Back A Yard Caribbean Grill

AMAZING! Fresh, perfectly cooked, so flavorful, and very fast service. So impressed with this restaurant and I will definitely be back again and again! ——— Jerk Chicken- fresh, moist, spicy but not too spicy. Huge portion! Plantains- OH MY GOODNESS! So perfect. Not mushy- cooked to perfection with perfect flavor. Rice & Beans- They have a sweetness that doesn’t overpower and balances beautifully with the plantains and chicken. Again- so fresh. Coco Bread- Have I mentioned how FRESH everything is? I could eat this bread all day. Tossed salad- FRESH, crisp, giant portion for a side! Mac & Cheese- THE BEST I HAVE EVER HAD from a restaurant! I often find mac & cheese to be bland and uninspired. The mac & cheese at Back A Yard, however, is the opposite of those things. Creamy but not soggy, flavorful, balanced, and a great portion. ——— EAT AT BACK A YARD!! You will not regret it!

Good vegan and vegetarian options, salmon, salads, rice bowls, amazing fried plantains, BBQ and sandwiches. Something for everyone

The food portion was huge for the price. I had the jerk chicken and oxtail combo plate, both were juicy, tender and full of flavor. The ginger beer was very different from what I expected, and in a good way. Will go back again!

From what i gathered, this restaurant is a Jamaican/Caribbean style barbecue joint, complete with Caribbean jerk sauce. I ordered the hot links and my wife got the fried chicken. Everything was great, yet the hot links were NOT hot. At least to me. The pineapple upside down cake was a little underwhelming, but it was served cold, and I'm pretty sure the sauce on it was supposed to be warmed/melted. The flavor was great although it was like eating a very dense sponge cake.

I absolutely enjoyed my time and food here at this location, I had gotten a jerk chicken, pork, and salmon combo with the two sides of rice, beans, and fried plantains. I also had my food with their guava and pineapple juice drink that I thought paired well with my food. My food was flavourful from beginning to end, and I had some of the best salmon in a long time that kept its form and was not held back on the flavor and seasonings. When I was getting a little overwhelmed with the spiciness, the plantains were a perfect palate cleanser with my food with a touch of sweetness that only stirs up my appetite for more of my food. All three of my protiens were flavourful, juicy, and mouth melting softness. My juice is sweet and refreshing. I almost wished I could have bought a larger cup to take around town. I felt no pressure to make my decision as a new customer and was given some examples they recommended, I felt truly welcomed in the restaurants cleanliness, atmosphere, and staff. This place is definitely a must return to try the rest of the menu. I love the strong flavors that left me full, but not bloated from a heavy set of food despite the pork I had.

Place is amazing!!!! I happily make the, one way, hour long, commute just to get some of that delicious Ox tail!!! It’s to die for! Can get a little busy at times but it’s completely understandable for how amazing the food is. The staff is great, the atmosphere is great, and the food is even better! The Cornbread is on a whole different level! Probably the best cornbread I’ve ever had. The Ginger beer is the bees knees! I highly recommend coming here to experience it all yourself. I wish I could talk more about the other dishes but that damn Ox tail is soo irresistible that I can’t bring myself to order anything else!!! Stop by and I guarantee you will not be disappointed!

Such a hidden gem this place is. We ordered jerk chicken and jerk salmon, it was so good. Came with fried plantains. The corn bread also was nice & warm. Will definitely be coming back

It's scary how good the food is. Straight up voodoo. I get the pork and goat and plantains plate with rice... I think my African ancestors connect with me through this meal, especially with the friend plantains. And the variety of spices is just... Ugh 😍 And the prices... Jesus wept ❤️

