Back Forty
(Now Closed)American Restaurant$$$$
Alphabet City, New York
The experts at Village Voice and The Corcoran Group recommend this place
150 Tips and reviews
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The entrees can sometimes be pricey (around $24 for fish), but they are plate-licking good. Go to favs are the burger ($12), specialty cocktails, and freshly made donuts. Definitely get the donuts.
Every wonder about the name? In the 1800s, a "quarter-section" farmer would own two "front 40s" & two "back 40s" of land (as in "40 acres" x 4 = 160 acres/farmer x 4 farmers = 640 acres = 1sq mile)
For brunch - always try the donut. Enjoy indie-rock from ~2009 and thank yourself for indulging in a great music vintage. Mid-afternoon, grab a cocktail at the bar and take it to the garden out back.
L. Curry AycockMay 25, 2013Bring good company. make sure its a sunny day. Sit outside. Chicken and waffles. Burger. Donuts. All is the bomb!!!! Excellent chill Saturday brunch spot. Easily a fav.
Village VoiceJune 3, 2013Local, sustainable, and meaty. The Sunday pig roast is the star and has become someone of a legendary dish here, but excellent food comes out of this kitchen all week long.
Jeremy JacobowitzOctober 23, 2014Really interesting cocktail menu! Had their burger with cheddar and a fried egg! Really delicious. Also don't pass up the quinoa cauliflower dish!
Lawrence LenihanApril 22, 2012Been twice to prince at location. . Really great. Not a place to start your diet. Amazing smoked bits, brisket sandwich, burger. Braxilian fish stew is crazy good. (4 of 4 petals via Fondu) Read more
Red FabbriMarch 12, 2013A meat-and-starch lover's heaven. Local butchery, farm-style sides, and great cocktails. Rich and delicious and boozy, from brunch to late-night burgers.
Desirée MacDonaldAugust 17, 2014Everything is amazing but my favorite meal ever is the ratatouille – an understated but incredible dish! Also, be sure to get the donuts for dessert, they're delicious.
Serious EatsMarch 4, 2013Entrees can be pricey and miss the mark, but small plates here are always a hit, and half price drinks during happy hour make it an ideal spot for dinner at the bar.
The Corcoran GroupJuly 30, 2011Don’t miss the weekly Crab Boil Games every Tuesday night - an entire evening to cracking, licking and sucking the delicious flavors out of Blue Claw Crabs.
- Village VoiceMay 31, 2012Nothing says summer like a good, ol' fashioned crab bake. Feast on Back Forty's Chesapeake Crab Boil every Tuesday night starting on June 5th. Make sure to reserve in advance on their website!
Nicolette RomeroNovember 6, 2014The brick chicken here is a winner. Very tender and juicy - a must try! End your meal with the pumpkin cheesecake. Both were incredible!- Serious EatsApril 19, 2013The grass-fed burger on an Orwasher potato roll with heritage bacon and Cabot cheddar is a winner for chef Eduard Frauneder.
Neha JambhekarSeptember 29, 2013One of the best brunches I've been to in the city and very affordable! Try the baked egg and polenta. Definitely going back.
David BanAugust 19, 2014Great happy hour deals on their understated cocktails. Snag a couple seats at the communal tables in the bar area.
Becca McArthurSeptember 26, 2014Try the grits with maple chipotle butter. Perfect balance of sweet & savory, so no need to deliberate over pancakes vs. eggs!
Nikki BogopolskayaJuly 22, 2014On Mondays, happy hour lasts all night at the bar: grab half off drinks and head to the secret garden in the back for hour meal.
NearSay NYCJuly 14, 2011N-Sider Rachel, The Fabulous Foodie, says Back Forty is the perfect spot for al fresco dining in the NYC summer heat. Ask to be seated outside in their open backyard.
Katie FlynnJanuary 5, 2012Start with a Back Forty to drink. Get the brussels sprouts, peel & eat shrimp, and the pork chop. Drink a Lagunitas Wilco Tango Foxtrot with the meal.
Stephanie Paige MillerMarch 16, 2013Victory Brawmeister Pils (if on draft) or Buffalo Trace bourbon plus a medium rare burg w the works. Sit at bar. Best. Good jams.
Talisa ChangMay 26, 2012The burger is just OK. The fried poached egg sandwich is unusual and tasty, and the cookies are really good, as is the house loaf.
