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Backstreet Café
Categories: Restaurants Canadian (New) Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Canadian (New), Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
1103 S Shepherd DrHouston, TX 77019
Neighbourhood: River Oaks
(713) 521-2239
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 11 pm
Sun 10 am - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot, Valet
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner, Brunch
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Classy, Upscale
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
273 reviews for Backstreet Café
Review Highlights
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"I had the shrimp and grits, which were amazing." In 22 reviews -
"The second entree I tried was the Brioche French Toast." In 11 reviews -
"The patio is especially wonderful on dry fall days." In 86 reviews
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273 reviews in English
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Review from Georgia S.
Houston, TX
Updated - 4/20/2012
Tried lunch on Friday 1130am - fabulous outdoor patio with huge oak - crowded by noon
Pluses
-freshly toasted bread
-shrimp stuffed artichoke
-lobster salad on top of grilled veggies
-lamb burger
-ambiance
-great service
Minus
-valet parking
-mosquitos on patio - bring spray next time!
$50 for two pre tip.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/12/2010
The valet parking situation didn't seem good when the valet guy apologized and thought he had… Read more »
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Review from Lisa C.
5/21/2012
So, this is a nice place with nice food served by nice people in a nice way. It really is a nice place. So, why am I giving it AOK? Well, I think it's the value for the money proposition that stops me from being a fan.
The food is beautiful and it is good. It is obviously well prepared and thoughtfully presented. It is well conceived of in terms of the recipes. The service has been good overall with a few not-so-great circumstances popping up, but they always do. I just can't shake the feeling that things are awfully expensive for what you're getting. The food is not that complex. The service is not that detailed. I guess the location and the opportunity to be seen lunching next to some of the movers and shakers around town can be used to justify the cost. Maybe the upkeep of the facility costs a lot too. It's an old house and they don't make the best restaurant conversions.
I dunno....I just can't seem to get over that value to the dollar gnawing feeling that I would have been just as happy eating at a less expensive place. -
Review from Katie T.
5/20/2012
Make a reservation!! That's the single most important piece of information you need to know.
The patio is nice but upstairs is great too if you want a more quiet environment.
The good stuff:
- We came to Sunday brunch and tried 4 different entrees: each of us was just mumbling "Hmmm this is good, so good" during the entire time as we were eating our food. So, 'nuff said.
The four dishes are:
- pan seared duck
- lamb burger
- meatloaf with poached eggs
- short ribs with poached eggs
------- all very good!
The bad stuff:
- The side dishes are a rip-off. The weird thing is that they dont list the prices so I felt that I was in for a big surprise. They came in tiny little portions on a gigantic white plate (only to make it look even smaller). It was just sad, disappointing presentation. So I wont recommend the side dishes.
- The service is slow. That poor waiter was way overworked.
Overall, the food is great! You just have to be smart with what you order. I highly recommend the place! -
Review from Iana I.
5/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
Are you looking for a brunch place in an old house that was fixed up to be a restaurant, with mostly younger people as their patrons, in a place with a Californian/European/Canadian vibe? Then come on over to Backstreet Cafe!
I'm not sure what my plate was called since it was one of their specials, but it was a crepe with ham and cream cheese, served with eggs however you want them and creamed spinach. In an effort to make my brunch healthier, I got egg whites only (no extra cost) and switched ham for Canadian bacon. And I wasn't even given a hard time about my switcheroo. I devoured my food so quickly that I finished about a third by the time our waiter had a chance to come ask us how everything tastes. And when he asked, I'm pretty sure my mouth was full and my cheeks looked like a chipmunk's from all that food in my mouth. Oh well.
My boyfriend got their French toast (which was about three times as tall as a piece of toast bread), and their Backstreet Benedict plate. I'm a huge fan of chives and thought I'd be tempted to finish his cheddar chives muffins, but I found them to be quite spicy. I'm not sure what made it spicy since neither chives nor cheddar is spicy.
