Back A Yard Caribbean Grill

Jamaican restaurant · Menlo Park

Back A Yard Caribbean Grill

Jamaican restaurant · Menlo Park

2

1189 Willow Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025

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Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by Back A Yard Caribbean Grill
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by Infatuation - Reviews
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill by null

Highlights

This vibrant counter-service joint serves up a tasty blend of American and Caribbean dishes, featuring standout jerk chicken and generous portions that keep locals coming back for more.  

Featured in The Infatuation
Featured in Eater

1189 Willow Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025 Get directions

backayard.net
@backayardgrill

$$$$$$ · Menu

Information

Static Map

1189 Willow Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025 Get directions

+1 650 323 4244
backayard.net
@backayardgrill

$$$$$$ · Menu

Features

dine in
takeout
delivery
payment credit card
Tap to pay
reservations
outdoor seating

Last updated

Mar 4, 2025

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@infatuation

"If you’re looking for a consistently delicious casual spot on the Peninsula, Back A Yard is it. Sure, it’s in East Palo Alto, next to a laundromat, but we do double-duty and get $20 in quarters while we’re there. (Curse you, $1.75 dryers) Bonus: the Mexican grocery store across the street is a winner for your corn tortilla needs. But back to the restaurant - the staff is incredibly nice, and the kitchen is unbelievably consistent. In short, Back A Yard is one of our top cheap eats hangs in the Bay Area. We like to kick it on the patio at lunch time and revel in the melodious roar of car traffic. Ordering is easy. Get the jerk chicken and pork platter. If you really like chicken, just get chicken. If it’s the jerk (not fried) catfish special day, get that too. And multiply your party size by two for the appropriate quantity of corn festivals. That’s how you do it here. Food Rundown Jerk Chicken+ Meal This is the signature. We suggest getting some pork in there, unless it’s jerk catfish day or your proclivities lean toward salmon. The plantains and coconut rice are a welcome bonus. The salad (pour the extra jerk sauce on there) is mediocre, but who cares? This plate is near perfect. You definitely didn’t come here to eat a salad. Corn Festivals If lightly-fried cornbread sounds like a “festival” to you, you’ve come to the right place. Definitely want to add these on and garnish heavily with the Jamaican hot sauce. BBQ, Other Seafood, Dessert, Specials Consider the daily special. The oxtail is fatty but pretty tasty. The curries are worth testing out, while the ackee codfish is not. The rest isn’t worth it. We tried it all so you wouldn’t have to. Just get the jerk chicken." - Max Child

Back A Yard Review - Palo Alto - San Francisco - The Infatuation
View Postcard for Back A Yard Caribbean Grill
@eater

"If you live or work in the South Bay, you’ve probably chowed down on a jerk chicken and oxtail combo plate from Back A Yard. Since chef Robert Simpson and his wife Annetta opened their Menlo Park restaurant in 2004, they haven’t slowed down. They just opened a fifth restaurant in Campbell (open for takeout and delivery only), and have a spinoff called Coconuts Bar & Grill in Palo Alto. They cater to a diverse crowd with a Jamaican-meets-soul-food menu that ranges from jerk tofu and coconut curry shrimp to barbecue pork ribs and macaroni and cheese. Kick up your meals at home by adding a jar of their hellfire sauce or jerk barbecue sauce to your order." - Maria C. Hunt

12 Best Caribbean Restaurants Around The San Francisco-Bay Area - Eater SF
View Postcard for Back A Yard Caribbean Grill

Jule

Google
This place is dangerous! If I lived nearby, I would eat here EVERY DAY! The portions are HUGE and the food is delicious. I had the Jerk Chicken and Pork Combo and WOW! Chased it down with a Guava Pineapple drink. Even had the Key Lime Pie to go. Next time I am down in this area, I will make sure to go here. My Lady had the Rice and Beans with Sautéed Vegetables and Mac and Cheese.