Recently, I had the pleasure of dining at Back A Yard Caribbean Grill, located on East Capitol Expressway in San Jose. Known for its authentic Caribbean flavors, this small yet vibrant restaurant offers a culinary escape to the islands, and my experience there was nothing short of delightful. The Meal I opted for the BBQ Chicken and Ribs combo, and it turned out to be an excellent choice. The BBQ Chicken was perfectly cooked, moist, and tender, with a flavorful barbecue sauce that struck the perfect balance between sweet and tangy. Every bite was a testament to the chef’s skill in creating flavors that are bold yet nuanced. The ribs were equally impressive. Cooked to perfection, the meat was fall-off-the-bone tender and bursting with smoky flavor. Paired together, the chicken and ribs made for a hearty and satisfying meal that delivered on every level. The sides also deserve special mention. The plantains, beautifully browned and sweet, added a delightful contrast to the savory meats. The rice and beans, while slightly sticky, had a comforting, home-cooked quality and complemented the protein well. The dish was thoughtfully composed, with each component contributing to an overall balance of flavors and textures. To wash it all down, I tried the guava drink, which was an absolute treat. Refreshing and tropical, its fruity flavor perfectly aligned with the Caribbean theme of the meal. The Atmosphere Back A Yard Caribbean Grill might be small in size, but it’s big on personality. The walls are adorned with brightly painted murals that instantly transport you to the Caribbean. The vibrant colors, combined with the tantalizing aroma of freshly cooked food, create an inviting and energetic ambiance. It’s the kind of place where you feel welcome the moment you step inside. The Service A great dining experience isn’t just about the food, and Back A Yard excels in service as well. Sheniele and Denise, two of the staff members, went above and beyond to make my visit special. Their warmth, kindness, and attentiveness added a personal touch that’s rare to find. They ensured that my food arrived quickly and checked in to make sure everything was perfect, which it absolutely was. Final Thoughts Back A Yard Caribbean Grill delivers an authentic taste of Jamaica in the heart of San Jose. From the bold flavors of their BBQ Chicken and Ribs to the sweet indulgence of their plantains, every dish is crafted with care and attention to detail. The portions are generous, the prices are reasonable, and the service is exceptional. Whether you’re looking for a quick takeout meal or a sit-down experience that feels like a mini Caribbean getaway, Back A Yard is a must-visit. It’s the kind of place that reminds you how food has the power to transport, delight, and connect. I’ll definitely be returning soon to try more of their menu, and I encourage anyone craving authentic Caribbean cuisine to do the same. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!

Great flavors and portions at a reasonable price. Ordered the curry goat and jerk chicken combo!

I’ve always driven by this spot and finally had the chance to check it out. Very nice flavors! I got the Jerk Tofu salad and it was so good! They really know how to make pleasing dressings. Next time I want to also try the beans and plantains

I was visiting with my daughter in Santa Barbara, and we drove to visit. My son in San Jose for the weekend. On our last day, we decided to get some Jamaican food before we left and came across this place. OMG, their food was delicious! Some of the best Jamaican food I’ve had in years the service was on point. Even their Mac and cheese was good, oh, and let’s not forget the ginger beer. It was so tasty, just the right amount of ginger to complement the delicious meal. We were stuffed! We highly recommend this spot on Capitol Expressway in the Gould Shopping Center ❤️ we will definitely be going back!

Super chill great food great service. What more could you ask for? 😊

Really great Caribbean place. Not too many food options. But whatever they offered was great. Tried the combo of oxtail and jerk chicken. The meat was cooked and was moist and tender. Loved the seasoning. The plantain fry was superior as always. Tried the mango passion drink. That was my favorite. The ambience was amazing. Must try in San Jose. Not to crowded. Food is served in Togo containers.

Such a great place that I am happy a good friend of mine introduced me to. As a Jamaican this place is as close to authentic Jamaican food as I can get in California. The jerk sauce is my favorite and the chicken patties. Everything is well made and super flavorful. When I am in Cali again I will definitely be going there again.

The ribs were fantastic. Lots of sauce and flavor without being spicy. Don't worry if you like spice though, the optional sauces will blow your socks off - if that's what you like. My wife really enjoyed the ox tail, and the kids loved the sautéed vegetables.

Quite slow, u must come with margin of time to wait. But they have amazing food, but wouldn’t order the jerk chicken cos it’s a little dry. Would come back again!

I'm visiting my family from Long Island, NY. I'm vietnamese with a jamaican gf and mannn this food here was good. I brought my mom and sister here for the 2nd time. We all loved the corn festivals, the sweet plantains, the oxtail. The jerk chicken had a good smokey taste to it, could use a little more spiciness though! When I come back with the girlfriend, gonna bring her here! The festivals, we're crispy on the outside, chewy and soft in the center, and just the perfect sweetness. The beef patties are 🤤 too!

