We are a gluten free family due to having celiac disease. We pick restaurants that offer gluten free options. We were excited to see that Backstreet did! I ordered the short ribs that were marked as gluten free and they came out with bread crumbs on them. Very dangerous to serve a gluten free dish with gluten on the dish. Do better for people with food allergies. read more

Decided to stop here for lunch with a good friend and left pretty dissatisfied with the quality of the food. I decided to order the bucatini with spicy crab which is a pasta dish. There was no spice to it at all and the worse part is that the noodles were hard af... it was almost like they didn't cook the noodles. Not sure if that's how it's suppose to be, but I think it was cooked longer, it would've tasted much better. However, the service here was great and so were the mimosas. read more

Backstreet Cafe - Bucatini & Spicy Crab - New American Near Me - Houston, Texas

I had low expectations because I've had their brunch once and it wasn't impressed but their dinner is another story. I came here for a bridal party this past Saturday. We had a set menu with a few entrees to choose from but most of us chose the scallops w/ butternut squash risotto or the duck confit. *Complimentary Bread: it came out fresh and hot. The sourdough was incredible, we couldn't stop eating it. *Hummus: Best I EVER had! I never thought I'd be crazy about hummus but I still can't stop thinking about it till this day. It was a twist on traditional hummus; topped with bits of nuts, purple cauliflower, broccoli, and other veggies which added texture. AMAZING. I could eat it without the pita bread. Btw, the pita bread also was warm and fresh. *Lettuce Shrimp Wraps: The shrimps were thicccc. I loved that it was topped with fresh chilies. Most of my friends gave me their chilies which made mine a little spicier, I really enjoyed it. *Scallops w/ Butternut Squash Risotto: 3 large plump scallops on a bed of warm, savory risotto. It was divine, demolished it in seconds (okay, not really but it felt like I did). I loved it. *Duck Confit: I tried a bit of my friend's and it tasted so juicy and tender. One of my other friends nearly regretted ordering the scallops because she loved the duck. I still enjoyed the scallops more. *Dark Chocolate Lava Cake: Too rich for my taste. I liked the ice cream more, which had bits of walnuts inside. *Butterscotch Bread Pudding: I had a bite of my friend's. It was actually pretty good but I'm not a fan of butterscotch. If it was another flavor I would've ordered this. The service was up to par. Our food came out in a timely manner so everything flowed pretty smoothly. I would definitely recommend coming here for dinner. Perfect for a date night or special occasion. read more

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Fantastic service and food, a really nice little places for brunch. They were also very accommodating for kids, which we weren't expecting given it's on the nicer side of things. read more

When during HRW and didn't have to wait yay. For starters service was the best they were able to accommodate my special taste buds wanted steak and lobster well that wasn't on the lunch menu so they were able to get a lobster tail and fillet mignon for me and make me feel special. Well and both my dish and my friends were absolutely delicious I totally plan to come back here in the future and would definitely recommend to friends and family. read more

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I came here for brunch with a few coworkers and we were seated outside, which was nice since the weather was very cooperative. I had their version of an Arnold Palmer, I forgot what it was called but it had more than just your typical iced tea and lemonade. It was too tart for my taste though. For an appetizer, I ordered the Scallop Crudo which was pretty delicious. I've never had raw scallops before, but the apple slice on top paired very well with it. HOWEVER, I ended up killing my coworkers Wild Mushroom Risotto. She felt it was a little undercooked, but I loved it. Unfortunately, those were the only 2 dishes I liked. The duck spring rolls were okay. But my Shrimp and Grits lacked flavor. The shrimp were huge but I definitely feel like it could use a little more seasoning. My coworker got one of the specials which was Crab Cake Benedict. Flavor was good, but the crab cake could have been a little crispier? The texture was just mushier than I was prepared for. We finished with coffee and dessert. The Nutella coffee was okay, but the bread pudding and flan were delicious. Maybe I'd come back for the risotto, or even to try the dinner menu. But brunch was definitely only so-so for me. read more

Backstreet Cafe - Shrimp And Stone Ground Cheese Grits - New American Near Me - Houston, Texas

What can I say. Hugo Ortega a house hold name in H-Town and has a remarkable story and it all started here. The food was all incredibly and remarkably consistent throughout the entirety of the dining experience. Service was top tier and drinks were delicious as well as the Taittinger champagne which was only $70! All and all another Hugo establishment that did not disappoint! read more

