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Categories: Beer, Wine & Spirits, Burgers, Gastropubs, Belgian
128 N Oberlin AveMon-Sat. 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 a.m.
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About a month ago, we went there on a recommendation of a local chef. She said the beer selection was excellent and the burgers were phenomenal. She did not exaggerate. This place rocks! I've been back three times since then!
Compared to a few other places, the prices are high... but in this case, the old addage applies -- you get what you pay for.
Be sure to try the Back Abbey Burger and if you like darker beers, do not leave this place without trying a "Buffalo." Word of caution, though... this beer is 9-10% so it can sneak up on you.
The only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 has more to do with the fact that the place is small and can get kinda loud. Fun and friendly atmosphere, but at peak dining hour, can be a little loud.
Oh the back abbey. Been there twice, first time was with only my eating buddy and I forget what she ordered, probably the burger and we get the full order of pommes frites (Belgium fries). OMG, omigod....why are these fries so heavenly? They are expensive, $8 for full order but so what. It's potatoes fried TWICE with horseradish chive, roumelade and ketchup...i dip all three together so noone gets left out =)
The second time was with my friend and my bf, who at the time we just started dating....like 2 weeks or something. Anyways, we go up to the bar to order some beers and they have an amazing selection of beers. So she ordered stella and I told him to get me whatever he was drinking so he comes back with this pretty bottle and its called Fantome de Noel (Belgium). It was too dark for me and I like dark ales but this one, I dunno....it must be the earthy taste to it but I barely drunk it and he had to down the bottle.
The back abbey is pretty small and they have a couple of tables outside. Bartenders are attentive and cool. The place has a nice college hangout vibe to it.
My expectations were low when a friend said that we're checking out a burger joint, when I was craving steak. Holy moly! This is so not just a burger joint. I could've gotten a steak, but I'm glad to have tried the Back Abbey burger and the Man Salad. It's awesome. Flavorful beef, and really good fries. The fries were delish, just not a fan of the other sauces they had with it. Good ol' ketchup just does the trick.
I can't wait to head back and have that big steak!
Loved it!
Awesome Belgian (and more) beer selection: CHECK
Ridiculously good burger: CHECK
Comfy ambiance: CHECK
Pricey-but-worth-it-ness: CHECK
If you told me we were going right now I'd stop typing, get up, get in your car, buckle the seat belt, and start salivating a bit in pavlovian fashion.
Best salads and soups in town. Best bar in LA county. Show up early.
If you have a craving for a yummy decadent burger and a nice cold bucket of Belgian suds then the "Back Abbey" is your place to cop-a-squat.
I saw the movie "In Bruges" and the Belgian beer was such a part of the movie that I was on this manic hunt for a Belgian pub... well right here in my neighborhood is The Back Abbey quaint location in downtown Claremont. They are consistent in their menu with fresh produce and man their burgers are THE BOMB!! The salads are scrumptious and yes I do like what they do with the Belgian fries, had the steak once it was on the rare side a little to much for me but after sending it back twice I just gave up. Oh and the selection of Belgian beers is OUT OF THIS World!!
It does get crowded and seating is at a premium, they are not open on Sundays (which is a bummer) and parking can be a challenge if you are not aware of the parking garage located across from "Hip Kitty". On the note of reviewers that said it was expensive... well I (being a foodie) believe that you get what you pay for and this is one of those circumstances where you most definitely get what you pay for the beef, cheeses, bread selection etc are a cut above your average bar/pub so keep this in mind when you sit down and look up at the chalkboard menu and see the pricing.
Respectfully Reviewed
More like 2.5 stars. Overpriced for the food, the beers were fairly priced. The large beer selection was great. The salad I had was ok, and quite small.
Shrimp and beans salad. Three large overcooked shrimp. Undercooked French yellow and green beans. Why are restaurants forever undercooking string/french beans? Cured black olives, kind of heavy for this dish. The poached egg was poached to my liking. The salad was a little overdressed. For $12, it was a pretty small portion, even for me. I realized afterwards we never got any bread for the table, maybe they don't do bread. But at those prices, they ought to.
