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Back Forty Texas BBQ Roadhouse & Saloon
Categories: Restaurants American (Traditional) Restaurants Barbeque Event Planning & Services Caterers American (Traditional), Barbeque, Caterers
100 Coggins DrPleasant Hill, CA 94523
(925) 935-1440
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11 am - 9:30 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
231 reviews for Back Forty Texas BBQ Roadhouse & Saloon
Review Highlights
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"Sweet potato fries are delicious and addicting." In 10 reviews -
"The best of all is the banana pudding at the end." In 7 reviews -
"The ribs were fall off the bone moist and not too fatty." In 6 reviews
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231 reviews in English
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Review from Glenda E.
Walnut Creek, CA
4/17/2012
We celebrated a 90th birthday on Sunday afternoon at the Back Forty BBQ and it was terrific. I had planned to bring an ice cream cake from Cold Stone (which was fabulous),so I called to ask if there would be any problem with bringing the cake. Lately, at Chow's and the Yankee Pier (both in Lafayette) they have instituted a "cuttage fee". If you bring a birthday cake or anniversary, etc., the restaurant charges you a fee, (which I find outrageous and a testimony to greediness). Back to the Back Forty...they said there would be no problem putting the cake in their freezer annd he said he would have the wait staff bring out plates and forks when we were ready!!! Not only did they bring the cake, plates, forks, they had put on the candles, lit them and presented the cake to the celebrant.
The food was fabulous, the service was perfect, for a table of twenty plus, no mistakes, a pleasant, efficient waiter and the most accomodating people from our greeting to the goodbyes.
I would run back to the Back Forty for our next celebration! -
Review from Nicolette G.
Walnut Creek, CA
5/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
I really want to like this place more, but something about the food just misses the mark. It's a little heavy, greasy, and the smoke flavor on the meat is funky. We got it to go tonight and it might have been that it was late, but it just wasn't that great. I keep thinking it will get better but it stay pretty much the same.
It's good if you want mediocre bbq and you're too lazy to go too far to get it. I live next door so its hard to resist sometimes, much like a lot of the mediocre restaurants around the Walnut Creek/Pleasant Hill area.
UPDATE
I felt the need to update the review after the owner contacted me regarding my experience. My boyfriend also thought two stars was a bit harsh- and it's he who always wants to eat here anyways- so I decided to change to 3 stars.
The food really isn't that bad for BBQ, and I started to think that maybe I just don't like this type of food. And that's no reason for a bad review, especially when they live and die for these stars. Either way, the food is OK, but just not for me. -
Review from Amy S.
Walnut Creek, CA
5/18/2012
Okay so I don't like giving 3 stars very much. I try to find the good in everything. Except spiders. And I've never had a bad experience at Back 40 as far as service goes, but the food just doesn't jump off your plate screaming "EAT ME. I'M SOOO GOOD!" And that's what I like my food to do.
Most recently (5/14/12), at a banquet style dinner ($40 pp) for a Legal Professional's group I belong to, I tried turkey, beef, and chicken dishes that had been prepared for our group. All were cooked wonderfully. Not dry; not overcooked. But they still lacked taste and the BBQ flavor I get when I cook at home. I'm not a huge salt user so I don't think it was just an underseasoned variety of meats, just a poor seasoning choice.
That dinner was served with delicious giant rolls, salad, and hot baked beans. All were pretty good. Salad was really good - a platter of four dressing choices arrived with it. However, with a big group it'd be nice to label the dressings so everyone doesn't feel the need to sample each one with their forks. :P
We had just one server rushing around. I really wish I could remember her name. Jennifer? She did fantastical! Totally handled the big group with not a lot of help. And I don't just mean with food service: all the drinks and random requests for extra butter (yeah, that's me). Awesome job. Killed it.
I ordered a drink downstairs before the meeting and received a $6.50 Bloody Mary with no celery that didn't really impress me. The salt was added to the rim as I requested but the drink had spilled over some and most of it was down the side of my glass. Not very strong for Happy Hour time... (Do they have HH?) Tyler (the bartender) wasn't hard on the eyes though!! Not at all They should probably earn an extra star for all their good looking staff (the upstairs girl was pretty too!) but no celery = no star.