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We dine at Backstreet about 3-4 times a year and have for 20 years. We've been seated in the bar, beyond the bar, the back room, upstairs by the fireplace and outside on the patio. Service is always friendly and staff is experienced. The food is what keeps us coming back- it's always top notch and the off the menu offers are superb. Four of us enjoyed the snapper special - just delicious. read more

Backstreet Café stays busy! I've had brunch here for years and every time I've been, there is always a wait-- reservations or not. They will NOT seat you until your actual reservation time. The waiting area is small, be prepared to wait outside. Parking is a hassle, expect to valet. Since I always start here, I'm going to say, START WITH THE WILD BERRY MIMOSA. A magnum, not a tiny glass! Every food item that I've had at Backstreet has been amazing. Service is ALWAYS exceptional & willing to accommodate with large groups, despite the rules being stern via email. The Backstreet Benedict is great, The Fried Chicken & Biscuits is great, and the Migas is great! read more

Backstreet Cafe - New American Near Me - Houston, Texas

Houston Restaurant Weeks is here and certainly did not disappoint. We went for lunch so you get a starter and entree for $25! The sorbet was extra but so recommend and add flavored liquor for an extra bite. I was very pleased with the dish's we had. The eggplant pappardelle was truly chef's kiss!! They also really went above and beyond on beautiful plating. Y'all stop in for HRW lunch here. You won't regret it. read more

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Amazing food and service! (See prior review for more detail) wanted to add the shots of the food :-) read more

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Amazing food, service, ambiance and location! Fantastic for a Sunday brunch! The last time we went they even had live music in the bar area!

First time here. Service very good and the food was good. I did find the menu a bit short although my first visit- that was fine I'd not come here often. Great wine selection. Only negatives you have to valet even though they have a lot with empty spots- I hate people driving my vehicle. Second it was a bit pricey. Again it was good though. read more

What makes this place truly stand out is there consistently. I have been coming here for 20 plus years like,most other Houstonians , for a few reasons. Reliable fresh food Incredible wait staff Tried and true favorites will always welcome you in, but when you want a delicious surprise there specials deliver. In short if you want an upscale ambiance with a non pretentious setting and staff backstreet will, and has always been the place to go. read more

Had brunch here for my cousin's baby shower with a group of about 12 ladies. Overall a great experience, especially from a service standpoint. Our server in the upstairs area where we were seated was very attentive. Our water cups were always filled to the brim anytime they got low. And he was kind enough to cut the cake that we brought with us for us. We started with 3 different appetizers - the duck spring rolls, the butternut squash flatbread, and the shrimp lettuce wraps. I only tried the spring rolls and flatbread, but both were delicious with plenty of fillings in each. For my entree, I ordered the brioche French toast. This is where a star was dropped. There were 4 of us on our side of the table that ordered the French toast, and it looked like all of ours were cooked at varying times in the oven. Mine came out very dark brown like it was over cooked and was quite dry. We had to ask for extra syrup to compensate the dryness. Given the excellent service and quality of the appetizers, I would most likely return to give this place another try. read more

Backstreet Cafe - Brioche French Toast - New American Near Me - Houston, Texas

Food and service were great for our group of 8 with 2 kiddos. There was a bit of a bathroom smell since the table we were at was right next to the door into the bathrooms. read more

Valentine's day lunch was our first time dining here. We really liked what was on the menu, ordering the pear flatbread, lamb meatballs, and confit potatoes with a few drink. Food was very delicious, and the service was quick. Will definitely be going back soon to try the brunch menu that's only available on the weekends! read more

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It's an ok brunch place..coffee was good , bruscetta was good , pasta wasn't that good at all , burger and fries are alright

We were looking for a new brunch place to try and decided to come here on Sunday to try their 'Breakfast & Such' menu based on the number of reviews we came across. I ordered the Backyard Benedict and my boyfriend ordered the Skirt Steak & Eggs. Both our dishes were lukewarm, the biscuit for the benedict was overwhelming and the steak was extremely overcooked. Unfortunately, we will not be looking to come back. read more

Backstreet Cafe - Backyard Benedict and Skirt Steak & Eggs - New American Near Me - Houston, Texas

I haven't been out for many other curbside pick ups during this COVID-19 shutdown but a couple weeks back I got a little tip about this place & their menu offerings. Once I was able to make the pick up work for my schedule I put in my order & let me tell you how AMAZING this meal was! Fresh, hot bread, lightly breaded & flavorful chicken breast...topped with a house made slaw! Wow...wow...wow! LOL I'm impressed! The service was amazing, the staff were all busting their butts to get orders to & from. The line moved quick for curbside & I have to say I couldn't be happier. If you are into the drive up experience, you have to put this one on your list. I am anxious to try their full menu once things get back to normal! Tip the servers they are working extra hard!!! read more

