Trash manager who is rude to patrons. Had potential, need something new here or at least a new manager. Allegedly this place has even drugged patrons too
Allen Drozd
Recent menu change is less than exciting, but Jason, Amanda, etc al are always wonderful!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Richard W.
Excellent food, service and location. Really enjoyed our evening. Staff were very attentive. Prices good for the location. We will definitely be back.
King K.
Wayyyyy over priced For the portions and quality of the food. I even gave it a 2nd try thinking I might at least try to price but stupid pricing.
Nath Dan
Very good food with their own twist. I love it.
Nicholas DiMuzio
Great drinks, awesome scene.. especially when the weather is good.
ANDRE ON'OKOKO
Great spot!
Sharlene M.
The first time I went, I had a great experience. The second and third time I have gone I haven't had the same experience when I went the second time it took 30 minutes to get my appetizer. The manager did end up resolving the issue at the end but at that point, I was disappointed with how long it took for someone to notice.I do like the drinks but I wouldn't recommend getting any food from here.
Dana Costabile
Amazing drinks and food from start to finish! Fun vibe too!
S M.
I had lunch with a couple of friends here and we decided to share everything so I got to sample a lot of the menu. The food was overall very good. It's not exactly as "Mexican" as it is billed to be, but lots of good tacos and some inventive things like a shrimp Quesadilla that looked like sushi but tasted good whatever it was! The guacamole is outstanding. The only food item that fell short was the short rib taco. The meat was great, but under-seasoned, even with the spicy au jus that accompanied it. So kinda bland. We did not sample any of the cocktails given that it was lunch, but the cocktail menu looked interesting. However, one of my friends has been there for cocktails and said the margaritas are not very potent. The service was prompt and sweet. The downside of the restaurant is its size. The interior seating is pretty cramped and the chairs and benches are uncomfortable. Go on a nice day and sit outside, it will be much better (but I'm not sure what they do in the winter?). Anyway, we enjoyed it and will go back.
My wife and I were highly disappointed with the service and food at Back End. We ordered 2 different tacos to start. They were both okay. The Baja fish was so small that I could barely tell that I was eating a fish taco. All I could taste was the toppings. There was nothing special about them. Then we ordered pork carnitas and skirt steak for our mains. We forgot to ask to change the corn tortillas to flour tortillas until the food came. Our bad. So we asked the server if it was okay to get some flour tortillas. Didn't think it was that big of an ask. The server went back to the kitchen and went to the head chef I assume and told him our request, and I could not believe the reaction he gave. They have an open kitchen so I could see right in. The chef threw his hands up and started cursing. He then literally stared me down with a look of disgust. All because we asked to change corn tortillas to flour tortillas... How unprofessional! If you have an open kitchen at least know that you're being watched and be professional. If the food was any good, we probably would have felt a little better but the pork carnitas was so hard that I couldn't even finish it. We should have said something about the pork but we decided not to. Who knows what the chef would have done if we told him he overcooked his pork. I hate to leave bad reviews but I think people should know the type of service they'd be getting.
Mike C.
Been coming to this bar for 2 years while I still lived here. Apparently I did something that warranted me not being served by one of the bartenders one night. After apologizing the next day, I patiently sat at the bar waiting to get a drink. 30 minutes go by and they continue to walk past me. I literally had people sit down next to me and get served within seconds. I had to have my friend buy drinks for me. I got some shots of tequila (shelf) and they charged me for name brand. After years of me giving them my money, it will discontinue. Must be the only time that bartender has had any power over anything. Lame.
Randy Brophy
A hip and happening place, refreshing to see in New Canaan. Loved the bouncy Latin grooves, the lights, and outdoor seating. Great craft beers and churros for us, but will come back for the other offerings.
Adam Denton
Our favorite neighborhood restaurant with amazing team and quality food.
Renee T.
Quick shot out to Scott, our server/bartender on our first visit to The Back End. It was Mother's Day mid afternoon and he was alone and fairly busy when we arrived. We had already had my Mom's Day meal and were headed home and decided to take a stroll around New Canaan. So glad we did. I ordered a glass of vino and the hubby the spicy margarita. WELL, let me tell you, it is the BEST spicy margarita I have had in ages. It seems the NE is allergic to hot/spicy but Scott truly delivered the tastiest, spiciest one we have been able to find since moving to Stamford in 2013. Came to find out, he is actually the manager. We didn't learn this until after we had paid our tab and things had slowed down and we had the chance to chat about the menu, the restaurant, etc. We can't wait to return to sample the food we saw coming from the kitchen to nearby customers as it simply looked incredible. Scott says "Nicole" is usually the bartender and one of the best he has seen or worked with. So one day soon, we will find out. I can't speak to the food yet, but look for my next review as we will be coming back for some.
