"Just brought my dog to the vet for a routine check and stepped by Backlot Coffee to wait for my dog ... and had a very nice dopio (double espresso) and a toasted Everything bagel with cream chease. The window seat was fun, watching people go by on a snowy cold day. I like that neighborhood coffee. And I took a bacon onion quiche home. Can't wait to eat it (needs to be heated up, might use the air fryer for a crispy quality."

"We found this cozy little spot on a Sunday afternoon jumping with customers in Evanston on Central Street, so we stopped in to see what it was all about. We were met by Chef Demetrius Hartfield who recommended an absolutely 💯 mouthwatering everything bagel sandwich with cream cheese, tomatoes, red onions and SMOKED SALMON. The red onions SEALED THE DEAL on this mouthwatering find! Needless to say only crumbs were left, which I expected after the first BITE. (I normally never finish any sandwich 🥪). I also had the Ethiopian brew coffee with caramel shots. Sorry, Starbucks is good, but no match for the extravagant brews they serving up in this Venue. OMG! My husband had a Central Street Chorizo Burrito toasted to perfection served with a green Verde sauce to DIE for. He had the iced coffee with caramel shots and was pleasantly surprised with the high quality items from this cozy spot. The spot was Cozy. Clean. Staff friendly. Informative and extremely HARD WORKING. I saw no one sitting around except us the customers.😁. Which all appeared happy including myself leaving with a full stomach and a satisfying experience!!!! So much so I invited the Venue to host and cater an event for us in 2026 after such a gratifying and wholesome experience. 30 years of marriage! We hope they will accept our requests! If you have been waiting to find a secret spot in Evanston full of flavor 😋 and fun, the cat is out the bag. The secret isn't one anymore. Head on over to the Cafe and let their Chefs inspire your palate! Yummy 😋."

"This is a fantastic local gem! Their coffee is consistently excellent, with a great selection of beans and perfectly crafted drinks. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, making it a perfect spot for working, catching up with friends, or just enjoying a quiet moment. The staff are always friendly and efficient, adding to the overall positive experience. Highly recommend!"

"I met the owner before coming here, and I can say his personality and friendliness definitely are reflected in Backlot Coffee and the staff. I came here after a long bike ride and they let me store the bike inside with no issues."

"Backlot is my guilty pleasure and it has greatly improved my life 🤣 I love to stop in here for coffee and pastries. I just love variety of pastries and their espresso is super solid as well. Lately I’ve been loving the breakfast empanadas."