so no charge! but I did go back to give them a tip). oh - -and when I have had lunch there -- their empanadas are good...

    (5)

  • Susan H.

    My husband and I have been going to this place weekly for a year or so. Right now we go many times a week as their breakfast empanadas can't be beat and are the only eggs my toddler will eat. Their coffee is the best by far(better than starbucks or Peets) and the staff is very friendly, helpful. This a a place that you become a regular, you become part of the family. I like seeing the same customers, staff every visit...we now great one another as friends. I've also recently tried a couple lunch empanadas (the beef one and the Thai Chicken one - Thai Chicken is our favorite of the lunch items. We especially enjoy supporting a local independent business - Ernesto you're the best! Also, in response to the reviewer who critiqued the loud music and unfriendly staff...this must have been a rare occurence because i've never heard the music loud - its there but strictly in the background and my toddler loves it...I don't usually even notice it. I've also never had anyone there be rude - if anything they bend over backwards to keep their customers happy.

    (5)

  • Christine H.

    I LOVE empanadas. And I was really excited to try this place. The empanadas here are HUGE. My Order: *Spicy Thai Chicken- There was definitely a Thai-curry smell to them and a little hint of spiciness. The chicken was tender, but I don't know, I don't think I would order this again. It was lacking something, and I can't put my finger on it. *Chicken & Mushrooms-- once i took a bite, there was this smell that came out of it-- and it wasn't pleasant. Most likely, it came from the mushrooms. If you like mushrooms, order this; if you dont-- stay away. 2 stars for my experience with the 2 items I ordered. Next time around, I am coming back for the breakfast empanadas! Bacon, Eggs & Ham? Yes, please. Sausage, Egg, & Cheese? Double YES! Note: emapanadas $3.50

    (2)

  • Jennifer M.

    The empanadas here are delicious!! I get really excited about trying different favors so I went one day to get three different empanadas and a dessert empanada. My plan was to eat 1.5 empanadas for lunch, 1.5 empanadas for dinner, then eat the dessert empanada when I could. Beware! The empanadas here are super huge. I could only eat two empanadas that day. My favorite is the pizza flavor!

    (5)

  • Robert G.

    Excellent service. Friendly owner. Empanadas are wonderfully flavorful. Espresso is not as good as other cafés in the area. I routinely find grounds in the bottom of my mug. If they are able to address this issue and improve the quality of their pulls I would give them a high five star rating.

    (4)

  • John A.

    Their fruit empanadas were great! I went their after my eye appointment at the optometry place right next to it. I also tried their chicken curry empanada, because I'm a fan of chicken curry and this too was also good. The owner was really friendly.

    (4)

  • Christina Q.

    Seriously, I was never a really big fan of empanadas...until I stopped in here with my boyfriend for lunch the other day. I liked it so much that I actually came back the following day for lunch one more time before I headed back down to Orange County. First and foremost, the service was great. The people were really nice and really communicative and helpful. Secondly, it's clean, albeit a little small. Third, the coffee is pretty dang good here. Really aromatic and flavorful. Lastly, the food is delicious. I personally had the beef, spicy thai chicken, and the chicken and mushroom empanadas along with some artichoke salad. I was ware of the spicy thai chick because I've had some bad experiences with poorly executed fusion, but the flavors (I thought) were pretty legit. The chicken and mushroom was some creamy, mushroomy, chicken goodness. The beef was also really good. You could taste everything in it (the olives, the raisins, the onions, the meat) but nothing was overwhelming and it all went together really well as odd as olives and raisins sound going together. I 100% recommend this place!

    (5)

  • K F.

    I love everything about this place. Great coffee, food and warm service. This is my go-to breakfast spot.

    (5)

  • Mansie C.

    Found this place through a Groupon Now! Deal and will definitely come back again. The place was clean and felt warm and cozy. The empanadas are all $3.20. Just one of those and a iced frappe was a lovely meal. I believe that all the empanadas are quite tasty (though I've only tried three). I wish I had the chance to try the philly cheesesteak but that must've been quite popular since it was sold out and needed a 20 minute wait. My favorite was the spicy thai chicken but the chicken cilantro was a close second! I love the hot sauce that goes with it too! The frappe was a bit too sweet for me, but the coffee my mom tried was nice. One last thing: the owner was very friendly! Friendly managers/employees almost always warrant a high rating in my book. He came out to recommend some of his favorites and then asked us how we liked the food. Come try it!

    (5)

  • Lauren S.

    What a great little breakfast stop- absolutely outstanding in it's own cute and quaint style. No extra frills and great customer service! We probably came by later than most (1030am) and almost everything was sold out. I had the peach and berry empanada (sweet and delicious!) and my boyfriend had the bacon and egg (quite hearty for its size). We got a huge mocha that was ten times better than one from the Starbucks right next door; all for just about $10. We will definitely be back- hopefully before all the yummy stuff is gone!

    (4)

  • Dan E.

    Outstanding! Never been here and needed some coffee and a snack before an appointment and just stumbled on this place. Highly recommended! A cup of coffee, side salad and empanada for just over $6 - very affordable. They have three levels of coffee and decaf. I had the medium roast and was excellent. Along with that a spicy thai chicken empanada and artichoke salad. Great service, very clean, very friendly. Will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Alex L.

