According to Harvey Goldberg, who owns the restaurant with his wife, Linda, people are continually surprised by the quality of the food served in this casual restaurant. “High quality, healthy food doesn’t have to be expensive,” he explained. “We go to local farms and pick our own produce; we make our own corned beef, meatloaf and turkey. Everything is made fresh—nothing is out-of-the-can or cryovaced. We go the extra mile for our customers.”

 

Goldberg, a retired Marine colonel, has been in the food business for 20 years. His background includes serving as a consultant to universities, country clubs and other restaurants, helping them to establish menus, floor layouts, employee schedules and more. The secret to his success is simple: “I treat people the way I want to be treated,” he explained.

 

This includes providing the healthiest food possible to his clientele. The result is that Backstreet Grille & Bistro has been given numerous 5-star reviews for its food, and has also been voted “best burger” and “best fries” by local publications.

 

“We have a very expensive filtration system in the restaurant that uses rice bran oil, so customers don’t have to feel guilty when they eat here,” said Goldberg. The restaurant’s fries have no cholesterol, no transfat and fewer calories, and other items, such as fried shrimp and fish and chips, are also grease-free. “When customers order our fish and chips, they often comment on the fact that there’s no oil left behind on the plate,” said Goldberg.

 

The only difficulty facing diners at Backstreet Grille & Bistro may be deciding what to have. While burgers are the most-ordered item, salads, wings, ribs, fajitas, quesadillas, wraps and sandwiches are also local favorites. Patrons can choose from comfort foods such as meatloaf, knocks, beans and fries, and turkey dinners to exotic burgers such as the garlic-intense Breathalyzer, spicy Cajun Sensation, Asian-inspired Sumo and Italian Stallion. The restaurant also features a large range of seafood specialties as well as jumbo omelettes, pasta, deli sandwiches and nine custom desserts.

 

And while the food is exceptional, the price is right, too. “There is nothing on the menu over $20 for a complete dinner, and you can get a full fish dinner for under $12,” said Goldberg. Those who enjoy a drink in the evening can also take advantage of the restaurant’s top-shelf drinks for half-price after 8 p.m.

 

This family owned and operated restaurant attracts diners from every walk of life and every age. “It’s a total mix,” said Goldberg. “We have country club customers, senior citizens, retired and working people, kids and their middle-aged parents. It’s really an amazing place.”

 

So amazing, in fact, that many of the restaurant’s staff has been with Goldberg for more than 15 years, and its patrons keep coming back time and again to enjoy the friendly ambiance. Sports fans have also found a home at the Backstreet Grille & Bistro where they can enjoy watching their favorite teams on the flat screen TVs in the lounge. “We even have small flat screens in seven of our restaurant booths, which tend to catch the attention of kids dining with their parents,” said Goldberg. “It gives the parents a chance to actually have a conversation.”