Just about everyone else at my table got a burger. The buns looked like brioche. Lucky Devil's does that too. I think it's a bad combination, the brioche is too sweet. $12/$13 burgers. I don't generally go around eating burgers, but that seems to be getting into the gourmet burger price range. Maybe I'll have to try the turkey burger if I ever go back, to see if it fits in with the upper echelon of burgers.
They showcase their fries. Very nice potato flavor, crispy and light, very good. Except that it was all broken little pieces of fries. IIRC, there were a few longish fries on top, but everything underneath were tiny broken pieces of potatoes.
Other items on the menu: They have a concoction of a frisee aux lardons salad, with a whole mess of other stuff in it, I suppose to justify the price, but it's probably even smaller than my salad. They have mussels, but it does not come with frites. You have to separately order those tiny broken fries.
Good vibe, good service. Very loud inside.
Being the Yelp devotee that I am, I turned to the trusty website when it came time to decide what to eat for dinner in Claremont CA. After looking at some photos and reviews, the Back Abbey seem liked the perfect place for a casual drink and a good burger.
This place was full of surprises. First off, I was surprised at how small the joint was. I saw exactly 2 people sitting comfortably, while the rest were squeezed into the tight unorthodoxed tables. Second, I was surprised with the beer selection... they have tons of imported beer. I tried the 8.4% alcohol Triple Karmeliet (sp), which was served in a fancy schmancy beer glass. I never knew beer could be so sophisticated. Finally, I was totally surprised at the meal. At the recommendation of our obnoxiously large and loud server, we tried the crab cakes, fries, and the famous Back Abbey burger. Each item was simply delicious and I can honestly say that it was one of the best meals I've had in a long time.
The only real negative side was that the prices were a little steep:
Beer: $7
Crab Cakes: $12
Full Fries: $8
Burger: $14
Needless to say I highly recommend the Back Abbey to anyone craving beer and a good burger.
Met up with a butt-load of school friends at the Back Abbey and I must say...way pleasantly surprised. Who knew such a cute lil joint was located right there all the way in Claremont?!
An impressive list of beer and beers on tap from a lil bit of all over - Belgian, French, Dutch, German, English, bla bla bla.
We went to the Back Abbey on a Saturday afternoon and there were around 20 of us (I think?!) and the Back Abbey was more than accommodating and more than gracious after 20 of us bombarded the gastropub. Some ordered just beers, some added on some food to the mix. The fiance and I happened to order the half order of pommes frites (ooh la la) and the crab cake appetizers.
The fries came with some sauces - remoulade (I'm a huge fan of the remoulade here), horseradish chive sauce, and some ketchup. The crabcakes came with 3 cakes topped with a creole creme fraiche. Everything was pretty darn decent. I don't know if I'd particularly crave the food and drive all the way out to Claremont just for their food, but the Back Abbey did a great job providing a great ambiance, great selection of beer, and some better than decent food! The servers were also incredibly personable and attentive.
What a great hangout spot in Claremont!
The Back Abbey, the burger of their namesake, is one of the best burgers I have ever eaten: incredibly rich and delicate beef, crispy bacon, onions that are so carmelized they're like jelly, and the perfect aged Gouda all withing a fresh and buttery brioche bun.
I originally fell in love with this place for the burger, but what has made it such a special experience for me is the world of Belgian beer that it has introduced me to. After the first glass of . . . whatever it was (I knew none of the beers on tap upon my first visit, and could only pronounce about half) I knew that I would have to keep coming until I tried everything on the list. And I have. I've moved up quite a few rungs on the ladder of Belgian beer knowledge thanks to this place.
A few standouts from the beer list are the Klokke Roeland, Blanche de Bruxelles, and my "go-to" if I can't make up my mind - Tripel Karmelite.
Also, the servers are really sweet - Dayna and Eliza are always wonderful!