    I came here with a bunch of my friends today! I bought the Mediterranean Empanada and the Artichoke Salad for myself and the Apple and Cranberry Empanada for my sister. While my friend bought the Spinach Empanada and the Potato Salad. It's my first time here, but definitely not my last! The empanadas are AMAZING! I will definitely try the famous Chicken and Cilantro next time though, because the Mediterranean lacked that meaty taste.. LOL. & the artichoke salad was really good if you're into cold and sour vegetables! But I do regret not getting the potato salad for myself. I took a bite and I fell in love. The salad was not overpowering but it also wasn't bland. It was perfect! WILL DEFINITELY COME BACK!

    (4)

  • Chris M.

    Stopped here for coffee on my way to work. Coffee was good and the employees are nice and friendly (imho this is almost as important as the food, especially where coffee is concerned) Empanadas were hot out of the oven and very tasty. (Great on the go food.) The location is perfect. Easy in and out on my way to work.

    (5)

  • Alexandra C.

    We were very happy with our meal at Big E Cafe! As Peruvians we are happy that Ernesto has captured the authentic flavor of our country. Great food, friendly service, and a warm personal touch from the the cordial owner, Ernesto. We ordered the Traditional Peruvian Empanada, the Chicken and Mushroom Empanada and the Panzerotto Empanada. They were all delicious. We will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • David L.

    Been yearning for empanadas ever since leaving South America. This establishment certainly fills that void. The empanadas are awesome, very glad I found it. Added bonus, the staff is super friendly as is the owner, Earnie!

    (5)

  • S F.

    Fun little cafe that serves house made empanadas! they are bigger than the ones you would normally get in argentina, by like 50% The traditional beef empanada usually has chopped egg. the big E version substitutes raisins. super tasty, my fave of the bunch. Spinach and cheese version is like creamed spinach stuffed inside. tasty but unexpected. the chicken and cilantro has a tomato-y red sauce. tasty but distant 3rd.

    (4)

  • Tee S.

    Finally got in here to try the empanadas. Cost effective for sure, a lunch special with one or two of your choice, a side salad and coffee or cold beverage. I tried two and believe it came to around $8.00. The texture of the empanada's is great. Perfect. The fillings are to your liking. I went for the Thai which did not twinge me as Thai flavors. Basil, lemongrass or so. Chili was prevalent which liked as love heat but anyway. Family run cafe, wifi, some sports memorabilia on the walls. Nice little jaunt nestled in a strip mall with Safeway.

    (4)

  • Sandy K.

    This is my "go-to" coffee/breakfast joint Love this place for their empanadas AND coffee! My personal favorites are the ham egg and cheese empanada and the chicken and cilantro. The owner and staff are very friendly as well which is a definite plus. .

    (5)

  • Matthew M.

    Empandas !!! this place is Hella chill and the staff is awesome

    (5)

  • Rami S.

    Love it! great coffee, very nice service and personal touch, great empanadas... if you're around - it's a great place to stop buy, have a cup of coffee and relax :)

    (5)

  • paula m.

    Went there again today for my 3rd day in a row. Words can not explain my new found obsession for the empinadas and lattes. "The foam is amazing and worth the trip for those who do not live close by."

    (5)

  • Miriam F.

    I am so happy to have found a real Peruvian empanada place in San Jose. I tried the meat empanada and it was delicious. Minced meat instead of ground meat. Awesome! The flavors and seasonings great. I would just add light some power sugar on top and served with a little piece of lemon(lime) to truly resembled it to the ones I used to eat in Peru. Also, a smiling front person wouldn't hurt. All in all, loved the beef empanada. I will definitely come back for more :)

    (4)

  • Booger D.

    Good stuff with nice service. Lattes are a bit too not but well made otherwise. Breakfast empanadas for lunch are great!

    (5)

  • Abby L.

    I finally had a chance to stop in at Big E Café yesterday and I'm glad I did. My mom and I have been making empanadas from scratch since I was a kid, but these days it's been tough for me to find the time to do so. The empanadas I had here were probably the next best thing to making them myself. I had the chicken cilantro and the pizza empanada, both of which were fresh and delicious. The fillings are tasty and the crust is flaky and flavorful. I will go back again today so that I can pick some up for my husband. We will be regulars at Big E café for sure!

    (5)

  • Charles C.

    Im not a big breakfast guy, but my son loves this place. We end up getting him something from here every week. The workers are nice and im sure we will continue going.

    (4)

  • Veronica C.

    I wanted to like this place because of the great reviews. And I have to say, the service here was top notch. I'll start with the great: I came in looking through the display at all the different empanadas, and couldn't decide. The owner (I'm assuming) came out with a few more empanadas and told me he had more in the back for the empty plates that he still needed to refill in the display, and also had more that were freshly made. They had quite a variety: beef, spinach and cheese, chicken mushroom, philly cheese... I decided to go with the traditional beef, since I haven't found one quite like the ones I've had in Argentina. It's nice they used real cuts of steak, but I was craving a flakier crust and I wished the olives were chopped up in smaller pieces (they were whole). There was a good amount in the filling though, never an empty bite. I also got a small mocha for a grand total bill of $6.70. The mocha was just okay, was hoping for it to be a little stronger, but I liked that it wasn't too sweet. They did have some combo meals, but wish they had one for my coffee/empanada combo.

