Backstreet

As a Riverside local, I finally got around to trying this spot after hearing so much about it—but honestly, I don’t get the hype. The food was decent at best, nothing that really stood out. What really shocked me was the price: $72 for two sandwiches, one half sandwich, and three drinks? That’s outrageous. The vibe is cool, and I respect that it’s been a longtime staple in Riverside, but in terms of value, it just doesn’t deliver. I’ve had much better sandwiches throughout California for a fraction of the price.

What a great 1st time eat for us, lovely environment with yummy eats. We been there twice already and have tried their cold sandwiches and hot sandwiches, both are really good. I love the veggie bar because it makes my sandwich taste that much better. Their potato salad and bake beans are superb. Definitely will be returning customers.

Great little quaint sandwich shop with welcoming staff! They are quick with the orders and are happy to answer any questions you may have. I ordered a Reuben sandwich on rye with a side of potato salad and I thought it was very tasty! I will say that the pies were not quite what I was expecting. However, the atmosphere in the outdoor seating area that they offer more than makes up for it! Plenty of shade, lots of seats, not too cramped, and tons of quirky, interesting decorations. Will absolutely come back again!

Staff here are amazing - they're a well seasoned team!! The sandos aren't as good as I remember and not sure why the pie is famous (not bad though). Ordered coffee because they brew Arcade and it just didn't taste like the brew I pick up directly at Arcade. I like the idea of the veggie cart, but it was too crowded and way too many hands in there!!! Just one glance at it and I was queasy. Thank goodness for the great attitudes at this place though - the service makes a difference. :)

Amazing happy staff, great sandwiches 🥪

Each community has spots that are unique to their culture. Backstreet is one of those places for Riverside. A bit off the beaten path with limited parking, and only open a few hours a day. If you're a local though, you've been here many times and it's earned a special place in your heart. The food is great, but the atmosphere and the opportunity to spend time enjoying the outdoors on their back patio with loved ones makes it even more special. A unique spot that does their own thing and does it well.

Nothin but love to the Arcade team, but $20 for an aggressively dry, flavorless sandwich is just rough :/ Both the pastrami and french dip were not it, and then you’re spending $30 if you want a drink or dessert. Great ambience but not a bang for the buck type spot

Really cute decor. I came here to try it out but the sandwiches were overwhelmingly expensive & don’t appear to be phenomenal or unique. I left.

My husband & I live down the street from this spot. I want to say our realtor recommended we try it. I'm glad we did :) it was VERY good & good grief the portion sizes are large. I LOVE the little back patio area, it is so cute & cozy! The staff were super sweet & courteous, too. I love that we live within walking distance of this little gem.

Very quaint neighborhood sandwich place in the courtyard of a former residential property. The service is very friendly and the food is prepared in front of you. There is no indoor seating but there is plenty of shaded seating. However, when it's hot, it's hot - even with shade. I love the sandwiches and salads. On my salads, I added pastrami on top. There is a condiments bar where you can help yourself with pickles, beets, carrots, etc. Overall a great place for lunch when the weather is pleasant.

A charming little find. My friend and I found ourselves in Riverside for a medical procedure that I needed. After leaving we turned to Yelp to help us find a good spot for lunch. Yelp reviews did not disappoint! We both enjoyed a combination Corned Beef and Pastrami on rye. The bread was so fresh. The meat was flavorful and piled high! Everything froom the cole slaw and potato salad was homemade and delicious. There is also an open bar of vegis, pasta salad, pickles and other relishes to choose from. The atmosphere was like enjoying lunch at your friends outside garden. Beautiful plants and outdoor decorations to enjoy. Very pretty! Only negative was the price. $57 for two sandwiches and two ice teas was a little steep. The experience, however, made it all worth while.

I really wanted to like this place, but it didn't do it for me. I thought they would have more of variety of sandwiches like Upper Crust or Simple Simon's, but they don't. The sandwiches don't come with lettuce, tomatoes, or onion. And they only have swiss cheese, no other cheeses to choose from. They're also really pricey for what you get. I ended up getting a salad because I was there with a couple of friends from work and I was hungry. The salad was good, but I could have gotten the same salad for half the price. The only good thing about this place is the outdoor patio unfortunately.