Warm summer evenings are perfect for chilling under the stars to enjoy a large variety of beers. In Claremont, the options to dine al fresco are limited. This fact is problematic when you come to the Back Abbey since seating is scarce. On our Wednesday night when classes at the colleges are on break, we made the best of some empty seats by the air conditioning units, despite the noise. Our cocktail server was hustling to get everyone drinks and food. By the time we got our drinks, a man comes out to yell to the guests, "You have 15 minutes before we close the patio." Then he returns, merely moments later, "The patio is closed." It appears time goes by fast in Claremont.
We rush inside to grab what free seats there are inside the bar. Inside the ambiance and mood is lost. Yes, this place has a large variety of beers in fancy cups, but to be honest, if I am in Claremont and I want a grand selection of beers and must be stuck indoors, I'd rather go to Heroes.
It was a late Wednesday evening when i had my first encounter with The Back Abbey as i traveled from San Diego to a buddy of mines house in Claremont to carpool with him to a convention we were attending in Vegas when he said lets grab a bite to eat before the trip. He said i would not be disappointed with this local spot he frequently goes to. i agreed so we drove a mile or so to the Back Abbey. At first glance i noticed it was a small place but as we walked in my buddy was greeted by the staff somewhat similar to what you see on the show cheers which was pretty cool. My buddy told me i have to try their signature burger "The Back Abbey" in which i did order and also a order of the pommes frites ( french fries deep fried in duck fat) and i must say they were incredible, a little on the expensive side but well worth it. The burger came out and i was impressed by its size and its presentation. The Back Abbey burger was a fresh half pound (estimated) served with thick slices of bacon some micro greens and a fresh brioche bun. My first bite of this burger made me sit back and tell my buddy "this is a good burger" and then i continued to finish off this very impressive buger not leaving any crumbs. If you live in the area this is a place you need to try, they have tons a beers on tap with a different mug for each different type of beer which was very impressive. The staff was very friendly and pricing was decent i just wish we had a Back Abbey in San Diego as i have been craving The Back Abbey burger for a couple days now. Thanks for the great service and food!!!
Heaven has opened up a crack in the clouds where crumbs fall to earth and land in our mouths!
A friend of a friend made the recommendation and said we had to stop by this place. So, 2 of my buddies and I decided to take a Saturday afternoon drive out to Claremont and see what all the fuss was about. We figured... we like burgers, we like Belgium beers. What can go wrong?
Absolutely nothing. The place is seriously dangerously close to heaven. Service was excellent. Great recommendations. I had the Tripel Karmeliet, my other friend had the Maudite. Both on tap, the Maudite was good, but the Karmeliet just something special going on in it. Some really nice floral scent and it's a tripel... oh so nice.
I can't speak for any of the other food because we kept it simple and ordered from the top of the list. Usually something a restaurant is proud of.
The Back Abbey burger. Holy smokes!!!! amazing. amazing. I had to type it twice.
We also got fries that came with cool sauces.
The ambience is great. Cool vintage seats outside where we were able to lounge and enjoy this slice of heaven. Did I say heaven already in this review? Heaven.
I would go back just for this same combination over and over again.
One of the best burgers, fries and beer meal I've ever had.
Other reviews said it gets crowded... it wasn't on a saturday afternoon... so maybe that's the best time to go!! One word of caution.. it's not cheap, so don't expect to get Heaven for 5 bucks. This ain't Mcdonalds!! But it is a great time with good friends and good food. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
YUM! Great atmosphere to hangout with friends, grab a burger and a drink. The burgers are very filling and the fries are DELICIOUS! Parking can be a pain since the plaza fills up pretty quickly (at least when I went), but definitely worth checking out! :)
Yes!!! The Back Abbey Burger was the first good burger I've had in L.A. since I moved here:
-ordered it medium, and they got it right!
-aged sirloin
-fluffy brioche bun
-aged gouda slices (not as flavorful as I'd hoped, which is surprising for aged gouda; perhaps sub a more fiesty cheese to give it an edge)
-aioli was not too loaded with mayo, just right
Fries tasted fresh-cut and crispy, with sea salt (nice touch), horseradish cream and cilantro dip. This place knows how to cook, and cares about putting out high quality ingredients in refreshing combinations.
