Don't be thrown by the 3-star review. This is more like a 3.5-star review. I like Shawn's. I just haven't had that many items there, and feel like this is an under-informed review. I've had muffins, good without being super-sweet. I've had a couple different sandwiches, nice and fresh, nothing too unusual for the most part. Might seem a little pricey compared to Subway, not too far off from Panera though. Have shared some coffee drinks with my wife, nice stuff, but i don't drink coffee regularly so you'll have to judge for yourself. The staff is warm and friendly, the location is convenient and accessible in downtown Sycamore with street and lot parking nearby. This is a nice place to have for a neighborhood, casual, friendly, things worth buying and eating. I would definitely recommend Shawn's, it's more for locals though, not to show off for visitors.
(3)
Ann R.
Have not found a better bagel anywhere. Bagels are light and crisp when toasted because I wouldn't have them any other way. I love a savory bagel and Shawns has a great variety of savory and sweet. My son ordered the choc chop cream cheese and I ordered the tomato basil. Bagel and cream cheese are the perfect pair here! They Do It right!!!! Oh and don't even get me started on the coffee!..... I'm not a big coffee drinker but I love their coffee, especially their coffee of the day.
(5)
El C.
Here we found just what we were looking for, a locally owned sandwich shop with a great menu and a super staff. All the sandwiches were delicious, and I'd love to go back for more.
(4)
Ed S.
I used to come here for lunch at least once a week back when I was on a consulting gig at Ideal Industries. Good sandwiches and service, and I liked how coffee was still available at lunch time. I always did carryout but tables were available for eating in. Nice little place.
(3)
Derek W.
Shawn's has a really artsy vibe going on, and I love it. Small coffee/pastry shops with personality like this remind me of my old neighborhood in Chicago. I enjoyed going here when I lived in Sycamore since it was near my apartment and it wasn't overly expensive. It's right downtown in Sycamore, so it's a good stop during a stroll around town. Good coffee and sandwiches.
(5)
Liz T.
This place is an excellent, local place. I usually run into people I know when I'm here. It's very tasty, and the staff is very cute. I once ordered a funny sounding sandwich, and the server was proud to say that her sister invented it.
(4)
Tony D.
Coffee and menu are awesome. The problem is he employees. They always seem confused and if your not a regular, good luck! I ordered a breakfast sandwich one morning. The woman started making a coffee drink. I just patiently watched. She paused to wait for a regular to walk in and hand them the drink. She turned to me and asked 'what was it that you wanted?'. Next visit was third in line, after almost 5 min my order had not been taken. Had to just walk out so I wasn't late for work. My wife has had similar experiences, so I know my incidents aren't isolated. If you patient person and can tolerate poor service, give Shawn's a try.
(2)
Pete A.
I've been going here for the past 12 years and this place is definetly worth a try...Great local place where everyone knows your name. Try their double iced mocha... its AMAZING!
(4)
Charles L.
The various coffee beverages here are not only the best in the area, but among the best I've had. Even the regular decaf is great, which at other places tends to be bland and made infrequently. Also, the coffee beans they sell for homebrew are awesome, too. The food here is great as well. I am partial to the breakfast sandwhich, which is made with a real egg. The bagels and deli meat are quality, and make for outstanding standwhiches. I tend to go on weekends, and I don't know if Shawn is usually there then. But, he runs a pretty good operation because the kids that work the counter are on top of things. I recommend this place for breakfast, lunch, or just coffee.
(5)
Megan M.
This is the best coffee shop in sycamore .i think I would go back today and get a muffin I am saying this is the best place I can ride my bike to Shawns
(5)
Jessica R.
I am new to Sycamore and already am hooked on this place. Been there around 4-5 times since moving here with my roommates and friends. We all love it. The blended iced coffees are great as well as all the food we have tried so far. I will say Shawn's is a bit pricey. For a sandwich and coffee I end up spending about the same I would spend dining out somewhere for dinner. But the food and coffee both are great quality and super delicious so it's worth it! The staff is super friendly and kind as well, and always helpful. One of the newer girls working there this summer has already got my name down and is so sweet. I hope the owner and bosses love her because she is probably my favorite person there! :)
(5)
Joe B.
Coffee just ok. Nothing special. No free Wi-Fi either. I'll stick to Starbucks or Panera for now.
