Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Back 40 Urban Cafe

    4.4 (383 reviews)

    Back 40 Urban Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    BACK 40 URBAN CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    More like Back 40 Urban Cafe

    Recommended Reviews - Back 40 Urban Cafe

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Back 40 Urban -- storefront
    L L.

    Cute curb appeal and pretty interior with Key West vibe. Charm continues with very kind and helpful waitress, and she adds a star to my rating, but the food was just not at all worth visiting a restaurant to eat, let alone pay for it. My husband's Cuban was a 3, he says. My bowl was a 1, and my kid's mac n cheese was also a 1. Cuban was prepared like street food, which is great; that's how it should be done. My bowl with Jerk chicken was super bland and felt like they really skimped on quality ingredients, and only included cheap cheese, cheap canned jalapeños, rice (dirt cheap), beans (also dirt cheap), and a very pale tomato. The "jerk chicken" had an extremely watered-down mild herbalness, which I would not call Jerk. The flavors were just not intuitively following any specific culinary profile other than someone's favorite order at a California strip mall bowl shop. No Caribbean flavor palate, nor Mex cuisine, not even health shop-Cali flavor, just quirky and not good. I could not have been more disappointed and sorry I ever listened to reviews. Yuk! My kid's kid meal was soupy mac and cheese, worse than boxed. I was surprised the side of mandarins were canned, gross. My kid didn't even know mandarins came in a can. Yes, with sugar syrup, but it's cheap! Why go to a restaurant to pay for food I can cook BETTER at home? And I make non-boxed mac-n-cheese, and buy non-canned mandarins, so it would be tons better. This is just a joke to serve this in a restaurant. We left before dessert because it had already plummeted as far downhill as it could go. Tried to leave a decent tip for kind service (not the waitress's fault the food sucks), but as far as I'm concerned the cook robbed me of $52; it was absolutely TERRIBLE FOOD!

    Dining room
    Don C.

    Service and ambiance is fine. The food seems a bit Mexican. It was ok. We may need to give it another try. Oh and the menu sometimes doesn't list all the ingredients in a dish so my friend was picking something out of his meal. That's a peeve of mine I tend to ask "no chunky tomatoes, mayo or capers?" Depends on where I am eating

    Inside - art work for sale
    Ruth B.

    First time and super happy I dined here! Unfortunately no photos of the food, I was hungry and dug right in. Three of us shared the sweet potato quesadilla - delish. I had a black bean and brown rice bowl- I added mojo shredded pork- super tasty and big enough for two to share. Hubby had ahi tuna salad- he cleaned his bowl. Friend had two diff types of tacos which she killed. We all enjoyed wine which were still in happy hour for $1 off. Desert was a warm brownie topped with coffee ice cream and toasted walnuts- YUMMY!!! Menu has many Mexican inspired dishes but this t a Mexican restaurant. Good tunes playing and the vibe is just super chill. I will definitely go back- and I can't wait. There is seating both indoors and outdoors.

    Key lime pie
    Wayne M.

    Overall we enjoyed dining here for dinner. Parking was easy although I almost drove past them, and the service was excellent, very friendly. We tried the chips and salsa and pretzel apps. Both were very good. The poke bowl was missing the wasabi sauce and I had to go ask if something was wrong because the dish was so dry and not spicy at all. The sauce was ok but not hot like wasabi should be. The Island bowl with blackened grouper was okay, but lacking real flavor. Sante Fe chicken kind of bland. Key lime pie was pretty good. The house location is cozy enough but I feel like it could use a little more warmth. While the food was okay it didn't live up to our expectations, and the missing component to a dish seems odd. We probably won't be back but other may enjoy the dishes more than we did. It is definitely worth a try.

    Taco steak & pork
    Rich G.

    Saturday lunch/early dinner - after 3 pm $1.00 off beers and $3.50 tacos. Great value. Good service good food - small place worth a visit. Parking in front and in back.