Staff were friendly and accommodating to our large group on a Sat. for lunch. We didn't even have reservations!
Great selection of beers....the raspberry framboise was a little too syrupy and wine-cooler-tasting, but good as a light accompaniment to the burger.
I'm a sucker for Belgian beer!! What can I say?? I love the beer list. I've been turned on to new beers and can enjoy some old favorites.
Service is really good and the bartenders will remember your name.
The food is OK. I can really taste the dry aged meat in there. I order the abbey burger. My only problem is, I order medium rare and its always overcooked. My real problem with that is when I ask for it m.r. the bartender assures me that's the only way they do it. Whatever!!!
Had a roasted pear salad that was really good. Fries suck, really bad. And the sauces that come with them also suck, except the ketchup.
Also, the other burgers/seasonal burgers are missing something. Nothing to crave.
Overall, really cool place to hang out, great beer selection, great service and great burger when it is cooked right. Bartenders know their beers.
I went for the burger and thought it was very good BUT not the best I've ever had by any stretch. The burger was fresh and tasty but a little too small for me. They don't melt the cheese on the burger (which is always a mistake not too), and the bun is too sweet for my liking. They serve the burger with a nice mixed green salad BUT I would have liked the option of fries instead.
Outstanding selection of beers. I went on a Tuesday evening around 5:30pm and there wasn't much of a happy hour crowd. They have a nice outdoor courtyard and what looks like comfortable seating outside, so a nice place to meet up with a group of friends.
A beer and burger will run you $20 plus with tip.
I concur. A good establishment this back abbey is. 3 1/2 ***
-excellent beer selection
-slow food service, nearly canceled the order (they were busy)
-fast drink service
-inspired and tasty menu items (nicely presented food)
-affordable
-vibe is alright (cozy, yet still pubbishly slimy)
I went without the huge expectations that some reviewers had on here, which is probably why I enjoyed it despite the slow kitchen.
I would go back often if I was more into beer.
Go!
--Anthony
I was excited to try this place after all the glowing reviews. I don't drink, so please discount this review as anything but a review of the eats.
When trying new places, I order like a glutton to give as fair and unbiased a review as possible (yeah, that's the reason!).
I started with a duo of appetizers - CHARCUTERIE PLATTER (3 types of cured meats from "around the world" served with sliced bread - the meats were fine, but were missing an accompaniment, like cheese, or some sort of fruit (like melon) or something) and the BELGIUM STYLE MUSSELS (sure it's in the entree section, but what they hey, unfortunately this dish was overlemoned, underseasoned, and replete with tiny mussels which did this dish in).
I ordered the BACK ABBEY burger (Aged Gouda, mustard aioli, caramelized onion, Niman Ranch bacon, and micro greens served on a Brioche bun) after eyeing the Tip (Grilled beef tenderloin, thinly sliced. Served on a toasted sourdough roll with carmelized onions and St. Agur creme fraiche) since I wanted to make sure I tried their signature item. First off, I'd like to commend the technical expertise in the cooking of this burger as it was cooked perfectly. The flavor, on the other hand, was not my cup of tea. The brioche bun was sweet and contrasted with the gouda and the aioli, but something was missing or something in the burger just didn't mesh for me. I just couldn't put a finger on it. The burger came with a small arugula salad, but since I dislike arugula, I'll leave the commentary out.
I also tried a full order of their POMMES FRITES (Fresh Kennebec potatoes fried twice and served with horseradish chive sauce, roumelade and ketchup - essentially fries). I didn't find anything special with this dish and I was looking forward to trying it too!
Overall, the food just didn't meet my expectations and the prices were a bit on the higher side for the flavor of the foods you get.
Finally a good place in Claremont to eat.
First this place gets 4 stars because everything else around it is so bad. If you've been to Fathers Office in LA then you we be very familiar with this type of place. The only draw back is the price which is a little too high and also they have no happy hour specials.
