The God answered my prayers! This place is a Caribbean food gem! I've been looking for some good jerk oxtail, and apparently the Lord heard my prayers because this hit the spot. Everything is freshly made, the portions are generous, and the meat is packed with flavor. The oxtail was fall-off-the-bone tender, and the jerk pork was ridiculously juicy and flavorful. I also tried the jerk chicken and NY strip. The chicken actually stole the show--the steak was good, but the jerk chicken had that extra something that made me keep going back for another bite. And of course, the coconut rice and plantains were the perfect companions to all that rich, savory goodness. My only wish? Give me something fresh and refreshing on the side! A little salad, slaw, or something with some acidity would balance out all that richness beautifully. Overall, though, everything was delicious, portions were big, and my Caribbean food cravings have officially been satisfied. Definitely coming back! read more

This is the first Back A Yard Jamaican Food location I visited when they first opened years ago. Now they have multiple locations throughout the South Bay, including San Jose. I came back after many years and also tried the San Jose location. Back A Yard is a good introduction for people who are new to Jamaican food or want something familiar. It's not quite like authentic Jamaican food cooked at home, where you get more of those bold spices and seasonings, but I understand they're cooking for the masses. Overall, the food is decent, the service is always good, and the portions are okay. Definitely not a bad choice when you're craving Jamaican food. read more

Back A Yard Caribbean American Grill - American Near Me - Menlo Park, California

This is a small 'hole in the wall' location and the OG for Caribbean food. I usually do take out from this location - parking is an issue here. The food is phenomenal!! My fav is the patty with the mango habanero sauce, goat curry and jerk chicken. The service is a little slow but they make fresh food - so you need to have the patience to enjoy it! They have many locations around the Bay Area and they also cater food. read more

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My compliments to the chef for the portion sizes. The chicken was juicy and paired well with their sauce, I would swim in the sauce if I could, it was that good! I'd order extra if you wanna add some on top of your rice. As for the oxtail, it was nice and tender. Wish this place was in my back yard, I would never leave. read more

Back A Yard Caribbean American Grill - Jerk chicken & beef oxtail - American Near Me - Menlo Park, California

We ordered takeout for my cousins birthday & the food was all so yummy everyone loved the food. Usually there are leftovers when I eat but not today! Lol, definitely will be returning everything was cooked and tasty! I wish I doubled my order so I could be eating while i write this review. Wish there was one closer to oakland but other than the travel I have no complaints. read more

Back A Yard Caribbean American Grill - Beef Oxtails - American Near Me - Menlo Park, California

Still one of my fav go to places for food in Menlo Park! I usually call in or order online prior just in case they are busy and the wait time is extended. Their menu offers plates, wraps, salads, appetizers, and sides, so you can find something for everyone. Items ordered: Jerk chicken plate (white meat) x2- I love their jerk sauce and the amount of food given can be split into two meals. read more

Back A Yard Caribbean American Grill - Jerk Chicken (White Meat) - American Near Me - Menlo Park, California

I finally had the time to try this and the jerk chicken plate was fire! I'm not a bbq person but this was amazing. I liked how chewy and easy the meat was very tender as well. read more

I absolutely love this place! Their fried plantains are so yummy, and the chicken and rice are seasoned so well and the sauce is the perfect cherry on top. They give a lot of food and one definitely plate enough to keep me full with some leftovers. Parking could be a bit hard to find and the seating is always taken up, so you may have to wait to eat inside. read more

Back A Yard Caribbean American Grill - Jerk Chicken & Pork - American Near Me - Menlo Park, California

This is the location in east Menlo Park. It's a very small place that most people take it to go. There's a few nice outdoor tables. I thought the jerk salmon was the best over the jerk pork. Everything tasted good but kind of salty. It was not overly spicy at all. I would come back again. read more

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Solid spot for Caribbean takeout, perfect for a work lunch meal. I usually get the jerk pork plate which comes with rice, beans, and plantains. Pork was a little dry today but could just be an off day. Overall solid spot and flavors. read more

Back A Yard Caribbean American Grill - Jerk Pork - American Near Me - Menlo Park, California

Great food and value. We got takeouts but the food was still delicious after we got home.