Danyel SmithSeptember 28, 2011delicious. try the trout. and the "hearty" green salad. for dessert, GET the donuts. plus? the drinks are simple and strong.
Chophel NamgyalDecember 24, 2012Goat cheese plate is very good! Pork jowels good! Pork chop and Brussell sprouts with Yuca fries!
2-course Sunday/Monday prix fixe dinner is fantastic. Chilled corn soup and the best fried chicken I've had in quite a while. Read more
The Sunday night bartender is the douchebag people used to move to the East Village to get away from. Great, you have a beard, you're still an elitist cock. Take it back to billyburg. They miss you.
Karina O.January 20, 2014Losers get seated first. No really. Hostess saw I was by myself, and moved me to the top of the Waitlist. Got a table too. Not just a place at the bar.- Jenna Odett LaskinDecember 14, 2011they offer a whole suckling pig good for 10-12 people - comes with 3 sides (bread, greens, beans) + 2 appetizers and dessert for $600.
Better deal for brunch than dinner. Otherwise, sit at the bar and eat small plates for dinner.
Jane DongAugust 15, 2014Braised brisket and yuca hash was great. Brunch ends at 3 pm on Saturday though
Robert GurdianMarch 6, 2010Go to Back 40 on a sunny day and sit in the back patio. Combined with the food and beer, it feels like you are grilling out - but better. When available, I get the appetizer with the honey comb
anonymous guyApril 23, 2011I've lived in NY for almost all of my 35 years and have NEVER been greeted by such an arrogant pr!@k as the self stated "partner" Jeremy who was working as host. First he refused to add our party of
John ThrasherJuly 3, 2014Dinner menu is either $5-$10 appetizers or $42 entrees. After a $400 bill with a group they tell us they only accept 2 cards for payment forcing us to leave in the pouring rain to use an ATM.- Always always always get to doughnuts. Great to split just for a taste. Never disappoint!
Megan HodgesMay 14, 2011Wow, great burger! The farmhouse cheddar is great and I really loved the texture of the sesame seed bun.
Marcus YoungApril 5, 2012Try the Tequila Flower Cocktail! Tequila and St. Germaine go together like peas and carrots!
Come on Monday night and sit at the bar, where happy lasts all night long (half priced cocktails and wine).
Greg BarilaFebruary 11, 2012The Paradise Cocktail is pretty frackin delicious. Pear brandy, pear liqueur, gin, lemon, prosecco
BULLDOG GinMay 6, 2012Make your tastebuds happy. Give them a Bloody Mary made with BULLDOG GIN, extra horseradish.
Robert StillwagonJune 16, 2013Excellent food but it shouldn't take 20 minutes to receive a check....we're done....lets move it along.
Francesca KrihelyMay 1, 2012The drinks are great. Try the tequilla flower. The food was...tiny. Get the pudding for dessert.
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At it's core Back Forty is a burger joint- but an organic, and responsibly sourced one, with ample, in-season vegetarian dishes.
Permanently closed (Show more)
- Mon–Thu
- 6:00 PM–11:00 PM
- Fri
- 6:00 PM–Midnight
- Sat
- Noon–3:00 PM
- 6:00 PM–Midnight
- Sun
- 11:30 AM–3:30 PM
- 6:00 PM–10:00 PM
(212) 388-1990
Features
Reservations
No
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. American Express & MasterCard)
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Food & Drink
Menus
Brunch, Dinner
Drinks
Beer, Wine, Full Bar
See More
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- 9.0
"This is some of the best fast casual food that I’ve had - it’s so good and also so inexpensive."
Amber - 8.9
"Tomato soup, grilled cheese, Mac and cheese, bread pudding. Oh and great beer. Really can't go wrong here."
Adele Blanco - 8.8
"Yes it's one of the best burgers in Manhattan, but also one of the best plates of fries. Be warned: their preference is to undercook a bit."
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- 8.6
"Some excellent, creative drinks selections here...a nice little hidden gem in EV! Of course there is nowhere in NYC that makes drinks as tasty as they do at Harding's in Flatiron though! #checkthemout"
Archie Walters - 8.2
"Great beer selection. Happy Hour in the summer is awesome."
Raj S. - 8.8
"prob the best coffee in the city. $$ but really good. get the americano"
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