Yusi

Google
Wanna spend less than $20 per person and eat like a king? This is the place to go. The food is so lovely! Ox tail and goat are my favorite, while my friends love their jerky chicken. Highly recommended.

An Le

Google
We tried the jerk chicken, oxtail and curry lamb. Everything tasted great and the portion size was plenty. The price is reasonable, cheaper than other Caribbean restaurants in Palo Alto. Rice with beans was flavorful and the fried plantains offered some extra carby nutty sweetness. The best dish was jerk chicken with a pronounced smokey flavor! Will definitely come back for more.

Latrina Robinson

Google
I was so excited to try this place , but was so disappointed in the end 😞 the lack of flavor in the food is what caused the disappointment. I've had authentic Jamaican food before and had high expectations for this place being that there were multiple locations. It was my first and, last visit 😢 the customer service, plantains and, Mango Juice was the best part of the visit

J. Z.

Google
Wonderful place. Definitely not a place for dining in due to limited space but the staff are pretty welcoming. Order pickup and take it home! Food is awesome. I ordered jerk chicken, goat curry and oxtail. All pretty fulfilling. Some spiciness also for all dishes. So watch out for kids! I thought parking was difficult, but actually pretty fine. I saw people just park randomly on the one way street in front of the store. And it works. Definitely will revisit again.

Calvin Huang

Google
I ordered delivery and was served raw chicken! The worst part is it was half cooked half raw so I didn’t notice until I ate a few pieces that tasted funny and looked closely. A day later I felt light headed and threw up a few times 🤢. Although the many times I ate here before the food was good, this scared the hell out of me. Won’t be eating here in the future.

Nik Banks

Google
10/10 can't wait to go back again! Great portions! Great Flavors! Very good!

Mar

Google
Ordered take out a few months ago from Back A Yard Caribbean Grill and it was absolutely fantastic. The jerk chicken was some of the best grilled chicken I’ve ever had. The seasoning was on point and the sauces were tasty as hell. I could’ve ordered another meal and devoured that too. The red beans and rice and fried plantains also tied the dish together with their savory and sweet flavors. Next time I’d like to dine in as it’ll probably taste even better. I’m gonna try their other dishes the next time I’m there.

Valerie H.

Yelp
Fans of local, small-business hole-in-the-wall places, take note. Back A Yard is calling and you should answer. This is mostly a takeaway spot, but we sat outside and absolutely devoured Caribbean jerk barbecued salmon, pork, and chicken - all with rice/beans and grilled plantain done to perfection. Delicious! Lots of locals were there during a Friday lunch hour, but service was still fast and friendly. You can smell the barbecues going, and it will make you hungry - which is great because the portions are generous (and I'm from Texas saying that). So glad we tried it out!

Trinh P.

Yelp
Oxtail plate with rice& beans and plantains!!!!!!!!!! Definitely worth the drive here and paying toll! We don't have many Caribbean options here. It gets really busy during lunch so we always call in before picking it up. There's a few seats indoors and outdoors for seating. It's small place so the tables get taken quickly. Outdoors on a sunny day isn't ideal since they don't have shade and it's right next to the curb parking and there's so much traffic. I always want to try something else but the oxtail is soooo good! Fall off the bone and so flavorful! It's a good size portion for two meals.

Susan L.

Yelp
We had to drive into the area from Reno to go to an appointment at Stanford. The plan was to go to an Italian place recommended by a friend, but they were closed. I hopped on to Yelp to find a spot to eat at before heading back over the hill. I picked this spot because of a picture of the plantains. Man, I'm glad I did. I got the Jerk pork, my husband got the BBQ pork, and we grabbed a side of collard greens. The food was good, like real good. The plátano frito were cooked to perfection. They weren't greasy, like I've had at other places. They were ripe and had the perfect amount of sweetness to them. The rice and beans were good, not as good as my mom's but pretty close. The jerk pork was amazing. Last time I had jerk pork that good was in NYC when I was visiting family. The collard greens were better than the collard greens I had at a BBQ joint in Georgia. The BBQ sauce was crazy good. I regret not buying a bottle to take home. The portions are huge. We could have easily shared one plate. The service was on point too. The young man who took our order was hella cool, spoke Spanish (mi primer idioma), gave us recommendations, and explained all our options. This spot is a little hole in the wall and we almost missed it. If I hadn't turn around I would have given up pretty quickly on trying to find it. It's mostly outdoor seating, which was fine since it was in the high 70's and not much of a breeze. It was the perfect day to eat outside. Inside was clean and there were a couple of two seat tables. The music volume was perfect. Nothing more annoying than going in a place and having to yell your order because the music is too loud. Overall, we had a great experience. I'm sad this place is so far, because I would definitely be a regular if it were in Reno.

