Chef Matty Matheson of ‘The Bear’ joins Detroit’s Standby

The downtown cocktail bar will debut a new menu developed by the acclaimed restaurateur later this month

Jul 10, 2024 at 3:38 pm

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Matty Matheson stars as Neil Fak in the hit FX series The Bear.

Detroit cocktail bar Standby has joined forces with someone familiar to fans of the hit FX series The Bear.

Matty Matheson — a chef, restaurateur, and New York Times best-selling author who stars in The Bear and serves as one of the show’s executive producers — has joined Standby as a partner, the business announced Wednesday.

Standby’s kitchen will launch a new menu this month developed by Matheson, his first venture in the U.S. with his Our House Hospitality Company. Some of the items include Coconut Shrimp & Jerk Mayo, Mortadella Sliders, Alabama BBQ Grilled Wings, Steak Frites au Poivre, and Taquitos.

“Our vision for Standby has always been to evolve and grow with the times,” said Joe Robinson, Standby owner and operating partner. “We want Standby to be a place that outlives us, and that requires embracing change, innovation, and bold moves. We’re absolutely thrilled to be partnering with Matty and his incredible team, not only for their culinary talents but also because they're genuinely wonderful people.”

In The Bear, Matheson plays Neil Fak, a handyman for the Chicago Italian beef restaurant that serves as the main setting of the show.

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A Canadian, Matheson cut his teeth as executive chef of the former Parts & Labour restaurant in Toronto. He later launched Matty’s Patty’s Burger Club takeout restaurant and Prime Seafood Palace, also in Toronto, and has regularly appeared on Vice’s Munchies.

“I grew up in a border town, and I loved it,” said Matheson. “I would go over to Buffalo to eat at old diners and hot dog stands or watch punk shows. I believe that Detroit and Buffalo share many similarities: both are quintessentially American, working-class cities renowned for their storied food culture. I have a lot of respect and admiration for cities like that, and I’m excited to add to the fold of what makes Detroit such an iconic city.”

Matheson has also worked with Standby partner Anthony Curis to help bring the public skatepark to the recent Little Village development in Detroit, which was designed by pro skater Tony Hawk and artist McArthur Binion.

Standby opened in 2015 and is located at 225 Gratiot Ave., Detroit.

Location Details

Standby

225 Gratiot, Detroit

standbydetroit.com

Slideshow

A first look at ‘Little Village’ arts hub in Detroit’s East Village neighborhood

‘It Takes A Village’ Skate ParkBeside The Shepherd and the sculpture park is a skate park designed by Tony Hawk and McArthur Binion. It was one of the first completed installations of Little Village, so it is the piece that has gotten the most use so far.

ALEO DetroitInside The Shepherd’s former rectory is a bed and breakfast coined ALEO, offering a beautiful interior covered in work by local artists. The six guest suites are meant for artists visiting Detroit from out of town who want to be at the center of the city’s creative community.

McArthur Binion FoundationALEO’s third floor serves as the headquarters for the nonprofit organization Modern Ancient Brown, which provides residencies, mentorship, and resources to local BIPOC artists and writers. One artist resident a year will have a full private apartment in ALEO to live and work at during their time in the program.

Little Village LibraryOn the other side of the building, in the former church’s beautiful main space, there will be a library curated by Asmaa Walton of Black Arts Library. Available books will include artist monographs, exhibition catalogs, and research materials focused on artists of color who have made contributions to the arts in Michigan. The area includes tables and chairs to sit and read at with a group, as well as former confessionals turned personal workspaces. In the near future, Black Arts Library has plans to also open a standalone community bookstore in the East Village neighborhood, which will be its first-ever brick-and-mortar.

Art & Music in the former church’s naveApart from the Little Village library, the central nave and adjacent transept of the space feature two gallery spaces that will display rotating artworks. Each entrance/exit of the galleries serves as its own sort of frame to view the intricate architecture in the building. Additionally, the church’s former altar will serve as a stage for big events, with seating at the lower level, as well as above the main gallery.

Charles McGee Legacy Park The theme of the Shepherd’s grand opening will be “Charles McGee: Time Is Now,” honoring the late Detroit artist, in collaboration with the Museum of Contemporary Arts Detroit. Outside of the building is a Charles McGee Legacy Park, which features sculptures inspired by McGee’s work. Inside the Shepherd’s gallery spaces is the work that the sculptures were based on, which will be displayed for the grand opening and throughout the following month.

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About The Author

Lee DeVito

Leyland “Lee” DeVito is the editor in chief of Detroit Metro Times since 2016. His writing has also been published in CREEM, VICE, In These Times, and New City. He once asked porn star Stormy Daniels to spank him with an issue of Metro Times. She obliged.

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