My two complaints are:
- there was no menu item that had smoked salmon. I'd think a place this fancy would serve smoked salmon, no?
- I also got the Nutella Iced Coffee. How can anything with the word Nutella in it not be amazing? Well, Backstreet Cafe managed to do that. The coffee was made from a mix. I know this because they didn't stir it well enough and I found a clump of dry powder against one of the sides of my glass. Also, I pretty much tasted no Nutella, which is quite disappointing. -
Review from Laura S.
4/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Recently enjoyed dinner at Backstreet Cafe. Here's a few little tidbits you should know about this restaurant before making a decision on whether or not to eat here:
1) 75% of the restaurant customers are seated outside to enjoy the meal on busy dinner evenings. Unfortunately, we were sat at the only table without an umbrella and it was a drizzly night that night. *hmph*
2) Even though you may have to sit outside, the front and especially back patio is set up beautifully with the cascading trees, lighting and even a fountain here and there. But I would only eat at Backstreet Cafe when the weather is comfortable, so...definitely not in the Summer.
3) The tables are placed very close to each other (both inside and outside) so be prepared to hear your neighbors' conversations and for them to hear yours.
4) It is a somewhat pricey menu so I would only enjoy Backstreet for special occasions but that's just my opinion. But hey, it is located in River Oaks afterall. What do you expect?
5) Parking...there is none. Your only option is to valet so bring cash! But you can tip as much as you want just don't be stingy.
6) This restaurant is always packed so make a reservation or you most likely won't be able to get a table or will be doing some serious waiting.
7) If you tell them it's your birthday, you'll get a free dessert (that is actually quite pretty). It was average tasting though but hey...it was free!
8) I was uber impressed with the grilled flatbread and the shrimp and grits! I'm still daydreaming about that entree. Yum! I'll definitely get that again.
9) The service had it's good and bad moments so I don't really have much to say about the service. The hosts were extra nice and attentive though. -
Review from Jacqueline T.
Spring, TX
I give Backstreet Cafe a solid 3.5 stars.
The ambiance of the patio is quite beautiful. I specifically made plans to be there at eight in the evening and watch the sun go down. Because I am a Louisiana native with an appreciation for home to restaurant conversions, I really had the best hopes for Backstreet Cafe. It was akin to many of the New Orleans restaurants that I love but only in appearance.
I've stopped short of giving this four or five stars because of the pricing structure, quality, and the level of service I received. I made a reservation for a table on the patio, so I expected a fantastic table. The hostess tried to push a table in a high traffic area upon us. When she asked, "Is this ok for you?" I remarked, "No, absolutely not!" In fact, I watched for the next hour and half-- no one took the table top closest to the door. They should eliminate this one entirely from the patio, because it serves no purpose, and I don't know who would take it if they were in their right mind. The table we were relocated to was only moderately better, but this one had an umbrella and a seating location nearest a tree trunk littered with twinkling lights. I was at least satisfied with this view. Next time I will know that specifying my location when I reserve is important; you should ask for something against the walls as they seem to be the more private areas.
It took several minutes for our waiter to ask for our drink order. Then, it took him a longer while to return to tell us the specials. Additional time for him to return with a vegetarian menu for another guest at the table. I was never offered another Sangria or another drink.
I had the grouper special which was not worthy of its $27.00 price tag. I should have gone with the three course Meatless Monday for $30.00. When I think of specials in a fine dining atmosphere, I feel like these should be the strongest dishes of the evening. The grouper lacked flavor, but it was plated beautifully. It seemed as if the chef was relying on all the other things he put on the plate to make a mouth party. A quarter of the way through the dish, I was wish I'd ordered something else on the menu.
The reason I'm willing to try again is because the milk chocolate orange mousse was OUT OF THIS WORLD good. It was rich, light, and fresh. I ate every bite of it!
The Brunch menu is extensive, and I'd definitely like to try it. -
Review from Cameron B.
Houston, TX
Wow... what a brunch!!