(2)
Leah O.
I live a few blocks from Shawn's. I enjoy the fact that this little coffee shop is in our neighborhood. When the Farmer's Market is in town it's the perfect place to go after a stroll through the aisles of vegetables, jams and home baked goods. Nestled in downtown Sycamore, it's a cozy spot to have a muffin, coffee or get a great Bagel sandwich. They also have coffee beans for purchase. I like the feel of a local coffee shop but I feel something is lacking with Shawn's. The decor inside is a little dated and often the extra seating room is closed early before closing time, which is also early. Shawn's would to better to update their decor and extend hours. They need to get some fluffy couches in there and hire someone to do an open mic night.
(3)
Jean S.
Good sandwiches. Had the hot pastrami and it was very good. Excellent rye bread.
(4)
Nicole M.
I love the small town atmosphere of Shaun's. The owners are so nice, and the staff has always been very helpful. The food is really good as well. I love going to the farmer's market on Sundays and getting lunch from Shaun's afterwards. Not to mention is always feels good to support a small business.
(4)
Angie M.
Everything bagel with egg, bacon and swiss cheese was delicious! The "Cheerio-Treat" was awesome too!
(4)
Traci B.
Horribly overpriced for mediocre sandwiches. They charge less for sandwiches in the city at coffee shops. The only nice thing I can say about this place is that there coffee is decent.
(2)
Aaron T.
Nice place to sit and chat with friends over coffee or tea. The sandwiches looked great n I will definitely come back to try the food.
(5)
Jojo F.
I was in the area for a class and stopped in the first time with some classmates for a sweet. The peanut butter rice crispy treat is big enough to delight about 5 people so be ready to share. The second visit included my husband, where we chowed down for breakfast. I had the oatmeal and Colombian coffee and he had the bacon and egg sandwhich. The oatmeal with pecans was absolutely awesome, due to the suspected butter add-in. Sneaky! And the coffee was okay. The location is great if you're in the downtown Sycamore area. Be prepared: The cafe does not have WiFi and outlets to plug your computer into are somewhat scarce.
(3)
Douglas P.
I have been a patron of Shawn's since I moved to the Sycamore area years ago. Their prices are fair and their food is good. I particularly enjoy their breakfast sandwiches and their various flavors of coffee. When I find myself there for lunch, I enjoy their Meat Me in Italy sandwich. I would recommend Shawn's to anyone passing through the Sycamore area.
(5)
Stefanie B.
I heard about Shawn's from my ex-boyfriend's sister in-law who used to go to Northern and would work at Shawns week day mornings. I ended up going to Northern and she always would ask me if i tried Shawns yet and i never really made an effort. My office building is right around the corner from this little place so i tried it out for lunch one day. It's a small place with a handful of tables in the front room and there is extra seating over to the other side of the cafe. They are mostly known for their coffee which is house ground and gourmet. I haven't tried a lot of them, but my office goes there to get coffee for our break room. They always get the hazelnut one which is really really good. You just go up to the counter and order what you want and they bring it out to you. They have specialty sandwiches that you can pick from or you can make your own. They have a lot of variety of different meats, cheeses, breads, and veggies. There are options for vegetarians too. They really make an effort to make sure they give you exactly what you want by asking lots of questions about how you want it prepared to a T. I just ordered a salami sandwich with veggies on a kaiser roll. you can add soup on for an additional price so i did that n got the soup of the day which was broccoli cheddar, my fav. The soup came out right away n you could tell that it was homemade.. it wasn't watered down and had lots of broccoli in it. The sandwich was good too. They definitely don't skimp on the meat which a lot of places do now a days. the only thing i would have changed would be to either toast the roll or just get another bread. it was too soft an d kind of fell apart, but very tasty overall. and the best part.. all of their sandwiches come with a pickle hehe i love pickles! All the girls who worked there were all very friendly seemed like they really liked working there. you could also tell that they have a lot of regulars because they acted like they knew a few people. I am for suuree going back there for 2 things.. 1) for their coffee and 2) for their bagels. they have soo many different types of coffee to choose from its ridiculous! you can get a cup of it or a bag to take home and brew yourself. They have 35 cent bagels on Mondays so I'll probably swing by there and take advantage of that awesome deal too. They have daily specials, bulk items you can buy, and dinners for those with a heartier appetite. updates to come!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No
Josh H.