Basically its a small beer bar that serves great burgers.
BEERS
250ml-750ml to full bottles ranging from 8-20 dollars
They have alot of beers on tap approx. 20 plus and all are imports and craft brews. They have Chimay on tap which is my favorite beer!
The bartender was very knowledgeable about the beers and served all the beers in appropriate glasses instead of generic mugs. The chimay tasted very fresh and was served with a perfect minimal head of foam.
Pomme Frites
$8.00
We ordered the Belgian fries which are twice fried and served bistro style in a paper cone, accompanied by three types of dipping sauce (ketchup, garlic aoli, and horseradish mayo.) The fries were decent but not as good as some other places that I've tried.
Abbey Burger
13.00!!!!!! :(
Aged Gouda, mustard aioli, caramelized onion, Niman Ranch bacon, and micro greens served on a Brioche bun. comes with a side of the worst salad ever
Sweet and salty. The meat was served medium rare and had a great mouth feel and contains just the right amount of fat. The caramelized onions were perfectly sweet without being to mushy. The Brioche bun is a perfect bun for these burgers because of the lightness and airiness of the bread. This burger is the perfect balance of sophistication and comfort food chic. I do wish it was served warmer but this burger does rivals any burger at Umami Burger, Ketchup, or Apple Pan (although Apple Pan makes me slightly happier). Is it 13 dollars good, for me yes but i think 7-9 dollars would be a better value for the size, because for the money you can get two apple pan burgers or an umami burger with fries.
I am so happy that there is finally a good place to eat in Claremont!!!!!!!!
now we just have to figure out how to get rid of the hippies.....
My first visit to The Back Abbey had me thinking, "damn, I can't wait to come back to this place" but the thing was... I was thinking that while I was still sitting inside the restaurant!!!
They have tons of exclusive and rare Belgian beers there, but I'm not a beer drinker.
The reason I went there is cause my homie Joe G. told me they have legit Belgian style POMME FRITES (Belgian fries), served with 3 different sauces. I went to Belgium last summer for the 24 hour race at Spa Francorchamps, and while I was mesmerized by the Aston Martin DBR9, Maserati MC12, and all the Ferraris and Porsches, what really got me trippin were the pomme frites that they served at the trackside bar. Yup, trackside BAR. The pomme frites at the Back Abbey are as legit as they come - they brought me back to last year's Euro trip for a moment. These are the best pomme frites I've ever had outside of Belgium!
The fries come with 3 different sauces... I don't recall right now exactly what they were, I think one was a slightly spicy mayonnaise, and one was creamy, with a slight mustard taste... AWESOME. Perfect, in fact. Not too strong, but tons of flavor.
Before I forget... you NEED to try the burgers there! Back Abbey serves one of the best burgers I've ever had in my life. Medium rare burger with caramelized onions and gouda cheese, sandwiched between some sweet Hawaiian-style bread buns.... DAMMIT.
Thinking about it makes me want to go back, but they're closed right now. Maybe I'll cut my work day short tomorrow so I can roll over there.
SO DOPE.
Came here with my gf to escape from the fam and to throw back a few.
The building is an old converted fruit packing/shipping rail spur warehouse from back in the day when Claremont used to be mostly orchards. The interior is nicely lit with dim lighting and lots of wood accents.
The beer selection is grossly perverse! Pretty much any Belgian beer you can think of, especially some of the more exotic ones. Dubbels and trippels abound! The service is pretty good and knowledgeable about their beers too.
They also serve some pretty good food too. My gf had a burger and I went for the tri-tip sandwich, both were made from good quality cuts of meat and fresh ingredients. Not too pricey or over filling either.
Will definitely be back here again to get my fade on.
My husband and I went for drinks and the cheese platter the first time. Any place that serves a million different types of Belgian beers, in their appropriate glasses, is going to get a good rating for us. The cheese platter was quite pretentious, I guess it was fine but a so-so array of cheeses.