I came here one Sunday afternoon and was seated at a fabulous table in a corner of the patio. I reviewed the menu over and over before finally deciding on the Backstreet Benedict. I made a damn good choice. Served on a cheddar chive biscuit, this eggs Benedict was the best I've ever had. The texture of the biscuit with the poached egg and Canadian bacon.... pure heaven. Even better was that this came with a small side of coarse ground cajun spiced grits (like I needed more carbs). I highly recommend trying this! -
Review from J T.
Indianapolis, IN
3/31/2012
Fantastic!
You'd think that if you arrived at 11:30 on weekday (albeit a Friday), you could snag a table outside (there is a lot of seating outside). But no way! Reservations required for this privilege. Backstreet Cafe is a restaurant converted from a house and you really feel like your in someone's home (in a good way).
Dining inside was fine. The food outstanding. I had bacon-wrapped quail served on a cheddar chive biscuit as an appetizer and it was spectacular. Everything else was good as well.
What a terrific place for a high-end Texas midday meal. Truly a nice experience. -
Review from Miranda L.
Bellaire, TX
This is definitely one of my favorite places for brunch. You can opt to sit outside in the patio or inside.
Parking is practically nonexistent unless you park in one of the nearby neighborhoods and walk, or you can choose to valet which is "free". However, it does take a while for them to pull up your car if you catch them at a busy time.
I came on a Sunday for brunch and was glad that I had made a reservation. It was packed by 11:30am. They have a large "brunch" menu which is a combination of lunch (sandwiches, pasta, enchiladas) and brunch (benedicts, french toast, pancakes) options. This comes in handy in case someone isn't in the mood for brunch items like I was that day.
Before you place your order, they give each table a complimentary plate of mini muffins and scones. Since they were free, I expected them to be bland and cold but instead they were fresh out of the oven - soft, fresh, fluffy, and warm. Yummm...
I ended up ordering the Red Corn Chicken Enchiladas (lunch) and my friend ordered the Crepes with cheese and ham (brunch). My enchiladas had pieces of chicken, hash brown, and bacon. The sides included corn pudding (delish!) and green beans. My friend liked her crepes but thought it was a little salty. I wish I had room to try dessert but with the muffins and enchiladas, I was satisfied and didn't want to feel like a pig. Oh well, doesn't matter, because I will be back!Listed in: Best Brunches
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Review from Kathy Z.
3/3/2012
This place holds a special place in my heart. We came here after my now-husband proposed to me almost 2 years ago. I don't know what took me so long to finally get around to reviewing this place, but I obviously have nothing but positive things to say about Backstreet Cafe.
I love the whole atmosphere here. It's quaint and homey yet not squished. The waitstaff is friendly and accommodating. The food here is amazing, simple and elegant. My favorite dish is the seared scallops with arugula salad. It's the perfect balance of sweet scallops and slightly bitter arugula. I rarely drink alcohol with my meals, but the sangria here is one of my go-to drinks. -
Review from Fu W.
It is a quaint house converted restaurant, tucked away from Shepherd. The decor was cute, and the staff was very friendly. They also had a live band playing by the entrance on the inside, which we missed out on since we sat on the patio.
We came here from a Sunday brunch, and it was pretty frou frou. The menu is not your typical brunch menu. They do have french toasts, pancakes, and a few variations of eggs benedict, but the rest and most of the menu is more like lunch options. If your brunch preference is omelettes, then this may not be the place for you.
The lobster benedict ($20) was pretty good. The cheddar biscuits were quite the unexpected pleasant surprise. It was crunchy on the outside, definitely brought more flavor, and paired well with the tomato hollandaise. The eggs were a bit more poached than expected. When I cut into them, the yolks did not flow out from the middle. They were almost cooked through with barely any runny yolk to soak into the biscuits. The lobster tail was in its own corner on the plate. You could choose to eat it as is or dip into the hollandaise, both delicious options.
I tried a bite of the short rib and butternut squash hash ($16), and I didn't think it was really worth its price. The short rib was tender, but the dish wasn't that cohesive imo.