Morgan B.

Yelp
I submitted an inquiry for catering 5 days in advance and the process was so easy ordering online. I received a follow up email with invoice and up until the order pickup, the communication line was kept open and they were so responsive. On the day of pickup my order was ready and right on time! Fast service and friendly helpers at the restaurant. I wasn't charged until the day of too. Let me just say the beef patties were a hit, and so was the jerk chicken!! Not dry or overcooked whatsoever. The jerk chicken also comes with a container of jerk sauce on the side (not in photo). I will consider using them again in the future.

Randy V.

Yelp
Food flavorful Service great Ambiance good This place is bomb, oxtail was fall off the bone, so was the goat, food here was flavorful. I will be coming back.

Elaine W.

Yelp
Amazing food made by a family owned restaurant. I enjoyed how it meshes with the community. Store front is small with outdoor seatings available on the sidewalk. The staff was very patient with us and gave her recommendations.

James D.

Yelp
Back A Yard on San Carlos St in San Jose, near the SJSU neighborhood, offers a cozy, homey atmosphere with no indoor seating and four outdoor tables, creating a backyard BBQ vibe. I enjoyed the Oxtails plate, which came with rice and beans and sweet fried plantains. The jerk seasoning had a delightful sweet and tangy flavor with a smoky allspice finish. The stew was mildly spicy, and the rice and beans had a subtle coconut hint. The meal was generously portioned. I also had a side of collard greens; they were served hot with a slightly bitter taste.

Rey C.

Yelp
I had the pleasure of having their food last night after my wife was gracious enough to bring some home for the family to have for dinner. The goat meat was quite nice, a little spicy but tolerable. Usually goat meat, if not properly prepared, can be a little tough but this one was not. We also had the pleasure of tasting the ox tail and jerked chicken. I enjoyed the rice that had a different texture than our usual Jasmine rice but it was delicious and unique and has a more chewy and soft texture with some beans added to it. What I enjoyed the most was probably the fried plantains. Those capped off the dish which I can safely say was cleaned out before the nights end. Very delicious and not too fatty.

Edgar H.

Yelp
Great food for the price. Parking a bit rough. Back A Yard has been delicious for years and the quality remains the same. You can never go wrong with a mixed chicken combo and pair it with a soda. The price point wont break the bank and you can enjoy it right there as they have plenty of outdoor/indoor seating. So when you arrive it will be just a few turns away from the freeway, while you can try parking in the front you can also find parking in the back lot. Not as safe as the front but if you're there for a quick pickup it does the job.

Sean W.

Yelp
I recently ordered from Back Yard Caribbean American Grill, and it was an incredibly disappointing experience. When I called to place my order, I wanted to clarify if the meal included rice and peas and cabbage. Before I could even finish my question, the guy on the phone cut me off, insisting, "yes, it has everything." This couldn't have been further from the truth. When the food arrived, it was literally swimming in a bowl of grease. The rice had a few sad peas scattered throughout, but it was clear that this was not the authentic rice and peas I was expecting. The plantain was stale and obviously from the day before, adding to my growing disappointment. And to top it all off, there was no cabbage to be found. Back Yard Caribbean American Grill, like many places in the Bay Area, is a poor imitation of authentic Jamaican cuisine. The quality of the food and the dismissive service suggest that they are not genuinely representing Jamaican culture and flavors. I would not recommend this place to anyone looking for a true taste of the yard.

