Back-Inn Time

Absolutely amazing every time we go here. Staff are all very happy and friendly. ( The lady was called Miranda? So polite and friendly!) HUGE selection of drinks and non alcoholic too! Food was all perfect! Interior is so nostalgic and literally takes you back in time! Can't wait to come back!

5* across all aspects. SERVICE • As soon as I entered this restaurant, great vibes were made. We were immediately greeted by a kind server, (all of staff in the matter of speaking were kind also). Within seconds, we were directed to our tables and were also immediately given our menus and they even ask which drinks we wanted straight away as well. The drinks then arrived in around 2 minutes of asking which drinks we wanted. I had a Diet Coke. We then waited around 10-15mins before we were asked of what we wanted regarding the main course. I had the “Super Double Deluxe” - more in the “food” section. After I had that. I then had a “Not-so-Sundae”, (chocolate). Finally, when I consumed that, we then asked for the transaction. ~ FOOD • as mentioned already, I had the Super Double Deluxe cheeseburger with bacon, lettuce, and a singular tomato, with accompanying onion rings, fries, garlic bread, salad, and coleslaw. The burger meat itself was just right. Cooked well, yet succulent. The garlic bread with melted cheese top was delicious too. Onion rings were good. The chocolate Sundae with almonds and cream was great. ~ Atmosphere • great vibes within the restaurant, tailored to its name. — NOISE LEVEL • Moderate Visited on 18/01/2026

Have not been here for some years, the place has not changed at all. Great menu and decent food portion size, ribs were the best we have had in some time and good price. Staff are friendly, happy and very attentive, which is quite rare these days.

Back Inn Time is an absolute gem. The food is nothing short of brilliant, every dish is full of flavour and beautifully presented. The service is second to none, the staff are warm, attentive, and genuinely dedicated to making your visit exceptional. What makes it even better is the value. For the quality you receive, the prices are incredibly reasonable, it feels like you’re getting far more than what you pay for. If you’re looking for a place that delivers amazing food, impeccable service, and unbeatable value, Back Inn Time should be at the very top of your list. Highly recommended!

We visited the restaurant as a family with two adults and two children, and we were very satisfied with everything. The food was excellent, the portions were generous and good value for money. The staff were friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere of the place was great. The children enjoyed it as well, and our whole family had a lovely time. We can highly recommend this restaurant.

Even though the restaurant was very busy, the staff were amazing, very friendly and patient. The food was just perfect. A chef who knows how to cook a blue steak is rare. This is a must do in chelmsford and we will be back.

Our waiter was STUPENDOUS! Really made our evening, really wanted to give him a tip. But unfortunately can't afford it right now. Thank you so much, so attentive and kind and can really balance those plates! The texan-style receipt was a really nice touch. We had a rootin rootin time 😁

First time back after 35 years. Has anything changed? No, and why should it. Nice fun decor, great service and flavoursome American style food. Great for families and all ages. Something for everyone. Long may it continue

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 :-)

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!

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)

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!