    (3)

  • Michelle T.

    I came here because of the groupon deal, but I am definitely going to come back here. The service is A+, he was really patient with me selecting which empanada I wanted. Plus when I ordered my iced tea to be sweetened, he was totally cool which flavor I wanted and when it wasn't sweet enough, he was super happy to put more in. I would give this 5 stars for service. Food wise, I would give more of a 3.5-4 stars. I really enjoyed the crust of it, super nice and flaky how an empanada should be. I got 3 types: Philly Cheese Steak, Chicken Mushroom, Thai Chicken. Philly Cheese Steak: It was okay...it needed some hot sauce to spice it up. Thai Chicken: It was also okay, didn't have as many spices as I would've liked Chicken Mushroom: THIS IS DAH BEST! It was super flavorful and creamy. This one was my favorite. Totally would recommend this. I'm sure the other empanadas were great, but it was just not my taste. If you enjoy bold flavors go with the Chicken Mushroom. :D!

    (4)

  • Rhonda B.

    Always supper friendly service and great variety if breakfast items.

    (4)

  • Little J.

    The food was pretty yum! I wanted the spinach and cheese one, but halfway through, I realized I probably shouldn't be finding olives and mushrooms, and brought it up to the front, just to let them know and not mix up future orders. The manager was there and told me that the one I had was the Mediterranean. He apologized and insisted that he get me a refund so I can come back and try the one I wanted. Nicest people ever!!! And the vanilla milkshake was delicious :)

    (5)

  • Jessica M.

    Thank you for the Peruvian beef empanadas today Ernie! I ate them for lunch at the office accompanied with an ice cold coca-cola. Delicious!

    (5)

  • Meenakshi R.

    The empanadas here are just delicious! They have such a wide variety and each one is scrumptious! The man behind the counter was uber friendly and gave us delicious samples to try when we could not deide between all the yummy flavors! I totally crave them eevn though they are totally out of my way! Reminded me of Porto's Bakery in Southern Cali! YUMMM

    (5)

  • Scott M.

    Great for breakfast when on the go, quick service and the variety of empanadas fill you up. Sausage and egg gets my vote as the favorite. Yummy!

    (4)

  • Charlie M.

    This place is a true gem! The coffee was great, and the spicy Thai chicken empanadas were incredible.

    (5)

  • Esther Y.

    Super nice owner! And delicious empanadas! Sign up on the mailing list to get an empanada free, and watch for their deals everywhere (daily deals sites, Yelp coupon, check-in offers). They definitely are up with the times with social marketing. :) I'll definitely be back for some more sweet empanadas...the apple and cinnamon one is amazing. Most of the savory empanadas have cheese, and I hate cheese, so I didn't try any...there are 1 or 2 that don't have cheese but they were sold out when I tried to go in.

    (5)

  • Laurel P.

    Big E's is like the Cheers of the breakfast world, where everybody knows your name. My husband and I stop in every Sunday morning on our way over to the dog beach. They always recognize us and because my order never changes they start making it as soon as they see us walking in. The level of service is quite up to par it really just makes you feel loved! We haven't come across an empanada we don't like at this place. I usually order the mediterranean or spinach and cheese but we've tried about half of them with no complaints. Hands down, this is the best coffee in the Bay! If you really want to treat yourself get the iced mocha. The coffee they use is exceptional and then top it off with some Ghirardelli chocolate...it's the perfect way to enjoy the ride over 17 to the beach. I've really grappled with writing a review for them because I don't want it to become inundated with the thousands of annoying patrons around the bay who have driven us out of other local joints but I'll be unselfish this time because they deserve the shout out... Just leave early Sunday mornings to us!! ;o)

    (5)

  • Tracy J.

    Their Empanadas is really good and fresh. You can smell it when they are baking it in the kitchen behind the counter. I always order the mushroom chicken one. YUMMY!!!! Don't forget to ask for hot sauce. If you want, you can order the empanadas togo and toast in your own toaster oven. I believe it is 350F for 6-7 mins. Anther plus for them is their coffee. Very good thick foam for the latte. They have a few table for you to sit, eat and relax. (kinda tiny though) Also, they have free wifi (ask the couter for password) !! Love Big E Cafe!!

    (4)

  • Doreen T.

    I've eaten here several times and haven't been disappointed yet. So far I've had the spinach empanada and the Mediterranean empanada. Both were very good and I'm looking forward to trying the others. The lunch special #1 (empanada, side, and drink) is the perfect size - small enough that I can finish and large enough that I'm full. I will defiitely be back here again!

    (5)

  • Omeed B.