Concerning the room our large group dined in, there were probably 30 of us and we didn't even take up half the room. Ton of space. Well-ventilated. Great temperature. Good microphone and audio available for our speaker to use. I don't remember a large room at their previous location. This new building is great! I still feel inclined to give a 4th star since having an area like this and a staff competent enough to handle a big group is huge, but I just don't want to mislead any readers on how I felt about the quality vs. cost. It's just too pricey for what's it's lacking. -
Review from Stuart M.
Pleasant Hill, CA
5/18/2012
Meats are top quality, nicely smoked, fall-off-the-bone tender. Very few BBQ joints know how to cook a chicken, and this is one of them. Brisket is like butter. However, all the meats are underseasoned, stingy on the dry rub, and the BBQ sauce is super bland, even the so-called "hot" variety. Sneak in a bottle of E&J or Stubbs and now you're talkin'. Sides are solid. And the prime rib is an out-of-the-park surprise hit. Service is good, but I've got to deduct a star for the super-cheesy, Disney-fied, faux-wild-west decor. Some of the decorator touches are interesting, like the kitchy cowboy fabric on the booth seats, but do we really need little signs over all the booths that read "DENTIST" and "LIVERY" and such? Better to opt for take-out and ride off into the sunset with your meat and two, and doctor it up with your own sauce.
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Review from Zen C.
Oakland, CA
5/23/2012
I have to share this with all those looking for great BBQ. We have been going to Back Forty for over 25 years, from two moves to their current location. They are family owned, and their current restaurant looks and feels like you are in Texas, but in the heart of Pleasant Hill. The menu is extensive and everything is delicious. My favorite are their pork ribs and chicken. They have something that will appeal to everyone: BBQ meats, sweet potato fries, coleslaw, beans, macaroni and cheese, prime rib, burgers, turkey, fish, salads, cornbreads, etc. etc. (Their extensive choices may make it difficult to choose what you want to have that day. ) Back Forty has a great bar, appetizers, and early bird specials. Portions are generous and prices are good. They do a fantastic job with catering small affairs to large and their food is always a hit for family parties or company picnics. They do large banquets and have a small private room, and beautiful courtyard with a huge oak tree in the middle. They have a take out entrance where you can park and pick up dinner for nights that you may not want to cook. I highly recommend Back Forty. Sometimes (on weekends or special events) their wait can be long, and parking may be a challenge, but that is the sign of a great restaurant. They have a variety of several bottled sauces on their tables. Try them all and decide which one you love. I just learned that the are Gluten Free BBQ sauces! For those with family members or friends who are sensitive to wheat, or have celiac, this is a blessing! I have to spead the word about this, just in time for the Summer BBQ season. Yes - - Back Forty's bottled BBQ sauces are gluten free and safe.
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Review from Michael L.
Pleasant Hill, CA
4/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
Ah the good ole Back Forty. Nice fun place to go. I really like the music they have on Friday nights. The biggest plus about this place is that it is across the street from where I live. The food is pretty good, I will recommend the brisket (the juicy cut). The apps are good also. My fiancee loves the Cesar salad as well. If you like margaritas I highly recommend their "Jeffs-rita"
Over all the back forty is good and consistent. -
Review from Laura L.
3/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
Back Forty... I used to come here YEARS ago and wanted a round of nostalgia.
Well, they're not in the same location. They're in a much bigger, newer place on the other side of the road.
And the food is not really the same... It used to be sort of a big, delicious mess on a plate and now it is more Outback Steakhouse-y.
But the brisket was still incredible and the chicken was amazing.
The sides were good, too. The macaroni and cheese was delightful but the scalloped potatoes were better.
The best part of the meal? The bread.
Service? Well, the service was virtually nonexistent. And then there's the fact that they allowed my 75 year old grandmother to sneak her card at the host stand on her OWN birthday.
(Let's call it a 3.5 stars and, yes, I will be back to visit.) -
Review from Patricia G.
Burlingame, CA
4/2/2012
We've ordered take out here in the past. Very quick and convenient. Delicous.
This past Saturday night, we decided to come in and have dinner. Party of four. Waited about 10 minutes. Not bad. Greeted by a delightful server. Ordered promptly and the food came just as quick.
Selections were well presented. Price points were perfect for the portion and quality.
Good BBQ spot for dine in or take out. :) -
Review from a a.