Tucked away on an unassuming corner in Menlo Park, Back A Yard stands out as one of the Bay Area's most beloved Caribbean spots. With generous portions and a friendly neighborhood vibe, there is no better place to try a plate of perfectly spiced jerk chicken, tender oxtail, and hearty servings of rice and beans, all complemented by sweet, caramelized plantains. Pair your meal with one of their refreshing house-made drinks, and you've got a taste of the islands without ever leaving the Peninsula. read more

Back A Yard Caribbean American Grill - Jerk Chicken Yard Plate - American Near Me - Menlo Park, California

Best Jamaican food in the bay that I've had. I do the jerk plate it used to come with salad plantains chicken n rice with a little sauce back in the day...Now it's no more salad with the meal but the rest of the meal is still the same. The patty's are fire also and the juices are refreshing and compliment the meal well. I would recommend trying everything ox tail plate good too. read more

If you want to cater amazing food, I would highly recommend this place? The salad they do here the plantains are amazing. The meat is amazing. Everything is so tasteful. I've had this multiple times for catering at my job and I recommended 10 out of 10. read more

Back A Yard is an East Menlo Park institution that has been there since I was a little kid. I ordered a large order yesterday, on a whim, for my sister's birthday (she is half Jamaican). The food was ready quickly and was an absolute hit. I'm glad they give a lot of food because there was a bigger turn out than I expected. It was a little bit of a trek because we live in South City but it was totally worth it - everyone raved about it. There was something for the spicy and non-spicy lovers too. Patties, goat curry, oxtail, jerk chicken- tons of chicken drumsticks and thighs bbqed to perfection. read more

OMG Got the Curry Goat & Ox Tail Combo Straight FIIIAAAH!! Lord have mercy! One word- Tenderism! Even the plantains brought it! 10/10 Get ova hea NOW!!! Support these good people bring joy to the world!! read more

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I wanted to give this place 5 stars but this is the second time I didn't get my drink to go and everytime I forget to come back to get it. It's always the short Mexican guy. He is nice but seems to always forget to. Ask me for sauce for my orders and definitely forgets my drinks and I only remember when I go to look for my drinks to eat with my to go meals ! So frustrating as I do not live in area. The younger white girl was rude af when asking for more than one sauce with your meals. Literally saw her give 5 jerk sauces to a sista and some customers before my son asked for 2! But unlike the Mexican guy she at least upsells and offers other menus and asked you for sauces when picking up your meal. The other lady is on point all the time. Maybe that's why she is the manager. She is nice always, doesn't forget orders and delivers customer service. read more

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Jerk salmon, oxtail, curry goat, jerk chicken .. I've tried it all at Back A Yard and recommend ALL of them. I love how consistent Back A Yard is with their dishes. Although their dishes are worth trying, the ambiance is underwhelming. This is a small restaurant with some seating indoor and outdoor but not much. Right across from this place is a busy intersection, so it can get loud if you decide to sit outside. Depending on the time of day parking can get tricky around this establishment, so I opt to get my food delivered via DoorDash especially in the evening. read more

One of my go to spots for Caribbean food and I usually go with the oxtails and jerk chicken combo meal with the mouth watering Mac and cheese you want be disappointed. read more

Back A Yard Caribbean American Grill - Amazing delicious combo of oxtails and Jerk Chicken & Beef Oxtails - American Near Me - Menlo Park, California

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Everything and I mean EVERYTHING was a hit. Herbaceous, spicy, citrusy, savory, sweet, the Jerk marinade was so spot on I was shocked. Jerk Salmon flaky, tender, flavorful. Jerk oxtail, bursting with flavor, tender, but not completely fall off the bone, still had a bite to it. The plantains were sweet, soft, and beautifully caramelized on the outside. Red beans and rice were perfectly cooked fluffy, and mixed with that sauce. This meal is to die for it was so good. Corn bread we had on the side too was good! And the drink in the photo is a guava pineapple. Absolute bangers all around. Go check them out! read more

Back A Yard Caribbean American Grill - Jerk Salmon & Beef Oxtails - American Near Me - Menlo Park, California

