We try once a year in the spring hoping it will be better than it was last summer. Well it was not. Marginal food, bad service and high prices. Maybe, next year. 200 bucks and we did not our entire order. Sorry Jack!
A Little off the Top
Went for the 1st time last night 3/15/25. We go out every Saturday & try to find somewhere different to go. We live in Vanceboro but usually go to Greenville so we thought we would give it a try. Not impressed! 1st the host did not seat us. She gave us menus & said go upstairs & look for the empty table. We were on the deck, wind blowing & freezing. 2nd it took over 10 min for anyone to approach our table to get drinks and another 15 to get our appetizer order. We got our appetizer 1 Hour later. The cheese on the nachos were completely dry and stuck together. It was4 of us & the server asked if we needed plates. Really? That should be a given. Then I asked for forks that I never got. The servers upstairs had no personality, no smiles,no communication skills, no training waiting tables.Never saw a manager walking around checking on people! All of a sudden this other girl approached our table that had long dark braids. She asked to take our plates, she boxed up our nachos, friendly. She new how to wait tables. 1 hour and 10 min later after we arrived, we finally got our entrees. We weren't even hungry anymore. I was freezing and ready to go. The staff needs training on customer service adequate timing. Not a " go to" place for me
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
Grand Pa Mike
average beer joint with average food
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Tim Tausz
Went for the ratings. This is not the place for food. This is not the cleanest place, dirty floirs, tables, and bathrooms. The location was not memorable- busy parking lot and broken down docks. The restaurant was in need of repair, which appears to have slacked for sometime. The waiter had no idea where the food came from- local or brought in. All in all, this is a dive bar that may have music and drinks but certainly don't order the tap beer - taps appear dirty and musty smell to the beer.
Find another place or not. But don't be fooled by the ratings - I suspect they are mostly bar people rating this place.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 4
ALLENA Hale
Great vibe and atmosphere Not impressed by food or menu. Bar food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
L K
We went here for the first time several weeks ago and really enjoyed it. We ordered the shrimp basket and fries, a few BLTs, and a few other options. The shrimp was fried hard and tasted pretty fresh and the fries were irresistible. We really enjoyed the BLT and I’d go back just to have it again. We even met some of the regulars we hit it off with. We went late afternoon on a weekend, but i could definitely see it being a great evening hangout spot. It’s not fancy, but instead it’s a comfy local spot, with a good bit of outdoor seating. Enjoy!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Gregory Bruce
Love the location the food and my margarita was delicious!! Customer service on point.. ✌?✌?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
McKeller Knox
I have been going to Backwater Jacks for over five years and have always enjoyed the food, atmosphere, and service. We went with our newborn, and this was not our first time taking the baby to a restaurant. They weren't overly busy due to rainy weather. When I told the owner a table for two plus room for a car seat, she peeked into the car seat and said, "really? Are you really doing this?" I was confused so I kind of laughed and nodded. She then explained that this was a tiki and water could drip on us. She specifically said, "If a raindrop hits your left should, move to the right. If it hits your right shoulder, move to the left." I was appalled. Another family was waiting to be seated and the owner told them, "Well, they have a baby so they HAVE to sit downstairs." As a first time mom, I honestly had no idea what to do so we sat down and ate. We used to go at least twice a month but haven't been since this interaction.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 1
McKeller Normann Knox
I have been going to Backwater Jacks for over five years and have always enjoyed the food, atmosphere, and service. We went with our newborn, and this was not our first time taking the baby to a restaurant. They weren't overly busy due to rainy weather. When I told the owner a table for two plus room for a car seat, she peeked into the car seat and said, "really? Are you really doing this?" I was confused so I kind of laughed and nodded. She then explained that this was a tiki and water could drip on us. She specifically said, "If a raindrop hits your left should, move to the right. If it hits your right shoulder, move to the left." I was appalled. Another family was waiting to be seated and the owner told them, "Well, they have a baby so they HAVE to sit downstairs." As a first time mom, I honestly had no idea what to do so we sat down and ate. We used to go at least twice a month but haven't been since this interaction.