Richmond, CA
5/11/2012
Awful.
Buffalo burger tasted like sand, they charged $1.25 extra for cheese on an already $9 burger. With a soda and tip it added up to $20. For lunch, in Pleasant Hill.
The burger was far below mediocre, the bun was stale or just unexciting. It came with a single ring of onions, a piece of lettuce (no tomato) and a serving of equally awful fries.
Apparently, this place is mostly for the elderly because they kept streaming in. Avoid if you can or just go to a fast food place for more flavor and better prices.Comment from Jeff E. of Back Forty Texas BBQ Roadhouse & Saloon 5/25/2012
a.a. As I am sure you are aware, Buffalo is extremely… More » -
Review from Tom S.
Lafayette, CA
4/22/2012
Had dinner at Back Forty Texas BBQ tonight for the first time. Arrived just before 5:45 and were surprised to have to wait over half an hour for a table in such a big restaurant on a Sunday night. There were a few open tables, so either they were reservations or they were understaffed versus need.
The waitress came to our table right after we were seated, and we ordered our full meal right away since we had plenty of time to review the menu while waiting for a table. The busboy quickly brought us water and a basket with delicous corn bread and a small baked brown loaf, along with a large soft roll we did not try. Immediately behind the bread came our waitress with the beers, and literally behind her was the kitchen server with our dinners. We all had ribs and brisket, so it had obviously been slowly cooking for some time and just had to be sliced and served.
I had the combination plate ($19) with beef ribs, pork ribs and lean beef brisket, my wife the lean beef brisket ($15), and my daughter kids pork ribs ($6). The Original BBQ Sauce was delicious, full of slightly sweet and smoky flavors. One of the best sauces I have ever tasted. Also tried the Bold and Smoky which I did not find as cleanly flavored and balanced. The lean brisket was fine dipped in the BBQ sauce, but without it was not particularly moist or flavorful. Maybe the Chunk O'Beef Brisket would be the better call. The beef ribs were tough and chewy, and not much meat on the 2 in the combo. However, the pork ribs were delicious, fall off the bone moist and very flavorful. I like the way the ribs are served lightly sauced and they let you choose from 4 of their sauces for dipping.
They have a number of sides to choose from, with dinner coming with 2 sides and you can add another for $3.99. The Standouts - Texas Country Fries and Sweet Potato Fries. Pretty Good - White Cheddar Mac & Cheese and Garlic Mashed Potatoes. OK - BBQ Beans and Seasonal Veggies.
Tall beers are $7 for micros and go great with the food. The kid's meal came with a very small dish of ice cream that looked like it was scooped with a fork. Come on, take the time to give the kids a nice round scoop of ice cream.
We will definitely be back, next time with a reservation and I will stick with the pork ribs. -
Review from Lauren W.
3/1/2012
The BBQ pork ribs are so yum! I usually split with my husband because it's huge. I like dumping the hot BBQ sauce over the ribs. The ribs are consistent and fall of the bone. So delicious! Been here with the kids and they always give us a huge table in the back.
Never been to the happy hour but we have sat in the bar (without the kids). It gets mighty packed in there I hear. Flat screen TV is what caught my husband's eye. Mainly seniors from the old folks home next door.
Parking lot is not that big. We had to circle in the circle looking for spots. -
Review from Claudine V.
San Francisco, CA
4/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
BBQ is just so so. Service is okay, price is a little bit expensive. Nothing spectacular in this place that would make me come back for more. Definitely nothing beats the Gorilla BBQ by Pacifica on Highway 1.
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Review from Diana V.
2/10/2012
Boy, am I glad that I didn't review this place the first time I came here, because it was awful. Gamey and dry pork ribs and smelly fish are the best way to describe our first meal here.
However, they totally redeemed themselves on my second visit.
My dad and I must have had special treatment, because our appetizer, salads, entrees, and desserts were darn good!
We ordered Vodka to start the meal, like a good couple of Russians ; - )
My dad had Grey Goose straight up (yeah, that's how we roll : ) and I had an Absolut and Cranberry. The only bad thing about this meal was that my drink was really weak; more juice than alcohol.