    Tasty tacos.   Especially the jerk chicken
    Mark H.

    This place is great. Unassuming and casual in an old house. Really good food and nice people serving it. I don't live close but glad I found this place. Highly recommended

    Front entrance
    Steve D.

    We are always on the hunt for a locally owned restaurant to try out. We stumbled on the Back 40 on the way to another destination. So glad we did. We ordered a grouper taco and a cuban sandwich. Both were delicious. If you're in St Augustine, you really should check this place out.

    wet burrito
    Luis D.

    Back 40 Urban Cafe was a real nice surprise. My wife had some family in town and they asked us to choose a restaurant to meet and have dinner at. My wife chose this spot and we had never heard of it or gotten a recommendation. We pulled in around 6pm and we got lucky because we got the last parking spot. Parking can be a bit tricky here. We had a group of six people and I think that Back 40 can accommodate a group of eight. Back 40 consists of four or so rooms of various sizes that accommodate different size groups. The front room might be the warmest and has some cups, mugs, and shirts for sale. The room we were in was right next to the kitchen and was super cold. I don't really blame Back 40 though since it was frigid outside. To start our meal we ordered the chips and queso and chips and salsa. The queso was super heavy, but tasty. For our entrees, I ordered the wet burrito and my wife ordered black bean tacos. The food came out super quick. We hadn't even finished eating our chips and our food came out for all six of us in about 15 minutes. My wet burrito was HUGE! I hadn't seen a wet burrito on a restaurant menu on the east coast ever. My wife really liked her tacos too. The staff was very good and kept checking in on our table. Our bill was pretty reasonable. I would definitely come back to eat here. It is a nice cozy spot.

    Alicia S.

    Wow, wow, wow! What else can I say. A special little place that makes you feel at home. Cozy, whimsical and bright! The food was to die for the service was top notch and extremely charming. Will def be returning! Highly recommended 5 Stars All the Way!

    Drinks
    Suzie L.

    Delicious food We had dinner here on a Tuesday night to take advantage of the Tuesday date night special - 2 drinks, 2 main meals and a dessert to share for $25. The food was delicious, and we enjoyed every mouthful. We each ordered a salad - curry shrimp and Thai chicken and peanut - and they came with lots of tasty fresh ingredients and house made dressing. The mud pie we ordered for dessert was a real winner too - chocolate brownie topped with toasted walnuts, coffee ice cream, whipped cream and chocolate sauce. There were lots of other great things on the menu too and most of the customers were regulars!

    Barbecue chicken quesadilla
    Deborah L.

    When we lived in Saint Augustine, this was our go to lunch place. Now that we're visiting, it's nice to see that it's only expanded. The food is so good and staff are so friendly. Don't forget to ask for Datt'l pepper sauce. It's a pepper indigenous to this area and it's so good!! One of the things I love about this restaurant is that the food is so fresh. They also have a good vegetarian offering. But they have enough meat as well for my carnivorous husband! If you're looking for upscale, keep looking! But if you're looking for Saint Augustine local food and people, this is it.

    Ahi Tuna Tacos
    Tim T.

    Never (never) had a bad meal at this St Augustine dining establishment. Love Back 40 Urban Cafe. Today I had lunch before a meeting downtown. Had the Ahi Tuna taco with pasta and it was amazing! Locals know all about this spot but visitors to our nations oldest city take note: This place rocks!!! Go here and enjoy!