We also got the petit trio of desserts ($12) - chocolate cake with coffee ice cream, creme brule, and apple crumbs with vanilla ice cream. Not bad, but nothing too special.
A plus was that they brought out a complimentary assortment of small muffins and scones, which actually tasted pretty good too. They were also willing to give us refills when they saw our bread basket almost empty.
Overall the food was good, but definitely a pricey brunch. Parking was big negative. You would have to choose between street or valet parking. While valet is complimentary, it took a really long time for our car to be brought up. If it's not too busy, it might be worthwhile to circle around the area on your own to see if you can get lucky. -
Review from Kimberly W.
Houston, TX
5/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
Food was wonderful. Solarium was nice as it was too cold for me to sit in open patio area (which is gorg). Waiter and manager were really nice. I didn't care for any of the drinks I tried-mimosa's, margaritas, mojitos.. It was such a nice, sweet spot.. I will definitely be going back.
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Review from leobaby b.
Houston, TX
4/29/2012
As much as I want to give them a higher rating, I can't because they served me RAW chicken!! It was still pink all over so I had our waitress send it back. The manager came to speak to us and asked if there was something wrong with our food. I told him the chicken was still raw. He told me he personally checked and it was cooked but will be happy to make me another one! Are you kidding??! Is pink all over cooked?? I told him no, I'll just order something else. He then came back with a menu. I just had to ask him again if he saw the chicken was still raw. Again he said "no but we want to make you happy so we''ll make something else for you". Ugh. he would not admit to it even though everyone at the table said it was still raw.
This place left a bad taste in my mouth. I'm sure everything else is good there but I don't think I'll be returning due to the 1) Raw chicken 2) The manager was condescending. -
Review from Mark M.
Houston, TX
4/22/2012
Backstreet Cafe is a solid go-to place with very good food and a nice, homey feel. Dining on the patio on a nice Spring evening is relaxing and fun. Currently they are running their artichoke specials...the frito misto was good with a tasty, herbal mayo sauce to brighten the lightly battered and fried veggies. The fried green tomato salad was just okay...crisp greens but the fried green tomatoes needed to be seasoned more. The soft shelled crab dinner entree was spot on...big, plump soft shells perfectly prepared...delicious. We shared a banana toffee tart for dessert...it was good. Wine selections at Backstreet are always great and fairly priced. There is a broad range of wine types and styles at various price points.
Not perfect but comfortable, friendly, relaxed and enjoyable. This place is like an old friend...months can pass between visits but when you get together it's as if time stood still. -
Review from Jennifer L.
Houston, TX
4/6/2012
We mistakenly came here one rainy Sunday morning and what a happy mistake it was. Excellent food, service and atmosphere. If you're seeking a top-notch brunch experience, you won't be disappointed here. Be sure to make reservations. Sit back and enjoy the food and live music.
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Review from Rick T.
Houston, TX
4/8/2012 1 photo
I tend to forget about this place although I have been going here since it opened. The patio is as delightful as ever. Hugo's food is always spot on.
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Review from Linh N.
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Lobster roll is excellent.
Only at lunch time.
More Southern Fried than Northeast.Listed in: That's How I Roll
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Review from Annie S.
2/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
I ate at Backstreet twice and it was a lovely experience both time.
Stumbled upon Backstreet on a Sunday with the boy and we got to enjoy a lovely brunch. As usual, I check the yelp reviews before we decided what to order. I ALWAYS get the Egg Benedict at every brunch restaurant because that is what determines if the restaurant has a good brunch or not. I was beyond satisfied at the dish, I definitely cleaned the plate. The boy had their Shrimp & Grits and oh my! It was creamy and flavorful. We both could not pass the nutella chocolate milk and it was A-Ok. Wish I could taste the nutella more.
I would come back just for the environment, the outside patio is so nice on a breezy sunny day. :) -
Review from Emanuele B.
