Back A Yard Caribbean Grill

I've ordered here many times in the past. This week I've ordered twice over the phone asking for the "jerk tofu rice plate." The first time I received what I always get, which is jerk tofu with plantains and rice/beans. The second time I got almost sauceless tofu over a salad. I called and let them know, and the manager blamed me, because apparently the salad also comes with rice/beans so is a rice plate. Not sure if that's the case, fine, but my salad didn't even come with rice/beans. As shown in the picture it's just lettuce, tofu, and a few cucumber slices, as well as a tiny cup of ranch that I can't eat since I'm vegan. Seems like other reviews have had problems with this location taking accountability for messing up orders (they didn't even make the thing they thought I ordered correctly), so order at your own risk.

Edit: the chat-GPT response from the owner below sours me even more on this spot's customer service. Weird reply that doesn't address anything in the review.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 1

Food is smackin! The curry tofu is delicioso

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Curried Tofu with Vegetables, Fried Plantains

Very small portion compares to the other locations. Other caribbean food chains are better.

The district manager moe for Backayard Restaurant is incredibly nice and accommodating, making every visit feel welcoming. They genuinely seem to care about customer experiences and have a great attitude that reflects positively on the restaurant as a whole.

That said, there are some areas where improvement is needed. Calling to place an order or inquire about menu items can be frustrating because staff often don’t answer the phone. It makes it hard to make special requests or ask questions, which can be a big inconvenience. Additionally, I once received my drink in a container meant for food items, which felt a bit unprofessional.

As for the food itself, it’s consistently good, but I do wish the goat curry had more meat and fewer bones and fatty pieces. I know it’s possible to get boneless goat meat from markets like Indopak Halal Market, but I understand Backayard has its own suppliers and preferences. I'm not suggesting they change their sourcing, but a better balance of meat-to-bone would really elevate the dish.

Overall, Backayard is a great spot with lots of potential, thanks to its fantastic management and flavorful food. A few tweaks in customer service and menu execution could make it even better.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 3

Been coming here for a couple years, kind staff and chill vibes, but I don’t usually leave reviews. Leaving one now in honor of the FRIES I had tonight. Hello??? The fries have always been good but these were some of the best fries I’ve ever had. Golden and crispy outside/crunchy inside and salted to perfection. Whoever was in the kitchen I love you. I swear their other food is good too but wowowow.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Zero Everything!!! The food/service game me an upset stomach and pains t been throwing up for a whole day now. Don’t eat here.

Dietary restrictions: I believe someone put something inside my order

Recommended dishes: Fried Plantains

Not what I expected

food was great

If you're in the mood for bold flavors and hearty portions, this place is an absolute must-visit. Their jerk chicken and oxtail are nothing short of amazing—tender, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. The goat curry stands out with its rich spices and melt-in-your-mouth texture, while their fried cornbread is a must-try! It’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, making it the perfect side to accompany any dish.

Each entrée is served with rice, beans, and the best plantains I’ve ever had—sweet, caramelized, and perfectly cooked. The plantains alone make it worth the visit! Whether you're craving comforting classics or just looking to treat yourself to a soul-satisfying meal, you won't be disappointed here. Definitely recommend!

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 4

The food is a 4/5but its close and convenient and the mgr Elyse was very nice every time (weekly )however the Guy Santiago is the exact reason why I'm not coming back to the restaurant. Poor customer service. He had a bad attitude. He was smug and rude entitled even customer service matters. I will drive the extra mile for it, I'm done with this establishment and their food, if u want it choose another location. The one in Campbell is great, I will have to go back to them... If I decide to go back

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 4

Service: 1

Recommended dishes: Key Lime Pie, Fried Plantains, Jerk Salmon, Rice and Beans

We ordered food at Back A Yard for our event and everything was so delicious. This is simply the best Jamaican restaurant in the area. We ordered a variety of options for our event (curried goat, oxtail stew, sautéed mixed vegetables, rice and beans, jerk chicken, grilled salmon, coconut curried shrimps and fried plantains) and our guests were highly satisfied. The quality of the food was top-notch and the service was simply amazing. Quynh and her team went above and beyond to provide us with the best service. Quynh is highly professional, dynamic, police, and respectful. The communication with her was outstanding. Our food was delivered on time and everything arrived in perfect condition. If you are in the area and looking for a restaurant that serves high quality Jamaican authentic food, please look no further. We highly recommend Back A Yard catering to anyone hosting an event in the area and seeking to provide their guests with a memorable experience. We are extremely happy and we look forward to doing business again with Quynh and her team on our future events.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Fried Plantains, Rice and Beans, Jerk Chicken, Sauteed Vegetables

The best Caribbean food in San Jose. The jerk salmon is always perfectly cooked, and you have to try the Jamaican patties. Even the veggie one is so good it makes you take a double take that it's vegetarian. Jerk tofu and shrimp available for people who don't eat meat.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 5

Yummy. Oxtail is very hard to scale as a restaurant. Its quite delicious and worth every penny. Keep up the delicious food!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

My favourite restaurant in the bay! The food is fingerlicking delicious and really the only food I'll make a drive to get. If you want good food, you have to try this! If you like spicy, then get the mango habanero sauce @38c.

Parking: Parking is very limited at this location. The only spots I saw were 3 free street parking spots on the street outside

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Oxtail and goat curry yard combo to die for ??

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5