    Jerk Chicken Nachos

    I dont know what happened to this place. Well, maybe its the new owners. But the food does not taste the same and surely does not look the same. This was my second time going since years. Ive seen the same lady worked like a dog. But lets focus on the fact that the black beans taste like ham. I do not eat pork. Regardless, i feel like thats odd. They never tasted this way before. The presentation is HORRENDOUS. It looks like a child throw food in a box and shook it up. (Also i asked for extra cheese and this is what i got) A couple years ago, I totally loved this spot. Not so much anymore :/

    Side salad with peanut dressing

    See all

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Best cuban sandwich hands-down. Staff was amazing. Ohhh can't forget the amazing Keylime pie.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of C S.
    0
    19
    13

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joe W.
    62
    11
    0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Anna S.
    2
    28
    42

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of John C.
    0
    66
    31

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Andrea D.
    169
    14
    10

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alan L.
    64
    119
    71

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kim S.
    24
    45
    20

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    The food was excellent, service also excellent and it is a cute little place with a parking lot.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Miss J.
    6
    43
    27

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Juliet H.
    4999
    1495
    20195

    10 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Meghan O.
    125
    111
    19

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Cara G.
    658
    20
    30

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 2 of 10

    Back 40 Urban Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Back 40 Urban Cafe

    You might also consider

    The Conch House Restaurant - Key lime pie

    The Conch House Restaurant

    3.6(1k reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    We were in town for a long weekend for a concert and planned to come here from dinner before we…read morewent back home. It came highly recommended from locals and online. Restaurant was easy to find and close to our hotel, plenty of parking. When we walked up, the views were nice as it's on the water. Nice signage. We walked in and were able to get seated inside right away (it was raining out otherwise we would have sat outside) but they sat us at a window seat so that was nice. Our server came by soon after, was attentive and friendly the rest of the evening. Appetizers - We ordered the gator tail and calamari. That must have been THE most tender calamari I've ever had! The breading was also very good and light - and the pepper sauce they give with it... wow very good! The gator was also very tender and good! Entrees - I ordered the Butter Rum Scallops and my husband ordered the Shrimp & Grits. My first bite of my entree was heavenly... I REALLY enjoyed it. It was sooooo good. That butter rum was something else. Scallops were perfectly cooked. My husbands was very good too - great flavor!! The grits were perfect. Then we ordered a Key Lime Pie to go (way too stuffed to eat it there lol!) but when we had some later that night... probably our favorite key lime pie ever! The consistency of it was like jelly like and it was SUPER good! Overall - a 10/10 experience here! Would definitely come back and hopefully on a nicer day so we can sit outside with the water views.

    We're locals and this was our first time here, we took my parents as they came for a visit for my…read morebirthday. Ambience is really cool. Perfect for a casual night out. Bar was hopping, live music. It's giving outdoor tiki which we loved. Food was decent, on par with every other seafood restaurant in Florida. Our waitress was great. On to the negatives - the hostess stand and or management is disorganized. Came up at 8:20 and asked for a table of 4. We inquired about an over water tiki hut and were told they stop seating those at 8pm because it gets dark. That's fine. Was told a 45 min wait, we agreed to join the list through yelp. We asked for first available, indoor or outdoor. On the plus side, the wait ended up being closer to 30 mins. However, there were tons of free tables the entire time we waited. Tiki huts were empty. The whole inside only had 2 tables sat. We asked to see a menu while we waited and got an audible sigh and eye roll. When our table was called, the hostess called 4 other groups at the same exact time, leading to a lot of confusion. As we are sitting and eating (it's now 9:30) a couple walks in. They're led to a table on the patio and asks to go into a tiki hut instead, which they are promptly sat in after they clean it off. So we asked our waitress, what's the deal! She said oh just ask the hostess and they can put you on the list for those huts. So not sure what happened. Overall- ambience 8/10 Food 7/10 Service (waitress) 10/10 Management (hostess) 4/10 Not sure if we'll go back because of the disorganization, unnecessary wait times, and rude hostesses.

    Photos
    The Conch House Restaurant - Inside dining room

    Inside dining room

    The Conch House Restaurant - Ahí Tuna Salad!

    Ahí Tuna Salad!