Backstreet Cafe - Spicy Chicken - New American Near Me - Houston, Texas

Came here for Sunday Brunch and had a great time! Complimentary valet parking. Friendly staff. Our server was fantastic! Very personable, knowledgeable about the menu and attentive. They have a great selection of wines and cocktails, as well as nonalcoholic beverages. The menu is vast with a variety of veg and non veg items. They even offer a separate additional vegetarian menu for those interested. I had the backstreet cafe Benedict and it was delicious. They offer indoor and outdoor seating. Worth checking out! read more

Backstreet Cafe - Backstreet Benedict - New American Near Me - Houston, Texas

We had a wonderful dinner here last night. Cosy and intimate and the food was heavenly. Our server Sergio was fabulous, prompt and friendly. We loved the Christmas decor too read more

Backstreet Cafe - Bar area with Christmas decor - New American Near Me - Houston, Texas

Definitely sit on the back patio! Loved the atmosphere back there, especially with the huge tree wrapped in lights and the fountain. We had: - Appetite for Life cocktail (great) - Violet Hour cocktail (good) - Garden Mule cocktail (great) - Dark and Stormy cocktail (average) - Duck Spring Rolls appetizer (great -- they were fried and came with soy sauce, similar to an egg roll) - Pâté and Cheeses appetizer (good -- pâté, pickled okra, and chorizo were very good. The cheeses and bread were alright. This would be better for 3-4 people vs. 2, considering how much cheese it comes with) - Braised Short Rib entree (great, but would have liked more polenta) - Grilled Ribeye Steak entree (good) - Caramel Kiss Cappuccino (great) - Backstreet Cappuccino (great) read more

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It was cool spot. I hear Sunday brunch is the best though. We went for lunch on a weekday; so we didn't get a chance to try the brunch menu. Okay so it's valet parking, and maybe a few spots on the street. But I recommend going ahead and valet. You can can tell the restaurant is older because of the height of the ceiling. But it has so much charm. Our waiter was very nice and the food was pretty good. I would definitely return for the brunch. read more

Backstreet Cafe - New American Near Me - Houston, Texas

My husband and I went there for brunch on Sunday. They weren't too busy. We ordered the smoked chicken and potato hash. The smoked chicken was like jerky and we got about three potatoes. It sounded really good on the menu, expected better. read more

Great food, great service, and great coffee! Our waiter Miguel was amazing!!! Thanks Miguel! Our girls reunion was great because of him!! read more

I have been here a few times and have tried a lot of items on the menu. Example - Appetizers : Duck Spring Roll Pastas : Jalapeño fettuccine [ to go ] I just recently tried the ' Red Corn Chicken Quesadilla' they were so good! I ate my greens. They come with two sides and you can change them if you don't like the ones the plate comes with. I sat at the bar and Luis gave me great service! 10/10 recommend. I will be coming back to sit at the bar more often. read more

Backstreet Cafe - mojito - alcoholic beverage - New American Near Me - Houston, Texas

Backstreet Cafe is a great place to get brunch! I went with a large group on a Saturday to celebrate the birthdays of a couple people. Since we had so many people (about 20 of us), we decided to make a reservation. Great choice because the staff at Backstreet had a great table set up for us. Our servers were super attentive and managed our large group with ease - no one had an empty water glass for the 2.5 hours that we were there. The coffee was really good as well as the complimentary pastries to start the meal. The food was phenomenal and I tried several different dishes. The one negative in the experience was when the bill came. Our server informed us that we would not be allowed to split the bill into individual orders. In hindsight, I suppose we should have asked when making the reservation but it honestly hadn't occurred to any of us that a restaurant would not split up a check. We managed to calculate individual charges and reimburse one person, but it was awkward having to have one person put a $500 charge on their card. Definitely not a deal-breaking issue but it would be great to know that when making a reservation for a big group. read more

Backstreet Cafe - The Migas Plate - New American Near Me - Houston, Texas

Coffee is very good, service is 1st class the ambience is great, specially if you enjoy brunch in the patio, is a cozy place to have a good conversation and even to just chill with friends. read more