On our first visit, we kept watching these amazing burgers walk by. So two weeks ago we wanted to try the burgers. They were as good as they looked! They definitely lived up to expectations. And the salad was good as well, with a tangy dressing. They didn't drown the salad in dressing, either, so that was another point for us.
As an appetizer we got the fries. I don't get why they were 'fried twice' (I guess it's authentic Belgian, but still) - it made them taste mostly like whatever oil they used to cook them. They were a good texture, nice and crispy on the outside and a little moist on the inside. I didn't understand the dipping sauces either - the horseradish was great, the dill sauce "eh", and...ketchup? If you're going to serve bourg-y, twice-fried pomme frites, please give me something more snobby than ketchup to dip it in. I normally really like ketchup, so I'm not bad-talking ketchup at all, but after the exotic flavors of the other sauces, it just tasted weird.
My only complaint, and I know I brought this on myself by going later on a Friday night, is that the outdoor seating is way too small. We got there right as the last table was taken by another couple and then had to wait for an hour to get a table. The only reason we wanted to sit outside is because the inside is very crowded and noisy and we were determined to try these burgers and my brother had driven out for dinner specifically for the Back Abbey, so...oh well.
At one point in the evening one of the servers did walk around outside to give the (obviously freezing) women blankets, which was very nice considering the outside seating is kind of in a wind tunnel. I saw they had heaters but they weren't turned on for some reason.
I sound like I had a bad time but it is totally not true! I would say: arrive really early on Fridays, or if you don't want to wait for seating, be willing to sit in the lounge chairs while balancing your hamburger on your knees. Definitely be adventurous and try different kinds of beers. This is a great place with tons of variety, and Belgian beers are so smooth and delicious. And be SURE to have a burger, they are well worth it!!
Surprising!! The Back Abbey burger is fantastic. I stopped in for a burger a few weeks ago and was blown away. Just recently I took the gang back and the burger was as good as I remember. Beer selection is huge. Friendly servers. Clean facility.
I wish there was a selection choice under hours for "til Closing" because that's what's listed on their door. We chatted with the server, and she said the manager calls last call when he feels it's warranted (like not enough people ordering drinks or being short staffed). Wish it was a guaranteed 2am close, but oh well.
Anyhoo, sat outside with Craig H. and from the extensive beer menu I had a Blanche de Bruxelles (from the tap)... very delicate and refreshing. Definitely will have more. Our server did a great job, considering she was the only one working (outside at least) and there were about 15 people outside.
Unfortunately, the kitchen was closed, so another day to try the vittles.
Small place but great for their selection of beers (they have a different shaped glass for each of their tap beers). Can't go wrong with the burgers or pomme frittes.
When back in Claremont we decided to make another trip into The Back Abbey to give the food and service another try.
Aside from the quality and flavor in all the dishes we ordered from soup to crab cakes, salad and steak, the ambiance of this restaurant/pub gave us a feeling that we had definitely stumbled upon the eclectic establishment we had hoped for the first time.
The servers were attentive and the food came out on time and perfectly cooked.
Though we had no room for dessert, we asked about it and were intrigued to find out that the dessert they do serve are beinets. Being from Louisiana that means something special to me.
Without the Chicory coffee and steamed milk, it might not be the same. Even without it I would be interested to give it a try next time we stop in.
I am glad John encouraged us to come back as the dining experience here is truly something "special".
Very good! I think the Back Abbey is a "find" and if you want to try something a little more special with a touch of European charm, drop in for a drink or some eats.
Beer is out of this world. Food not so much. Good and as others have stated, fairly overpriced. I cannot get out of this place for less than 30 dollars, EVER. It's quite annoying given that I love it. The fries are always a crowd pleaser but you have to ask for an extra set of sauces EVERY time. They do not give enough. The burgers are really the only thing I think I've ever ordered. I love the veggie burger option too, it's delicious. Nothing else looks too appetizing. Friends have ordered salads and they are small and once again, over priced. But if you can manage to get out of this place with some beers and fries, you've had the best there is!
