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    Back A Yard

    4.3 (799 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Back A Yard Takeout or Delivery

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    BACK A YARD ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Back A Yard

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    Jerk Chicken & Beef Oxtails, 3-Meat BBQ Combo, Corn Festivals
    Sylvia N.

    For two people, we ordered so much! We wanted to try the jerk chicken and oxtail combo, the 3 meat bbq, and the fried corn bread. It was soooo much food, but it was only like ~$50 for all that! We also got the mango passionfruit drink. I loOooved the jerk chicken, but my boyfriend loved the bbq ribs. The oxtail was incredibly flavorful, but it was probably our least favorite. Probably can order anything, and it would be pretty good! It came out super fast too!!

    Entrance
    Marc T.

    Finally got the chance to try this place with a friend over dinner on a Friday night! I've been to their location in Campbell but have always missed out on this spot in the east San Jose area. Back A Yard is part of the lion market plaza, so it's unique in its food service and has lots of parking for its diners. It's a medium sized space with tables for solo diners, couples, and groups of 4. Colorful murals with their logo, lots of personality, and great scents wafting from the kitchen. When I entered, they were around already 10 people dining and enjoying their food; everyone was enjoying the food that's for sure. I ordered their jerk chicken + oxtail combo. It was about a 7 minute wait for my food and it was served to my table. The food had a beautiful presentation with lots of food from 4 plantains, 3 pieces of oxtail, rice and beans, and 2 pieces of chicken. It was so filling, meat was so juicy and tender, lots of sauce at the bottom of the plate, rice was warm and soft. The plantains were soft and perfectly sweet and fried. Great price for the quantity and quality of food. I had to take some leftovers home so my family could try! I'm definitely coming here again if my family is shopping around this area.

    Oxtail and Jerk Chicken Plate and cup of Chicken and Pumpkin Soup
    Janet N.

    Love this location, not only is it more convenient for me to visit but the staff is super friendly, the food is consistently good just like their other locations and it's nice and clean inside. Stopped in for a plate and soup, was just really feeling something comforting, hearty and warm. Got the Oxtail and Jerk Chicken plate and a cup of their Soup of the Day which was Chicken and Pumpkin. The food portions here go crazy, super flavorful and they give so many pieces of incredibly tender oxtail and chicken. Love the beans and rice along with the plantains. The soup came with chicken pieces, pumpkin and corn in a clear broth but was so perfect for the cold weather. I love soup and this clear broth soup was delicious. The staff is super friendly and the service is quick. Food came out piping hot and quickly. Great portions here and honestly pricing is super reasonable! Always a good meal dining here.

    Jerk Chicken
    Tim N.

    I have a bone to pick with you. I want to try many of the other menu items, but the jerk chicken is so good that I keep ordering it with the other jerk items. How am I supposed to try something else if the jerk chicken is so good that I have to keep ordering it?

    Jerk Salmon Filet
    Chassidy T.

    I went to Back A Yard Grill after a volunteer event a little pass 11am. I was surprised to see they've already had folks place orders shortly after opening. I went with a group of around 11 people, our orders came into go bowls with serving utensils. I personally ordered their Jerk Salmon Plate which was recommended by a friend. The food was great, flavorful, and filling. I do have to say that their small sauce is a bit salty with a kick, so I only used it occasionally. Additionally, I tried their Sorrel ginger drink which was good as well -- it reminded me of jamaica / hibiscus. Overall, I enjoyed my meal and would love to try other dishes in the future.

    Farhana M.

    Love Back a yard grill, they have a really good rice and beans. Fries are okay, they're crinkle cut and not as crunchy as I'd like them. Cole slaw is alright too. So I always get a combo as the sides are the rice and beans with fried sweet plantains. The curry goat and oxtail is a great combo

    Beef Oxtails
    Mumtaz P.

    Delicious food - I love the jerk chicken and oxtail! The staff are always cool and friendly. They bring your food to the table which is nice. The hot sauce used to be free but it appears not to be anymore. :-( The prices are on the high side but there aren't many Jamaican or Caribbean spots around.

    Jerk Chicken & Pork (bottom), Jerk Salmon & Beef Oxtails (top)
    Jarod N.

