The vibrant new all-day hang you need to visit this weekend
You may have been familiar with the 84 Havemeyer Street spot Beck and Call if you’re local, and this year the Beck and Call Founders have revamped, rebranded, and revitalized the location to open Oh Boy.
Open every day (see ohboy.bk for full opening times), this cool restaurant serves what they call “approachable, delicious and locally-sourced food using quality ingredients and some chef techniques.” The McGriddy is a menu favorite, a twist on McDonalds’ breakfast classic, which serves eggs, sausage, special Oh Boy sauce, and syrup on top of proper American pancakes.
The venue includes music as a key part of their experience with a vibey playlist that sets a cool, chilled mood, and plans for the future include vinyl-only sets to make this more of a local hang-out than restaurant. Later in the day, cocktails are served, including one of the best spicy margaritas you’ll ever have.
Speaking to Co-Founder and Co-Owner, Brendan Beck, we discovered more of the story behind this new spot.
“One of the partners and I, Kyle, originally started in the catering business. The Beck and Call brand was catering for higher-end events and hospitality functions. We opened a cafe at the Beck and Call site in Brooklyn during the pandemic to survive. As the world opened up again, I wanted to give the cafe a future and a separate identity. The cafe had a much more relaxed eating mentality than the fine dining side of catering we’d previously worked in. So when building the menu, we [the partners and staff] each brought a piece of ourselves and the food we loved in our hometowns to the table -you’ll see elements of Peruvian, Mexican, Chicagoan and Californian influence in our dishes.”
Beck was raised in California but moved to New York City in 2010, where he’s been ever since “Our Executive Chef saw the 84 Havemeyer Street location on Craigslist and sent me to take a look. It was a happy, lucky coincidence to find it in Williamsburg because I truly fell in love with New York because of this neighborhood.”
The Founders are committed to sourcing high-quality ingredients, so even though the food could be considered simple, the quality ingredients speak for themselves and bring the experience up a notch. They’re also sourcing locally-brewed beers and natural wines for the drinks menus.
“I’ve always loved cooking. I wanted to work at a young age and got into restaurants. I was naturally good at it and loved doing it, so it’s my thing,” says Oh Boy Chef Derek Orrell. “I wanted to make approachable, delicious food at a place where people could chill, hang out, eat, and listen to music. My favorite item on the menu is the Peruano Cobb. Peruvian food is my heart, I’m not Peruvian, but I just love the flavors; it’s a great place and I’ve got great friends from Peru, so that dish is my homage to the country. Come eat our food and try it for yourself!”
Local residents and farther-reaching visitors are already on the McGriddy hype after just a couple of weeks of soft opening for Oh Boy…
“I’ve been coming since it was Beck and Call; at first, I came for the coffee, then the salads (always fresh), and now some of my favorite dishes here are the avo toast, croissants, and the vegan mushroom sandwich.” – Meilyn, a 30-year resident of the block in Williamsburg and Oh Boy regular.
“It’s my first time at Oh Boy, but I’ve known Brendan for a long time, so I’m having the McGriddy” – Patrick.”It’s my first time at Oh Boy, but I’ve known Brendan for a long time, so I’m having the McGriddy” – Patrick.
“I’m treating myself to a spicy margarita and the McGriddy.” – Katie & Cameron, the dog.
