Back-Inn Time

Back Inn Time has been our go-to spot for years, and it never disappoints! The service, food, and atmosphere are truly unbeatable. We’ve never had a bad meal, and each visit feels like a treat. The staff here is outstanding, with the waiters and waitresses always making us feel welcome. A special shoutout to Kerry and Jane, who go above and beyond, making sure every detail is perfect—they’re attentive, friendly, and make you feel at home. We happily travel quite a distance to dine here regularly, and it’s well worth it every time. For anyone considering a visit, don't hesitate—you’ll leave satisfied and looking forward to your next meal!

The food is always amazing at Back Inn Time. The atmosphere is friendly and fun, and the service is awesome, the team always makes us feel like part of the family. One of the things we love is their specials board; there’s always something new on there, which keeps the menu fresh and exciting. Plus, if you’re celebrating a birthday, they’ll sing a lively song that really makes the day feel special. If you haven’t tried Back Inn Time yet, you’re missing out!

Nice atmosphere, yummy food, good desserts, nice service. We all enjoyed our food and we're stuffed by the end! 😂

The best place to eat in Chelmsford. Three friends and I went to back inn time (for the 3rd time this month) to celebrate one of their graduations, the restaurant was packed, which was good to see! We arrived early and waited about 15 minutes before we were sat down which gave us time to have a couple of drinks and talk to the friendly bartender. The food was lovely and the service was pretty quick considering how busy the restaurant was. The staff were lovely and chatty and the atmosphere the restaurant creates never disappoints. Would recommend to anyone. Staff are great, food is excellent, well portioned and well priced.

God I love this place so much. Have been coming here since the 80s. The food and drinks are first class. The service you receive is above and beyond. I would eat here every night if it were possible.

This remains the best place in Chelmsford to go for a birthday meal, or just a bite and a drink. A firm favourite of ours for well over 20 years, the food is fabulous and the staff are fantastic. Update (2025): still flipping awesome!

This restaurant is fab. The atmosphere is great. The staff are amazing and so friendly. The food is excellent too. I hadn’t been to this restaurant in many years and I’m so glad I went. I had forgotten just how good it was. Generous portions too.

Our dining group had amazing meals this evening. Sadly we were all so full there was no room for desserts & there were some delicious ones on the menu too! It was a really fabulous evening, great service, friendly staff, brilliant atmosphere. The music playing in the background was that of back in time. Lots of Birthday's this evening, think we counted at least 5. The 5 waitresses sang Happy Birthday to each person by name which was a lovely touch!

Have eaten here several times in the past, but it has been a few years since the last visit and I hope this latest experience isn't indicative of where the restaurant is at. Booked a table for 4 the day before a midweek visit. No opportunity to book online which is a shame but the call was answered quickly the day before. Upon arrival for an 18:30 booking, we were taken to what I can only describe as a "well" area which I hadn't been seated before, which has poor lighting and very uncomfortable pew-style seating. Once seated the service from the young waitress was excellent and attentive. My co-diners ordered chicken fingers and a classic seafood cocktail for starters and initially, the fingers were dry and felt like it hadn't been recently cooked, which was a warning of what was to come. The "Classic seafood cocktail" was very small and again the warning is in the title. the word Classic would apply if it was called a Prawn cocktail, there is nothing classic about the term seafood cocktail but it is actually just a way to legitimise the replacement of prawns with other seafood sources. For mains, I ordered a combo fajita with extra tortillas which was very good but again the very small dish and paper sauce pot provided for the sides were cutting corners with the offering. My companions ordered burgers of various types but all 3 arrived very dry/overcooked along with the bacon and pulled pork toppings. These shouldn't have left the kitchen but it seems that maybe to manage orders the kitchen is pre-cooking these items and then either flash frying or leaving them on the side of the hot plate, to stay warm but also dry out, as 1 may be a mistake but all suffering from this effect is an indicator that there is a systematic issue. It was a shame as when we mentioned to the waitress about the poor quality being the reason we left food another waitress came over and said we should have said pre-bill paying we had an issue but that she would remember our faces when we came back to do I am not sure what in terms of improving the experience but it wasn't a discount for sure. Either way, it was a disappointing and expensive experience.