This is a fantastic place. The banana cream pie is something to dream about. It's great to be outside, hear the fountain, enjoy the flowers, plants and trees and enjoy being a human being.

Their pastrami on rye is my favorite and I love the friendly staff and charming outdoor dining.

This place feels like a hidden gem, and it seems to be family-owned. It's a quaint sandwich spot. I haven't been here in years, but nothing has changed--and that's a good thing! The food is still amazing, with sandwiches made fresh to order. The outdoor patio is super chill, especially with the charming garden decor. The staff couldn't be friendlier, and I love that they've maintained the same high-quality standards. I ordered the turkey sandwich. They didn't have avocado , but that didn't take away from the sandwich's quality. The turkey is roasted and sliced in-house with no preservatives--so fresh! My friend ordered a slice of chocolate pie , it was topped with a huge serving of whipped cream. Like a good friend, she shared some with me, and wow... it was delish! Next time I'll try one of their hot sandwiches

Had to come again because it was delicious!! I found much more seating this time and it was indoors!

I normally eat here and the ambience is amazing. sometimes I get it to go and it's just as good. The service at the restaurant is amazing as well. They're very attentive to your needs.

Lived in Riverside for 53 yrs and Backstreet is great. Fresh sandwiches, salads and pies. All employees are always the best. Ambiance is so nice and relaxing Great place to to take a lunch break outside of work. Thank you Backstreet for giving your special touch to our community for years.

My sister found this spot for lunch for us over the weekend. It's a cute cozy sandwhich shop with a simple menu cafeteria style and they have open patio area to sit . The food servings is great & phenomenal customer service .you can park in the street or parking lot across from the restaurant.

Love Backstreet Cafe! Best sandwiches in Riverside by far!! And I love their quaint patio for lunch. Looking forward to catching one of their Friday wine nights.

I really wanted to like this place. Atmosphere was really nice so I was expecting good food. $16 for half a sandwich.. that's outrageous. And it's pretty much plain too. I felt so bad for my husband when I saw how small it was. I ended up getting the Cesar salad for $16 as well and I could have gotten a better one at the store for $4 So not worth the price. I would say $10 max for what they give you. We had been wanting to try it for so long but we won't be back. Once was enough.

This is the most mediocre sandwich place ever. I got the tuna sandwich and it was the plainest thing I had ever eaten. No flavor at all. The tuna salad was way too wet. And it seems like the only cheese they have is Swiss? We also ordered a slice of the banana creme pie and I don't understand why they are known for it. It tastes like jell-o banana pudding put in a pie crust. It seems like this place is catering to the palates of old people. The ordering process wasn't very clear, and it was very warm inside where you order/get your food. I'm only giving this place 2 stars because it has a cute patio, but I won't be returning because the food isn't worth it. $25 for a minimal tuna sandwich and slice of pie.

Not sure what I was expecting from Backstreet, but the concept was pretty fun. You place your order as if you're in a cafeteria line and then at the end, there's an unlimited sides station. The station has things like pickles, peppers, pasta salad, beets, etc. The sandwiches aren't mind blowing or anything, but it's a good casual place to visit and eat outside.

The sides were ok. But I didn't come here for sides. The sandwich was quite possibly the driest thing on planet earth. Like left out all day in the sun dry. Like eating a mouthful of sand. A few condiments could elevate the sandwich. But no, meat, cheese, and bread. Caveman style. I'm good.

Food,service and ambiance are fantastic. Wonderful place to have lunch. Dr. Shedder sandwich is very yummy

This place is an institution in this area for sure. I've always known about it, but never ventured in. There happens to be a couple other brunch spots that are also very popular, within walking distance that I usually go to. I was craving a very good sandwich and figured I check it out because they are known for their sandwiches and seem to be very popular with the locals. Big mistake, because nostalgia alone does not make for a great meal. The menu listed $16. for a whole roast beef sandwich. When the employee pulled out a small roll and placed it on the counter. I politely asked, "a whole one please". She replied "this is a whole one". I was straight up shocked at what was happening. But I was too embarrassed to question or cancel my order, because there were people standing closely behind me. The sandwich comes with one side, I chose the cole slaw. I get to the cashier, and she says "it'll be $21.00". I was like, huh? She said "yah, it's a hot sandwich, so it's more". It would've been somewhat understandable, if the sandwich was worth that price, either in taste, size, or both. Aside from the small size of the actual sandwich. The cole slaw, while looking pretty, was very under seasoned and lacking in flavor in general. The beef was tender and juicy, but also very mild in flavor. The Au Jus was very bland and weak. And sadly, the bread was a little on the dry side. In all fairness,the service was very good, very friendly and very polite. I couldn't have asked for better service. But ultimately, it's the food that matters. Anyone that knows me, knows that I have absolutely no problem paying a higher price for premium food, drink and, product. But, it has to be a premium product, folks. Thank you.