    Lived not even half a mile from this place for almost 10 years and finally tried it after reading the Yelp reviews. Very friendly customer service and a very well kept store. I dropped in to pick up some breakfast empanadas for the family no a Friday. Everyone liked them so much I picked them up for a snack on Saturday. The empanadas are tasty and a perfect size for a quick breakfast or an afternoon snack. I do not eat meat and my favorite so far has been the Spinach and Cheese. Another nice veggie option is the mediterranean which has spinach and olives. My wife and kids are carnivores and tried a bunch of different ones. Their favorites are the breakfast bacon, eggs, and cheese and the lunch Chicken Cilantro. I highly recommend this place, so glad I finally went in after all these years.

    (5)

  • Luca R.

    BigE (big empanada) is an awesome cafe. The owner Armando is super nice an his handmade empanadas are the best of SJ. At lunch you get 2 empanadas a small salad and a drink $6.25 . Great deal. Plus their espresso also rocks 100% Italian!!! Take my word on that :) ... and they also have free unlimited wifi and couches + sofas - so you can come with your laptop and browse the net while slouching ...

    (5)

  • Mike N.

    The review is this. Coffee vanilla latte Awesome Empanadas Bacon. Meh Potatoes and egg. Awesome Ham and egg Good Sausage and egg wife did not like son did . Much better eaten right away. We will be back to try the rest! Owner was very friendly and nice. Gave good advice for where to get Peruvian ceviche Isabella's on Winchester

    (4)

  • Luchie d.

    Tasty breakfast empanadas and great coffee.

    (4)

  • Linda H.

    Ernesto and his crew are always friendly, the empanadas delicious, coffee & espresso yummy. been coming here for years.

    (4)

  • Chantel G.

    All the positive reviews of this restaurant are accurate; this cafe is awesome! The person running the store explained all of the empanada varieties. We got beef, chicken & cilantro, and Mediterranean. He even gave us a peach and blueberry dessert empanada for free! We were blown away by the friendly service and the empanadas were really tasty (the empanada crust is sooo delicious!). We'll be back for sure!

    (5)

  • Pat V.

    Great place for Peruvians empanadas! I just "discovered" this place few days ago. I already tried the chicken and cilantro empanada and the beef empanada, both delicious! Love theirs lattes too, and the prices are very reasonable.

    (5)

  • Greg B.

    I stumbled across this local neighborhood cafe while searching for alternatives to Starbucks. Found the hot coffee to be refreshingly different and satisfying, while there I happened to notice all the food offerings including fresh Empanadas available. Ended up heading back a few days later to pick up a few for dinner and boy, was I happy I did! I opted for the double Empanadas meal with both the Spicy Thai Chicken and Traditional Beef options.. both were tasty but Beef won the matchup. Pairing those with fresh artichoke heart salad made for quite a meal. This place may be rather obscure in a busy strip mall, but it's a gem and I would definitely recommend checking out if nearby.

    (4)

  • S H.

    I started going to Big E's a few weeks ago because of a response to a review I wrote on another coffee joint down the street. The drinks are geared a little more towards my tastes (strong, caffienated) and not towards the soy, non-fat blah-blah crowd. Prices are in line with most every other coffee joint. The barristas are easy on the eyes but pretty aloof. The owner (Ernie) seems like a pretty laid back guy. So far my favorites are the "Red Eye" and the "Keith Richards"

    (4)

  • Tiffany E.

    Probably the best place to get empanadas in the south bay

    (4)

  • O H.

    The empanada's are just ok, not great, but ok. I have had them in Miami, New York, Puerto Rico, Central America and South America.

    (3)

  • Pete D.

    I love this place and go out of my way every morning to make a stop by here before heading to work. The coffee and specialty drinks are good and reasonably priced. I just tried the eggnog latte, and although fatty as all get-out, it was delish. In fact, I came back the next day desperate for a second fix and although they were out of the eggnog, the girl behind the counter ran over to Safeway and bought some more while I was waiting! Talk about customer service. :) What truly sets this coffee shop apart from your run-of-the-mill joint is the proprietor, Ernesto May, and his specialty -- EMPANADAS. This dude must have been touched by the empanada gods because he can fix them like nobody's business. They've got breakfast empanadas with egg & cheese and your choice of either bacon, ham, or sausage. There's fruit empanadas, chicken, and more. I know he caters too, so I may have to hit him up for a work event or something sometime.

    (5)

  • Matt W.

    Good coffee and really enjoy the empanadas.

    (5)

  • Jeremy G.

    This is a good, comfortable, neighborhood coffee shop. When I stopped by here last week, for the first time, the guy working there was very friendly and made me a really tasty cappuccino. The espresso was good and the foam was near perfect. I really like that they serve food too. I didn't have time to eat, but most coffee shops only have pastries without much in the way of breakfast or lunch food.

    (4)

  • Pauline P.

    the coffee and empanadas are great here! I recommend the lunch combo with the artichoke salad. It's excellent and very decently priced.

    (5)

  • David N.

    Try to stop by any time i am in the area. The empanadas are very tasy and similar to Pizza My Heart they warm them up in the oven (not Microwave) as soon as you order. . I also enjoy the variety of coffee that they offer. The owner seems like a really nice guy. The Girls working the front are always nice too.

    (4)

  • J C.

