Beck and Call Review: The Meanwood pub that everyone wishes was their local

Beck and Call Leeds Review, written by YFG’s Jemima Parsons and photographed by YFG’s Jonathan Harris

Beck and Call Review: The Meanwood pub that everyone wishes was their local

If there’s one thing you can say for sure about Yorkshire, it’s that there are some jolly good pubs to be found. Pubs with great food, great atmosphere, great booze; pubs to relax in, pubs to celebrate in; muddy boot pubs or stick-your-heels-on pubs – they can all be found in God’s Own Country.

So, you can imagine our excitement to visit the newest project from the folks who blessed Leeds with Belgrave Music Hall, Ox Club, Headrow House and Water Lane Boathouse. Based in the middle of Meanwood, Beck and Call is the wonderful new addition to Leeds’ pub scene. Formerly the ‘True Briton’, the local pub has been given a much-needed facelift to restore it to its pride of place. Directors Ashley Kollakowski and Simon Stevens have created a space quite different from their other ventures in the city centre. Suitable for families, sports fanatics or those wanting a chilled space to hang out, Beck and Call is the perfect community pub.

The Location

Featuring stylish outdoor spaces both out front and back, Beck and Call is the place to be for catching rays when the sun comes out. Dropped down to avoid over-looking the neighbours, the front outdoor space is instantly inviting with strips of grass, overhead vines and large tables to relax at. Beck and Call has its own large car park and is surrounded by trees for a peaceful country-pub feel despite its suburban location. The pub is a proper community hub with something for all the ages – when we visited for late lunch a comprehensive age range were enjoying all Beck and Call had to offer. Chilled out but with a great atmosphere; kids, parents and grandparents alike can kick-back at Beck and Call.

First Impressions

Stepping inside, the décor is a warm and welcoming mix of moody, jazzy colours and vintage styling which creates a space you can’t help but enjoy sitting in. The bar area is wonderfully cosy looking, with an open fire and log burner adding to the vibes on cold days. Bright and airy on light days, and smooth and atmospheric in the evenings, the velvet sofas and art deco wallpaper make for one of the best-looking pub in Leeds. Beck and Call certainly lives up to the effortless styling of Headrow House, Belgrave and Water Lane Boathouse in the city centre. To transform the space into all it is today, an extension was added which lets the light flood in and provides ample table space (needed for this popular haunt).

Beck and Call’s Menu

The menu has been curated by Ben Davy, Food Development Chef for the group (which includes the Michelin Guide Recommended restaurant Ox Club at Headrow House), who said:  “We’ve focussed on a proper traditional offering this time around, with something for everyone, including a number of vegetarian and vegan dishes.”

If you’re debating whether to get starters as you begin your meal, let me save you some thought – do! Not only do you get your money’s worth and then some, the locally sourced ingredients and curated menu make for a DELICIOUS start to dinner. We sampled the Pork and Black Pudding Scotch Egg, Fish Cakes and then the Yorkshire Rarebit. Each dish absolutely sang with flavour. The Scotch Egg had a runny, yolky centre which went perfectly with the meaty goodness of the black pudding and contrasted to the bright veggies on the plate. The Rarebit was certainly large so come with a hungry stomach. The flavours were strong, the Yorkshire Blue and Cheddar cheese balancing the Guinness and English Mustard. Finished with cream, this dish is not for the faint-hearted.

What about the mains?

The mains were equally as delicious and sizable as the starters. The Fish and Chips, which featured Beer Battered Haddock, Twice Cooked Skin-on Chips,  Tartare Sauce and creamy Mushy peas, was a strong choice. The fish was cooked to perfection – flaky, juicy and battered so it was neither greasy nor dry. Despite it being a large portion of fish, and the chips being equally as chunky, the whole plate was quickly demolished, including the flavoursome tartare sauce and peas. Sampling the Sausage and Mash was dreamy – Yorkshire sausages from R&J Butchers went wonderfully with the rich gravy and creamy mash. Total comfort food that is absolutely worth it!

Finally, we tried the Steak and Ale Pie. Slow-braised Yorkshire Beef in a thick ale gravy – what more could you really want from a pub dinner? I would recommend everything that I tried and look forward to getting stuck into the rest of the tempting dishes. The items on the menu have been chosen as pub classics to celebrate high quality, relaxed dining, the likes of which are quite unique to great pubs.

Beck and Call Leeds Review Final Thoughts?

The Beck and Call is absolutely worth a visit, and it will certainly become a firm favourite in many people’s books. With space for traditional pub-goers and sports fanatics in the Tap Room (a room with large screens, pub games and chilled bar stools), space for families on the huge sofas or play-area outside, and space for those wanting a fantastic meal at a fair price; Beck and Call really is a community hub for everyone who walks through the door. It’s stylish, comfy and welcoming, and you definitely won’t leave feeling hungry.

Keep your eyes out for events happening at Beck and Call, as they’re planning lots of exciting things up ahead. Having already run a Steak Week where they teamed up with Ox Club (of their popular Headrow House venue), plans for seasonal events and exciting foodie ventures are on the menu.

The Beck and Call
Stainbeck Rd, Leeds LS7 2NP
0113 266 1192

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