DELISHHHHHHH. There's not that many carribbean food spots in my hometown so when I was trying to figure out where I should eat during my trip in Menlo Park and saw this place, I knew I had to try it. Came here on a Tuesday Afternoon around 3:30pm. We ordered and our food came out super quick!! The interior is no frills, there's 3 tables inside and a few outside. I think people mostly get plates to go! Got the Yard Combo with jerk salmon and jerk pork (5/5): So freaking good. The salon was moist and the pork was cooked so well, the seasoning on both were *chef's kiss*. The rice & beans and fried plantains were such great sides. I would definitely come here again and try their other dishes! read more

Back A Yard Caribbean American Grill - Yard Combo: Jerk Pork & Salmon Combo - American Near Me - Menlo Park, California

Oyyy, the pain of dry rice and peas and lackluster collards in your moment of need. I was so hungry. So. Dang. Hungry. And I trusted Back A Yard in ways I shouldn't have. I ordered a side of rice and peas and collard greens and ended up with a bowl of something dryer than ashes and more flavorless than wet tofu. The collards actually weren't as flavorless as they were... Off? There were just some odd spices by maybe lemon or something else acidic poppin' off in there. But the most disappointing part was absolutely the rice and peas. Without a doubt. There was a mango drink of sorts that was also just a sugary, thick fruit concentrate. It def didn't conjure up visions of the tropics or sweet island vibez dem. Can I tell you the worst part? I thought I was being smart by calling the restaurant prior to my order to make sure I heard some form of West Indian accent on the other line and not a total Karen. I was bamboozled. That sweet Caribbean accent I encountered had no flavorful bearing on the food I received. It was rough. It was dry. It was the last time I'll order from this spot, sadly. read more

Wow, tender and thyme flavored oxtail that falls off the bone. Super fast and a large Serving imo read more

Back A Yard Caribbean American Grill - $24 total tax inxluded - American Near Me - Menlo Park, California

I wasn't really expecting much when we arrived at this place... plain furniture, simple but cute wall decor in a not fancy location, they have a couple of indoor and outdoor tables but most customers gets their food to-go. If you're one like me who does not really want to pay for ambiance... and recognizes good food regardless of location... this is the place to-go. Straighforward menu... I got the jerk pork and oxtail. Pork was smokey... it smelled so good. Oxtail was very tender and juicy. The order came with rice and beans. I am really not a fan of beans so I am glad my rice had barely beans on it. Staff were polite and service was okay, we did not wait long for our orders to come out. Would definitely go back here. read more

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when i tell you these the best oxtails i had in a minute. Tender juicy and the rice and plantains are great too! I also get the festival bread on the side it's my fav. and you're paying $50 for 2 plates that's GOOD PRICING ! bc usually if you go get an oxtail plate from anywhere else they're charging you like $40-$60 for one plate. This place has my heart fr ! read more

Back A Yard Caribbean American Grill - Beef Oxtails - American Near Me - Menlo Park, California

Parking: This is definitely a hole-in-the-wall spot and parking can be a little tricky. You may have to find street parking and walk a bit, but it's manageable. Food: The jerk chicken is the star of the show. It's packed with bold flavor and really hits the spot. It pairs perfectly with the sweet plantains and the rice and beans. Service / Speed: I've only ordered takeout here, but the food is usually hot and ready pretty quickly, which I always appreciate. Overall: If you're looking for Caribbean food with a serious punch of flavor, this spot is worth checking out. read more

I ordered via door dash, was sent an order ready email, went to pick up my order and was told it wasn't ready. I had to wait almost 20 minutes more to get my food as I watched people pick up their order, and some make an order and get their food before me. Your food is good, but man y'all struck out this time. But people, y'all need to eat from this place- the food is damn good. I always get the goat curry plate. The ambiance is chill limited seating inside and outside due to the place being small, but at least there's seating if you're lucky during rush hour (lunch/dinner). Y'all gotta open a place in Newark so i can order food everyday, seriously, it's that good and the prices are reasonable. read more

What a flavorful delicious meal! - jerk salmon/oxtail- both meats here were so delicious, definitely the preferred combo. loved the salmon, cooked perfectly, tender, not overdone at all. oxtail had many pieces, came with a sauce- on the saltier side but also nice to have with the rice. - jerk chicken/pork- both were yummy, can't go wrong with these classics. i think the pork had the smallest portion size of the four meats we had. - cornbread- we ended up ordering a piece after reading a friend's yelp review after finishing our food. large size, on the sweeter size, yummy. portion size was very generous, we were able to finish the entrees between two. i think we could've ordered less but the combo meats are such a good deal. read more