    I have noticed this place before, but every time I wanted to stop by for some coffee, it would already be closed. Anyway, I took a stroll w/ a couple of friends and decided to check this place out. I had ordered the Sausage Empanada w/ a Mocha Banana Frappuccino and was able to sample the Spicy Thai Chicken Empanada. All I have to say is, "OMG!!!! The Big E Cafe is my new favorite place." I will definitely drive 40 minutes just to have their awesome empanadas. Thank you Ernie for your generous hospitality! The upside down e w/ a smile is such a blessing. See you again soon! If you all haven't tried this place, then I highly recommend that you do. Make sure to ask for the Secret Sauce. =)

    (5)

  • Denise L.

    Gotta love the mom and pop shops! Support them wherever you go! :) Met Ernesto on Saturday, and he gave me the low down on their store and their history. He really does put everything into this shop, and it's amazing that their hard work has attracted so many people to drink their coffee and eat their delicious empanadas. I finally got a chance to eat their spinach and cheese, and I'll definitley be getting these more often. So delicious. It's almost like creamed spinach with some cheese and garlic nestled into the flaky dough. I also received the thai chicken as a treat, but sadly, I have not tried it yet, but will be trying it tonight! This is a great place for a quick snack/meal and a cup of joe. As Ernesto said, the empanada is a perfect meal to eat while driving for those on the go. So glad that this place is in my neighborhood.

    (5)

  • Michael I.

    My wife picked up a large order last week for her coworkers. The order was ready when promised and the staff friendly and helpful. Her coworkers loved the empanadas! Thank you big e's

    (5)

  • Cynthia L.

    Short summary: Tasty empanadas, nice staff, homey I'll keep this short: go here, order an empanada (recommend the chicken and cilantro or the Mediterranean one), maybe get a cup of coffee. Enjoy. Tip: Ask for the hot sauce. The place is local, staff is friendly, and they get some supplies from other local businesses. The owner is regularly there and chill. Outdoor and indoor seating.

    (4)

  • Tatiana G.

    I can't believe I haven't reviewed Big E's!!! Being South American I naturally am always in search for empanadas. I Came across Big E's a few years ago and have been ordering empanadas as a pre-thanksgiving treat for my employees for two years now. I call ahead the order and just pick up trays of warm and delicious empanadas in the morning. Everyone is always friendly, efficient and the empanadas are on point! There are many to choose from during lunch time, but the breakfast ones are delish. Will definitely be trying other flavors. Woohoo for on empanadas in the South Bay!!!

    (5)

  • Matt R.

    An empanada is like a calzone--a half-moon-shaped turnover stuffed with your food items of choice. I tried the Thai chicken and the basic breakfast empanada. The Thai chicken is billed as spicy, and it had just the right amount of spice. The dough on the chicken empanada was falling apart, but I may have been too eager to dive in rather than wait for it to cool down. The mocha was outstanding. Friendly service, but ventilation was poor. The empanadas are baked or heated in an oven, which causes the inside of the cafe to get hot. If you're looking for a quick bite and good coffee, you may enjoy the Big E Cafe.

    (4)

  • Christine B.

    Spinach ricotta is amazing! Also got a taste of the apple dessert from the owner! Great spot for breakfast or a fun snack!

    (4)

  • Pebbles L.

    One word: AMAZING. All their empanadas are soooooooo good. Flaky, crispy, warm... Whoever calls these babies merely "hot pockets" are entitled to their own opinion, but you will never know unless you try them for yourself! Top 2: MUSHROOM CHICKEN & BLUEBERRY PEACH Staff is SUPER friendly too, btw. Need I say more? :)

    (5)

  • Tiffany C.

    I've been here twice just to be sure and both times have been just "eh". These empanadas aren't cheap or delicious. I've tried to spinach and cheese, thai chicken, lomo, beef, and one of the breakfast empanadas. For all of them I I thought the crust would be flakier like a croissant but really, it's like a step above a hot pocket. The fillings aren't particularly juicy/flavorful either but at least they're less salty than a hot pocket. Thai Chicken is probably my favorite out of all those tried because it tastes like a chicken pot pie. Too dry to be a great chicken pot pie though.

    (3)

  • MaryFran L.

    For less than a pastry and coffee at one of the chains, you can have a fine coffee drink and fresh made empanada. Nice sitting outside with lots of regulars so you know they must be doing something right. Great eggs and... empanada makes a nice start to the day. And you'll feel good supporting an independently owned local business.

    (5)

  • Judy D.

    This place is an excellent value for breakfast! They've raised their prices recently but you can still grab a cup of delicious coffee and filling breakfast empanada for under $5. I've only had the chicken and cilantro one other than breakfast, which wasn't as good as breakfast. The chicken was bit on the dry side. If you stick with the breakfast though you won't be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Marina D.

    While the empanadas were tasty and the filling choices aplenty, the crust is dense like pie crust. I would like something more light and flaky. Had the chorizo and spanikopita-like empanadas. Nice flavor.

    (3)

  • Robert H.

    Great coffee, friendly staff, and empanadas to die for! Come for the coffee and the fact that they're close to Safeway when you're done shopping and stay for the wide variety of freshly crafted unique empanadas

    (5)

  • Meepzor S.