Monica S.

Yelp
Ordered catering from Back A Yard - not only was the food delicious (as expected), but the staff were super communicative about making sure we got the delivery correct and on time for our event. They have their own in house delivery person, which we love, as restaurants who subcontract with DoorDash sometimes are less reliable about delivery times. We had some food allergies to attend to (gluten) and Back A Yard was helpful in making sure our selection worked for a range of dietary needs. We got: Jerk chicken Tofu curry Oxtail Beans and rice Vegetables Corn festivals Everything was delicious! Definitely give Back A Yard a visit, and if you're looking to make a large order for an event, their catering options make for easy planning!

Nola L.

Yelp
Backyard is one of my favorite authentic restaurants, and I usually have a great experience here. However, I've recently noticed some inconsistencies in portion sizes. My partner and I both ordered oxtail plates, but my plate had very little oxtail compared to his, which was filled. This inconsistency is a bit confusing and disappointing. Aside from that, I have no complaints. The food is delicious and authentic, and the overall experience is usually excellent. I hope they address the portion size issue to ensure all customers receive fair servings.

Bethaney B.

Yelp
Really want to love this place, but it's always a hit or miss. I ordered their Friday Special - escorted fish, which is my favorite, but they shortened the amount. I only received 2 PEICES of fish when they even raised the price a dollar more. I had so much rice left and feeling empty just ate the rice with the fried plantas. Workers in front are never friendly. Don't expect it to be, but they can be more attentive with customers. They are busy talking with each other , and they ignore the fact that they have someone waiting on them.

Annie Z.

Yelp
My first time really having jerk seasoning and Caribbean food so I didn't know what to expect, but this was quite yummy! I liked that the food was unique enough to be intruiging, but not so unfamiliar or spicy as to make me not used to it. Prices are also reasonable and portions average. Our party tried the goat curry, braised oxtail, jerk pork, and jerk chicken and thought everything was good (although a little on the richer side without something fresh and tangy). All of the meat was cooked well and tender, fall-off-the-bone if applicable; plantains deliciously soft and sweet, and gravies flavorful. The ratio of meaty sauce and rice/beans is good so the carbs soak up the savory flavor. I liked trying the Carribean cornbread/fritters, which were fragrant and not too sweet. We had takeout so I can't comment on the ambiance of the location, but we were pleased with the service. Our takeout was well packaged and bowls were plentifully filled, but one was forgotten. A call to the restaurant with our information and they said they would make it right in the future, with details on how to do so. I appreciate Back A Yard and look forward to future visits.

Amor H.

Yelp
I have known of backa yard for many years now and am from the area. I only tried them a few times in the past till recently. I took a liking to the oxtails after hubby brought them home and realized they had a salmon dish or two...figured id try. The food itself was quite tasty, it just wasnt that hot, felt microwaved and the rice and peas were dry But...oh well..The oxtails I tried myself were always tender just a lil greasy...and too much rice...the environment for me was rambunctious, like I get that its Caribbean vibe but the music is usually so loud I can barely hear and for me that's irritating...So the last 2 times I came in I was overcharged...the woman charged me for a piece of pie after I asked her abt smoothies... the Caribbean looking beautiful lady, and I know it was because she cldnt hear over the music, which I requested they turn down cuz my eardrums. But ...um ok. I had a feeling it wld be incorrect, and just waited while the guy-apparently mr dj kept rotating the volume which was annoying cuz i had already asked to turn it down...BUT once the order came out I again asked abt the shake, to which she said we dont have shakes u said pie. I said no that's why i asked u to turn the music down...she got an attitude but lets not focus on her...I waited abt another 5 mins or so for the mgr, and he was quite polite but a lil slow, and finally they refunded me for the item. I tried expressing politely, but he didnt seem interested, still smiling and nodding. I was reluctant to come back today {aug 29}but was in the area, so I tried a different item the fried chicken wings w coco bread, while also asking abt other salmon items, but decided not to get it and was AGAIN OVERCHARGED!! for thee salad I didnt want! so irritated. then when I let the young lady know she looked all peeved, but somehow was able to do it w out mgr approval this time...much faster... I informed her this was thee second time IN A WEEK I was over charged...she said it wldnt take long. I get that, but honestly it seems like alotta distraction for basic different food, oh and the wings?? frozen wings and the coco bread was dry. so yeah...