Recommendations:
Cactus Stix -- Fried Zucchini Sticks that were fresh and juicy when we bit into them
Caesar Salad -- Crisp Romaine Lettuce, Parmesan Cheese, Croutons, and classic Caesar Dressing
Flat Iron Steak -- Well seasoned, nice cut of meat for that price range, topped with Fingerling Potatoes, Braised Red Wine Onions, Crimini Mushrooms, Smoked Bacon, and Baby Spinach
Half a Slab Pork Rib Dinner -- Several slabs of pork ribs that come with your choice of two sides such as Potato Salad, Coleslaw, Veggies, Mashed Potatoes, Beans, Fries, Mac & Cheese, Soup, Salad, or a Baked Potato with the works.
Banana Puddin' -- Apparently made from scratch daily. It's no Magnolia Bakery, but it's still pretty darn good.
*TIP: If you can make it in before 6:30 p.m. for the Early Bird Dinner, you can get some of the same menu items for quite a bit cheaper.
For Happy Hour, I'd recommend getting there at 5 p.m. because the bar gets packed pretty quickly for socializing and the live music. -
Review from Sean P.
Oakland, CA
3/27/2012
Great food. So so service.
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Review from Steve K.
1/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
Back Forty seems to be a popular place for BBQ, because it was packed for dinner on our recent visit.... we waited 15-20 minutes for a table. Once we were seated, our server was friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable about the food.
However, as a veteran BBQ fan from the South (and Texas), I was disappointed with the food here. I ordered the "juicy" brisket, which was nicely cooked but not particularly flavorful or smokey. It didn't have any of the dark outside char I like, but the BBQ sauce was decent, along with an okay mac n cheese. The trail beans were not very memorable, though.
Since they're known more for their ribs here, I'll have to try those next time. -
Review from Ardis R.
Pittsburg, CA
4/3/2012
Love the Back Forty - been going there for years. They catered many of our BofA parties. Went there today love the Texas Fries. Agree with Laura on the size of the servings - no more doggie bags I liked the old place but the parking in the new place is much easier, I like the new one too. Y'all come - you'll enjoy it!
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Review from Tim O.
3/6/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Three stars for the food, four stars for the atmosphere (especially upstairs on weekends) and five stars for the Western garden motif out front. I'm not sure who's responsible for this plant-palooza, but he or she is to be commended. There are Echeveria agavoides, Nolina nelsonii and agaves as far as the eye can see. The sandstone and decorative rock are artfully arranged and meticulously groomed. The cacti? They look sharp. The succulents? Well, they look succulent. Overall, this garden has no competition, unless Orchard starts selling brisket.
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Review from Joseph D.
Martinez, CA
1/22/2012
I have been eating Back Forty since they were at the last location and love it. The food is always good and very consistent. The service has been great most of the time with a few hick ups here and there but nothing bad enough to stop me from coming.
I recommend one of the big meals so that you can have a little bit of everything! -
Review from Amy Y.
Pleasant Hill, CA
3/19/2012
Let me start by saying I'm a vegetarian and I've only sat at the bar.... if you live in the area this is a great place to walk to, have a few drinks and appetizer. Go for happy hour before 5 p.m. to ensure you can get a seat. The vibe gets crowded, a bit "mature" and as a result service gets a bit sloppy as the night wanes. The food that I've had (they have a few veg options) has been very well made and higher quality than the norm bar food. Bottom line, if you live in the area and you want to get out without having to go to Downtown Walnut Creek then Back Forty is a very nice surprise.
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Review from J D.
Los Angeles, CA
3/24/2012
Pretty good ribs... But homemade at my house is still better.
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Review from Steven C.
10/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Came here with the company and was able to try the supersize portion of their "Family Feast". It included their pork ribs, brisket, BBQ chicken, mashed potatoes, green salad, and seasonal veggies.
Quick run down:
Bread - the white & brown ones were soft & fluffy, I'm aware there's no more banana nut bread.
Seasonal Veggies - grilled onions were good, rest of veggies just tasted like a usual side
Green Salad - a bit lacking, but who really cares for salad at a BBQ joint.
BBQ Chicken - tender & juicy on some parts, but after having a few pieces it was alright.
Brisket - Felt like there was no more moisture, they weren't chewy but dry. Smothered it in BBQ sauce to make it better.
Ribs - Their signature dish? They need to use better quality meat or just cook it better. Dry, so very dry. Sauce has a minimal flavoring it feels, not lending much to its taste. Ribs felt skimpy overall.