Mason Brown
Sevice could be better and not just refilling drinks if you understand. The Cubano sandwich is the best item on the menu in my personal opinion. It's hard to get wrong and is just really tasty and delicious. Good sourced pork. Cooked on gas grill to those that are sensitive. The restaurant is located in a historical marina area locally knowledge as "the flood zone". Two story island/beach/tiki theme back porch style of architecture makes you feel like your truly dining in the boonies of Beaufort County as you overlook the pamlico river, and it's adjacent still functioning marina. Facing the south so you can watch sunset while you enjoy your meal and drinks at either of their Two outdoor bars.
Washington, NC was a meeting spot for my friends and family this week and we stumbled upon Backwater Jack’s because of their “pebble beach,” and adorable dog-friendly outdoor seating area.
While there, they were on the ball with appetizers, drinks and to-go orders for my family and even brought out water for the pups!
The owner, Laura, was a delight and invited us back for the open mic night later on. I stopped back in with the pups & a friend where we were met with smiling faces & the best welcoming vibes everyone. You can tell it’s a “locals” spot but they wrapped us in a warm hug as if we lived down the street too!
If you’re traveling and want to get a genuine feel for the community & vibe of Washington, NC along with some delicious food- Backwater Jack’s is the place to go!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
M.E. Designs
It was a really nice place with live music & great food but one of band members was chain smoking on stage & we were down wind (at the outside eating area). It wasn’t pleasant at all to breathe in all the 2nd hand smoke! We left earlier than we would have had there been no smoke. They should have a specific smoking area AWAY from dining areas! Otherwise it is a really great place!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Nick Rucker
Poke bowl was good. Crab dip had no lump crab. Just a little shredded crab with a lot of cream cheese. Only lumps were celery. Tons of flies when you eat outside. Not sure what they can do about that.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Robert Rivera
Used to enjoy this place, shrimp was good, but the burger was horrible. Nothing good about it, actually made me sick, and had to take the rest of the day off. Hate to see a good establishment go down the drain, but I'll not be back again. Should have realized it was going downhill when I saw how run down the place was looking. Management better get their act together.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 3
Sandy Bradford
Chicken Taco was super good . Cocktails needs to be in bigger glasses .
We try once a year in the spring hoping it will be better than it was last summer. Well it was not. Marginal food, bad service and high prices. Maybe, next year. 200 bucks and we did not our entire order. Sorry Jack!
Went for the 1st time last night 3/15/25. We go out every Saturday & try to find somewhere different to go. We live in Vanceboro but usually go to Greenville so we thought we would give it a try. Not impressed! 1st the host did not seat us. She gave us menus & said go upstairs & look for the empty table. We were on the deck, wind blowing & freezing. 2nd it took over 10 min for anyone to approach our table to get drinks and another 15 to get our appetizer order. We got our appetizer 1 Hour later. The cheese on the nachos were completely dry and stuck together. It was4 of us & the server asked if we needed plates. Really? That should be a given. Then I asked for forks that I never got. The servers upstairs had no personality, no smiles,no communication skills, no training waiting tables.Never saw a manager walking around checking on people! All of a sudden this other girl approached our table that had long dark braids. She asked to take our plates, she boxed up our nachos, friendly. She new how to wait tables. 1 hour and 10 min later after we arrived, we finally got our entrees. We weren't even hungry anymore. I was freezing and ready to go. The staff needs training on customer service adequate timing. Not a " go to" place for me
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
average beer joint with average food
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Went for the ratings. This is not the place for food. This is not the cleanest place, dirty floirs, tables, and bathrooms. The location was not memorable- busy parking lot and broken down docks. The restaurant was in need of repair, which appears to have slacked for sometime. The waiter had no idea where the food came from- local or brought in.
All in all, this is a dive bar that may have music and drinks but certainly don't order the tap beer - taps appear dirty and musty smell to the beer.
