The History of Back Street
Generations have built today's Back Street
1967
Back Street Restaurant Begins!
Mac & Barbara McClusky purchase “Nelson Street Market” and renovate it into the Backstreet Restaurant.
1968 to 2000
SANDWICHES MADE US FAMOUS
The Backstreet rapidly became known for making the best pastrami and corned beef sandwiches on the West Coast.
1968 to 2000
THE FAME GROWS
Backstreet adds sides and the potato salad become known by many as “the best they have ever had.”
1968 to 2000
OH THE DESSERTS!
The banana creme pie becomes world famous and Backstreet becomes known for its other freshly baked desserts.
1968 to 2000
THE AWARDS PILE UP
Back Street is voted “Best Lunch Place,” “Best Outdoor Dining,” “Best Kept Secret, Best Power Lunch,” and “Best Garden Lunch Place.”
2000
RETIREMENT
Mac & Barb were ready to retire and sold Backstreet to their daughter Kitty and her husband Keith Holloway.
2000-2021
A SECOND GENERATION
Kitty & Keith continued to cook and slice all the meats daily, as Mac & Barb had, but they also added new items that quickly became favorites of Backstreet’s loyal customers.
2000-2021
Menu additions
Kitty and Keith added a tuna sandwich to the menu and two new salads which quickly became popular menu items.
2022
A THIRD GENERATION
In 2021 Kitty and Keith were ready to retire themselves and fortunately Alan Reinhardt was a perfect fit. Alan is a long time Riverside resident, a frequent Backstreet customer and also a 3rd generation Riverside business owner.
2022
The Reinhardt Touch
Alan and his team have added new dessert items, more business hours, special events in the evening and even online ordering functionality from the backstreet website for both take-out and delivery. The building and garden have been refreshed and renewed to the delight of longtime Back Street guests.