Houston, TX
3/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
Had previously dined here as a courtesy to a close friend.as he was hosting an exclusive wine tasting.
So with that in mind, my curiosity compelled me to return. Started off, feeling whimsical, with crab cakes and a two of their signature dishes, red corn enchiladas and pecan crusted chicken. I would recommend these two dishes to someone that favors consistency.
Now, on to the important question: how was the scotch?
And here my friend I must disappoint, as I was I enraptured by my latest periodical ,wine spectator, no scotch was consumed. -
Review from Jennifer C.
Houston, TX
2/16/2012
I had super awesome stuffed french toast in Philadelphia (Sabrina's Cafe). It was so good that I hoped I can taste it again in Houston, so I searched for stuffed french toast on yelp and found this place. Honestly, the stuffed french toast here totally disappointed me. I only saw a lot of french toast and barely saw the stuffing.
So, don't order the stuffed french toast here. Other dishes are much better. I had tasted steamed mussels (excellent), blueberry and apple buttermilk pancakes (okay), short rib and butternut squash hash (good), bistro breakfast (good), and backstreet benedict (good). Don't forget to order their Fresh Fruit Sangria! It's really really really good.
They also have great service. It's a great place to meet with friends and family. Especially under great weather, it's really relaxing to have brunch with friends here. -
Review from Alison L.
1/2/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Classy little spot in the River Oaks area with great atmosphere and quality food. Brunch here is great because of the outdoor seating and a fairly extensive brunch menu. I highly recommend the crab cakes, they're some of the best around - meaty yet tender! I also tried the lobster sandwich and was a little too fried for my taste but very well seasoned. Attentive service and the complimentary pastry plate was a nice touch.
On another note, I've also been here once for dinner and thought it was an absolutely fantastic date spot - very intimate and romantic.Listed in: Houston Outdoors
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Review from Michael W.
Houston, TX
1/2/2012
This place is legit. My fiance has been raving about it for weeks now, so we decided to roll up after the holidays and check it out. The place did not disappoint! I'm a pretty big sucker for crab cakes -- and let me tell you, the crab cakes at Backstreet are absolutely delicious, and they don't skimp on the crab. Some places when you order a crab cake it's basically just seafood stuffing rolled into a cake and then pan fried. That just doesn't cut it. Backstreet's crab cakes, however, are heavy on the crab, and they are served on two sauces which kick these suckers up into the "decadent" category.
For entree I selected an item from the daily specials -- a ridiculously awesome lamb chop served with cheesy grits and spinach. I also love lamb -- I think it's really underrepresented in the American diet (probably because it's so expensive over here, which is weird). The lamb chops were perfectly cooked medium rare and had a traditional (but obviously delicious) seasoning. The cheese grits really knocked my socks off, though. They were the star of the dish, I thought. Spinach is hard to screw up, so it was as expected.
My fiance ordered the meatloaf tower. I am not a fan of meatloaf, but my fiance coaxed me into tasting it, which I certainly do not regret my decision. The meatloaf was moist and covered with an artistic yet tasty tower of creamy potatoes.
For dessert -- creme brulee! Perfectly custardy, not runny at all, with a crisp, sweet sugar crust on top. The thing that really got me about backstreet was that every single thing that was served to us was perfectly executed. The staff was courteous and professional and the service was prompt.
I also would like to add that the atmosphere is quite nice for a romantic dinner. I would highly recommend this place for a first date if you are looking to impress. -
Review from J x.
Houston, TX
4/9/2012
I went on a Sunday morning around 11 am for brunch. Parking was kind of a hassle but we walked over and there was no wait to sit on the patio, so we sat outside. The ambiance was nice--romantic and classy but not overly pretentious. Our table was small and tucked away but the waiter did a great job of paying attention to our needs. We ordered:
French toast
Lobster eggs benedict
Scallops (it was a special with 4 large scallops on 4 different kinds of veggies)
the pink mimosa (I don't remember the name)
1 mojito
The menu was huge and I kind of wanted to eat everything. My favorite dish was the scallops. They were so juicy and flavorful that had I been eating at home alone, I probably would have licked the plate...twice. The drinks were good but not outstanding. Still, this place is worth going to more than once. -
Review from Matthew C.