    You know as soon as you walk in that this place is great because it's full of regulars, with whom the staff are exceptionally friendly and cheerful. The empanadas are unique and flavorful, and the service is fast! In particular the mushroom chicken, cilantro chicken, and Thai chicken were delicious. Will certainly be coming back to this neighborhood hangout for my empanadas and coffee.

    (5)

  • Andrew C.

    I went for lunch with my wife on a whim and was very unexpectedly surprised with how great the food is here. We tried the beef, chicken, Thai, and peach empanadas and everything was satisfyingly tasty. The chicken wasn't quite as good as the others but that's nitpicking (i.e. Yelping). Their coffee was also super smooth and refreshing, I might even like it better than Philz (depending on which barista I get there). Ok enough foodie snobbishness from me, check this place out!

    (5)

  • Mark D.

    Based on a recommendation by a friend, I bought 8 empanadas (5 different fillings) for the family. With the exception of the one filled with beef, they were all tasty and fresh. The lady (owner?) who helped me was extremely helpful and pleasant. She individually packed the empanadas and wrote down the type on the bag. She also gave me reheating instructions once I told her I would not be eating them right away. The only reason I could not give it 5 stars is because I think they are a bit pricey. I realize it's a locally owned business and everything is freshly made but $3.40 per empanada (not all that big in size) is expensive. I would suggest at a minimum, they offer a discounted price if you're buying more than half dozen. My 8 empanadas came out to be $30.

    (4)

  • Liza H.

    I'm obsessed with these empanandas.. I casually stumbled into this place after I left from a manicure next door and been hooked since then.. Their Chicken Cilantro empanada is fantastic, and I always get the Chicken Mushroom and the Beef empanada (what can I say, I love all three). They're not only delicious but filled to the brim and perfectly baked.... The staff is always very helpful and friendly and Ernesto (the owner) is very kind and welcoming..

    (5)

  • Kayla G.

    My new favorite! Everyone is so friendly and the empanadas are to die for, along with their Carmel latte. Definitely, a great find!

    (5)

  • Tiffany L.

    Soooo many delicious empanadas!!!! And I love that they have Inca Kola to go with it. The Thai Chicken empanada is delicious. Yuuuuummy

    (5)

  • Christine C.

    First time here! I got the spinach and cheese empanadas. It was really good! The owner is really nice and gave us a free blueberry empanadas too :)

    (5)

  • Eva L.

    I heard about Big E cafe and their empanadas for a long time. Finally I was near this place around lunch time, decide to get some empanadas to go. I got four different ones, beef, Lomo, chicken and spinach. They are all so delicious!!!! The price is very reasonable, $3.55 plus tax. I tried empanadas at quite a few places in south bay. This place is definitely the best.

    (4)

  • QuitYerSnivelin W.

    Been coming here for years and I love it! Friendly service. Comfortable environment. GREAT coffee and empanadas!! My favorite empanada is the Mediterranean. WiFi available for customers as well. Great place! :)

    (5)

  • Rachel W.

    Great find. Staff was SUPER. Friendly. Found this on yelp and wanted to try. The dough is great texture, flaky and tasty. I had the beef - which is really good. My husband had the bacon and egg empanada. We also ordered the lomo- which we are saving for later. When asking about the different flavors- our mouths were watering by the third description! Coffee was great as well. And we were do surprised when our waitress gave is the pizza empanada as "first time customers". What a treat!! Can't wait to try the fruit empanada as the blueberry one looked delicious. Overall , this is a great hidden gem- friendly family atmosphere and everyone is welcomed like family members. Definitely will strive to become a regular here and try every flavor. You can beat fantastic foods AND excellent service.

    (5)

  • Arya L.

    I LOVE THIS PLACE. I literally come here several times a week because their coffee and chai are great, their empanadas are delicious and addicting, their customer service is friendly. I love supporting local businesses which are rare to find in San Jose. I totally recommend coming here, they are the best! Only recommendation for improvement, I miss those peach empanadas. Bring them back!

    (4)

  • Cris C.

    What can I say... every Empenada I have tried has been soooo good! From the breakfast to the lunch empenadas. The coffee is hands down better than Starbucks! Oh did I mention the sweet empenadas? You have to go and try one and you'll understand.. They have indoor and outdoor seating, plus WiFi. Big E Cafe is a must!!

    (5)

  • Monica G.

    The pizza empanada is so freakin' good! They make everything fresh here, and they really care about quality. The staff is super friendly and nice. I came here to work for a couple of hours, and when I had a work meeting to call into, the staff was happy to oblige in turning the music off. They even offered to change the station, but I didn't know of a nice background music station in this area. The wifi works pretty well here too. Great place to spend a couple hours in. Good coffee, good food, and great atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Carolyn F.

    There sausage and egg empanadas are sooo delicious. This is a great cheap, quick breakfast option. Friendly service as well.

    (5)

  • Anu M.

