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 read more

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. read more

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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! read more

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My favorite restaurant for lunch! Everything is so good!! Hot or cold sandwiches. Pasta salad and pickle bar is a lovely add on! Salads are beautiful and delicious. Love the staff! read more

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

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Backstreet is spot on! If you're looking for all the condiments on the sandwich. Put it on yourself. Otherwise ,let them make it the way they have done for years it's a staple of Riverside read more

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! read more

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. read more

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. read more

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 read more

Backstreet - Sandwiches Near Me - Riverside, California

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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! read more

Backstreet - Menu - Sandwiches Near Me - Riverside, California

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

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. read more

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

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. read more

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. read more

Came here for lunch today and got the French dip, which was delicious! The baked beans side was fresh and pretty good too. I thought the banana cream pie had a little too much whip cream compared to actual pie, but it still tasted good! It was super quick and easy ordering at the counter, and the patio/seating area had a cute and quirky vibe. Will have to bring my dog there with me next time! read more

Backstreet - French dip & baked beans - Sandwiches Near Me - Riverside, California

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. read more

It was my first time the sandwiches are amazing and there potatoe salad was the best I have had in a long time

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

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. read more

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!!! read more

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 read more

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Best sandwiches around. Just wish they had lettuce and tomatoes and sliced dill pickles!!

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!!! read more

Sandwiches are amazing , i ordered the French dip, and i just couldn't put it down. Also had a chocolate pie that was like chocolate pudding. I'm coming back soon! Service was good, you order and get your food right at the counter, they have. Veggie bar that comes with the food. If you like cute gardens and lots of nicknacks to look at you will be in for a treat. read more

I was SHOCKED at how pathetic this place was, given its reputation. First, on a positive note, the garden seating is nice and I like the ambiance there. Unfortunately, the food and service do not match. TL;DR. Save your money and make your own sandwich. Food. Sandwhiches are plain and boring. Basic meats and the ONLY options to add are Swiss cheese, mustard, and/or mayonnaise. That's it! No lettuce. No tomatoes. no avocado (am I even in California???). The meat was DRYYYY! Not just one meat. All of the meats. My wife got a French dip. Dry. I got pastrami and corn beef. Dry. Kids got turkey. Dry. The only one in our family that liked the food was my 7 year old who notoriously hates flavor of any kind. Ordered a slice of chocolate pie and it was boxed chocolate pudding oozing over a dry pre-made pie crust. What a joke. Service: Bad. They forgot the dip for the french dip. Then, when we asked an employee, they went to get it it and never returned. They also overcharged us, which we didn't realize until we got home. Other commentors mentioned something similar, which makes me wonder if this was an accident or a scam. Price: $16.00 for a plain, dry sandwich. Nuff said. read more

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. read more

Backstreet - French dip - Sandwiches Near Me - Riverside, California

I love this place. I been going here since the early '80s. My favorite place to go to just unwind in the middle of a rough day. The sandwiches are great and they have a wide variety of meats, breads, and sides. Their homemade pickles are worth the trip all on their own. The service is wonderful and the staff seem to love what they do. I always sit in the backyard area by the fountain. They have been in business since the late '60s and it has that relaxed somewhat zen feeling to it. The only problem and the one reason I cannot, in good conscience, give them a higher rating is because of the parking, which is a mess. read more

Such a fun place to eat. The pizza on Fridays is A-1! Customer service was a plus. Management was so kind and caring. They had a band there tonight as well. The music was fun. It really appeared that each customers feel at home. read more

My roast beef sandwich was terrible and over priced. I ordered one glass of red wine and it was sour as if it had been left out in the sun. I will never be back and sorry I went there. read more

This establishment is hidden between Magnolia and Brockton. Great outdoor seating area under ample shade. There is a micro bar (sides for sandwich) to the right. Portion size is generous. Keep in mind, this restaurant is not open on weekends. If you are in the mood for a sandwich, this is the place! Support small business! read more

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Arrived there at 1:30 pm on a Saturday. They closed at 2:00pm. Nothing there I could eat or want to eat. I was very disappointed they did not have wheat bread. For a sayshop I was surprised. They offered 5 other breads, but no wheat. Only other option was a salad, which I did not want. So I sat with my family while they ate. I did not get anything. I also noticed the expensive sandwiches at our table had meat and cheese only, no lettuce , tomatoes or avocado. Not very healthy or inviting. Also they closed the door at 2pm. All their seating is outside, we could not access the condiments or bathroom shortly after getting the food. They got our money, no need to provide the same services for those who came before us. I have no reason to go back. Not my cup of tea. read more

The sandwiches are fine. Could be better but the sides and veggie cart do enhance the experience. The banana cream PIE!!!!!! I come back here just for this read more

Great hidden gem that is a good spot to get a sandwich and or food. Lots of sides and they have pie as well. Pastrami and roast beef sandwich is the one. Locals have known about this place for years. Came here after a Mt Rubidoux hike and it did not disappoint. read more

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Love this place! Simple delicious food and lovely people. Really nice outdoor dining space. Can't go wrong with the pastrami on rye with a side of potato salad. read more

Love love love it here! A simple yet delicious sandwich spot that's only open for a couple hours during the day! You know it's good when the line is constantly out the door! My favorite is their potato salad and their pasta salad bar. They have lots of outside seating with lots of art and statues to see and explore. One of my favorite spots down town! read more

If you want a delicious sandwich at a hidden gem then this is your place. Ask for the special menu sammich with baked beans. Cool environment to sit in and be outside as well. read more