Having tried their mainstays, I have to say it was pretty average for the overall experience & if I was footing the bill I might have been annoyed at the bang for buck. How they won the 2011 Nugget Rib Cook Off is a wonder to me, they probably had better cuts of meat at the event cause the main BBQ sauce wasn't particularly noteworthy. -
Review from Kara V.
Updated - 9/5/2011
CONGRATS! TO THE 2011 WINNER Nugget Rib Cookoff Sparks, NV! I'm happy for your win, although I may not be a fan of your ribs. It just goes to show different ribs for different tastes...obviously the judges thought you guy's were the best so congrats.
http://www.rgj.com/art...?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/9/2010
I used to come here every once on a while back when I lived in the Bay Area. That was maybe 6 years… Read more »
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Review from Sam A.
Alamo, CA
2/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
Yeah, it is a chain, but it is still good. They have a solid happy hour and a cool bar area. It is much better eating there, but so is most food.
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Review from OkieSmokie C.
Walnut Creek, CA
8/21/2011
My review for Back Forty is based entirely on their BBQ. This place is not even close!
I had the 3 meat combo for dinner and was disappointed with the ribs, brisket, and hot links. I will say the ribs and brisket were tender, but they were lacking any serious flavor outside of the sauce provided. I know they claim to smoke their meat - you know BBQ, but honestly I think it is all done in the oven with liquid smoke.
The scalloped potatoes were the highlight of the meal, which is sad when you are talking about such a popular BBQ joint.
I've yet to find a BBQ joint here in the bay that blows my socks off. I tried Smokin' Okies, but it too disappointed.
For what you'll pay at Back Forty I recommend you take the time to experience the satisfaction of making your own delicious BBQ. -
Review from Carny A.
Oakland, CA
8/19/2011
This place is not a "chain" -- it started in Pleasant Hill and has grown to three locations.
We recently ordered a number of the Boss' Best to take out for a large family picnic. They really gave us everything we needed -- down to the tablecloth for the picnic table. Not cheap, but WAY more food than we could finish, though we tried.
Everything was fine, but the ribs were outstanding. One surprise was the vegetarian burger -- they make their own with a black bean base, and it's got a subtle peppery kick. The beans on the side also tasted homemade.
If you're a real 'cue connoisseur, you may complain that the sauce lacks vinegar and heat. (My personal favorite is Everett and Jones.) But I was pleasantly surprised at how good Back Forty is. -
Review from Ron H.
Danville, CA
12/5/2011
First ! The service....Great! The guys serving the drinks at the bar are great! These guys make very good recommendations from the beer to the actual main course....and the service is really good. Secondly, the waitresses are great and very helpful....and the manager really wants you to have a good experience....Great service.
Now lets get down to the food...the main course. the meat was hardy, and the sides were very good. I wasn't that excited about the sauce, as I think that it has room for improvement. I wasn't blown away from the taste of the BBQ ( Pork ribs, Beef Ribs, and chicken), they were out of sausages. However, the service and the sides balanced it out and made it a good experience. Not my favorite BBQ ( I prefer the old school joints), but a strong case for being amongst the top of the second tier.
Bottom-line...I would recommend it for the atmosphere, service and a hardy meal. -
Review from Herb S.
Lafayette, CA
10/7/2011
Back Forty has relocated 2 times since we started going there, and it gets better with every incarnation. It's now residing right off of I-680 in a really cool building.
The bar area, which serves the full menu is a great & cozy place to hang out (with big screen TVs) & on certain nights they have live music.
The wait staff is great & very attentive. I usually go for the chopped beef sandwich, but I haven't had anything here that wasn't tasty. The sweet potato fries are great. Not the cheapest BBQ around, but always good & consistent. A few Hokey western figures grace the main dining room (fun for the kids) and there's another bar area upstairs.... No need for the Pepto at this place.... worth a check it out. -
Review from Maria D.
San Francisco, CA
4/19/2012
We recently had dinner here and I LOVE the atmosphere! The restaurant itself is nice and spread out, the staff is fun and pleasant. I just wish the portions weren't so big and that it was a tad bit less crowded/noisy... But overall, we will more than likely be going back again and again...
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Review from Chris B.