Houston, TX
One of Houston's best brunches in this humble Yelper's opinion. I have gotten the opportunity to experience brunch at Backstreet Café twice and have thoroughly enjoyed the food on both occasions. My first visit I tried the Bistro Breakfast - 4oz tenderloin, 2 poached eggs, rosemary potato cake and hollandaise. To me, there is nothing better than steak and eggs and both were cooked excellently. My steak was medium rare to my liking and the poached eggs and hollandaise were great savory compliment. The real standout was the rosemary potato cake. That hint of rosemary really puts the potato cake over the top.
The second visit I tried the short rib hash. It was a good offering, although the short ribs didn't really have that sweet flavor that I am accustom to and the hash was a little al dente. However, I did get to try their special of the day - Lobster Eggs Benedict. Wow! Do not miss out on this offering! The lobster was perfectly cooked and was not overwhelmed with the egg or hollandaise. As a general rule, I like to try new things on every visit if possible, but next time - even if it is not the special, I am going to ask them to make it for me. I think this deserves honorable mention. I ordered a basic cup of coffee with my meal and I must say, I could tell it was quality joe. I appreciate attention to detail.
It is pretty important to get here early on a Sunday. They fill up very quickly. The first time I came here, I was seated outside in August heat. There was a fan, but not the most comfortable dining experiences.
I am not crazy about a restaurant that requires you to valet park, but there are located in a spot that pretty much requires it. Also, the valet is pretty fast and efficient. -
Review from Aimee L.
1/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
Once again Backstreet Cafe didn't disappoint. Our dining experience overall was wonderful from the valet to the hostess to the server and staff around us. The night went on effortlessly without the staff being to in the way.
For starters we ordered the The grilled bacon wrapped quail and onion rings. The quail was good but I would have liked it to be a bit more seared on the outside, but the spicy smoked corn sauce on it was outstanding! Everyone also loved the onion rings. It is such a simple item but yet done so well. The onion ring sizes were just right and the spicy battered was perfectly seasoned and fried.
For dinner I had the shrimp and grits with fresh scallions on top. I really wanted to diverge from the shrimp and grits but it is just so damn delicious here that I stuck with it and I am extremely happy that I did. The portion is large and the cajun seasoning was just the right amount of heat and spice. The grits were also just to my liking which is smooth, great texture, and not to rich. Sometimes I think grits an be a bit too heavy but backstreet manages to keep it fairly light.
I also got to sample a bit of my cousin's dish which was the scallop special. When the plate arrived at the table, she was pleasantly surprised at how large, fresh, succulent the scallops where. The was perfect seared on the outside with a caramel-colored crust and juicy and tender in the middle.
We also all ordered desserts. I am usually a chocolate fan but the orange brioche bread pudding sounded too good to pass up. This bread pudding may be the best bread pudding that I have ever had! Moist, fragrant, light and fresh from the orange, smooth, and not too sweet. It was a very comforting dessert.
Backstreet Cafe is definitely a great gem in the Houston and I will continue to come here for years to come because they are always consistent and offer a great dining experience. -
Review from Rachel P.
Houston, TX
4/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
Wonderful ambiance for brunch. I plan to go back for dinner as well. The mimosas are great and the breakfast dishes we ordered were delicious. Also really enjoyed the plate of baked goods (Scones, Muffins) they provide complimentary. Excellent food and excellent service.
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Review from Priya S.