Andrew Wang

Recently, I had the pleasure of dining at Back A Yard Caribbean Grill, located on East Capitol Expressway in San Jose. Known for its authentic Caribbean flavors, this small yet vibrant restaurant offers a culinary escape to the islands, and my experience there was nothing short of delightful. The Meal I opted for the BBQ Chicken and Ribs combo, and it turned out to be an excellent choice. The BBQ Chicken was perfectly cooked, moist, and tender, with a flavorful barbecue sauce that struck the perfect balance between sweet and tangy. Every bite was a testament to the chef’s skill in creating flavors that are bold yet nuanced. The ribs were equally impressive. Cooked to perfection, the meat was fall-off-the-bone tender and bursting with smoky flavor. Paired together, the chicken and ribs made for a hearty and satisfying meal that delivered on every level. The sides also deserve special mention. The plantains, beautifully browned and sweet, added a delightful contrast to the savory meats. The rice and beans, while slightly sticky, had a comforting, home-cooked quality and complemented the protein well. The dish was thoughtfully composed, with each component contributing to an overall balance of flavors and textures. To wash it all down, I tried the guava drink, which was an absolute treat. Refreshing and tropical, its fruity flavor perfectly aligned with the Caribbean theme of the meal. The Atmosphere Back A Yard Caribbean Grill might be small in size, but it’s big on personality. The walls are adorned with brightly painted murals that instantly transport you to the Caribbean. The vibrant colors, combined with the tantalizing aroma of freshly cooked food, create an inviting and energetic ambiance. It’s the kind of place where you feel welcome the moment you step inside. The Service A great dining experience isn’t just about the food, and Back A Yard excels in service as well. Sheniele and Denise, two of the staff members, went above and beyond to make my visit special. Their warmth, kindness, and attentiveness added a personal touch that’s rare to find. They ensured that my food arrived quickly and checked in to make sure everything was perfect, which it absolutely was. Final Thoughts Back A Yard Caribbean Grill delivers an authentic taste of Jamaica in the heart of San Jose. From the bold flavors of their BBQ Chicken and Ribs to the sweet indulgence of their plantains, every dish is crafted with care and attention to detail. The portions are generous, the prices are reasonable, and the service is exceptional. Whether you’re looking for a quick takeout meal or a sit-down experience that feels like a mini Caribbean getaway, Back A Yard is a must-visit. It’s the kind of place that reminds you how food has the power to transport, delight, and connect. I’ll definitely be returning soon to try more of their menu, and I encourage anyone craving authentic Caribbean cuisine to do the same. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!

Omar Mahmoud

Great flavors and portions at a reasonable price. Ordered the curry goat and jerk chicken combo!

S D

I’ve always driven by this spot and finally had the chance to check it out. Very nice flavors! I got the Jerk Tofu salad and it was so good! They really know how to make pleasing dressings. Next time I want to also try the beans and plantains

Tasha Harris

I was visiting with my daughter in Santa Barbara, and we drove to visit. My son in San Jose for the weekend. On our last day, we decided to get some Jamaican food before we left and came across this place. OMG, their food was delicious! Some of the best Jamaican food I’ve had in years the service was on point. Even their Mac and cheese was good, oh, and let’s not forget the ginger beer. It was so tasty, just the right amount of ginger to complement the delicious meal. We were stuffed! We highly recommend this spot on Capitol Expressway in the Gould Shopping Center ❤️ we will definitely be going back!

joslynne leone

Super chill great food great service. What more could you ask for? 😊

REEBA THOMAS

Really great Caribbean place. Not too many food options. But whatever they offered was great. Tried the combo of oxtail and jerk chicken. The meat was cooked and was moist and tender. Loved the seasoning. The plantain fry was superior as always. Tried the mango passion drink. That was my favorite. The ambience was amazing. Must try in San Jose. Not to crowded. Food is served in Togo containers.

Curlene

Such a great place that I am happy a good friend of mine introduced me to. As a Jamaican this place is as close to authentic Jamaican food as I can get in California. The jerk sauce is my favorite and the chicken patties. Everything is well made and super flavorful. When I am in Cali again I will definitely be going there again.

Joshua Seal

The ribs were fantastic. Lots of sauce and flavor without being spicy. Don't worry if you like spice though, the optional sauces will blow your socks off - if that's what you like. My wife really enjoyed the ox tail, and the kids loved the sautéed vegetables.