Jerell M.

Yelp
This has been on my list for a while, and when I had to make that quick left U-turn, I was surprised by how small and humble the place looked. But I will definitely come back. Ordered the jerk chicken plate and the jerk pork/oxtail combo, both to-go to eat at Flood park. Both plates were extremely tasty and will get you full. The oxtail combo was pricey because kf the cut and I probably won't get to again for $19, but that jerk chicken plate is great value and flavor. Served with the most delicious rice, a spicy sauce, and a bunch of fried plantain bananas. About four small tables inside and a handful of tables outside, but id probably recommend grabbing it to go and enjoying it at a park. Staff was very nice and left a positive impression for the first visit. Will definitely come back for the caribbean flavors

Eva C.

Yelp
Jerk chicken (white meat) and ox tail combo are my go to here All of there refreshers are hits and staff is friendly.

Kevin L.

Yelp
Quite a small place with minimal seating. Food is absolutely amazing. Coconut curried shrimp (5/5): wooooowieee is this spicy. The flavor just completely destroyed this dish and my mouth. The veggies and shrimp were cooked thoroughly, but the plantains were really the bomb of the show. The dish was a perfect combination of sweet and spice. Overall, Back A Yard Caribbean American Grill is absolutely amazing. The food here is so fire (literally). I definitely would come back here especially for the plantains.

Cam D.

Yelp
This place has a lot of jerks. Jerk chicken, jerk beef, jerk salmon, jerk tofu they have a jerk for everyone! The best part they all taste amazing! My favorite is the jerk chicken with the sauce, it puts you in a great spot after finishing a delicious meal. With healthy servings of rice and plantains... oh boy, I'm a happy camper. I'm not sure what it is, but something just seems really homey about this food and it is one of my go to's. Enjoy it on a hot day, a cold day, a rainy day; It does not matter when, but it is always enjoyed. Enough from me, as I always say try it yourself and let the food speak for itself.

Cherry H.

Yelp
Food: SO delicious!!! 12/10 The people in the reviews recommending the Beef Oxtails Plate; they know what they're talking about. The plantains give it the perfect balance for this dish Service: Kind staff, came in at 3pm and was served quickly. Was surprised to see a rush as we started eating. Ambiance: No frills, delicious food. This experience was so worth the drive

William C.

Yelp
Solid place to find Caribbean food, specifically barbecue. The staff was wonderful, they had the fantastic accent and for a brief moment, it felt as if we were back in the islands! Our food was spot on, and as is typical, there is a plate dinner that has the meat, rice, salad, or macaroni salad. About the only downside to the restaurant that I could find is that it is difficult to find parking easily as it isn't in a strip mall, and the inside dining is limited. Don't forget to use your yelp free plantains offer! They are a great finish!!

Barbara P.

Yelp
We loved this place. It was right off the highway -- very convenient -- in Menlo Park on our way to San Francisco. We ended up eating in a bunch of places in the City, but this little place had the favorite food of our trip. We were there right at lunchtime and it was quite crowded. You order at the counter and then find a table and wait for your food: there are a few tables outside and we're were comfortable there. As a few people have mentioned the bathroom is weirdly located behind the adjacent laundromat -- just ask for instructions! It's there I promise. Husband got the oxtail plate and Ingot the chicken plate. Both had very generous portions of meat, rice and delicious fried plaintains. There was enough for two whole meals for me. The jerk seasoning paste on my chicken was delicious and flavorful and the plate came with extra of this seasoning on the side which I appreciated. Husband said the oxtails were great and I loved everything in my plate: i kept rotating bites of chicken, rice and plantain, trying to decide which was the most delicious thing on my plate. We also tried pineapple upside down cake which was very good but not the memorable experience the rest of the meal was. So if I went there again I'd get the same chicken plate but try another dessert just for fun. Amazing food! Go!