Richmond, TX
OH! Backstreet Cafe, a perfect date restaurant. The location is kind of hidden and hard to find but it includes valet parking (woot)! There's a huge patio/garden place outside where you can enjoy your meal with nature and nice view. Although the restaurant is pretty classy, there is still that home-y, cozy feeling. I am not much of an wine-drinker, but there was a variety of wine available that I just had to get something. I ordered an orange mimosa, and boy was it good! I also got the crispy lobster sandwich and my friend ordered the pressed tuna sandwich. Both sandwiches were incredible. The fried lobster was crispy on the outside and perfectly cooked on the inside. The sandwich had this secret sauce, which was super yummy and complimented the lobster. The potato salad that came with the plate was somewhat mediocre. If you go here, I definitely recommend you try this sandwich, you won't regret it. All in all, good wine, good food, good ambiance!
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Review from Andrew M.
Houston, TX
5/6/2012
I have only been in town for half a year but am coming to regard this as my backstreet banker. Consistently good and in that difficult to achieve zone that fits it for either relaxed business or personal time.
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Review from Laura H.
I've seen so many good reviews and mouth watering pictures off of yelp that made me want to come to this place. I think this place was meant more for brunch then dinner.
My first impression when I stepped into this place was how cute and tiny it was. I think the seating was a bit close to each table because I could hear the conversation of the people right next to me. Waiter was very nice and helpful. The food came out a little slow though. On yelp it says "Casual" attire but when we walked in, I felt a little under dressed. It should be more "business attire."
For the appetizers my boyfriend and I ordered:
- Crispy cajun onion rings: I didn't eat it but my boyfriend said it taste like any onion ring you can order at a fast food joint.
- Braised Rabbit: It was nothing special. It was drowned in sauce. But the meat was tender. Maybe rabbit just doesn't have a good taste. I've never eaten good rabbit before. This dish wasn't awful but I would have preferred the crab cakes instead.
Entree:
- Texas T-bone steak: This stead comes with mac & cheese as the side dish. He ordered the steak medium rare. The steak was so blah.. It didn't have any type of flavor. My boyfriend asked for steak sauce hoping it would taste a bit better. It didn't help much so he tried eating it with mac & cheese at the same time. But the Mac & cheese didn't have much flavor either. It didn't have that "cheese" taste so he added Tobasco sauce for a little spice. I wouldn't ever order that again.
- Shellfish Risotto: My dish was actually really good. It was a creamy risotto with an assortment of seafood. It came with Lobster chunks, shrimp, mussels and clams. This dish definitely made up for the nasty steak.
The Red wine Sangria was perfect. It wasn't too strong and none of the flavors over powered each other. i would love to come back here for Brunch. -
Review from Andy R.
Houston, TX
5/5/2012
Never too sure what to think about backstreet. I have had good meals there, and then ones which are average. Service can depend on how busy they are - never seem to have enough waiters on. An inexpensive menu. But generally well done food.
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Review from Kinsey S.
Houston, TX
5/3/2012
I have been here several times for both brunch and lunch, and I can't find anything to complain about! The cocktails are delicious, and the menu items are fresh with lots of seasonal specials. They have a great outdoor area as well. You just can't beat the combination of the food, drinks and ambiance for daytime feasting.
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Review from Michelle N.
Houston, TX
3/29/2012
Went here for Sunday brunch and it was delish! I was asked if I had made reservations though, but luckily there was one free table for me. So next time I will for sure make reservations after hearing it would have been an hour wait! I had the lobster eggs benedict and it was sooo good! Also brought my dog along with me on the patio, and he enjoyed it also. Will definitely come back again.
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Review from Rebecca Q.
Houston, TX
4/26/2012
Great place for brunch though it can be very crowded on weekends - definitely make a reservation!
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Review from Michelle M.
Houston, TX
Came here for a team dinner, and I must say I loved the ambience indoor and especially outdoor where we ate, despite the run-in I had with several mosquitoes. The service was lovely and the food was pretty decent, although you will be paying for it. What's sort of neat about this place is their vegetarian options. This made one of my coworkers extremely happy, as it seems to be hard to find tasty alternatives around town. They had a special pre-fixe menu if you really wanted to go all-out as a vegetarian. A+ to them for being sensitive to other people's diets. (Meanwhile, I while I was eating meat...)
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Review from Blake C.