G T

Quite slow, u must come with margin of time to wait. But they have amazing food, but wouldn’t order the jerk chicken cos it’s a little dry. Would come back again!

Davis P

I'm visiting my family from Long Island, NY. I'm vietnamese with a jamaican gf and mannn this food here was good. I brought my mom and sister here for the 2nd time. We all loved the corn festivals, the sweet plantains, the oxtail. The jerk chicken had a good smokey taste to it, could use a little more spiciness though! When I come back with the girlfriend, gonna bring her here! The festivals, we're crispy on the outside, chewy and soft in the center, and just the perfect sweetness. The beef patties are 🤤 too!

We ordered the 3 Meat BBQ Plate and thd Ox Tail and Chicken Jerk Plate. Both were incredibly delicious and flavorful. This place is true to its name. I felt like I was at someone's backyard barbecue where everything was cooked with love. I could have eaten an entire bowl of the jerk seasoning alone. The only part that wasn't great were the fries that came with the BBQ plate, but everything else more than made up for that. Will definitely be coming here again.

Backayard Caribbean Food: Authentic Flavors and Top-Tier Service I don’t have to go far to find authentic jerk chicken! I was so impressed by the taste of their jerk combo on my first visit that I had to come back a second time. On my return, I tried the jerk salmon and oxtail combo, served with flavorful rice and plantains. I was incredibly satisfied with the portion sizes, the quality of the food, and the fair pricing. What truly stands out, however, is the excellent customer service—a rarity these days. The manager, TK, rang me up, and we chatted about the menu while his staff prepared my order. I was really drawn to our conversation because I was also a manager and we share the same management philosophy: provide great service, and the sales will follow. TK is the type of leader who will even clean the bathrooms himself if his employees are busy. When you combine delicious food with a high standard of service, you get a winner. I’ll definitely be coming back with family and friends, and I highly recommend this spot to everyone! Lina

I called this establishment prior to dining in, and the young man that answered the phone was very professional and enthusiastic. When I arrived, he was very hospitable. I had the curry chicken and oxtail combo — it was delicious, tender, and the portions were large. I look forward to coming back and trying some of the jerk chicken. Thanks Julian! You went above and beyond.

Lina S

Backayard Caribbean Food: Authentic Flavors and Top-Tier Service I don’t have to go far to find authentic jerk chicken! I was so impressed by the taste of their jerk combo on my first visit that I had to come back a second time. On my return, I tried the jerk salmon and oxtail combo, served with flavorful rice and plantains. I was incredibly satisfied with the portion sizes, the quality of the food, and the fair pricing. What truly stands out, however, is the excellent customer service—a rarity these days. The manager, TK, rang me up, and we chatted about the menu while his staff prepared my order. I was really drawn to our conversation because I was also a manager and we share the same management philosophy: provide great service, and the sales will follow. TK is the type of leader who will even clean the bathrooms himself if his employees are busy. When you combine delicious food with a high standard of service, you get a winner. I’ll definitely be coming back with family and friends, and I highly recommend this spot to everyone! Lina

Marcella

We ordered the 3 Meat BBQ Plate and thd Ox Tail and Chicken Jerk Plate. Both were incredibly delicious and flavorful. This place is true to its name. I felt like I was at someone's backyard barbecue where everything was cooked with love. I could have eaten an entire bowl of the jerk seasoning alone. The only part that wasn't great were the fries that came with the BBQ plate, but everything else more than made up for that. Will definitely be coming here again.

Good flavors, but get ready for the spices... It's got a kick! Nice folks. Reasonable prices. Small place that fills up quick during lunch time.

This place popped up in my recommendations. I looked at the menu and it seemed interesting. I haven't had Caribbean food for a while. Ordered the Jerk Chicken & Salmon combo along with some Corn bread and Coco bread. Not sure if it was a miss from DoorDash or the restaurant but I didnt receive the Corn bread and Coco bread. I'll give the benefit of doubt to the restaurant here. The food: The Jerk Chicken and Salmon combo was very flavorful. Fried plantains made for the perfect side for the combo. The dish also came with a spicy sauce on the side which enhanced the flavor. Will order again to try the other items on the menu.