I've dined and drank here on more than a few occasions, and all
i have to say it that this place is the bees knees lol. The beer selection it rad if your complete beer nazi like I am lol. If your into strong beers try the scaldis,and pair it up with the abbey burg and pommes frites. My most life fulfilling moment has been spent enjoying this outta sight place.
What are you still doing reading this!!! GO TO THIS PLACE NOW!!! LOL
oh yea and the service is great, they really made me feel welcome.
I have given plenty of opportunity for the Back Abbey to improve on its product. That being a great menu written on a chalkboard above the bar. Also the beer selection is a little dangerous. Look, if you can't drink alcohol in concentrated form this place is definitely not for you. The Beer is exceptional with excellent flavors and the Belgian whoop la that goes with it. Most improtantly the beer is served in the finest and most sought after beer glasses this side of the world. For the epicurean and a captious one at that this place, bar none, will be the most sought after in the years to come
By the way the food is also phenomenol. Burgers, mussels and the french fries are just exquisite. Salads are also available for those wanting lighter fare.
Why not 5 stars. The place is too small. Which again is one of those perfections people want in their own establishment. This staves out some of the pretentious but keeps the regulars coming back. You know when to go and when to stay home.
For those who complain about price. Stay home. For those who complain about the service, you try to move in a small area and see how fast you can service a whole lot of customers. Bottom LINE people keep going back. Just like I do.
Great food, great prices, great service. Try their Belgian fries and burgers.
A quick breakdown...
Superb selection of delicious brewskies.
Scrumptious chow.
Fantastic ambiance.
Sweet patio furniture.
A bathroom without a sink!
And kind of an elitist, uppity staff.
I have been here twice with my beer loving partner. It does have an ah-mazing beer list. We came for his birthday dinner.
I had ordered from the regular menu while Cris got a seasonal burger. He loved the seasonal burger. They were pretty satisfying --my only complaint is the the brioche bun is not toasted. I suggest that perhaps they offer that as an option for those who like our buns toasted.
On another occasion, I had the portebello burger -- very fresh ingredients, very satisfying. again, good but what is with the cold buns? I
I know desserts are not their focus, but perhaps they can extend their menu -- even just offering ice cream would be great.
The first visit we had a very attentive, charming waitress. On our second visit, we waited forever just to get some attention before we sat down. I suppose you just have to be aggressive!
Again, I love the beer list. I adore the fact that every single beer seems to come with their own special glass.
It is a very popular spot on the weekends, so it may be a bit crowded.
Tasty, satisfying food and beer.
The place is rather small with large thick wood style bench seating, so you may find yourself rubbing elbows. The bar section is about 7 feet long. They have outdoor seating with all the accomodations you will need to enjoy yourself.
There is a great selection of beer here, the added touch is they serve each brand of alcohol in glass that has been branded by the maker of the beer. The bartender is a great help and will help you choose the right type of beer to suite your tastes and mood.
The food is top quality. The menu is fairly simply but well chosen. The burgers have top quality angus beef in them and are served on a specialty bun. (Those alone are worth 5 stars, but a -1 simply because it is so popular that it will not be uncommon for a wait, or for it to be extremely crowded.) The Pomme Frites are fresh, light, and served in a cylindrical container. The sauces that come with the fries are flavors that you will not have experienced anywhere else.
The owner is a large caucasian male who is down to earth, helpful and a proud business owner. You will find him to help serve meals, take orders and help with beer selections, a man who truly loves his business.
The Back Abbey is a great little pub with a huge selection of beer. Been there several times now and it has a relaxed vibe and really good burgers & fries.
What can I say about this bar/pub? It is awesome! It is small, but definitely worth it. Let's put it this way, it is a Belgian beer lover's paradise! The Back Abbey has a killer selection of Belgians, both on tap and in bottles, with the appropriate glassware to match! Depending on the beer and how much you drink, it can get pricey, but it will bring you an enjoyable night! If you aren't sure if you like Belgian beer's this is the perfect place to test your palate. I haven't eaten here, so I can't speak for the food, but the beer was definitely a win.