Houston, TX
3/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Glad we made reservations because there was a crowd. Had a few drinks at the bar (extensive wine list and good Old Fashioned). Sat on the patio; it was a perfect evening for it. Service was great. We started with the duck spring rolls for appetizer and they were AWESOME. For entrees, we ordered shrimp and grits and texas style ribeye. Both were delicious. As we were paying the check, our server brought us a dessert on the house which was tasty and I don't even care for sweets. Can't wait to go back!
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Review from Jessica C.
Austin, TX
12/22/2011
One of the best brunch (and lunch if on a weekday) spots in Houston in the cutest little 2-story house. Cute restaurant, complementary valet, great food. It doesn't get better than that.
I ordered the crispy lobster sandwich with a huge scoop of homemade potato salad. I actually expected the lobster to be fried into a round patty but they were actually 4 little fried balls. It was interesting and maybe a little hard to eat since it was so spherical. There was some sort of creamy spread along with tomato and arugula. Not sure if I tasted the onion ring, but I'm sure it was somewhere in the deliciousness. The sandwich also came with amazing skin-on potato salad.
My friends and I decided to split the pumpkin mascarpone ricotta doughnuts for dessert. We had four people and there were four doughnut holes covered in sugar. It came with a caramel drizzled whipped cream. IT WAS SO DAMN GOOD. We felt like the serving was perfect for splitting since we were also stuffed. I'm not sure how I would feel about eating all four of the doughnut holes since they were pretty rich.
Looking forward to comeback for more brunch/lunch and try their dinner sometime soon! -
Review from Sejal P.
Pearland, TX
3/13/2012
Love this place! The outdoor seating is a must, it's so relaxing! We had mussels for our appetizer which was amazing! I had the salmon tacos which were nice and light and came with a really good tomatillo salsa. This is a great place to come to get away from the hustle of life....I highly recommend backstreet cafe!!!
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Review from Karen N.
12/4/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I love brunch here. There's really no other word for it. I never stray away from the lobster eggs benedict so I can't really say too much for anything else but it is superb. I am rarely asked how I want my eggs poached and even when I am, they rarely get it right.
They get it right here. They get it right on a lot of levels. I especially liked this last time i was there when there was a huge tent outside. Importante in an incredibly moody city. Seriously, it's December and in the 70s with rain.
$40 for a decanter of sangria or mimosas. Tasty but ladies and gentleman, bring your debit cards and your appetites - you'll need both!! -
Review from Brandy C.
12/4/2011 6 photos
You guys know me by now. I'm going to score you four points if I park my car and then you force me to valet it so you can promptly park it exactly where you saw me park it. It isn't just that I'm cheap, I don't want you messing with my car!
That aside, went for lunch with a couple pals. I've been here before for a bridesmaids' luncheon where I had some of the most delish waffles ever, but was excited to be going for lunch. I had the Pecan Crusted Chicken, which was both wonderful and presented gorgeously. I swapped out one of the sides for mac and it was delish as well. Because it was one of five nice days in Houston, we sat outside as well and had a nice leisurely lunch. But eating inside the first time was lovely as well, but apparently you may need a reservation for that. Even on a Wednesday for lunch when it seems otherwise dead. Good food, good selection. Worth a try if you haven't yet -
Review from Meredith M.
San Francisco, CA
12/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
I came here for a holiday party, and the back private room was perfect for our group of 25. With gorgeous French doors, vaulted ceilings and patio access I couldn't have pictured it to be any better. So comfortable, quaint and southern feeling.
Service was about as good as it could be with 25 people! God bless them...
Food was good, again, about as good as it could be when cooking for 25 people plus the rest of the restaurant. My boyfriend had this unique and delicious coffee ground crusted tenderloin. It was so different and the texture really complimented the soft meat. I had a seafood risotto which was good...the lobster was over cooked and it wasn't anything spectacular, but still good. :)
What I loved most were their appetizers; the crab cake and duck spring roll. Delish!