The oxtails are good, but the jerk chicken leaves a lot to be desired. The sauce wasn't doing it for me. They do give great portions and the customer service is great.

The food was really good. The flavors went well with each other, just the textures of everything was all just mushy even the fried plantains were soggy. The customer service was not as good as expected, the guy seemed like he didn’t want to be there taking my order like almost annoyed which was unpleasant.

I came and ordered Togo. The inside is nice and cozy. The girl that took my order was nice. I ordered oxtails. I have it a 4 because it was really good but missing the Jamaican flavor. I think they toned it down for everyone to enjoy it. The rice was ok. Could be more grainy. You will enjoy the meal.

The food was really good 8/10. You will get stuffed. The customer service was good, employees were very friendly and helpful. The food did take some time, around 20-25 (for 5 people), as they do make it from scratch. The food that you get is all fresh. Would recommend.

A good place to get Jamaican food. We especially like their jerk chicken. It is so tasty. And the accompanying sauce is even tastier. Their corn festival (Jamaican fried dough) is also our favorite, but somehow it’s not on their online or printed menu. It’s on the menu on the wall though. The yard plates come with rice, beans and fried plantains, enough to fill the hungriest.

I’ve been here a few times for lunch and have always had a good experience. At my most recent visit, I ordered the beef oxtails & curry goat combo plate. Portions were great and flavors were on point. They definitely don’t play about their spices! I was a little sad that they were out of plantains though as that’s one of my favorites. There was quite a wait, which is understandable considering they make everything fresh and there’s usually a lunch crowd. It was also a little slower than usual during my recent visit since there was only one cashier trying her best to multitask with serving everyone’s food and packing up takeout orders. Overall, I highly recommend!

8/11 @ 6pm Indoor dining half of the room. Bathroom closed. Tasty ox tail not too spicy. Meat falls off bones. But extremely slow service. Took about 15 minutes after order to receive. Not very crowded. Would not want to be here while busy. I see 2 people in kitchen and 2 at front desk. They don't wipe table after people have eaten and left table.

Sabi Abraham

The food was really good 8/10. You will get stuffed. The customer service was good, employees were very friendly and helpful. The food did take some time, around 20-25 (for 5 people), as they do make it from scratch. The food that you get is all fresh. Would recommend.

Vincent L

A good place to get Jamaican food. We especially like their jerk chicken. It is so tasty. And the accompanying sauce is even tastier. Their corn festival (Jamaican fried dough) is also our favorite, but somehow it’s not on their online or printed menu. It’s on the menu on the wall though. The yard plates come with rice, beans and fried plantains, enough to fill the hungriest.

Christina

I’ve been here a few times for lunch and have always had a good experience. At my most recent visit, I ordered the beef oxtails & curry goat combo plate. Portions were great and flavors were on point. They definitely don’t play about their spices! I was a little sad that they were out of plantains though as that’s one of my favorites. There was quite a wait, which is understandable considering they make everything fresh and there’s usually a lunch crowd. It was also a little slower than usual during my recent visit since there was only one cashier trying her best to multitask with serving everyone’s food and packing up takeout orders. Overall, I highly recommend!

Vincent Tang

8/11 @ 6pm Indoor dining half of the room. Bathroom closed. Tasty ox tail not too spicy. Meat falls off bones. But extremely slow service. Took about 15 minutes after order to receive. Not very crowded. Would not want to be here while busy. I see 2 people in kitchen and 2 at front desk. They don't wipe table after people have eaten and left table.

Chika Emeka

The oxtails are good, but the jerk chicken leaves a lot to be desired. The sauce wasn't doing it for me. They do give great portions and the customer service is great.

Jerica XO

The food was really good. The flavors went well with each other, just the textures of everything was all just mushy even the fried plantains were soggy. The customer service was not as good as expected, the guy seemed like he didn’t want to be there taking my order like almost annoyed which was unpleasant.

I'll start off my saying I was trying Caribbean for the first time tonight. I got the jerk pork & chicken. I liked the chicken and the rice. The pork had too much fat for me and was a little too spicy (I admit, I have a low tolerance for spice).

The Cod dish was a bit to salty and the BBQ combination plate bit over sauced. Loved the rice and fried corn bread. The meat was cook very well with good flavor. The pork nugget also a good choice though the bread rolls aren't as good as the corn bread. Mixed on deserts with the PB&J a bit to sweet and the cake dry. The stand out was the sweet potato pudding that may not look the best but was good.