I went here with some friends and we enjoyed a beer from a boot, after ordering the waitress asked for us to give her a shoe. Yeah pretty crazy, I guess they were having people steal the glass boots, so as collateral for the glass, you give up a shoe. So we are all sitting here, one shoe on, and enjoying these beers. After a while, not only didn't we notice that we weren't wearing a shoe, but didn't care anymore! This is a great place to visit and try out!
What a gem! This place is amazing! The burgers are to die for. They really have to be the best burgers I have ever had! and if you know me I am a fat kid who loves food! Plus there is such a large selection of beers. For a small suburb town the beer selection is great!
The wait is a tad long and the prices are a bit higher than you would normaly see at a burger and beer place but I would have paid double for my burger! It's worth it! I wish the size of the place was larger because it's hard to get a seat but oh well! it's not!
The Back Abbey has a pretty simple menu, the basics, some burgers, sandwiches, the pommes frittes are awesome; and a really nice beer selection. Admittedly, I am a bit of a novice when it comes to beer, but The Back Abbey is a great place to sit a while, sip on a beer, and chat with friends. The patio is the best bet.
Abbey Burger = Tasty, esp with the thick bacon slices. It's like my eyes spot "bacon" on the menu and then everything else blurs away!
Pomme Frites = So so, could stand to be a little crispier, the trio of sauces they give you (regular ketchup, a horseradishy sauce, and a ranch-esque one) are fun, but nothing out of this world. I think a garlic aioli would've been a nice addition.
Beignettes = The reason why I want to start with dessert and work backwards. It was a polite race between me and my mother-in-law to see who could eat more of them, faster. I kept on asking her questions, hoping she would stay busy talking as I slyly gobbled up the fried balls of warm dough and chocolate sauce. Our server admitted to wanting to lick the plate at times, and I can totally see why! :o)
A couple guys at the table next to us had the mussels and a chartucerie platter that looked appetizing. I love places that have a limited menu because it seems like they really concentrate on making those dishes really stand out. The Back Abbey offers a couple burgers, about 4-5 sandwiches, a couple salads, a soup d'jour, and a couple other specials.
The quarters are a tad bit cramped in here, had it been a non-rainy day I would've preferred to sit out on the patio.
Wow. This place is delicious. A real gem in the Claremont area. It has personality, it's loud, balances a modern-trendy feel, yet retains a sort of old-school pub feel too.
I've come here twice. I had a turkey burger the first time, and a beef one the 2nd. Had to try both. Seriously amazing. Both burgers were The BackAbbey burger, which is really their rendition of a regular hamburger. My date got the Backyard burger, I think but added feta cheese. Each dish comes with a small (more like tiny) "salad" (it's just mixed with dijon mustard--which I am not a fan of dijon. In addition, we got a small order of the pomme frites. Don't let the size deceive you though, you can easily share it with another person. The burgers are grade A meat, and the patty is pretty generous.
Service is a little spotty. It gets extremely busy at night, so it's fun to go there if you want a loud, fun time. However, if you want a quiet evening dinner...not the place to go. The place is small, but seemed understaffed as it took long to get anything. And we had probably 4 different people serving us, so it wasn't very organized. Either way, it wouldn't stop me from returning. However, the experience would be that much more pleasant if the service issue was taken care of. ;)
Did I mention their beer menu is amazing? They beers of all kinds from all over the world! It's very extensive, and the staff has no problem recommending something to your liking. There are seats outside if you want to chill there too.
BackAbbey loses a star for the spotty service, and also because the burgers are EXPENSIVE! $11-13 for a burger? I'd understand if it came with fries, but those you have to buy separately. C'mon! It's still probably one of my favorite spots in this area though. :)
Claremont, CA
Category: Italian
Claremont, CA
Category: Spanish
Claremont, CA
Category: Italian
La Verne, CA
Category: Burgers
Claremont, CA
Category: Lounges
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