Chris A.

Yelp
I recommend the jerk salmon+chicken combo. It's my go-to fave. I only recently tried their Jamaican patties. I don't know how I have missed trying them in the last 20 years! They are all great, but I have to admit to being partial to the beef. But their jerk sauce and mango habanero, you won't go wrong.

Jerry C.

Yelp
Damn good food. I'm allergic to bananas and I still ate the oxtail that touched the plantains. Risking death to enjoy this deliciousness was well worth it. Sheesh, it is fricking good!

Sergio B.

Yelp
Excellent service, the cooks can be heard working hard in the back to get the orders done. The food is very savory and high quality. Only downfall is since this place is booming but is small you may be better off taking to go if no seating available. Oxtail is the best!

Chopper C.

Yelp
Great people, Excellent Food!!!! I Had the Jerk Chicken and it did not let down. It felt like I was eating right out of my mommaz kitchen. It's definitely a Caribbean ting mon!!!!

Debra A.

Yelp
We absolutely love this food . Seasoned well and Mouthwatering Caribbean flavors especially for the Ox Tails over Rice and beans . The Salmon is so Delicious. Not a fancy atmosphere but we take Carry Out . Fresh Cooked Daily Sanitation standard is above average. Very Clean . Need parking space . Always crowded. Staff friendly and helpful.

Michelle W.

Yelp
Bomb oxtail - cannot stress this enough. Back A Yard is such a treat every time I'm here. Their oxtail is super flavorful and tender and you need to pair it with the corn festivals. Dip the festivals into the oxtail juice and thank me later :) No parking here, and not much seating either so I've only done to-go. Their jerk chicken is good but I can't not order the oxtail every time I come here. One thing to say though is that the meal is very heavy. It's not something I could eat everyday but I never have any regrets. I'll be back!

Clarence A.

Yelp
After 13 years and this spot still has not lost it's touch, I see they added some more items on there menu so of course I had to sample their offerings and again still fire!!! I ordered the Oxtail and curried goat plate, comes with seasoned dirty rice and plantains cured sweet, that sauce for the goat and the beef oxtail was intoxicating, you must try these dishes. Fall off the bone for the oxtail and more meat then bone for the curried goat which is a big plus in my book, portion wise still heavy, easily you walk away full no need for an appetizer. Definitely eat there or take it togo, food still legit after 13yrs. I will be back to get more of there offerings food ***** oxtail still fire and tingling of your lips after eating, curried goat ***** heavily sauced more meat then bones and heavily flavored price $$ service ***** quick and responsive ambiance *** small seating best to take it togo, even after a 40 min drive food still hits hats off to the Chef's

Pree K.

Yelp
Really tasty food!! I tried the goat curry, plantains, and jerk chicken. My favorite was the goat curry - it was so well made. The staff was super friendly and chill, and overall the vibe of the place was very relaxed and easygoing.

Kimberley Mae M.

Yelp
Talk about flavor! My goodness, this food is packed with it! I tried their Curry Goat, Oxtail, Jerk Chicken and Jerk Pork. Everything was SO GOOD. The Curry Goat and Oxtail combo was my absolute fav. But the real star of the show was the Jerk Sauce. It's insanely delicious. Service was great. Both of the guys working the day we stopped by were friendly and helpful. It's basically a take-out type of place. Even when you dine-in, you order food up at the register then eat from the take-out containers with disposable cutlery. You'll dance when you eat the food while listening to the upbeat music they play inside :)

Robert S.

