Meet Lindsay Chastain | Chef & Restauranteur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lindsay Chastain and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lindsay, what do you attribute your success to?
Confidence is the most important factor in Dandy Lion’s success. I have conviction in our food; making most things in house, smoking our own meats, baking our own breads & desserts, utilizing all of the amazing local producers & farmers, & offering unique specials for our guests. Having an art background has helped me view the restaurant world through the lens of creative problem solving and resolved intent. I find it helps block out some of the noise of certain fads and gimmicks. I’m not interested in trying to compete or compare. I know what I want to put out into the world; I want to continue getting better and I want my brand to grow with me–and bring all of our customers along for the ride!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I co-own and operate a breakfast & lunch restaurant in Iowa City called the Dandy Lion. I am also the head chef. I worked in restaurants/catering since I was 19 but mostly on the front of house side. I never thought I’d be a chef or a restaurant owner. When I was first approached about opening up Dandy Lion, I mocked up a menu and had a good idea what kind of food I wanted to serve and what kind of concept we would run with. I loved cooking but had no training or idea on how to run a kitchen. We hired a kitchen manager and that lasted for a little while, but eventually through a series of globally felt events I found myself in the kitchen full time. I’ve had to learn as I go; from cooking, to kitchen management, inventory management, etc etc. It is definitely hard at times, but I think overall it’s been a better way to learn for me personally. Staffing has been an issue for many restaurants since COVID but that’s something we have just had to work with. I try to make sure that I am actively working beside my staff and that there is nothing that I would ask of them that I am not willing to do myself. We have landed amazing employees that are dedicated to the restaurant and will show up for us again and again. My business partner and myself are there every day with staff and customers so the restaurant is truly cared for and it shows.
I have learned that knowing when to cut your losses or correctly valuing your time are some of the most important skills you can learn. No one will value your time or energy the way that you do, so hand it out accordingly. It’s easy to spread yourself too thin and everyone has a breaking point–if you don’t set constraints or boundaries, your body just might make that decision for you. We used to do dinner service Thursday through Saturday with a changing menu and was really the time when I got to play with food the most. It built up a following and kept growing. Then COVID hit and we cancelled dinner for a while. When we were deciding whether to start it up again or not, I decided to stop dinner service. Sixteen hour days for half of the week just didn’t seem physically possible anymore–no matter how much I wanted to go crazy making all kinds of entrees and menus. It was a difficult darling to kill, but the right choice for my physical and mental wellbeing..

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
For good eats, Deluxe Bakery is my day off spot. The coffee is awesome and I will get a box of pastries to parcel throughout the day. Ramen Belly has hands down the best ramen in the area. The Bep Teahouse has fantastic bubble tea, Korean Corndogs, and stuffed mochi waffles–best afternoon snack stop. For dinner, Cobble Hill is my all time, number one favorite dinner spot for a nicer evening. Wildwood has the best barbecue in town and have live music or wrestling events on some nights if you’re looking for something extra. I’m sober so for drinks Wild Culture and The Green House both have great alcohol & non alcohol options, as well as some CBD beverages too if you’re looking for a different kind of buzz.
For activities, the Raptor Center is my favorite day spot I send people to. They house injured or human imprinted birds of prey and have just about every species you’d find in the Midwest. Its amazing to see them so close. Skateland is great on a Thursday or Friday night for roller skating. Gabe’s always has a show going on and you’re sure to see someone you know on either side of the bar. George’s is still my favorite local spot for drinks, burgers, and an intimate atmosphere.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to thank my amazing family; they have always made me feel like I could do anything I put my mind to. My husband for all of his hard work, support, and patience–building literal kitchen in places they shouldn’t be, working expo every weekend & untangling whatever balls of anxiety I throw into his lap. He is capable of making me feel powerful when I am at my lowest.
My rad female friends; we may all be busy, far flung, or have lapses in communication but I know they are cheering me on and encouraging me while I least expect it. Small things like sending a card just to say, ‘you’re a badass and I love what you’re doing’ are just the biggest and most meaningful acts when they come at just the right moment.

Website: http://thedandylionic.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedandylionic/