Chief's offers perfect respite for the holiday season

Monday, December 8, 2008
Restaurant Manager Indy New and Chef/Owner Steve Geabes are proud of the décor in their downtown Greencastle restaurant. The full-service restaurant recently shortened their name from "Chief's South by Southwest" to simply "Chief's."

No matter how tired you are from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, a trip to Chief's Restaurant will fill your belly and your soul.

Chief's has only been open since last June but the big chief and chef; Steve Geabes has been in the restaurant field for a long time. He originally made a name for himself locally cooking at Hathaway's Restaurant in the basement of what is now the Greencastle Chamber of Commerce building.

Geabes and his long time friend Indy New have worked together in various restaurants including the old Hathaway's and Toppers. New is the manager of the restaurant and has been instrumental in its success.

Born and raised in Greencastle, Geabes attended Indiana University determined to become a journalist.

"It wasn't a good fit for me so I had to learn to cook," he smiled. He seems to have found his niche. For the last 20 years he has been cooking. Locally he has been the chef at Hathaway's and Toppers. And, did a short stint with the traveling Barnum and Bailey circus.

Cooking isn't his only passion, he is also a musician. In the 1980's he played in a band for a living. Called Big Bash the band was pretty popular says Geabes.

More recently he played with Roswell 47.

"That band was real popular with the 20 or so people who came to see us," joked Geabes.

Chief's is a celebration of food with a little flourish of fun involved.

"We have good music, great food and fantastic service. Because of that we have people who have followed Indy (the restaurant's manager) and I wherever we have gone," said Geabes.

"We know just about everybody who comes in and if we don't know as they enter the restaurant, we do when they leave," said Wells.

The restaurant offers lunch specials with things like Southwestern grilled chicken salad, a blackened catfish Po-boy, red beans and rice and all types of sandwiches. Lunch prices range from $3.99-$6.99.

The dinner menu is a little more expansive offering steak, fish and plenty of other delicious items.

Private parties and catering are also available at the restaurant. DePauw students receive a 10 percent discount with their student identification. Fans can even buy Chief's tee shirts.

They are located at 5 E. Franklin Street and can be reached at 765-301-4135

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  • Dear Maribeth, What a wonderful article about "Chiefs"!! It was well written & the picture was taken perfectly! HOWEVER, you could have concentrated a bit more on the manager. She's an adorable person! Sincerely, Indy's Momma!

    -- Posted by Jerri2111 on Tue, Dec 9, 2008, at 8:48 PM
  • Who in the heck is Wells?

    -- Posted by sickand tired on Wed, Dec 10, 2008, at 7:47 PM
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