The Back Abbey128 N Oberlin Ave
Claremont
909-625-2642
July 20, 2009. Please note: It has come to my attention that the person who I had a run in with, and thought was the owner, is in fact, NOT the owner. The person I had the run-in with is an expo, so where I put owner, has now been changed to expo. An expo is somebody who is there to help, whenever it is needed.
The Back Abbey is located in a fairly new retail development in Claremont. The development is the western expansion of The Village.
The Back Abbey is known for their beers and burgers. I got a Backyard Burger, $11, which comes with butter lettuce, red onion, tomato, pickle and 1-year-aged cheddar cheese served on a Brioche bun with a side of red remy. This was a very good burger. A good quality beef, cooked medium rare and topped with good quality toppings. The cheese added a nice flavor to the burger, the bun was soft and had a nice texture. I received a comment asking 'Where's the beef?' And the menu says 6oz burgers or you can get a 8oz turkey burger for the same price. I got the beef and yes it is a bit small. But the quality of the beef and flavor is very good.
The service by the server was very good. But before I went into the restaurant, I took a picture of the outside. Somebody who is an "expo" saw me taking the pictures and I guess the expo was trying to be a comic but failed badly. I was trying to ignore the man but he kept pushing it and I responded to his stupid sarcasm. I guess he was paranoid because other people were trying to copy his original idea of opening a restaurant. So this expo was a jerk, I was trying to ignore him but he kept forcing me to deal with him. He needs to understand he is there for customer service and not be some bad comic or jerk. He also shouldn't act like he is the owner, especially when he isn't the owner.
I was close to telling him off but it is just not worth it, though I told him I didn't find his sarcasm amusing. I then was seated outside and the guy came over and explained why he was paranoid, I just told him, I don't care and it wasn't a big deal. For me it was over after I sat down. But it was good of him to come to me and explain why he was so paranoid. He really should be more concerned about the quality of the food and service, than people taking pictures or copying his brilliant idea of opening a restaurant. And it wasn't like his restaurant was some architectural marvel. Like nobody ever opened up a restaurant in a mission style building?
As most readers of The New Diner know, I feel it is best to remain anonymous in order to give fair reviews. If I told the servers and/or owners that I am writing a review, I know damn well I would get different service than if I was just anonymous. If any owner has an issue with my reviews, I have no problems talking to them face to face. But I never tell a restaurant I'm reviewing their food, though I do get many questions about why I am taking pictures.
I'm hope readers of The New Diner see that I gave The Back Abbey a very fair review, even after having that run in with the owner.
Aside from the run in with the expo, I did enjoy the food at The Back Abbey. I would go back to The Back Abbey because the food and service was very good. I would like to try the Abbey Burger.
4 comments:
It does look good but all I want to say is...Where is the BEEF?
being a beer geek (advocate), i went here the first they opened.
i like what they are doing but personally, i thought the prices were just too high. the burger is good but, it's expensive by size since really you only get a few bites.
the main focus of the back abbey is the beers. that being said, when there they did have a good list although a few of the taps were already kicked. i also thought the price per pour was bit expensive too ($12-$15).
from what i recall, 4 beers, two burgers, and one fry set my wife and i back over $100.00 (with tip).
quoting my wife; "it was good, but not that good for the price."
if you are beer geek, the back abbey is a great addition to the inland empire and a great spot for local beer geeks - this is NOT the place for budweiser, miller, or coors type of brew. this is your place high end craft brew as well as belgian and other solid high ABV imports.
if i was to go back, it would be for a beer or two; especially, if there was something pouring that was really rare to get in the united states. but, as for food ... i think most who review this blog will agree it is tasty but, very overpriced given the portion sizes.
a good comparison to this place would be father's office which is located in santa monica and culver city. same scenerio ... great beer and decent food but, very pricy for what you get.
also, given your ordeal with owner (who i also met), it seems like his head is getting a bit too big. that's not good!
cheers!
what do you say when people ask why you are taking pictures? i've been craving a good burger lately...still gota try the grand inn too!
Charles: I agree that the prices are a bit high in regards to portions. But the quality of the beef is good.
I still don't understand his paranoia. I just took a pic of the outside of his restaurant. The damn place isn't some architectural marvel.
Sawyer:
I usually tell people it's none of your damn business. Restaurants shouldn't be so concerned about people taking pictures of their food and the restaurant. If a restaurant is worth a damn, they actually should be happy people are taking pictures of their food/restaurant.
I can understand restaurants not wanting people to take pics of certain areas in the restaurant. But the exterior pic is nothing to get paranoid over.
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