    My friends were raving about Back A Yard from their work days so I had to stop in for lunch to give this Jamaican joint a try. I ordered the Jerk Chicken & Jerk Pork combo and a couple other friends ordered the Jerk Salmon & Beef Oxtail combo, so I got to sample all of the meats. The chicken, pork, and oxtail were all amazingly flavorful and tender, and the salmon was surprisingly not dry and cooked well! My friends really loved the oxtail, but my favorite was probably the chicken or pork; you really can't go wrong with any of them! Each combo came with generous portions of meat, rice and beans mixed together, and 4 fried plantains which really helped to balance out the strong flavors of the meat. This is an order-at-the-counter establishment with a fair amount of indoor seating and lovely Caribbean decor, notably a huge mural on one wall. Although we fully expected to pick up our food at the counter when ready, the cashier graciously delivered each of our plates to the table we were sitting, with napkins and utensils included. He even brought us all water cups! Phenomenal service and even better food!

    Jerk Pork & Beef Oxtails Combo, Coconut Curried Tofu, Macaroni and Cheese
    Kayley C.

    Always a consistent favorite. You can't go wrong ordering here, but our favorites is the jerk pork, oxtail, and Mac & cheese. The service is always attentive and fast. The restaurant is a bit smaller, so can fill up quick when busy.

    Jerk Chicken & Beef Oxtails combo with Festival bread and Guava juice
    Thinh L.

    Not enough stars to give here. I have been a fan of Back A Yard ever since I discovered the downtown location years ago. This location offers a place to sit down with tables and chairs rather than only takeout. The cashier is very friendly and will offer recommendations if you need help combing through the menu. The oxtail is a must have since the meat is so tender and falls off the bone. The jerk sauce is out of this world. Plantains are cooked to perfection. This is a must try spot

    Collard Greens
    Courtney O.

    While in town visiting some family, we decided to Door Dash Back A Yard because my brother in law swore by it. I ordered the Jerk Chicken and Salmon Combo Plate plus we ordered a side of Macaroni and Cheese and Collard Greens. We also ordered a Chicken Patty to share and the Pineapple Upside Down Cake and Key Lime Pie. I really liked the combo plate - I thought it was very flavorful with the perfect amount of heat. I really enjoyed the Chicken Patty as well, but I wasn't a big fan of the Collard Greens and the Mac and Cheese was decent. I also thought the Pineapple Upside Down Cake was a bit on the dry side as well. I can't really comment on the service or ambiance since this was a delivery, but I would definitely like to visit next time we are in the area. Overall, I really liked the main dish and would order again or try some new items!

    Michele B.

    Love this restaurant! Delicious food and friendly people! We will Always be back! We have been here several times the atmosphere is good. The food is always delicious at the service is very accommodating.

    Solomon C.

    Ok hear me out. This spot is it. Extremely affordable with great food. Well wait what I ordered was great. I still need to go back to sample the rest of the menu. Oxtails 5/5 tender, and seasoned well. Mac&cheese 5/5 nice portion, seasoned perfectly and cheese to noodle ratio good. Rice&beans 5/5 seasoned good, cooked perfectly. Plantains 6/5 I didn't even like plantains. But the ones I jad here were so good. They brought the whole dish together. Jerk chicken 5/5 Some damn good bird. That's all I need to say. Service 5/5 My only true gripe is the lack of dining space. Nothing inside and like 3 tables on the outside. No where near a deal breaker for me, but I wouldn't mindthat little comfort. Just my opinion. Overall a wonderful experience.

    Jerk Chicken

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    2 months ago

    Small little place with some of the most amazing food! Jerk chicken, rice and beans, cornbread and their fried plantains were all delicious.

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    3 months ago

    Went to Back A Yard a few weeks ago. I liked my entree and I bought some of the Jerk sauce they sell.

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    Back A Yard Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Back A Yard

    Do they have outdoor seating?

    No outdoor seating .just 4 indoors

    Are they still open?

    Call in at 11 am to find out .. should be

    Are they open on Sunday's?

    Yes, at this location they do.

    What are their hours?

    They close at 8:30 on weekdays if I'm not mistaken. I'm not completely sure about Friday. They are pretty strict on that closing hour as they have to clean up and close down. Do your best to come well before 8:30.

    Does anyone know when they will open?

    View All 9 Questions

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    The Table - Complimentary Bread ($0)

    The Table

    3.9(3.9k reviews)
    4.3 miWillow Glen
    $$

    I ordered the avocado crab toast with dungeness crab, miso butter, soft scrambled eggs, arugula,…read moreand trout roe. It was good, but I think the portion was on the smaller side for the price. Service was really good though. We sat outside since I had my dog with me, and the waitress brought out a water bowl for my dog without me even asking, which I thought was a really nice touch. Overall a solid spot, especially if you're sitting outside. Good service and a nice, relaxed vibe.