Find another place or not. But don't be fooled by the ratings - I suspect they are mostly bar people rating this place.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 4
Great vibe and atmosphere
Not impressed by food or menu. Bar food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
We went here for the first time several weeks ago and really enjoyed it. We ordered the shrimp basket and fries, a few BLTs, and a few other options. The shrimp was fried hard and tasted pretty fresh and the fries were irresistible. We really enjoyed the BLT and I’d go back just to have it again. We even met some of the regulars we hit it off with. We went late afternoon on a weekend, but i could definitely see it being a great evening hangout spot. It’s not fancy, but instead it’s a comfy local spot, with a good bit of outdoor seating. Enjoy!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Love the location the food and my margarita was delicious!! Customer service on point.. ✌?✌?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I have been going to Backwater Jacks for over five years and have always enjoyed the food, atmosphere, and service. We went with our newborn, and this was not our first time taking the baby to a restaurant. They weren't overly busy due to rainy weather. When I told the owner a table for two plus room for a car seat, she peeked into the car seat and said, "really? Are you really doing this?" I was confused so I kind of laughed and nodded. She then explained that this was a tiki and water could drip on us. She specifically said, "If a raindrop hits your left should, move to the right. If it hits your right shoulder, move to the left." I was appalled. Another family was waiting to be seated and the owner told them, "Well, they have a baby so they HAVE to sit downstairs." As a first time mom, I honestly had no idea what to do so we sat down and ate. We used to go at least twice a month but haven't been since this interaction.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 1
I have been going to Backwater Jacks for over five years and have always enjoyed the food, atmosphere, and service. We went with our newborn, and this was not our first time taking the baby to a restaurant. They weren't overly busy due to rainy weather. When I told the owner a table for two plus room for a car seat, she peeked into the car seat and said, "really? Are you really doing this?" I was confused so I kind of laughed and nodded. She then explained that this was a tiki and water could drip on us. She specifically said, "If a raindrop hits your left should, move to the right. If it hits your right shoulder, move to the left." I was appalled. Another family was waiting to be seated and the owner told them, "Well, they have a baby so they HAVE to sit downstairs." As a first time mom, I honestly had no idea what to do so we sat down and ate. We used to go at least twice a month but haven't been since this interaction.
Sevice could be better and not just refilling drinks if you understand. The Cubano sandwich is the best item on the menu in my personal opinion. It's hard to get wrong and is just really tasty and delicious. Good sourced pork. Cooked on gas grill to those that are sensitive. The restaurant is located in a historical marina area locally knowledge as "the flood zone". Two story island/beach/tiki theme back porch style of architecture makes you feel like your truly dining in the boonies of Beaufort County as you overlook the pamlico river, and it's adjacent still functioning marina. Facing the south so you can watch sunset while you enjoy your meal and drinks at either of their Two outdoor bars.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 2
Restaurantji Recommends
Washington, NC was a meeting spot for my friends and family this week and we stumbled upon Backwater Jack’s because of their “pebble beach,” and adorable dog-friendly outdoor seating area.
While there, they were on the ball with appetizers, drinks and to-go orders for my family and even brought out water for the pups!
The owner, Laura, was a delight and invited us back for the open mic night later on. I stopped back in with the pups & a friend where we were met with smiling faces & the best welcoming vibes everyone. You can tell it’s a “locals” spot but they wrapped us in a warm hug as if we lived down the street too!
If you’re traveling and want to get a genuine feel for the community & vibe of Washington, NC along with some delicious food- Backwater Jack’s is the place to go!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It was a really nice place with live music & great food but one of band members was chain smoking on stage & we were down wind (at the outside eating area). It wasn’t pleasant at all to breathe in all the 2nd hand smoke! We left earlier than we would have had there been no smoke. They should have a specific smoking area AWAY from dining areas! Otherwise it is a really great place!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Poke bowl was good. Crab dip had no lump crab. Just a little shredded crab with a lot of cream cheese. Only lumps were celery. Tons of flies when you eat outside. Not sure what they can do about that.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Used to enjoy this place, shrimp was good, but the burger was horrible. Nothing good about it, actually made me sick, and had to take the rest of the day off. Hate to see a good establishment go down the drain, but I'll not be back again. Should have realized it was going downhill when I saw how run down the place was looking. Management better get their act together.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 3
Chicken Taco was super good .
Cocktails needs to be in bigger glasses .
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loading...