Scott Bowdish is a lifelong entrepreneur. He got his start selling pagers out of the trunk of his car at flea markets, eventually owning a cellular store, and then another and another until he had 30 stores across the Chicagoland area.
But in 2014, he found his calling.
Bowdish loved steak. Living in downtown Chicago, the steakhouse was his go-to restaurant, and there were plenty to choose from. But after moving to Saugatuck, Michigan, he and his wife realized something was missing.
Bowdish got to work, looking for a location to open his first steakhouse, and Bowdie’s Chophouse was born.
“The location in Saugatuck was a small, converted house with 62 seats,” said Zionsville General Manager Bradley Phelps. “The second location in Lansing was a similar spot with 42 seats. It was always people who had dined here before, wanting it close to them, that caused Scott to open up another spot, and now, there are six across the country.”
He started close to home with a location in Saugatuck, and then Grand Rapids and Lansing. Then began branching out to Hilton Head, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia.
A chance encounter with a legendary race car driver solidified Bowdish’s next targeted location: Zionsville, Indiana.
One of those people who wanted Bowdie’s Chophouse close to him happened to be Bobby Rahal. He had frequented the Saugatuck location for years, and when the Graham Rahal Performance campus was under construction at Creekside Corporate Park in Zionsville, they knew just who to call for a unique and classy dining experience.
Bowdie’s Chophouse in Zionsville opened just weeks ago, and true to Bowdish’s style, the special location includes a special twist.
Graham Rahal Performance often hosts Cars & Coffee events. They have the WheelHouse Social Club, an exotic car and race car storage facility for Founders and Collectors members and often host special community events.
The campus includes the 105,000-square-foot Rahal Ducati Indianapolis showroom, Rahal Paint Protection and Rahal Precision Tint operations. There is office space for the Graham and Courtney Rahal Foundation, a coffee shop, Rivet Coffee and more.
The upscale restaurant has also always been in the plans.
It’s the perfect spot for drivers to stop in or entertain visitors, but it’s also a great spot for the lunchtime crowd from Zionsville businesses.
“Bowdie’s Chophouse faces the courtyard of Ducati and the Rahal racing building. They often have car shows and motorcycle shows out there,” Phelps said. “We can seat 154 inside and 30 outside. The private dining space overlooks the WheelHouse, and part of the dining room also faces the museum space, with different cars rotated every so often.”
They’re aiming for a dining experience that has a high-end feel but is also family-friendly.
Designed by Bowdish-selected Kristine Kay Interiors, imagine the checkered flag-inspired black-and-white tile, sleek accents, rich woods, leather seating and vintage lighting.
“We want to be the place for the special occasions but also the day-in and day-out dining spot,” Phelps said. “We’ve already had a lot of people that live here in Zionsville stop by and ask because they’ve been to the other locations, and they’re excited we’re in Indiana.”
The menu, of course, centers around Bowdie’s favorite: the USDA prime.
“The largest steak we have is the 36-ounce tomahawk. The tomahawk and the porterhouse are shareable and make a great appetizer, too. The chef has fresh catch salmon and chicken liberties, and he’ll rotate those dishes throughout the season. We also have a soup of the day, appetizers and dessert, but it’s really a core, tight menu across all locations,” Phelps said.
Start the meal off with appetizers like shrimp cocktail, seared scallops or prime tartare. Choose between salads and seasonal soup selections, and then enjoy a variety of steaks, including the 18-ounce Kansas City and the 10-ounce filet mignon. Listed on the shareable menu, guests can try the au gratin potatoes, lobster mac, truffle fries or Brussels & belly, to name a few.
They also have an assorted menu of wine and spirits with bourbon, vodka, tequila and gin.
The staff at Bowdie’s and Graham Rahal Performance hope visitors enjoy the family-friendly atmosphere, complete with great food and unique entertainment.
Whether you are a racing enthusiast, a foodie or simply someone who appreciates luxurious steakhouse dining, Bowdie’s Chophouse has you covered.
Visit bowdieschophouse.com for a full menu, and for a list of upcoming public events on campus, visit grahamrahalperformance.com.
