Owner of Newly Opened YoYo Chicken in Baldwin Pivoted After Pandemic From NYC Food Trucks to Permanent Space on LI
A new chicken spot has opened in Baldwin on Merrick Road called YoYo Chicken, featuring fresh ingredients with almost everything homemade and sandwiches served up on Martin’s potato rolls.
YoYo Chicken opened its doors in early December but had a grand opening ribbon cutting on December 20th.
Owner Omar Elgamal told LongIslandResturants.com in a phone interview recently that his family used to own three food trucks in Manhattan before Covid hit and they decided to sell them. He bided his time as a manager of a Dunkin’ Donuts before coming up with the idea to open his own brick-and-mortar restaurant.
He just happened to see the store at 766 Merrick Road – which was once a Chinese food place – was available to rent and he took a look at it. He liked what he saw. He says his friends encouraged him to open a chicken spot there, where he serves burgers that were also popular with his friends.
YoYo Chicken’s fun name was inspired by his son.
I was going to call it Bald Chicken,” Elgamal said.
The name was a take on Baldwin the town but it just didn’t seem right.
“Then my wife said why not call it YoYo Chicken,” he said.
YoYo is their son’s nickname.
The amusing logo, featuring a round cartoon chicken head, was developed by a designer from Egypt, who is also one of his friends.
Elgamal says all his food is fresh and is 100% Halal.
“We have a rice pudding that is 100% homemade too,” he said.
The small storefront shop has five tables for seating.
Elgamal said when he first spied the vacant space he knew he wanted to open a restaurant but had no idea what kind.
“I didn’t even know what to do with it,” he said with a laugh. “I just like to cook.”
YoYo Chicken is located at 766 Merrick Road in Baldwin. You can reach them at (516) 362-5707 or at www.yoyochicken.com.
📷 YoYo Chicken Facebook page.
