A First Look at Backyard Betty’s in Southie

The dining room at Backyard Betty’s. / Photo by Mike Diskin

Craving cookout fare, but not quite ready to pull out your own grill for the season? You may want to head to Backyard Betty’s, opening tonight in South Boston.

The retro-style restaurant features all-American decor and comfort food, including a Nashville hot chicken sandwich, deviled eggs, and steak tips cooked on a custom wood-fired grill. The kitchen team, led by executive chef Jeff Howe, an alum of the Columbus Hospitality Group, will also be cranking out wood-grilled pizzas with toppings such as pulled chicken and ham and cheese. Sides, including grilled corn, peppers and onions, and rosemary sea salt chips, are all vegetarian.

Retro chic vibes at Backyard Betty’s. / Mike Diskin

Meanwhile, the drinks program, overseen by Will Piquette, formerly of Island Creek Oyster Bar & Yvonne’s, focuses on local beers (think Night Shift, Jack’s Abby, and Notch) and colorful cocktails like the Rainbow Unicorn with Deep Eddy vodka, passion fruit puree, and rainbow sherbet. Other highlights include pitchers of sangria and boozy milkshakes.

Owners Dave Matteo and Dave Winick, who are also investors in nearby Publico, turned to Assembly Design Studio’s Erica Diskin to outfit the 5,300-square-foot space. Pop art from the 1970s and ’80s is peppered throughout. The design also includes a 42-foot custom bar covered in aluminum siding reminiscent of an Airstream trailer, with vintage televisions (and modern flat-screens) adorning the backbar.

A closer look at the bar. / Photo by Mike Diskin

“Pop’s Garage,” an intimate ten-seat bar behind reclaimed garage doors is another design highlight. The walls are covered with repurposed tools, auto-inspired decor, and even a vintage motorbike.

The intimate, garage-themed bar. / Photo by Mike Diskin

Opens Friday, May 18 at 4 p.m. Open daily from 4 p.m.-1 a.m. Backyard Betty’s, 170 West Broadway, South Boston, 617-766-8955, backyardbettys.com.