Trash manager who is rude to patrons. Had potential, need something new here or at least a new manager. Allegedly this place has even drugged patrons too
Recent menu change is less than exciting, but Jason, Amanda, etc al are always wonderful!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Excellent food, service and location. Really enjoyed our evening. Staff were very attentive. Prices good for the location. We will definitely be back.
Wayyyyy over priced For the portions and quality of the food. I even gave it a 2nd try thinking I might at least try to price but stupid pricing.
Very good food with their own twist. I love it.
Great drinks, awesome scene.. especially when the weather is good.
Great spot!
The first time I went, I had a great experience. The second and third time I have gone I haven't had the same experience when I went the second time it took 30 minutes to get my appetizer. The manager did end up resolving the issue at the end but at that point, I was disappointed with how long it took for someone to notice.I do like the drinks but I wouldn't recommend getting any food from here.
Amazing drinks and food from start to finish! Fun vibe too!
I had lunch with a couple of friends here and we decided to share everything so I got to sample a lot of the menu. The food was overall very good. It's not exactly as "Mexican" as it is billed to be, but lots of good tacos and some inventive things like a shrimp Quesadilla that looked like sushi but tasted good whatever it was! The guacamole is outstanding. The only food item that fell short was the short rib taco. The meat was great, but under-seasoned, even with the spicy au jus that accompanied it. So kinda bland. We did not sample any of the cocktails given that it was lunch, but the cocktail menu looked interesting. However, one of my friends has been there for cocktails and said the margaritas are not very potent. The service was prompt and sweet. The downside of the restaurant is its size. The interior seating is pretty cramped and the chairs and benches are uncomfortable. Go on a nice day and sit outside, it will be much better (but I'm not sure what they do in the winter?). Anyway, we enjoyed it and will go back.
Restaurantji Recommends
My wife and I were highly disappointed with the service and food at Back End. We ordered 2 different tacos to start. They were both okay. The Baja fish was so small that I could barely tell that I was eating a fish taco. All I could taste was the toppings. There was nothing special about them. Then we ordered pork carnitas and skirt steak for our mains. We forgot to ask to change the corn tortillas to flour tortillas until the food came. Our bad. So we asked the server if it was okay to get some flour tortillas. Didn't think it was that big of an ask. The server went back to the kitchen and went to the head chef I assume and told him our request, and I could not believe the reaction he gave. They have an open kitchen so I could see right in. The chef threw his hands up and started cursing. He then literally stared me down with a look of disgust. All because we asked to change corn tortillas to flour tortillas... How unprofessional! If you have an open kitchen at least know that you're being watched and be professional. If the food was any good, we probably would have felt a little better but the pork carnitas was so hard that I couldn't even finish it. We should have said something about the pork but we decided not to. Who knows what the chef would have done if we told him he overcooked his pork. I hate to leave bad reviews but I think people should know the type of service they'd be getting.
Been coming to this bar for 2 years while I still lived here. Apparently I did something that warranted me not being served by one of the bartenders one night. After apologizing the next day, I patiently sat at the bar waiting to get a drink. 30 minutes go by and they continue to walk past me. I literally had people sit down next to me and get served within seconds. I had to have my friend buy drinks for me. I got some shots of tequila (shelf) and they charged me for name brand. After years of me giving them my money, it will discontinue. Must be the only time that bartender has had any power over anything. Lame.
A hip and happening place, refreshing to see in New Canaan. Loved the bouncy Latin grooves, the lights, and outdoor seating. Great craft beers and churros for us, but will come back for the other offerings.
Our favorite neighborhood restaurant with amazing team and quality food.
Quick shot out to Scott, our server/bartender on our first visit to The Back End. It was Mother's Day mid afternoon and he was alone and fairly busy when we arrived. We had already had my Mom's Day meal and were headed home and decided to take a stroll around New Canaan. So glad we did. I ordered a glass of vino and the hubby the spicy margarita. WELL, let me tell you, it is the BEST spicy margarita I have had in ages. It seems the NE is allergic to hot/spicy but Scott truly delivered the tastiest, spiciest one we have been able to find since moving to Stamford in 2013. Came to find out, he is actually the manager. We didn't learn this until after we had paid our tab and things had slowed down and we had the chance to chat about the menu, the restaurant, etc. We can't wait to return to sample the food we saw coming from the kitchen to nearby customers as it simply looked incredible. Scott says "Nicole" is usually the bartender and one of the best he has seen or worked with. So one day soon, we will find out. I can't speak to the food yet, but look for my next review as we will be coming back for some.