BackAYard Caribbean Grill

As a long time customer of 3 locations (OG market st, SJSU and this location) The staff here keeps changing and so is the quality of their service. Sometimes the food takes ages. Today was a bit disrespectful even. Lady was so engrossed behind the register using her iPad. If u need to focus on it and not do cashier service,don’t stand there.

As a major inconvenience she finally acknowledges me as a paying customer. Just collects my payment. No thank you. All this time - on the same iPad. I guess that iPad is paying her more than a real customer. As a real Jamaican, this attitude wouldn’t even pass back in Kingston.

Ok folks - food is good, but customer facing manners needs work. I think I made a mistake coming to lunch here - clearly they don’t need your business.

I should pass this to the owner - we share a mutual friend.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 1

This food was incredible. I’ve lived in the area my whole life, kicking myself for not finding this place sooner.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Staff had the POS service down, bummer but no big deal... But they had ATTITUDE about fielding any questions from customers... you'd think that they understand the connection between having happy customers and their income... They do not.

Service: 1

Large portions, two of us split the jerk chicken and pork combo plate. Just enough for two to enjoy all the flavors or the chicken, park, rice bean and coconut side dish with a taste of plantains to finish it off.

We split the dish which was about $20 with tax and tip, so $10 person. 👍

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Super disappointing experience. Ordered the curry goat + jerk chicken combo and got literally less than 2 bites of goat & the rest was all bone. Brought this to the attention of the staff and they claimed there was “nothing they could do” because the manager wasn’t there?? & had “no idea” when the manager would be in? Ironically the people at the table next to us had been waiting for a manager as well when we sat down and they were told the same thing “manager isn’t here, there’s nothing we can do”. Very off-putting as this is the cook’s responsibility, along with the staff to uphold the standard of the restaurant in the absence of the manager. Might not be returning here anymore (we’ve been regulars for years—definitely have spent probably over a thousand dollars here and were about to book them to cater a large family reunion but after the complete lack of concern/empathy for their mess up we won’t be moving forward with that). Lastly the cook continuously shot us dirty looks the whole time we were there—super off putting experience overall. Disappointed, and miss the old cook.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 1

One of our family favorites. The chicken plate with the coconut rice and plantains is so good.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Jerk Sauce

Traveled from 50+ miles for some Caribbean food and they never miss. Carmen was amazing and very helpful. She recommended the patties which are now a new favorite 😍. My family and I look forward to returning in the near future.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I was shocked! The food here is so good and the oxtails exceeded my expectations, this is now my go to place for oxtails

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We had 2 yard plates and a key lime pie. Food and service were great.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 4

We had 2 yard plates and a key lime pie. Food and service were great.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 4

The meat is constantly burnt, the rice and peas is overcooked and lacks flavor. Surprising because the original place was fantastic. Please with the lack of Caribbean/Jamaican spots in the bay, I really hope that this can get better but it’s been consistently poor quality.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 3

The goat curry was delicious!

Food: 5

The food here is always delicious.

My go-to is the chicken and pork combo. From the smell and the taste hits me just right every time.

Love the jerk sauce. I always keep a bottle in the fridge to spice up the meat I grill at home.
I wish I knew how to get plantains to taste this good when I make them. The rice and beans are very good as well.

My wife enjoyed the Thursday special of Coconut Curry Shrimp with vegetables.
It had a mild curry flavor that went nicely with the shrimp.
The vegetables consisted of squash, carrots, zucchini, green beans, and broccoli.
It was a nice combination.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Spicy, yet not hot spicy chicken. Other options. Everything I’ve had there is really good. No wine or beer, but available nearby.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Curried goat, jerk chicken, and jerk pork... Absolutely delicious. Super chill vibe.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5