    The Table was a really big miss for me. The outside of the restaurant was very cute, and the inside…read morehad nice vibes. From the start, the waitstaff was standoffish and not very friendly. When we were seated, we were given a list of items that were not available. I originally wanted to try the pancakes but ended up ordering the chicken sandwich instead. This was genuinely one of the worst chicken sandwiches I have ever had. It was extremely gristly, fatty, and made with dark meat, which felt like an odd choice for a chicken sandwich. I'm not sure why this cut of chicken was used. The fries were alright, but they did not come with the sandwich and cost an additional $5. Our total came to almost $90 for three entrees with no beverages. I was especially frustrated because my sandwich was inedible. For the price and quality, I will not be returning and would not recommend this place.

    Photos
    The Table
    The Table - Roasted Carrot Salad ($14)

    Roasted Carrot Salad ($14)

    The Table - Market Fish: Salmon w/ Balsamic Soubise ($36)

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    Market Fish: Salmon w/ Balsamic Soubise ($36)

    Water Tower Kitchen

    Water Tower Kitchen

    4.3(1.2k reviews)
    6.7 mi
    $$

    Where do I start aside from I absolutely LOVE Water Tower?! And so do my friends and family. I have…read morevisited this restaurant sporadically over the years and they have been great every time. But, they absolutely SURPASSED great when we booked their patio for our baby shower a few weeks ago. Melissa, their Event Coordinator was absolutely wonderful from start to finish. She took on every single one of my questions (at all random hours,) requests, and changes with kindness and patience. She was always responsive and quick, which is super important for a frazzled, pregnant woman. Anthony, our designated bartender for the event was friendly, outgoing, and so amazing dealing with a more than average "rowdy" group. The service staff was on point the whole event, ensuring to pay attention to little details such as keeping the food fresh and replenished. We've received nothing but positive feedback from guests, from service to the tastiness of all the food options! We appreciated this experience so much that we'll be returning later this week to celebrate my son's graduation with our friends and family. Highly recommend Water Tower for any occasion- whether a quick brunch or dinner with an intimate group or a big celebratory occasion!

    Met friends at Water Tower for dinner. All of our food was very good. The lettuce wraps are so…read moregood. Drinks are some of the best. The churro waffle for dessert was super tasty. Friendly staff and a fun place to meet up with friends.

    Photos
    Water Tower Kitchen - Dessert

    Dessert

    Water Tower Kitchen - The bathroom is so cute

    The bathroom is so cute

    Water Tower Kitchen - Tower Fries

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    Tower Fries

    Goodtime Bar - Pork Belly w/ caramelized oyster sauce, peach salsa, ngo gai, jimmy nardellos ($24)

    Goodtime Bar

    4.7(230 reviews)
    4.4 miDowntown
    $$

    I totally understand how they made the top 100 in the SF Chronicle list, it's so well deserved!…read more I have only heard golden reviews of goodtime bar through peers and thought it was a great time to finally check it out! I came here with a friend on a weekday for dinner and it was not packed at all. The atmosphere was very minimalist and clean, with a cute disco ball in the corner. This establishment requires you to order at the bar (makes sense it's a bar), and then they did you a number for the table so they can deliver your food. Any drinks you order they will make it right then and there for you to bring over. In terms of food, here is everything we ordered and my thoughts! *Deviled eggs: You would think since it's deviled eggs, there wouldn't be anything too special about them but I appreciated the small pops of salmon roe that added a nice textural play with the creamy eggs! * Bluefin tostada: Absolutely delicious with fresh tuna, paired with mango, on a crispy wonton chip. What a rich treat. * Arancini: The twist of fusion flavors was great. I love how the Japanese curry added a nice mix of umami, paired with the sharp creamy kimchi sauce. Definitely a favorite! * Pork belly: Pull apart, juicy, and tender! These paired actually really well with the arancini for a good balance of rice and meat. * Red miso crème brûlée: interesting sweet and salty flavor combination between the red miso and Madagascar vanilla. Not too overpowering tho. A lovely meal was had here!

    goodtime keeps me in San Jose. What more is there to say? I…read morewish I could come more often than I already do! Food staff and wine are all the best

    Photos
    Goodtime Bar - Indoor seating area

    Indoor seating area

    Goodtime Bar - Arancini

    Arancini

    Goodtime Bar - A rich sparkling white that's not too dry

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    A rich sparkling white that's not too dry

    Back A Yard - caribbean - Updated May 2026

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