It was good the owners and staff so friendly and nice I lived the atmosphere and the food was good. I didn't really like the friendship as much as I wanted to, but everything else was very good.

Great local lunch spot. Definitely a hidden gem! We got the special sandwich with pastrami and roast beef on sourdough. Food was amazing. Service was so nice and helpful. We really like the outdoor ambiance, it takes you away and you kind get lost in its charm. If you haven't been, definitely come check it out. Oh... almost forgot, the banana cream pie for dessert is a must!

Overpriced sandwiches on regular bread that you can buy at the supermarket.‍ The ambience is nice. Great patio seating, but that's about it.

Absolutely positively overpriced! Almost $20 for a sandwich and small cup of potato salad. High quality meat but no lettuce, tomato, bacon - nothing. Extremely basic. Potato salad bland but good enough with salt and pepper. This meal is worth like $7.99 tops

Hands down, my favorite sandwich in Riverside. I've been coming here since I was a kid and is still great. My favorite thing to order is a Woody Allen on an onion roll. It has corned beef and pastrami. The mustard and the Swiss cheese compliments it very well. Not only is the sandwich amazing, but so is their potato salad. Very delicious! I always pile my plate high with bread and butter pickles and of course their pasta salad which is amazing. Both come free with your order. The homemade banana cream pie here is the best I've ever had. It's a must! The only criticism would be the same as every other food place now - the prices have gone up so much! For the sandwich, a coke (refillable), and a slice of pie I was sitting at about $26. I suppose this is normal now. The quality is so good, as much as it burns to pay this much I will because Backstreet is so good!

I have been going to Backstreet for more than 35 years. Recently had lunch there and it was just as good as it always was. Everything is fresh. Sandwich was still amazing, love the baked beans. Banana cream pie was so good. It's a great place to take visitors.

Best sandwich shop in Riverside. A lil pricey but worth it!! I go here whenever I can to enjoy their hot beef dip or banana pie.

Went to lunch with my wife and I ordered the white bread with turkey. The salad bar compliments the sandwich and I ordered the potato salad. Sandwich is Delicious. Best sandwich in town and well stuffed with meat. My daughter calls me a carnivore. And in the end. We topped it off with some banana cream dessert. The service is fast and kind. And even when you are seated outside. The service continues. The seating is chill. Under a canopy with greenery, vintage and rustic decor.

Cute family owned business. Loved the ambiance but the sandwiches weren't all that great. Would love to come back for the wine and pizza nights though.

This place is a hidden gem! I'm a Riverside local and I've never heard of this place until now. At first glance, the patio is filled with plants, art, and plenty of seating. Inside to order, the staff are nice and welcoming. I love that they have a free salad bar. Their sandwiches are plain, as they do not toast their bread or add any other toppings. However, that's what the salad bar is for. Our order: -I ordered a tuna sandwich- if you add cranberry sauce and cucumbers, it's delicious!! -The sauce for the French dip was diluted and didn't taste like onions. Other than that, the sandwich was packed with meat. -The chocolate pie is basically chocolate pudding. It's a beautiful place to go for lunch. I will definitely be returning.

19 dollars for full sandwich (which still wasn't even that big) turkey, cheese, mayo, bread ( that's literally it) with a side of potato salad. Sandwich was still dry. Honestly hate leaving bad reviews but this place was not worth it. I'm honestly bummed on spending 50 dollars on two sandwiches and a slice of banana pie (pie was the best part, and the only reason I gave em two stars) you get unlimited salad bar but it's just pasta salad and pickles and pickled beets ( all stuff that probably isn't that expensive in bulk) Whatever, just not worth what they are charging in there. I never leave reviews but I'm so bummed on my purchase here, so be warned

Meat not stingy, Good ham! Bread is soft. My dessert was an individual size pie. Location is a bit of a parking pain, seating area outside is calming and quaint. Food delivered to table.