Fremont, CA
10/21/2011
Annoying live cover band in bar "saloon" with no doors. Took 15 min to get aproached by waiter (heather). Another 8 for drinks & to order. Even another waiter took notice and said something to the manager, who didn't really follow up with waitress about delay. Probably because he was doing everyone elses job including cleaning plates off our table and also the hosteses job.
"Man CA.. Bbq challenge", 45 min 1 person, green salad, cornbread, 4-RACKs pork ribs, whole chicken, pound of sliced brisket, scalloped potatoes, steamed veggies. $120. -- that's absolutely insane
Dinners don't come with salad, that's $3.99 extra. Not much of a salad either, but the ceasar dressing was tasty.
Kitchen is called "jail". Not very work friendly environment
Service didn't feel "home'y".
Food was blah.. Soft juicy ribeye but no flavor. Not med rare as I ordered. Scalloped potatoes were tasty. Grilled onions were still raw, but I like raw onions, so...
Beef ribs, not dry but not memorable either. Baked potato was hard/raw.
Cornbread was tasty with the honey butter. What a crappy dinner. We drove about 40 minutes to get here once we heard that they re-opened in Walnut Creek.. but I'd never drive back. -
Review from Kara B.
7/13/2011
Came here last weekend with a big ol' posse'. So, this review is for their banquet feast.
Great place to have a large-party dinner. We had the whole upstairs area (the large room, next to the upstairs bar). The servers were excellent; keeping up with all the drink orders, plate clearing, etc. My glass was never empty, continuously replaced with a fresh n' tasty Arnold Palmer. Apparently their mixed drinks are just "this" shy of moonshine-strong, as some guests had to send their cocktails back.
Even with all of those exchanges, the servers kept up with everything! One really nice touch was the self-serve Coffee/Tea station, complete with all the fixin's.
On to the grub! Salad, fresh fruit, steamed veggies, BBQ chicken, smoked turkey, steamed veggies... and a bunch of other tasty vittles I can't remember. But, that damn smoked beef brisket had me making several piglet returns to the trough/buffet table, where the meat-carver guy pleasantly kept up with all of the other piglets going back for more of that delicious, tender, smokey meat.
The meal ended with an assortment of cookies and brownies, of which I couldn't partake I reckon due to my piglet ways with the brisket.
I fancy this place, and will give their restaurant a whirl next time I'm moseying through the area. I left with a full belly and a smile on my face... and a little gleam in my eye because that big ol' painting of Wyatt Earp, and his posse' is so gosh darn dandy. -
Review from John Y.
San Ramon, CA
8/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm not a fan. This is great if you're nearby and there is no McDonalds. This place is expensive and for what you get, it's not worth it. I'd rather be out the $5.99 for a Big Mac, Fries & a drink rather than drop $15 for a disappointing meal. The only reason why I come here is because I go with people from work. Otherwise, I would go elsewhere. (Bo's in Lafayette!!!).
Atmosphere is o.k. Just another place with plastic decor. The service is o.k. Slow. Just not my bag. Most of the wait staff are too young to know or to care and look like they just fell off the snooki-wanna-be bus on their way to the mall. Way too much make up. Look nice and presentable, not for a night out ok?
This is one of my yucky yelps. I really wish they were better, or I would go more often and it would be a great way to get my fill of BBQ.
Sigh... -
Review from Richard H.
Cape Coral, FL
9/17/2011
Well I have seen their ads for many years. I have always been too far away to go to them. Anyway an excuse came up to give them a try. I got a order to go.
I was impress, the rib and chicken were fall off the bone. A nice smoky flavor. The hot sauce was given on the side, spicy( but not hot enough for me). But good. The rolls was ok the beans taste like something you would get on a cattle drive. a step above canned beans. The portions were sufficient of the cole slaw and potato salad. ... I have never found good salads yet,. these are ok.
I got there at opening time the people were great and very friendly.
Good BBQ but Everrit & Jones in Berzerkly still better. But if you live the Burbs or mayonnaise Concord. A good choice for a carnivore.
Give them a try. Try it you'll like it....... -
Review from Amy C.
Hercules, CA
8/10/2011
Came here because me and the bf wanted to go to Best Buy.
Parking: Small, can imagine it filling up quickly. We went on a Monday for dinner and we didn't have any problems finding a spot.