On the menu, the beverages state: ice cold. They are not. The tables are not clean, well until some guy was verbally aggressive with the workers and then they started sweeping. The oxtails are very fatty, not meaty. Decent flavor. Collard greens tastes like straight vinegar (guy said they were good…lies). Fried chicken was decent. Overall, I wouldn’t pay $78 plus tip for average food. This isn’t real Island food, it is the California take on it. My 15 year old states,” I am full but not satisfied.”

We are regulars but this time the white meat was really dry, and they skimped the amount of food than before. They only gave us little pieces of oxtail, and maybe a handful of fries.

This was my first and last time at this restaurant. I purchased this food to eat on my way home but started eating in the parking lot because I was excited to taste it. If I lived closer I would definitely request a refund. The cashier was friendly and professional and the gentleman that gave me my food was also friendly. I never understand why restaurants serve food that is of poor quality or old. I ordered a coco bread to eat on the way home. As you can see in the picture that is not coco bread and it's old and completely dried out. The bun from my sandwich was not edible as it was stale and dried out as well. The chicken was very dry and hard, there's no way the owners of this establishment would be happy eating what is being served. The jerk chicken flavor was not bad at all but the dryness and texture ruined it. The festival is not traditional festival but it was enjoyable. The plantains were fresh and they gave a good amount in the side order. I really and truly hope they start putting more love into what is being served.

C Hawkins

This was my first and last time at this restaurant. I purchased this food to eat on my way home but started eating in the parking lot because I was excited to taste it. If I lived closer I would definitely request a refund. The cashier was friendly and professional and the gentleman that gave me my food was also friendly. I never understand why restaurants serve food that is of poor quality or old. I ordered a coco bread to eat on the way home. As you can see in the picture that is not coco bread and it's old and completely dried out. The bun from my sandwich was not edible as it was stale and dried out as well. The chicken was very dry and hard, there's no way the owners of this establishment would be happy eating what is being served. The jerk chicken flavor was not bad at all but the dryness and texture ruined it. The festival is not traditional festival but it was enjoyable. The plantains were fresh and they gave a good amount in the side order. I really and truly hope they start putting more love into what is being served.

The food I give 3 🌟. The service though. I understand they were short staffed, but they could have better communicated timing on our last dish. We waited 20+ min for our jerk salmon to come out after everyone else had received their dish. The food may have tasted better warm. Please Take the food to go or come when it's a bit slow if you are craving some carribean jerk.

I went in this location a little after 11 followed by a white bearded male on the phone… when we walked in I was greeted with the ambiance of Caribbean music only to be interrupted by the yelling of the man who I realized was the manager yelling at staff to turn down music very rudely. Just for him to sit at dining table and talk extremely loud laughing obnoxiously about personal things. Will definitely take food Togo next time. Dining experience was terrible. Had to come back and leave review because that’s highly inappropriate behavior for a manager. Personal phone calls should be done away from customers always and especially not prioritized over dining music

First time here. Asked if the 8pcs wings are "bone-in" and the lady taking orders had no idea what I was talking about. I had to explain it to her. Then I asked what flavors they offer and she was even more perplexed by my question. I had to try to explain myself, to understand what the flavor was gonna be of the food and she was of no help. She explains that everything is pre prepared in a bag and they just fry the wings, she didn't know what flavor they are... That sounds not appetizing. No thank you!

Have to admit it is most poor tasting food specially for vegetarians. Food looked charred. I dunno whats the point of frying a tiny banana, it tasted so bad. The flavour was very bad just turmeric and nothing else. Have never tasted such bad food with poorly cooked veggies. The rice was of poor quality. The salads were bland and tasteless. Please improve the quality.

Uncooked chicken, we arrived home with two plates of chicken. In both plates the chicken was raw, is seriously dangerous, actually it’s not the first time that it’s happened, I don’t know how this place is still open, someone should be checking the food over there.

נופר קלדס

Uncooked chicken, we arrived home with two plates of chicken. In both plates the chicken was raw, is seriously dangerous, actually it’s not the first time that it’s happened, I don’t know how this place is still open, someone should be checking the food over there.