Such a cute courtyard to eat outside! Great option for lunch. I am a huge fan of the baked beans! The staff is always super fast so if you're in to just pick up your lunch and get back the office they will make it happen.

I just went there two times in the last month everything was spot on ! Solid all good five stars

There are only a couple of truly amazing sandwhich shops in the Inland Empire, Backstreet is at the top of my list! I have been visiting this place since 1985 and the food remains consistent and frankly, amazing! The sandwich's are juicy, my favorite is "The Special" and the sides are simply fantastic! The service is also amazing and the patio makes one feel like you're at home! Heading there today, February 17, 2025 and gonna bask in the brilliance of the food once again!

Please do not get me wrong This place is so cute with the outdoor patio and trees! The service was great, very attentive and great moods To me it just is not worth what you pay Half a sandwich is $12 and you get untoasted bread, lots of meat and mayo. That's it You get your choice of potato salad, small bag of chips, or beans A drink is extra cost and so is the dessert, of course. It does come with the veggie cart which I thought was super cute. Only thing is, it's very vinegar-y. The beets taste like vinegar, the pasta salad tastes like vinegar, the pickles obviously taste the same but I love pickles. The veggie cart was just pickled sides In total I spent about $15 and it wasn't the amount of food, just the taste overall. Very simple sandwich, a bit dry to be honest, and the veggie cart that I only enjoyed the pickles. I wouldn't come back to be honest, but it wasn't absolutely terrible.

Complete disappointment!! Been going to Backstreet for 30 + years and after my last visit I won't be back! $30 for a sandwich and a chocolate tart is ridiculous, yes I know inflation but still $30? The sandwich, the Shrader was not worth $22 the meat was dry, the bread fell apart. The au jus that used to be the best ever tasted like watered down brown water, no flavor!! The potato salad was one big piece of potato! The tart had a crust that was probably close to 3/8 to 1/2 inch thick which didn't leave much room for the chocolate filling! It's not the same and I've been there since the ownership change. I'm disappointed and sorry to see the decline in the quality of the food.

Not like it used to be,French Dip had no flavor, au jus was bland. Baked beans were still good though. Service was excellent and ambiance was nice.

Our first time at this restaurant. Pretty good. You walk up and order. I had a half french dip with sauce on the side and potato salad. And an onion bun with cheese and tuna. Also got a half Cesar salad (which was huge!) And a slice of banana pie. They also have an area where you can get things like pickles, peppers, macaroni salad, cranberry, carrots, celery, etc. All outdoor seating and pet friendly!

I used to live in Riverside. My dad was great friends with the original owners Mac & Barbara. As a kid, I went there with my dad about once a month from the year they opened until I moved away in '81. I've been back only two times since. The most recent being last week. 12-8-24. I was stunned by two things. One. The prices are pretty high and two. It was bland. The Turkey was unseasonsd and tasteless. Sad. I won't be driving out there for lunch anymore. There are plenty of better, reasonable choices.

They have done a lot of things right here at Backstreet. This is why they have been here for such a long time. Parking is a bit of a challenge. Very little street parking in that area, plus one small parking lot across the street. Once you have jumped over that hurdle, you must wait in line to place your order. On a positive note, there is never a fuss over being ignored by your server. The line moves quickly. You must pay at the counter then find a place to sit in the patio. There are all kinds of surprising nooks and crannies where you will eventually discover seating. The patio is a cozy, zen zone of tables, umbrellas, fun garden art, mature plantings, flowers, and shade trees. Since Riverside is blessed with beautiful weather, more often than not, Backstreet is a sweet place to decompress. Even dogs are welcome. The food comes out quickly, delivered to your table. After all, their menu is simple, mostly sandwiches, and their hard-working staff work speedily to keep things moving. And while I can not find anything particularly notable about their food, the sandwiches are decent sized and made with fresh ingredients. It is a pleasant experience for lunchtime outdoor dining.

Backstreet is a great place to enjoy a delicious meal, friendly service and beautiful atmosphere. Keep up the great work!

