ZETUS — Chief’s Grill announced it would open a Steakhouse at the former Funky Monkey on Zetus Road in September. Wednesday was the first official day of business for the new steakhouse at 1378 Zetus Road. General Manager Chad Walker said business was steady. 

Chief’s Grill Steakhouse will serve steaks from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. It will be dine in or carry out. The menu will feature seafood, barbecue, alfredo, smoked sausage, salads, sandwiches and more. Chief’s Grill will serve non-steak items from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

Shay Bessonette was the owner of Funky Monkey. She stepped away from the business in September to focus on her family.

Brian Knight, Chief’s Grill owner, said he always had plans of opening up a sit down restaurant. They got to work renovating the Funky Monkey space. There are 12 tables for dine-in and have connected the kitchen to the building. 

“There was a lot of work. It was always the plan but I had no idea it would be here,” Knight said. 

The restaurant is decorated with memorabilia honoring Brian’s grandfather Robert “Chief” Knight who served in the military and was a world champion skeet shooter. It is where the restaurant got its name. 

Already Knight and Walker are planning ways to expand their menu. Knight said he hopes to sell genuine pork and chicken cracklings and make boudin. Eventually on Sundays, they will have a soul food lunch special. 

Other ideas in the works include barbecue, broiled seafood and crawfish and other specials. 

Steaks at the restaurant come from a stockyard in Iowa and are prime graded cuts of meat. Chief’s will sell an 8 ounce prime center cut filet and a 14 ounce prime ribeye. Each comes with two side options. 

One exciting item coming back on the menu will be Fried Broccoli. 

Chief’s Grill is offering a junior Chief Burger as well and will add steak bites to the menu. 

Walker said they will have a blue plate special Wednesday through Friday and the drink will be included. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday they will be open for private parties, catering weddings, birthdays and events. 

“We are also offering gift certificates for the holidays,” Walker said. “They make great stocking stuffers.”