Back A Yard Caribbean American Grill - American Near Me - Menlo Park, California

I have used Back A Yard twice for catering. I hosted a Black History Month celebration at my place of employment and had Back a Yard cater the food. They are prompt via email and call a day in advance and the day of to confirm the order and their arrival. The food has been fresh and delicious. The mac and cheese, fried chicken, red velvet cake, corn bread, collard greens--all GREAT. I've also ordered for delivery for dinner, and I have had a pleasant experience as well. Back A Yard had excellent hospitality and food. read more

Customer service was excellent! Great vibes great commentary great suggestions. Jerk chicken nothing to mention not recommended. Oxtails were the star but not a showstopper! Not as tender or seasoned as they could be , the Mac n cheese NOPE! Collard greens I've never ever seen anyone cut up and cook the whole entire leaf especially the high thick stems I barely got greens mostly sticks and they weren't seasoned kinda greasy I definitely will not order those again! The chimichurri sauce in the communion cup (so small) was better than everything IF I go back My order will be oxtails and a bag of that chimichurri sauce that's it !! Oh and the sweet potato pudding HARD NO!! Smelled good that's it ask to see items before ordering it looks crazy but I tried it and the taste matched (weird ) read more

Back A Yard Caribbean American Grill - Jerk Chicken & Beef Oxtails Combo Macaroni and Cheese Collard Greens - American Near Me - Menlo Park, California

First and probably not my last time having delicious Caribbean food! I got the Jerk Chicken and Jerk Pork Combo to share with my boyfriend and it was enough for the both of us! The portions were decent and the meat along with the plantains and rice paired perfectly together! Our friend got practically the same thing just with white meat chicken with a mango juice. The plantain was grilled to a crispy deliciousness and the meat was very smoky. I've never had such a pairing before. I cannot believe that you could get such good portions and good food for just around $15. That is a steal! Although the food and prices are good I would say the location is quite busy so if you do end up eating outside like we did it is pretty noisy, but it didn't matter to us since we came for good food! read more

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I am such a sucker for this place's oxtail plate. It is plentiful and well seasoned and portions are huge! Fed me for 3 days because I'm small & petite. Friendly service And it's definitely a grab and go vibe because the place is situated right off the freeway. read more

Back A Yard Caribbean American Grill - Jerk Chicken & Beef Oxtails Combo - American Near Me - Menlo Park, California

Got the oxtail plate with double rice and they gave me 1 piece of oxtail with gravy and bones this is absolutely not acceptable and bad business. read more

Back A Yard Caribbean American Grill - Got the oxtail plate and they gave me 1 little piece of oxtail mixed with some gravy and bones for $20 this is not ok. - American Near Me - Menlo Park, California

I love their chicken meal, it's juicy and has a nice garlic flavor with lots of spices!

Right on the corner on a busy street, this spot had tons of people walking in for take out or dine in. It was a rainy day and perfect for a combo plate with chicken and oxtail! The special my husband got was with shrimp and fish filet. The plantains were delicious and sauce flavorful. The rice was overdone this time around but the beans were tasty. I would come back again to try other items because I absolutely love Jamaican food! read more

I am from the east cost (Jersey boy) and the wife and I were talking about beef patties we used to get from a those small family owned places back east and really wanted some! We did a quick search and found this place, we live in Modesto but work in Menlo Park, so the ride from the office to here was 7 minutes! We got 4 beef patties, jerked chicken and the ox tail....and yes we will be back! And since it is so close to my office I most likely will be come back next week! This is a must stop! read more

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We love this place, and we always order the Jerk Chicken & Beef Oxtails Combo whenever we come here. Their food always hits the spot for us. This time it was a little disappointing.....our chicken was undercooked, and by the time we realized it was already too late and had bit into it. My husband and I have been sick the past couple of days. read more

Back A Yard Caribbean American Grill - Jerk Chicken & Beef Oxtails Combo - American Near Me - Menlo Park, California