I was very disappointed I've been attending Back Street for 40 years and now that I'm a vegetarian they couldn't be bothered to make me a cheese sandwich!!! Then they threw me a plastic bag to put my salad into!! Very rude! I will never come here again!!!

The ROMEOs dropped into Backstreet for our Friday lunch. We lunch at 1:30pm and we forgot they close at 2. So glad we made it in time. I copied my brother this time and we both had the pastrami and Swiss on sheepherders. Steaming hot meat piled high on the oversized bread. Great sandwich. Others had turkey on squaw, ham n Swiss on rye. I had mine with mustard and mayo they also offer butter on your bread. New to me was the draft beer. I had the Lagunitas IPA. They closed their gates just after 2pm but told us to relax and enjoy our meals. Offer stopping by to refill our drinks and clear the tables. Most got boxes for theirs and some order another to take home with a piece of banana cream pie! Service-5 Food-5 Value-5 (are they cheaper than before?) Retired Old Men Eating Out.

4 Star now a 5 STAR but I wish I could give more Went back today with two buddies for lunch. All very happy with our meals. Service was great Employees were very nice and ............................................................... The two servers were wearing gloves Thank you to management for listing to customers suggestions I can only give 5 stars but I'm saying it should be 10 stars!!!

Service, ambiance...excellent!! In all my years of living in Riverside and going to and eating at Backstreet, I was so surprised this time at the expense of two half sandwiches, our little sides, drinks and garnishes to have spent $50. I mean really the sandwich is a mile of meat on bread with Mayo and cheese! Nothing special there. I guess the high cost is everywhere but gosh darn....still so disappointing.

Backstreet is a small cafe located off of Magnolia on a small side street called Nelson. Parking is limited but there is a lot for public parking located just one street south. This location is a local favorite and rightfully so - it's the cutest little outdoor cafe and the food is delicious . This is outdoor seating only so I believe they have different hours -weather permitting but everything I have visited, they have been open 11-2. This cafe is where you want to come for a good sandwich ... you can choose half or whole , your meat and bread . From there, you can choose your side (I personally recommend the potato salad as it's homemade and delicious!). All sandwiches also come with the side bar which has pickle spears , pasta salad etc. they are practically famous for their banana cream pie, so save room for a slice! For drinks you can choose from a fountain drink (coke products), ice tea or draft beer along with a few others non alcohol bottled options in their fridge. Again, seating is outside on their beautifully eclectic patio with plenty of shade and tables. They are a little on the expensive side (we spent $40 for lunch) but it's worth it!

Amazing cozy spot near Brockton arcade shopping plaza ! My recommendation after running mountain rubidoux just drive to backstreet and enjoy an amazing homemade sandwich style make sure you eat at their back patio, you will feel that in Chelsea or gramercy park in New York City

Always a favorite spot for lunch and a hidden gem in Riverside. The food is consistently good. A wide selection of sandwiches with all of the fixings. Salads and desserts as well. You must try the homemade pickles! The best. The outdoor seating is so pretty and peaceful, and the service is excellent. Everyone that works there seems to really enjoy their job and go out of their way. You will not be disappointed eating at The Backstreet.

What a wonderful first experience. Warm and welcoming atmosphere and service. As you turn the corner entering this secret garden the backstreet restaurant unveils it's hidden treasures. Walking into the patio is like the first sip of freshly squeezed lemonade on a hot summer day. The aromas intoxicate your senses and the pies and tarts are whisked by from their in house bakery. The enjoyment is seen on everyone's demeanor. An escape from the mundane. It will soon become one of your favorites. A true example of a staple in the community.

I've been wanting to try this place for years but up until recently it's only been open during the week when I'm at work. Now that they're open on weekends we jumped at the chance. Sadly they were routine if roast beef but I went for turkey and my fiancé got pastrami. I have to say, before I get into the food, they were SO FRIENDLY! Everyone from the servers to the waitress on the patio, felt homey and welcoming as a result! My fiance really enjoyed his sandwich, mine was a smidge dry, but I also really like my sandwiches with some veggies, so I'm not sure if that's something they offer and you have to ask? But it was a little plain without. Their potato salad was amazing though! And I will definitely be back for some pie and that roast beef they're famous for. Ambiance was very cute, reminded me of New Orleans