    After purchasing the Yelp deal, we came here for brunch. The coffee shop has several chairs and tables inside, a comfortable couch and a couple of chairs/tables in the outdoor area. I am amazed by the varieties of empanadas that they have. We ordered Chicken & Mushroom empanada and Spinach & Cheese empanada. Very tasty! Their coffee and white chocolate mocha was awesome too! Looks like they have free Wifi as well.

    (4)

  • Divya R.

    Perfect for breakfast brunches and lunches... Love this place. Definitely on my top ten. Women in the cafe are super friendly!

    (5)

  • Danny Z.

    Friendly service the minute you walk into the place. The empanadas look great and it's hard to choose just from reading their descriptions because they all sound delicious. Picked the spinach/cheese and Thai chicken. Thai chicken was deliciuos - great spices. The other has a lot of spinach - so, as long you like spinach - you'll appreciate it. The casings on the empanadas are just right - strong enough to hold the dense contents, but yet light enough to flake as you bite into them. Tried the strawberry smoothie and it was great as well.

    (4)

  • Sheenae H.

    Dropped in with a BOGO coupon from the Entertainment book today. Ordered two empanadas to fulfill the BOGO, but I think I would have been full after one. The chicken and cilantro one was tasty on its own. The beef one was a little on the sweet side, which I'm personally not a fan of, so I used some of the hot sauce they provided and it was delicious. I also ordered a Coke, and I was pleasantly surprised when the owner used the espresso machine to blast clean the top of the can before giving it to me. Thoughtful! I always wipe my can tops off with a napkin, so it's nice to see a business owner also concerned about hygiene! Chill environment... if I were still a student I would come here to study.

    (4)

  • Maribel M.

    This empanadas are good don't give them 5 starts because home made are better, but if you don't want the hard work definitely this is the best option. Chicken empanadas and lomo are the best

    (4)

  • Chi W.

    Popped in here for an empanada. The guy behind the counter is super cool and friendly, he helped me pick out my empanada- the chicken mushroom one. It took about 6 minutes to warm up. There are cafe-style little tables and chairs indoors and outdoors to eat at. The empanada was delivered to my table and it was delicious! I thought it would have a more mushroomy flavor for some reason though, when I looked in the empanada I saw that it was made with canned mushrooms. ehhhh... Put some fresh mushrooms in there and I'll give it 5 stars. I'd come back to try the other empanadas too. I don't know of any other empanada place around here but I def know a good empanada when I taste one! Use fresh produce and these empanadas will be legend! At least fresh mushrooms! ¡Fresco champinones por favor señor!

    (4)

  • Alex S.

    Love this place.

    (5)

  • Bao N.

    Every time I get a coffee drink from here, I'm reminded of why I shouldn't go to Starbucks! Got an iced skinny vanilla latte that was incredible! Almost tasted like Vietnamese iced coffee because of its richness. My 4 year old loves the breakfast empanadas. Great food and drinks, and supporting local business- what more could you ask for?

    (4)

  • Michele C.

    My favorite empanadas are the Thai chicken,Mediterranean,spinach and cheese and beef.I like things with spice in them(though none of these are very spicy!!).Hot sauce is supplied if you need a little more zing and vitamin C on your empanada.Fruit ones are available if you want something more like a dessert.There are often bananas available if you just want something simple,and if you get your coffee in a mug,you get free refill--from 4 different varieties!I hate disposable dishes anyway,so that's fine by me.

    (5)

  • Kiran V.

    I Absolutely Love these Empanadas!!! I gotta say they are the best I've ever eaten. Everyone there is kind and very inviting. The service is amazing and there are old school board games to play while you wait or just want be reminded of your childhood. Over all I would definitely recommend this cafe:)

    (5)

  • David B.

    Happy to support local, independent businesses delivering great taste & value. I've seen it around, but I don't go this direction for breakfast typically. Had the Sausage Empanada & an Americano. Good eats on the cheap! They will definitely give my favorite bagel shops a run for my breakfast dollar.

    (5)

  • Carlos S.

    Excellent empanadas, try the panzerotta...it is fabulous. The coffees are great, especially the Keith Richards. Must try.

    (5)

  • Rosalynn D.

    Empanadas? More like hot pockets. Empanadas were dry. Nothing special.

    (2)

  • John J.

    I have nothing bad to say about Big E Cafe. Their empanadas are the size of the palm of your hand. They are crispy and meaty. I like them. I had a Yelp deal that I wanted to redeem via a screenshot on my iPod Touch. The owner Ernesto took it, because I promised to email him the receipt since he wanted to have a printed copy. Naturally I fulfilled my promise the same day. Ernesto is a good man, and I wanted to try new food for not that much money. I think I got a very good deal at Big E Cafe.

    (4)

  • Joseph N.

    Small family owned but very good!! Good prices, freat people working there and great food! I came once for coffee and left with 4 different empanadas! I come all the time now because this place never upset me once!! MUST TRY!

    (5)

  • Barbara C.

    After my first purchase of empanadas here, I've been back a few times. Would be more if it were closer to me. But I'm just glad to find a place for empanadas this side of Buenos Aires! And they're delicious.

    (4)

  • Joyce L.