I used to go here years back and enjoy the cocktails and food. Staff are really friendly and upbeat. But it hasn't moved on. Ribs and wings were ropey. Better burgers at the Ship pub 500 yrds away. Won't be going back anytime soon.

Great atmosphere! We wanted an authentic "American diner" experience.... Almost perfect, could have done with a few more oversized glasses or plates and some accents but apart from that a really good find. Drove past it twice because we were looking for it from the main road... It's tucked round the "back" ... The clue's in the name :-)

Went to this restaurant for a friend's birthday. Pros: -Great service (Very friendly staff who deliver on tasks quickly) -Decor/Atmosphere (Really cool looking restaurant with a lovely old fashioned style. There are old clocks, posters and other nik-naks inside, include a toy train that goes around the ceiling) -Starters (Although I didn't have any, others at my table commented on how delicious the starters were. Particular favorites were the buffalo wings and battered/fried cheese. Cons: The Big Steak (I ordered the £20+ steak, it weighed 1lb and looked delicious. I couldn't wait to dig into the beautiful piece of meat that lay before me. However as I took my first bite I was rather disappointed, for such an expensive steak I expected it to be tender and melt in my mouth; I got a tough, stringy and incredibly gristly piece of expensive meat instead, not worth the money and incredibly disappointed)

Great American style restaurant and great food. The food is of good standard and at a reasonable price. It's probably the best ribs in town. Its a great place for kids and the little train running around overhead is a nice novelty. Food is plentyful and you are guranteed not to leave hungry. Their isn't a bad choice on the menu and the desserts are definitely worth leaving a little room for. It's a lively and fun atmosphere and whether you go as a group or as a couple you will have a great time. Booking ahead is always advised.

Like skelter said, great food, and great price! The theme fits nicely in this little out of the way restaurant, about 5 minute walk from the town center. Everything about the restaurant is good, the only down side is that when ive been, and its been busy, there isnt a great deal of parking spaces around. Nor a carpark within easy walking distance. Unfortunatly, this isnt the fault of the restaurant, so my rating reflects that. Would highly recommend for family / business meals! Quite cosey for a romantic meal too!

I once brought my american relations to this place and they thought it was nice, but not american over the years i hoped thatb the food might get better but the menu has never changed . This place got the idea from a place in hamlet court road in westcliff-on-sea called banks restaurant back in the 80's and has only done well because there is no competition in this area.

Chelmsford doesn't have many restaurants so this is a great little find. Make sure you book in advance and turn up a bit early for a pre dinner cocktail! Unless you are a massive eater avoid starters as the mains are huge!

Fab resturant based on an American Diner Theme. Does have a large choice of meal and not every thing is served with chips ! Huge servings but you can get a doggy bag to take home. A great small bar area to meet beforehand offering a wide choice of cocktails alcholic and non. Great for birthdays and special occasions as the staff will all come and sing to you (if you like that kind of thing) A great informal restaurant where you can go as a crowd or couple and feel comfortable no frills but good value good food good atmosphere. been in Chelmsford for years - and not changed, which is a good thing. Parking in roads nearby for evenings but a bit more of a walk during lunch time to find parking. Friendly staff. Make sure you leave room for dessert !

I love this little restaurant and many others do too because this place has always been packed when we've visited. If you want a table in the evening it is advisable to book in advance otherwise you might have a bit of a wait. The atmosphere is a bit like TGI Fridays restaurants with an American diner theme and a small cocktail bar for drinks while you wait. However, it's smaller so more personal and friendly. The staff make you feel welcome and waitressing/ barkeeping offer a good service. The food is lovely (the ribs are my personal favourite) and my partner loves their milkshakes! Try it, I bet you'll love it too.

good food, reasonable priced (13oz prime steak with all the trimmings £13.95) and very friendly staff service was polite and efficient have been here many times and always enjoyed it my only gripe about my visit last week was we were seated in a corner table where the space was a bit tight apart from that i really like it here there is limited parking in the street to the rear excellent choice of cocktails too and if it's a birthday then let them know so they can come and sing to you at your table!