This is my FAVORITE brunch place! It is crowded every time I go (Sunday brunch) so it's always a good idea to make reservations. I request for the sun room since it has good natural lighting without having to be outside and the room is really nice. There is street parking available, but they also have valet where you pay them based on the amount you want to give them. They don't have a set price. I liked having this option because I hate having to deal with parking in this Houston area. So now on to the food. They give complimentary muffins and scones instead of your typical bread and butter, which I absolutely love! When I had my first backstreet cafe experience, I was already won over when they brought them out. This gave me high hopes for the rest of the food. We ordered the fried chicken & biscuits, shrimp & grits, and their fish special of the day. Everything was DIVINE. The fried chicken & biscuits were unique with a creamy jalapeño sauce to top off the dish instead of gravy. This made it surprisingly lighter and complimented the flavorful chicken and fluffy biscuits so well. The shrimp & grits were amazing and a must try. This is on the heavier side, but the flavors of each component of the dish were so well done. I unfortunately can not remember what the fish special of the day was called, but they nailed that dish as well. So if you can't already tell, I am a fan of Backstreet Cafe and a returning customer. If I lived closer, I would be a regular. I highly recommend this restaurant for anyone that's looking for quality food, service and atmosphere! read more

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This cafe has definitely an upper class ambience and crowd. I came here with my sisters and boyfriend for brunch and surprisingly for a Sunday we were seated right away! There is definitely limited seating indoors but we were seated in their large outdoor covered patio which was quite nice. Our waiter was professional but didn't give us the service we expected, not sure if it was because we were dressed down in comfortable workout clothing. I did like the fact that they gave our table complimentary sweets to snack on. The scone was delicious but a little too crunchy and on the slightly drier side. The mini muffins were soft and quite delightful! I ordered the salmon and eggs which the salmon came out perfectly. I however wasn't a fan of the potato cakes as I was expecting something on the crunch side to add contrast to the soft textures from the salmon and eggs. The egg and hollandaise sauce should have been put off to the side rather than on top of the potato cakes; my sister agreed as well as we both had the same dish. I tried my sisters crab cake and it was extremely flavorful and tasty! I was craving another bite of it. Prices are on the higher end as dishes ran between $15-$26. read more

Backstreet Cafe - Complimentary sweets - New American Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I visited from out of town and heard great things about this place. Came by for a late Saturday brunch, and sat at the bar where Luis, the bartender, took care of me. He really knew the menu inside and out, and gave great suggestions on what to order beyond what I normally expect, like describing the food by how rich it is vs a lighter plate. I got a smaller portion of the eggs benedict, which had a delicious biscuit base that was flavorful and rich. I also had the espresso martini, a peach daiquiri, and an award winning sangria that was the highlight of the meal. I ended the meal with a caramel kiss cappuccino. Overall, the service was amazing and I was impressed by the unique and creative drinks on the menu. Would highly recommend making the trip here just for the sangria alone! read more

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Such a brunch staple in Houston! I love it! I make an effort every year to celebrate my birthday week at Backstreet, especially since it's during Houston Restaurant Week! The service staff is always incredible and kind. The space is perfect to dine inside or on the patio. Every dish is great, and I love coming back for more! read more

Dinner last night at Backstreet Cafe. Known for its outside gorgeous patio gardens, we ate inside, making this an upscale elegant date night. After selecting our drinks, we settled on two starters, duck stuffed egg rolls for her and French Onion Oxtail Soup. Both were beautiful, and tasted so perfectly, setting us up for an exquisite dining experience. The shredded duck meat was hot, tender and moist encased in a crispy egg roll. The soup had a hard cheese/breading top, browned beautifully hiding the steaming velvet smooth liquid stuffed with Oxtail bites of meat. A perfect execution of this type of soup with a southern twist. Our mains continued the elevated dining....She had Wagyu Hanger Steak, cooked perfectly and was so soft and tender there was no need for the steak knife. I selected the Striped Sea Bass. It came on top of a "Mexican" type rice which added a colorful look and taste to the light, simple grilling of the white flaky fish. We selected the corn pudding as a side. It had a crispy outside with silky smooth corn pudding inside. Beautiful. We both had to take some home as the portions were large Texas sized meals. This dining experience was way more relaxing, elevated and elegant than expected, in a beautiful upstairs room, which was less crowded and very quiet. Thumbs up to the wait staff and chefs in the kitchen. 3.9/4.0 Syds #howmanysyds read more

Backstreet Cafe - Striped Sea Bass and corn pudding. - New American Near Me - Houston, Texas