Yelp
I used to really love this place. Easy 5 stars. My last experience was so disappointing, I won't eat here again or recommend it to anyone I ordered two chicken combos, a patty and festivals Patty dough was the wrong color, and there was no filling and it was flat as a pancake. So disappointing. Cornbread replaced the festivals. It was terrible corn bread. Gummy, too sweet, and packaged with a butter that melted everywhere making the entire bag greasy. They forgot one plate. The chicken-pork combo was apparently good (for my wife) so I'm glad for that. $50+ for one edible item. Not...great. I instantly composted the patty and cornbread. Edit: and now my wife has a stomachache. Flawless victory

MJ L.

Yelp
I have been coming here for years although I don't live in the area. When we are on this side of the Bay Area we go out of our way to come here. It is by far our favorite restaurant and we are always sad we cannot dine here more often. The jerk sauce is the best I've ever had. My favorite dish is the oxtail and jerk chicken meal with a side of corn festivals. Hope this place never changes!! Sooooooooo good

Tony M.

Yelp
This place is a best hole in the wall spot! Food is amazing every time! Haven't been here in 6+yrs and it's still as good as the first time. Ambiance is great. Everything on menu is phenomenal! A MUST HAVE!

Jackie B.

Yelp
The food is very good here. I order a lot when I go. The wings too dry. The oxtails are my favorite and peas&rice. , greens, The rib tips are better to get then the rib on bone . The rib on bone are tender but on a few times I've ordered from here they forgot my cornbread ( really good with bits of corn in it) I ordered ribs last week . Never again . I paid 11.95 for a 3 piece but when you order for delivery they gave me 1 good meaty rib and the other 2 was 1/2 like it was cut at the ends. If I pay this much for food and it's pricy here I want a full 3 pieces of ribs. I suggest you go in and order once again the food is tasty, and everything is good BUT check your order thoroughly. Make sure you have all your items I've gone to two of the locations and its always something missing. I really want to keep supporting this place so please I hope the restaurant sees my review and take your time with peoples orders. We want full Portions and want what we paid for.

Saba M.

Yelp
BOMBBB food!!! wow i got the jerk chicken plate and it was so delicious 10/10 will get again. everything was so reasonably priced and the service was wonderful! everyone was so sweet. for sure coming back!!

Robert L.

Yelp
Place was packed. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Best Oxtail I've ever had. Highly recommend stopping by and grabbing a bit to eat.

Adora G.

Yelp
Was ordered through door dash, so I have no comments in the service. I got the best of both worlds and ordered the chicken & oxtail plate. Mmmmmmmm. So good!!! 4 stars bc their ginger beer was not for me, as it was super gingeryyyyyy. But food BOMB!!!

LeslieJean A.

Yelp
The food here is delicious with traditional food and drink.. Whether you're having Jerk chicken or Oxtails, you will be very pleased. The peas and rice are a yes .The service is so warm and friendly fast, too.The ambiance is a classic backyard authentic Jamaican style with all the smells of Jamaican barbecue in the air .Gotta love!!

David L.

Yelp
I have not been back here for several years but I was back last week and I am kicking myself for not coming back sooner! Met a friend for weekday lunch here and there was a constant stream of customers ordering and waiting for their food. Most were takeout orders but a a good amount were done in. There are a few small tables inside and several more outside. The prices are reasonable nowadays for what you get. The food is really good here and the service is ok. Just be aware that it takes some time for your food to be ready and there is a sign at the counter warning about this. The plantains, oxtail and festivals (fried cornbread) are standouts from our order. The jerk chicken was good too and regular cornbread was also very moist. I'll definitely be coming back more often! Don't forget to check in for free plantains.

Allen W.

Yelp
Ordered from this place for a company event, and I got the jerk tofu bowl and corn bread. It's nice that they allow bigger orders. The food though, was quite ... ok. The tofu was really well spiced and flavorful, despite not looking like it. The sauce is great! Has a nice kick. The cucumber slices in the salad balanced that well. However, the rice and the side salad as a whole was mid. The corn bread was somehow dry and moist all at once - good for a few bites but then way too heavy. Not my cup of tea.

Airyca W.

