Despite only being 24 years old, Patrick Jeffrey has lived a pretty full life. He is already both a father and a restaurant owner. His eatery, Elli’s Backyard, serves an eclectic mix of food and is named after his 5-year-old daughter, Ellianna. (Whose nickname is Elli). In addition, he already has plans in motion to expand his business.
Patrick is the sole owner of Elli’s Backyard, but it’s a family business; his mother works in the restaurant, as does his sister in her spare time. Of course, even Elli is in on the fun, as she likes to be the hostess. The unique interior seats 50 patrons, and is designed to look “as if you’re under a tree,” Patrick says. For instance, the space is lit up with fairy lights at night, and there are hanging plants are on the wall. “People grab sage or fresh mint and put it in their water,” he says. Meanwhile, the outdoor seating in front of the restaurant can fit about 30 diners.
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Comfort Food, Comfortable Clothes
There’s no dress code at Elli’s Backyard. “That is very important to me,” Patrick says. “Red Bank is a great area with great people. I really want to make sure everyone feels comfortable no matter what they’re wearing.”
The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Everything is made in house and locally sourced. “I want to serve creative food that doesn’t just look Instagram-worthy,” Patrick says. It’s something that you’d actually order again.”
Every item on the menu has a special significance to the family. For example, they serve a pineapple bowl with grilled chicken or shrimp mixed in a teriyaki sauce over white rice; the same meal he made for Elli the night he decided to open his own restaurant. Other popular dishes include the Fire cracker cauliflower starter and Cavatelli Broccoli entree. But Patrick’s favorite breakfast dish is the Elli Belly Buster; a pork roll with eggs any style and cheese, served in a Brioche bun.
Likewise, all the desserts at Elli’s Backyard are popular, but the biggest seller isn’t even on the menu. “We have a hidden item that everyone knows about,” Patrick reveals. This surprise treat is a s’mores board, a charcuterie board with all the fixings for s’mores; they even bring the fire to your table.
About the Owner
Jeffrey’s first restaurant job was at a local pizzeria as a dishwasher. But he started his cooking journey as a 12 year old working the breakfast shift at the pizzeria on weekends; slowly improving his skills over time. At 18, Patrick became a father. “When you have kids young, you tend to make sacrifices,” he says. “I didn’t want to say to my daughter what I gave up because of her. Rather I wanted to say I did XYZ because you were my motivation, and we did it together.”
Future plans for Elli’s Backyard include renovating the retail space next door into a hidden restaurant you enter from Elli’s. It will share a kitchen with Elli’s but offer different menu items.
Visit Elli’s Backyard at 45 Broad St in Red Bank. Look for them online to learn more.
See the Latest Restaurants Open in New Jersey.
Elli’s Backyard FAQs
Yes, they accept reservations.
Yes, they have gluten-free pasta, bread, and buns.
Elli’s Backyard offers vegetarian options, yes.
They offer takeout, yes.
Yes, they offer delivery through Doordash, Grubhub, Slice, Toast, and Uber Eats.
No, they are BYOB (and have a wine partnership to offer a limited selection).
Yes, there is a kids’ menu.
All Photos: © Elli’s Backyard