I had the jerk tofu yard plate, which was amazing. The fried plantains were the best part. Rice and beans were also delicious, they had a hint of coconut flavor which I was not expecting but really enjoyed. The tofu was just okay, I don't think they pressed enough of the water out before grilling so it was somewhat bland even with the jerk sauce but not too bad. The menu has a lot of labelled vegan options. For some reason the rice and beans and fried plantains aren't marked vegan in the sides section even though some yard plates that include them are, but I asked them on social media and they confirmed that the rice and beans and plantains are vegan. read more

Back A Yard Caribbean American Grill - Jerk Tofu Plate (vegan) - American Near Me - Menlo Park, California

I called for takeout on a Saturday late afternoon. Years ago, I tried Back A Yard in San Jose and this is my first time trying the Peninsula store. STARS (stand out qualities) -Food is sooo tasty. We enjoyed the goat curry (super spicy!) and jerk chicken. Corn festivals so so fresh and delicious -Food was ready in 15-20 minutes from calling -Prices are reasonable given the portion size -Takeout came with napkins, utensils, leak proof containers and plastic bag -Indoor space had nice decor and color STAIRS (areas of growth) -Customer service was very minimal at least verbally. When I called on the phone, they didn't feel friendly but they got the job done. When I called, they didn't greet with what store and location so I needed to ask to clarify and when I finished my order they just hung up (no bye! Lol) -Would be great if they had compostable utensils but that might be hard to ask for for a small business TIPS -Remember to distinguish whether you want white meat for jerk chicken (I forgot to clarify on the phone) -There is street parking if you are willing to walk a bit (like 2 or so blocks). I saw cars parked on a curb right across from the main side walk and wasn't sure if that was sanctioned parking or not -Didn't see indoor seating but there is outdoor seating and chairs Overall, I would come back to try other items on the menu! read more

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Back A Yard is Flavor Town! Succulent morsels packed with spices and seasoning will have you chomping down your meal bite after bite until you're too stuffed to go on. Tucked in a neighborhood loop just within a couple hundred yards from the freeway entrance, you'll find Back A Yard serving the locals their signature Caribbean cuisine. With primarily outdoor seating, you'll often see patrons dining in under the shade of the trees. Parking can be rough here as most of the street parking spots are occupied by residents but if you drive further down toward the bend, there are more spots. To make things more efficient for us, we decided to get takeout and called ahead to place our order. Their service over the phone doesn't sound too welcoming, so if you prefer to bypass the discomfort, you could consider placing your order online but there is a small convenience fee. Now for the food, they have a pretty simple menu with key staples (jerk chicken, ox tail, pork, BBQ) that are paired with rice and beans and plantains. The menu is available through their website and includes a detailed breakdown of their daily specials, solo protein plates, combo protein plates, salads, and sides. On Saturdays, they serve Jamaica's national dish, ackee and codfish. Well worth the experience if you've never tried it. As we primarily came here for their Caribbean dishes, that's what we focused on but they also have standard barbecue meats for those looking for a change up. Jerk chicken - delicious, dry rubbed with their house seasoning and grilled to capture all the flavor. The meat is juicy and pair well with the rice/beans mix. Plantains are great palate cleansers in between bites. The normal jerk chicken plate comes with primarily legs and thighs whereas the jerk white meat chicken plate comes with breasts. If you want more flavor, get the normal jerk chicken. Curried goat - packed with flavor and seeping with aroma. A bit on the spicy end but if you can handle the heat, this dish is a must get. Juicy pieces of meat and small cuts of tendon and lining are smothered in the tasty curry that go extremely well with the rice/beans. The plantains, again, are great to relieve your palate from the rising heat. Fried corn meal bread (festivals) - bready yet crispy fried corn fritters have a texture similar to fried dough/Chinese doughnuts (you tiao). Nice snack before, during, or after the meal! Kids love it! The portions were large and definitely shareable. For the price you pay, it seems to be a fair deal! Overall, Back A Yard packs a huge punch of flavor in each of their dishes and if you're craving something a bit different, Caribbean food will fit the bill. The flavor and texture profiles of their dishes give a perfect blend to have your mouth dancing. Since they only have a few dedicated dishes, they do an excellent job executing them with great consistency. If you're looking for something zesty and an adventure for your tastebuds, head to Back A Yard at this location or the others out in South Bay and dine like the Caribbeans! read more

Back A Yard Caribbean American Grill - Jerk Chicken Plate - American Near Me - Menlo Park, California

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