Yelp
The patties are what will bring me back! I tried the oxtail but it was too fatty so maybe wouldn't get that again, and the rice and peas were a bit dry and had a weird sour taste to it along with the jerk salmon.

Lindy M.

Yelp
This is a GREAT place to eat! The food is tantalizingly delicious . We the jerk pork and chicken and of course the plantain bananas - Yummy, We were thrilled when they opened in San Jose. We're from Santa Cruz so it's a drive to get there but well worth it. Lindy & Lloyd

Beast L.

Yelp
I'm 40 years old and I've never ate Caribbean food especially not oxtail. This is my first experience at backyard so let me explain. A co-worker gave me a piece of oxtail to try and 1 bite in I stopped and stared at it in disbelief, this WAS AMAZING. I immediately downloaded Uber Eats and placed the order within the next 5 to 10 minutes. I'm so mad at myself for not ever trying Caribbean food before and although I haven't tried everything on the menu but this is hands-down, the best thing ive ever had in my life. This is also the first time I've had plantains and those are effing amazing too. Good job guys you killed it.

Jenny K.

Yelp
The beef oxtail and jerk pork (with extra green sauces on the side) are fantastic. Lots of good flavor and the meat, especially when it has the right amount of fat, is surprisingly tender. It's a good hearty meal for a reasonable price.

Sha G.

Yelp
I'm in the mood for a vacation but Jamaica is just a little too far from the Bay Area. A restaurant is the next best thing! Pro tip: if you check-in on Yelp, you get a free side of sweet plantains. A $3.95 value (4 pieces). This is a take-out restaurant with a few tables out front if you prefer to stay. No restrooms for customers from what I could see. The take-out packaging is not compostable but can be reused. Food: I popped in on Monday for the fish and shrimp combo at $17.95. I also got two vegetable patties and two fountain drinks at $3.75 each. Everything tasted delicious and not too spicy. Ask for the mango habanero sauce if you want to kick things up in spice. The fish and shrimp combo came with rice and peas, plantain, two small fillets of fish, and four shrimps. The char on the seafood is exactly what you want when it comes to jerk. The thyme and flavors were singing! The rice was a little dry but I fixed that with the side of sauces. I asked for a little mango habanero and jerk sauces on the side. I'll be back to buy a bottle. Yes, they make and bottle their own sauces for purchase. Let's not forget about the patties. They are definitely homemade and had lots of flavor. The crust was flaky and held up to the moist filling. The ginger beer and guava drinks were on the sweeter side so I mixed it with seltzer. Rum might have fallen in when I got home ;) Check this spot out and get a little adventurous. They guys behind the counter are definitely a bit relaxed with service so be patient and don't forget to tip!

Cheryl L.

Yelp
Order over the phone and my order was ready in 30 min. We ordered jerk pork family meal for 4 people and 1 plate of salmon jerk. The entire meal was delicious. The salmon was cooked perfectly. The pork was good as well. It was my parent's first time eating Caribbean food and they loved it. The family meal was $75 and had enough food for all of us. Parking is horrible there so you need to have a partner to grab your food. Pro Tip- don't forget to check in to get a free side of plantains. They were delicious because they were FREE!

Sai R.

Yelp
"Backyard A Yard" is a vibrant Caribbean spot that truly captures the flavors and vibe of the islands. Their oxtail and jerk chicken are absolutely delicious - the oxtail is tender and packed with flavor, and the jerk chicken has that perfect spicy kick. The whole atmosphere feels like a relaxed Caribbean gathering, making the dining experience more than just a meal. The staff is welcoming, adding to the homey feel. 10/10 recommend!

Kaushik N.

Yelp
When it comes to Caribbean food you cannot go wrong with this place. I've tried other locations but this one is hands down the best one! You get the real flavor through all their jerk chicken and sides. The place itself is pretty small and can get really full so highly suggest coming not during peak hours but when is that? This place seems to be always busy! lol Parking can be challenging as the location of this place is in the middle of a busy road.