Ambiance: Cute, western saloon theme, outdoor and indoor seating. At the time we went it wasn't too busy.
Service: friendly, kinda slow (to take our order but our food came out quick), and our waiter was knowledgeable.
Food: Pricey like a lot of other steak/ BBQ places. BBQ sauces weren't anything special. There is a variety: traditional (descent) , chipotle (sweet), smokey (strong smokey flavor), and hot (not spicy).
They give you a variety of fresh bread while you wait for your food. Yummmm
Drinks: mojito off of their drink menu was made strong. They have a lot of variety in wines and beers also.
I ordered the spicy pulled pork sandwich with sweet potato fries. The bread was soft yet had a nice crunch to it. It was topped with coleslaw
which I didn't really care much for. Meat was little shreds of pork that was pretty dry. I prefer moist/ tender larger chunks of meat in a pull pork sandwich. Sweet potato fries are delicious and addicting!!! I like them better than Black Angus because Black Angus sprinkles cinnamon over theirs and makes it sweeter.
My BF ordered the chose any 3 combo. He chose brisket, BBQ chicken, and pork ribs with onion rings and baked potato. Brisket slices was cold!!! Yet it was tender and and delicious. Pork ribs was fall of the bone good by itself. chicken was ok kind of dry though. Their spiced onion rings was different but really good with ranch dipping and skip the baked potato it didn't even taste baked more like boiled!!!
Over all I gave it 3 stars: Not the best BBQ joint but willing to give it a second try. -
Review from Erika B.
Pleasant Hill, CA
2/10/2012
Sadly this place has really gone down hill over the last couple of years. It used to be one of our favorites. First what's still good: the food is still good quality and the servers are still great. What's bad: the overall management of the place seems to be an issue. The last time we were there (on a Saturday night at about 7pm) we waited 1 hour and 10 mins for a table only to be told as we were being seated that they had run out of both beef and pork ribs. Given that ribs are the resaurant's primary specialty you can imagine our disapointment. Having already invested over an hour, we decided to try their other menu options. We ordered 3 steaks and turkey. They came 45 minutes later, cold and the portion sizes were surprisingly small for the price. I doubt we will be back at least not until they improve.
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Review from Sean H.
Concord, CA
7/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
Where to start on this place. Well i have pretty fond memories of this chain growing up due to their large portions of meaty meat goodness. That much hasn't really changed much in the time I've gone without visiting them. They have changed their location but that's not too big of a deal, same decorations same design, etc etc. What is a big deal is the quality of the food served there. When visiting Back Forty i always keep in mind that they are a chain BBQ restaurant and adjust my expectations accordingly. But even for a chain restaurant they were lacking in quality. I'll recap my latest meal and give criticisms on each dish:
Came in on a pretty quiet night and was seated in less than 5 minutes despite them telling us it would be a 15 minute wait. Kind of a strange start, but not really negative. Moving on. Our waitress was a helpful young girl, whose name i have unfortunately forgotten, who did her very best to make us comfortable and make sure we had everything we needed. No complaints there.
The bread basket came out and i was presented with my first disappointment. They don't serve banana nut bread anymore. When did i miss this? This bread was pretty much the only reason I chose Back Texas over the other local BBQ chains. With a frown on my face and a disappointed belly to feed I begrudgingly tried the other three breads in the basket. White dinner roll was good, nothing to complain about there; the Brown bread, always delicious; The cornbread. . . Now, I love cornbread, but this was like trying to choke down dry a sponge. It was very very dry and, unless nibbled at lightly, takes a toll on the moisture in your mouth.
Next up, salad. Plain tossed greens with a ranch dressing. Not looking for much here and got what I expected. Greens strewn messily across the plate drenched in ranch dressing to the point where it's soggy. Whatever, that's chain restaurant salad. The taste was good enough so I overlooked the presentation.
Now for the main course: The "spicy" pulled pork sandwich with a side of white cheddar macaroni and cheese. So I grew up with the taste of small red chili peppers in every meal and i understand that my definition of spicy is not nearly the same as everybody else's, but calling this sandwich spicy is like calling a grape spicy. It was a sweet sandwich with sweet barbecue sauce, not a very large amount of pulled pork hiding between two very large pieces of dinner roll. As for the side: To be honest, I've seen worse, but the cheddar was yellow and the cheese sauce had too much flour or cornstarch in it which made it clumpy and pasty. Not the best, but like I said, I've had worse.