    The Conch House Restaurant - Bloody Mary

    See all

    Bloody Mary

    The Columbia - The Melanie

    The Columbia

    3.7(2.3k reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    Columbia Restaurant is hands down the best overall restaurant in St. Augustine!…read more The Paella Marinera and Arroz con Pollo were absolute FIRE! Both dishes were incredibly flavorful, beautifully prepared, and the portions are HUGE, definitely expect to share! Beyond the delicious food, the atmosphere and history of the restaurant make the entire experience special. If you're visiting St. Augustine, Columbia Restaurant is an absolute must! Amazing food, generous portions, beautiful atmosphere, without a doubt our favorite restaurant in St. Augustine!

    My wife and I, in Saint Augustine on vacation, met up with a good work friend of mine and her…read morehusband that I had not seen in years. She lives in Saint Augustine and had chosen this location because it was walking distance from our hotel, very convenient. The restaurant was hopping on a Monday night and it was good she had made reservations. Although we had a great time, I felt the food was only OK given the marketing oversell in the menu. (All quotes following are from Columbia's menu). I often like to try a restaurant specialties, especially far from home. First I had "Columbia's Original "1905" Salad® The Columbia's legendary salad tossed tableside" as a side salad. It was nothing special, hardly "legendary". For the main course I again relied on the menu and chose "Merluza a la Rusa - A Columbia classic since 1935. Spain's favorite fish". Again, disappointing given the description. The fish was somewhat bland and the top coating was burnt. If this is Spain's "favorite fish"there must be a dearth of seafood there. For dessert I chose the Key lime Pie: "Key lime pie is the "Official Pie of the State of Florida."". Decent Key lime pie but nothing memorable. However, I must say the bread that comes to your table is outstanding. The Columbia is obviously a Saint Augustine institution but I wish the food had come closer to the flowery menu descriptions.

    Photos
    The Columbia - The restaurant has a gift shop

    The restaurant has a gift shop

    The Columbia - Steak Salteado

    Steak Salteado

    The Columbia - Front of the property

    See all

    Front of the property

    Tropi Cali Food Truck - Jerk chicken riblets. So tender and delicious delicious delicious. My husband is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu and loves them.

    Tropi Cali Food Truck

    4.9(13 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    Read the reviews for this place, was hungry wanting something different so my hubby drove us there…read more Walked up, a nice gentleman greeted us, told him we're newbies and asked what he would recommend for a burrito, he recommended the jerk burrito which I obliged and my hubby ordered the Baja beef, we also ordered the jerk chicken riblets. Couldn't wait to taste as a young friendly lady completes our order. Friendly man and friendly pretty lady- I wanna slap you both cuz this food is so damn good!!! Riblets- couldn't stop eating them and will return to get more while I'm still here and some for the road home to Atlanta, Ga. Burritos- are large and very good, again we will be getting more tomorrow or Wednesday for sure. I took pictures of the riblets but not the burritos, but will when I return. I hope this food is low in fat if not I'm going to have to walk this off.

    Stopped for a quick bite before we headed for our scheduled boat ride downtown…read more We were greeted pleasantly by the chef who walked us through their short menu. We ordered the jerk chicken platter and 12 jerk chicken riblets. Brief conversation later, we leaned the chef was from NJ too and was a surf instructor at the Asbury park beach. We got talking for a bit. Now for the food, the first bite was quite a pleasant surprise and we thoroughly enjoyed the food. I love the coconut shavings on the jerk chicken, took it another level. The rice platter was great - Spanish rice, jerk chicken, chips, fresh guacamole, avocados and fried plaintains. Quite filling. Overall, I loved the food and their simple menu. They have a table or two right next to the truck. It's the same place as GameStop's parking lot. Quite a truck, hard to miss. Will definitely recommend!

    Photos
    Tropi Cali Food Truck
    Tropi Cali Food Truck
    Tropi Cali Food Truck - Inside of our Pork & Pineapple Mamoo burrito

    See all

    Inside of our Pork & Pineapple Mamoo burrito

    Back 40 Urban Cafe - caribbean - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...