I have come here for years. I usually get a pasta dish I love... and some other things.. most stuff is pretty good. Today I got Uber eats... Must say epic fail on the crab cake period. It arrived cold but that's not their fault. It was also very shredded, not lump. Very small crab cakes, about the size of a 2 ounce sauce container (literally you could fit it perfectly in the container) No flavor to speak of. Really depressing. I asked for grits not potatoes ... seems cheaper and easier anyway so they said okay. So bad .. they were like flavorless, super cold (again not their fault on temp but we'll consider grits in a soup type container maybe actually, I get grits often without this issue). But pretty not good. Finally it came with grilled veggies which I don't eat. I hate wasting foods. I clearly asked them not to send. What do I get? Grilled veggies in a sealed and unvented container that would have been great for the terrible grits but now I have to throw away decent vegetables. I asked them not to be sent... and not only did they send them and waste the food... they wasted an plastic hard to go container. Very irritating... $40 breakfast thinking I'm treating myself ($30.30 plus taxes and tip) and I wish I'd gotten literally anything else. Very crummy when you treat your self and get garbage. I can't imagine what I received would have passed any standard if dining in the restaurant. I've never had an issue there. read more

This restaurant seemed great after reading all the reviews and scrolling through the pictures. It was our first stop in Houston after arriving for the weekend. I had high expectations, but left a little disappointed. The service is great and our waiter was nice. The mini muffins that are complimentary were delicious and probably the best part about the meal. I ordered the special - crab cake Benedict. It looks beautiful but I was underwhelmed. The crab was mushy and the base which was kind of like cornbread was very thick and tough to eat. I enjoyed the potatoes and grits on the side. I'm pretty sure they were grits and it was very good. It's a little on the pricey side ($32) for it to not be great. I also ordered the iced Nutella latte which was good. My fiancé ordered the smoked chicken and potato hash which was okay. I wouldn't order it again though and he felt the same way. The tortilla that it comes with is phenomenal though. His brother ordered the brisket hash which was a special on the menu and a good one. I stole a bite and the brisket tasted great and probably the best out of our 3 meals. It's a cute restaurant but overall, I wasn't impressed. read more

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One of out favorite spots we were able to stop at while in town. Great spot for brunch or lunch with some friends. Service was great and the food was even better! I came here with a large group and everyone enjoyed their meals. I appreciate the healthy options on the menu and the vegetarian options as well. read more

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We had a very pleasant experience our first time here. Service was up to par (couple minor hiccups, nothing worth mentioning). Food is beautifully presented, flavors were on point. Everyone on our party enjoyed their dinner. Special mention to the octopus starter and the bread pudding. Cocktails are good (and creative) as well. read more

Backstreet Cafe - Wedge Salad - New American Near Me - Houston, Texas

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We came here for a birthday celebration of yours truly; I won't say for how many years though. The place is cute and petite, and I love the mirrored decor and bar, but sadly for our party of 8, we were led to a different room haha. It felt like a backyard deck but with windows, doors, and air conditioning. Very cute spot though. We were seated immediately, but it was because I made reservations haha. Oh, and complimentary valet was by the entrance. Otherwise there is street parking in the neighborhood. Almost everyone got a sangria and I absolutely loved it. It was filled with berries and definitely met my standards. My bf got the mojito, which weirdly had a lot of fruit seeds settled in the bottom and clogged the straw a lot, but was good. We also got the baked oysters which are a must try here! The sauce and flavors and size of the oysters were amazing. Completely amazing. I got the buccatini with crab meat which probably was the best dish of the night. Awesome birthday girl luck right? Even though the serving size was smaller than other pasta places, the taste was special and flavorful. The crab and mushroom worked wonderfully together in that tasty sauce. I also wanted more. We also got the soufflé but my bf and I felt meh about it. Nothing to text home to mom about. My bf got the scallops and spinach risotto. He felt it was mediocre, but the risotto was good and unique. I felt the same way; the scallops didn't have any other taste or flavor to it, while the risotto was excellent and soft. And finally, I received my birthday girl complimentary dessert of a brownie a la mode. The brownie was sort of a letdown, very mushy yet it wasn't quite a paste. Definitely needed more flour according to my bf and friends. So I ended up just finishing the ice cream. I think the ambiance, sangria, and food were a good experience and it made for a good night. The only thing that would deter me from picking this as a celebratory restaurant is the price, the fact that they couldn't split checks, and the weird exposed window in the women's single stall restroom (I'm shy ok) read more

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The courtyard seating was beautiful- casual dining and the food was top level! Extensive wine list, impeccable service from great staff. Great date night or even just meeting friends for dinner- you won't be disappointed. read more

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