Overall opinion of this visit:
Food:
Poor. Lacking in taste, size, (banana nut bread), and care in preparation
Service:
Excellent. Like I said, our waitress (whatever her name was) did a very nice job and seemed to care how we were doing.
Would I return:
Begrudgingly. If i'm too lazy to barbecue myself and all the other chains are packed, then yes. -
Review from Randy M.
San Jose, CA
9/16/2011
My wife, son and I headed here for a quick dinner the other night before an event in Walnut Creek. There was a 15-20 minute wait for a table, so we instead grabbed three spots at the bar.
A pitcher of beer from the wide selection appeared quickly, accompanied by peanuts. I had the brisket, my wife had ribs, and our son had a burger. All were very tasty -- and the burger was IMMENSE! The sides were great, and the fries were very nicely seasoned.
All in all, a fine place for a beer and some BBQ. -
Review from Rachel F.
Martinez, CA
7/5/2011
This place is going downhill quick.
No more Sliced pork (my favorite), no more banana nut bread, etc.
I arrived 3 minutes early for my dinner reservation & still had to wait over 30 minutes, with no apologies!
I've been going here for years (two moves ago). They need to start taking care of folks again. -
Review from Grace anne D.
Concord, CA
6/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Came here for my boyfriend's cousin's graduation reception.
Our waiter was Nathan and he's such a sweet and nice guy and very very helpful and also patient with a whole bunch of Filipino's in his restaurant haha.
Our appetizer's were onion rings, mozzarella sticks, jalapeno poppers and this baked potato thing filled with baked beans, cheese and bacon crumble on top. Sooo delicious! Loved the onion rings especially dipped with their original bbq sauce.
I got the sliced beef with ribs. It came with potato salad and a side salad. The sliced beef was soft and not dry, I didn't really like the taste of the ribs (I stil have no clue why) . The potato salad was yummy and the salad with their vinaigrette was good too. I also loved their bread, super soft and delicious with their butter. It was a great experience :)
P.S: They have a TV in their bathrooms! lol -
Review from Shawna C.
Walnut Creek, CA
4/14/2011
Our server was training so, the service was not great. The trainee brought our 2 year old an ice water with a lemon? in a child's cup with no lid or straw... that's just common sense! As a duo, they were extremely slow and again, we had our 2 year old with us who is done when she is done! I had to get up and ask the manager for our check...huh?
The food was mediocre at best. I ordered the "Early Bird" 1/4 chicken and pork ribs with 2 sides for $13 and change. The ribs, were edible. A little dry but when dipped in the bbq sauce, they were ok. The chicken was a little on the pink side so, it scared me. I picked at it and was not impressed. The sides, were great! Green salad and scalloped potatoes...yum! If you are in the mood for some sides and a salad, this is the place for you!
Overall, I might go back for a drink from the bar and some live entertainment... NOT THE FOOD!Listed in: Culinary Creations aka Food
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Review from Jennifer C.
Newark, CA
Mediocre BBQ.
I tried the beef rib dinner, 4 bones for $21.99. 2 sides: Caesar salad and sweet potato fries. The meat was okay, a little bit tough if you ask me. It lacked slow cooked BBQ taste. I had to slather the ribs with BBQ sauce just for flavor. I think the best thing about my meal was the FREE bread. There were 3 kinds: cornbread, some brown bread and a white soft bread. It came with honey whipped butter. DELISH. I could go back and eat that, but i wasn't impressed by the beef ribs at all.
Had a couple bites of the pork ribs and prime rib as well. I've had better pork ribs at other BBQ places in Oakland and Hayward. The prime rib (which i advised my friend not to order) was not good. It came out medium when she asked for medium rare and when my friend tried to send it back, the server said that was the rarest piece they had. Fail. The server apologized and offered us some free ice cream to make up for the over-cooked prime rib, however, when it came time to deliver we were denied. She said she asked her manager if it was possible to give us dessert on the house and it turns out that it wasn't. Who knows if our server even asked or not but DON'T PROMISE SOMETHING WHEN YOU CAN'T DELIVER.
For the price, you can definitely get better BBQ elsewhere.
