If you walked down Wyckoff Avenue in Bushwick a few years ago, you couldn't miss it. The teal walls. That big baby blue bar. The smell of wood-fired jerk chicken wafting out of a backyard that always sounded like a party you weren't quite cool enough for, but were invited to anyway. Sally Roots Brooklyn NY wasn't just another restaurant; it was a neighborhood anchor.
But then, the lights went out.
Honestly, the closure of Sally Roots in late 2023 felt like a gut punch to the local dining scene. It was one of those rare spots that actually balanced "vibe" with "value." Most places in Brooklyn either charge you $30 for a mediocre entree or have the personality of a wet paper towel. Sally Roots was different. It had soul, mostly because it was born from real stories and a genuine love for Caribbean culture.
The Story Behind the Name
You might think Sally was the owner. She wasn't. The name actually comes from a Calypso record collection belonging to the grandmother of co-owner James Freeman. The label was "Sally Ruth," but with a St. Croix accent, it sounds like "Roots."
James Freeman and Johnny De Piper—the guys behind other local favorites like Sweet Science and Featherweight—teamed up with designer Matthew Maddy to create this "urban island" escape. They wanted it to feel like your grandma's kitchen, provided your grandma lived in the West Indies and made a mean rum punch.
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It worked.
Why Everyone Obsessed Over the Menu
The food wasn't trying to be "fusion" in that annoying, over-complicated way. It was just Caribbean-American comfort.
If you went there and didn't order the tostones, you basically failed the visit. They were crisp, salty, and served with a garlic sauce so aggressive it probably kept vampires away for a three-block radius. People used to joke about buying that sauce by the gallon.
- The Oxtail Bowl: This was the heavy hitter. Braised until the meat literally surrendered off the bone, served over rice and peas.
- The Drinks: They had a cocktail called "Everything," which lived up to the name by packing roughly five different spirits into one glass.
- The Pork: Smoked with mojo, it was the kind of dish that made a bad Tuesday feel like a vacation.
The prices were kept low on purpose. Back in 2016, you could grab a massive plate of food for under $20. In New York City, that's practically a miracle.
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The Mystery of the Sudden Exit
So, what happened? Why did a place that was constantly packed—especially during their legendary boozy brunches—suddenly vanish?
In November 2023, the team posted a goodbye on Instagram. The culprit was the same thing killing half the cool spots in the city: inflation and overhead. When your whole brand is built on being "affordable for everyone in the neighborhood," and the cost of oxtail and rent starts skyrocketing, the math just stops working.
Some locals noticed the service had slowed down toward the end. Others complained about the 20% automatic gratuity, which is common now but was a bit of a shock to some back then. But mostly, people were just sad.
The space at 195 Wyckoff Ave didn't stay empty for long. By early 2024, rumors were flying about an Italian spot taking over. It's a common story in Bushwick—one culture moves out, another moves in, and the neighborhood's DNA shifts just a little bit more.
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Is There Anywhere Else Like It?
If you're still craving that specific Sally Roots Brooklyn NY energy, you aren't totally out of luck. The owners still run Sally’s in Bed-Stuy (151 Tompkins Ave).
It’s not a carbon copy. Sally’s leans more into an Asian-influenced Caribbean menu. Think oxtail dumplings and crab rangoon with a Caribbean twist. It’s got that same lush, greenery-filled interior and the "vacation as a lifestyle" mantra. It’s great, though some die-hards swear the original Bushwick location had a grit and a "party in the backyard" feel that you just can't replicate.
Actionable Takeaways for Caribbean Food Seekers
If you're looking to fill the void left by Sally Roots, here is how to navigate the current Brooklyn landscape:
- Visit Sally’s in Bed-Stuy: It’s the direct descendant. Go for the "Irie" cocktail and the rice bowls.
- Explore Little Caribbean: If you want authentic, no-frills Caribbean, head to Flatbush or Crown Heights. Spots like The Islands or Peppa’s will give you that oxtail fix without the "urban island" decor.
- Check the Vibe First: If you’re looking for a backyard patio similar to the Wyckoff spot, always call ahead. Many Brooklyn "backyards" are seasonal or have strict noise ordinances that change yearly.
- Support Black-Owned Businesses: Sally Roots was a prominent Black-owned business in a rapidly gentrifying area. Seeking out similar entrepreneurs helps keep the cultural diversity of the borough alive.
The era of Sally Roots on Wyckoff is over, but its influence on how we eat Caribbean food in a casual, high-design setting still lingers. Just don't expect to find that garlic sauce anywhere else—that secret might have gone down with the ship.