Don't be thrown by the 3-star review. This is more like a 3.5-star review. I like Shawn's. I just haven't had that many items there, and feel like this is an under-informed review. I've had muffins, good without being super-sweet. I've had a couple different sandwiches, nice and fresh, nothing too unusual for the most part. Might seem a little pricey compared to Subway, not too far off from Panera though. Have shared some coffee drinks with my wife, nice stuff, but i don't drink coffee regularly so you'll have to judge for yourself. The staff is warm and friendly, the location is convenient and accessible in downtown Sycamore with street and lot parking nearby. This is a nice place to have for a neighborhood, casual, friendly, things worth buying and eating. I would definitely recommend Shawn's, it's more for locals though, not to show off for visitors.
(3)Ann R.
Have not found a better bagel anywhere. Bagels are light and crisp when toasted because I wouldn't have them any other way. I love a savory bagel and Shawns has a great variety of savory and sweet. My son ordered the choc chop cream cheese and I ordered the tomato basil. Bagel and cream cheese are the perfect pair here! They Do It right!!!! Oh and don't even get me started on the coffee!..... I'm not a big coffee drinker but I love their coffee, especially their coffee of the day.
(5)El C.
Here we found just what we were looking for, a locally owned sandwich shop with a great menu and a super staff. All the sandwiches were delicious, and I'd love to go back for more.
(4)Ed S.
I used to come here for lunch at least once a week back when I was on a consulting gig at Ideal Industries. Good sandwiches and service, and I liked how coffee was still available at lunch time. I always did carryout but tables were available for eating in. Nice little place.
(3)Derek W.
Shawn's has a really artsy vibe going on, and I love it. Small coffee/pastry shops with personality like this remind me of my old neighborhood in Chicago. I enjoyed going here when I lived in Sycamore since it was near my apartment and it wasn't overly expensive. It's right downtown in Sycamore, so it's a good stop during a stroll around town. Good coffee and sandwiches.
(5)Liz T.
This place is an excellent, local place. I usually run into people I know when I'm here. It's very tasty, and the staff is very cute. I once ordered a funny sounding sandwich, and the server was proud to say that her sister invented it.
(4)Tony D.
Coffee and menu are awesome. The problem is he employees. They always seem confused and if your not a regular, good luck! I ordered a breakfast sandwich one morning. The woman started making a coffee drink. I just patiently watched. She paused to wait for a regular to walk in and hand them the drink. She turned to me and asked 'what was it that you wanted?'. Next visit was third in line, after almost 5 min my order had not been taken. Had to just walk out so I wasn't late for work. My wife has had similar experiences, so I know my incidents aren't isolated. If you patient person and can tolerate poor service, give Shawn's a try.
(2)Pete A.
I've been going here for the past 12 years and this place is definetly worth a try...Great local place where everyone knows your name. Try their double iced mocha... its AMAZING!
(4)Charles L.
The various coffee beverages here are not only the best in the area, but among the best I've had. Even the regular decaf is great, which at other places tends to be bland and made infrequently. Also, the coffee beans they sell for homebrew are awesome, too. The food here is great as well. I am partial to the breakfast sandwhich, which is made with a real egg. The bagels and deli meat are quality, and make for outstanding standwhiches. I tend to go on weekends, and I don't know if Shawn is usually there then. But, he runs a pretty good operation because the kids that work the counter are on top of things. I recommend this place for breakfast, lunch, or just coffee.
(5)Megan M.
This is the best coffee shop in sycamore .i think I would go back today and get a muffin I am saying this is the best place I can ride my bike to Shawns
(5)Jessica R.
I am new to Sycamore and already am hooked on this place. Been there around 4-5 times since moving here with my roommates and friends. We all love it. The blended iced coffees are great as well as all the food we have tried so far. I will say Shawn's is a bit pricey. For a sandwich and coffee I end up spending about the same I would spend dining out somewhere for dinner. But the food and coffee both are great quality and super delicious so it's worth it! The staff is super friendly and kind as well, and always helpful. One of the newer girls working there this summer has already got my name down and is so sweet. I hope the owner and bosses love her because she is probably my favorite person there! :)
(5)Joe B.
Coffee just ok. Nothing special. No free Wi-Fi either. I'll stick to Starbucks or Panera for now.