    I was actually looking for a mom&pop coffee shop to try before work today and wandered into this place. What got me was the empanadas, not your typical coffee shop offering. This totally seemed like an interesting way to start the morning. Being vegetarian, I'm typically accustomed to having 1 option on the menu, making it very easy to choose. This place has THREE vegetarian empanadas, 1 breakfast and 2 good for anytime types. I had such a hard time choosing, the owner let me have one on the house just to try. He gave me his honest opinion on which was a better seller and which was what he preferred. I went with the breakfast empanada & the mediterranean. They were both SOO GOOD!!! Not only was the food fantastic, the workers there were friendly and inviting. I'm definitely stopping by again soon! Next time I'm actually going to get coffee too!

    (5)

  • S B.

    What a nice find. I stumbled across this place one morning and I was taken back by the aroma of fresh empanadas. I vowed to return and I am glad I did. That was a great little snack! But, the service I've received here has been awesome too. I will be back to try something new as soon as I get the chance.

    (4)

  • Jennifer W.

    I stopped in here to grab a bite with coffee since there's been great reviews on yelp. I chose the savory empanadas over the sweet ones. Like everyone, I had to try the empanadas and the coffee...I had the Thai chicken empanada and the beef empanada with coffee. Waited for 5 minutes for the staff to warm it up. They both were good. I was surprised about the raisins and olives in the beef empanada though. Either way, I loved both. Coffee was good like everyone said. Couldn't be happier!!! Will stop by again!

    (4)

  • Vanessa L.

    Their empanadas are soooo good! I got the pizza empanada and a side of fruit salad for the lunch combo. You can get a coffee or a coke to go with your combo or you can upgrade it to a latte or any of the caffeinated drinks. I got the vanilla latte and let me tell you, I will be going here for breakfast whenever I can now because their food and lattes are so much better than Starbucks'.

    (5)

  • J C.

    Located right off the Camden exit on the 85N, Big E is located next door to the Safeway. It's extremely easy to find. Their #2 lunch special (2 empanadas, a side and a coffee) for a little under $10 is a great value! I ordered the beef and the spinach and cheese and both were equally delicious! I also ordered 2 to go for later: chicken cilantro and Mediterranean. Empanadas I've had in the past were always filled with minced ingredients; Big E's were filled to the brim with whole ingredients (beef, olives, onions, cheese, spinach, etc.) that were easily identified. The crust held all the ingredients and despite the fact the filling was nice and juicy, it didn't leak through the crust or soften it one bit - awesome! I've had El Porteno's empanadas and while those are equally tasty but 10 cents more and half the size of Big E's, it'd make sense to go with the better value. The girl at the counter and Ernie (the owner?) were really friendly and I even got to engage with Ernie in a conversation for a few minutes about Peruvian cuisine. I love mom/pop establishments like these which are unpretentious, provide a great value for their goods and services and friendly environment. If I'm in the area or craving some yummy empanadas, Big E's is definitely the place to go!

    (4)

  • Yvonne L.

    Love this place. This is the one place that I stop at whenever I am in town. Love the food, service and atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Cindy T.

    A cool neighbor of mine brought back a chicken and cilantro empanada from Big E's and I'm so glad he did. It was soooooo good, possibly one of the best empanadas I've ever had. I love the flaky wrap that isn't too thick. The filling was generous and so flavorful. Drizzle some lime and hot sauce and you get an empanada that is out of this world! I will definitely be visiting for some more very soon!

    (5)

  • Seung Hyun Y.

    On our way to SoCal, Eric C and I stopped here at 730am for an empanada breakfast. I had the Beef Empanada while he had the Bacon Egg and Cheese Empanada. It was really yummy and the staff were really friendly! I think the only thing that I did not like about this place was that it was difficult to find. The sign is ridiculously small and hard to spot from afar. Perhaps the best way to find this place is that its right next door to a Safeway.

    (4)

  • Yvonne S.

    Tried Big E Cafe for the 1st time yesterday. I was really excited goin in as I have a couple of friends who said it's pretty good. Well, unfortunately, the service was lacking so that was turn off number one. We ordered 4 different types of empanadas: 1) lomo, 2) chicken w mushroom, 3) pizza, and 4) Mediterranean. Lomo was the clear winner. Good flavor, well seasoned. However, the filling is sparse compared to the amount of crust (this goes for all types we ordered). The other three lacked any wow factor. You could easily prepare these at home by making your own delicious filling, roll into a croissant and bake. The chicken w mushroom was bland. The pizza was much like eating a mini calzone. And, the Mediterranean was missing that distinctive Mediterranean flavor. Overall, we will go back to try more flavors. I'm guessing I just picked three of the lack luster options. I overheard someone order a chicken w cilantro. Will definitely give that a try.

    (3)

  • Paula L.

    I pass this cafe occasionally, but will seek it out now that I've had their empandas. The beef is exceptional (Peruvian specialty) and the apple-cranberry a yummy treat. Next time I'll try others. Their black ice tea brewed with dried fruit is really good, as are their lattes. Lastly, the employees are very friendly and helpful.

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :6:00 am - 6:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Breakfast, Brunch
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : No
    Dogs Allowed : Yes
    Waiter Service : No
    Caters : Yes
    Good for Working : Yes

Big E Cafe

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