(2)Leah O.
I live a few blocks from Shawn's. I enjoy the fact that this little coffee shop is in our neighborhood. When the Farmer's Market is in town it's the perfect place to go after a stroll through the aisles of vegetables, jams and home baked goods. Nestled in downtown Sycamore, it's a cozy spot to have a muffin, coffee or get a great Bagel sandwich. They also have coffee beans for purchase. I like the feel of a local coffee shop but I feel something is lacking with Shawn's. The decor inside is a little dated and often the extra seating room is closed early before closing time, which is also early. Shawn's would to better to update their decor and extend hours. They need to get some fluffy couches in there and hire someone to do an open mic night.
(3)Jean S.
Good sandwiches. Had the hot pastrami and it was very good. Excellent rye bread.
(4)Nicole M.
I love the small town atmosphere of Shaun's. The owners are so nice, and the staff has always been very helpful. The food is really good as well. I love going to the farmer's market on Sundays and getting lunch from Shaun's afterwards. Not to mention is always feels good to support a small business.
(4)Angie M.
Everything bagel with egg, bacon and swiss cheese was delicious! The "Cheerio-Treat" was awesome too!
(4)Traci B.
Horribly overpriced for mediocre sandwiches. They charge less for sandwiches in the city at coffee shops. The only nice thing I can say about this place is that there coffee is decent.
(2)Aaron T.
Nice place to sit and chat with friends over coffee or tea. The sandwiches looked great n I will definitely come back to try the food.
(5)Jojo F.
I was in the area for a class and stopped in the first time with some classmates for a sweet. The peanut butter rice crispy treat is big enough to delight about 5 people so be ready to share. The second visit included my husband, where we chowed down for breakfast. I had the oatmeal and Colombian coffee and he had the bacon and egg sandwhich. The oatmeal with pecans was absolutely awesome, due to the suspected butter add-in. Sneaky! And the coffee was okay. The location is great if you're in the downtown Sycamore area. Be prepared: The cafe does not have WiFi and outlets to plug your computer into are somewhat scarce.
(3)Douglas P.
I have been a patron of Shawn's since I moved to the Sycamore area years ago. Their prices are fair and their food is good. I particularly enjoy their breakfast sandwiches and their various flavors of coffee. When I find myself there for lunch, I enjoy their Meat Me in Italy sandwich. I would recommend Shawn's to anyone passing through the Sycamore area.
(5)Stefanie B.
I heard about Shawn's from my ex-boyfriend's sister in-law who used to go to Northern and would work at Shawns week day mornings. I ended up going to Northern and she always would ask me if i tried Shawns yet and i never really made an effort. My office building is right around the corner from this little place so i tried it out for lunch one day. It's a small place with a handful of tables in the front room and there is extra seating over to the other side of the cafe. They are mostly known for their coffee which is house ground and gourmet. I haven't tried a lot of them, but my office goes there to get coffee for our break room. They always get the hazelnut one which is really really good. You just go up to the counter and order what you want and they bring it out to you. They have specialty sandwiches that you can pick from or you can make your own. They have a lot of variety of different meats, cheeses, breads, and veggies. There are options for vegetarians too. They really make an effort to make sure they give you exactly what you want by asking lots of questions about how you want it prepared to a T. I just ordered a salami sandwich with veggies on a kaiser roll. you can add soup on for an additional price so i did that n got the soup of the day which was broccoli cheddar, my fav. The soup came out right away n you could tell that it was homemade.. it wasn't watered down and had lots of broccoli in it. The sandwich was good too. They definitely don't skimp on the meat which a lot of places do now a days. the only thing i would have changed would be to either toast the roll or just get another bread. it was too soft an d kind of fell apart, but very tasty overall. and the best part.. all of their sandwiches come with a pickle hehe i love pickles! All the girls who worked there were all very friendly seemed like they really liked working there. you could also tell that they have a lot of regulars because they acted like they knew a few people. I am for suuree going back there for 2 things.. 1) for their coffee and 2) for their bagels. they have soo many different types of coffee to choose from its ridiculous! you can get a cup of it or a bag to take home and brew yourself. They have 35 cent bagels on Mondays so I'll probably swing by there and take advantage of that awesome deal too. They have daily specials, bulk items you can buy, and dinners for those with a heartier appetite. updates to come!
(4)