Chubbfathers returns to Chelsea with 2nd location

Will Cholewinski cooked his first meal for his family when he was just 9 years old: cube steaks and gravy, mashed potatoes and green beans.

He has been cooking ever since.

Cholewinski is excited to bring his restaurant, Chubbfathers, back to Chelsea. Formerly known as Chubb’s Grub Station, it was previously located in the Marathon gas station several years ago. Cholewinski said due to some business decisions that had to be made, he had to close in 2015.

The original location in Alabaster, which opened in 2013, has continued to thrive and receive outstanding reviews and honors, and in October, a second location opened in the former Johnny Ray’s location in Chelsea.

“I always knew we would make a return to Chelsea and finished what we started,” Cholewinski said. “The landlord made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. We had already built a good customer base, so I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve the fine folks in Chelsea.”

Cholewinski’s nephew, Caleb Kelley, along with his wife Harley, will be managing in Chelsea. Harley Kelley grew up in Chelsea and said she knows a lot of people in the area and is excited to see how it goes. The couple even met while working at Chubb’s Grub Station.

“We’ve got people from Chelsea who come to our Alabaster location all time and say they have missed us,” Kelley said. “They’ve been traveling here and can’t wait to have us back in Chelsea.”

Because the Chelsea location was already a restaurant, there were not a lot of renovations required, but the restaurant is adding its own decor and paint colors to match the brand.

As for the food, Chubbfathers is known for its burgers, seafood, po’ boys and cheesesteaks. It has been featured on Food Network for its zydeco blackened bacon cheeseburger with homemade Cajun sauce and fried onion straws. The restaurant was also named one of the 50 best burgers in Alabama by Popsugar and is listed in two editions of “100 Things to Eat in Alabama Before You Die.”

Some of the senior employees from Alabaster will help get the Chelsea location up and running, and several new employees were also hired. Kelley said around 10 employees are needed to run things.

In addition to dining in, customers can order online at chownow.com for pickup or call for curbside and takeout services. Delivery service options may be added in the future. Cholewinski also said the restaurant will go back to doing full service catering.

His motto is “Feed the People,” and Cholewinski not only does that through his restaurants, but also through helping with relief efforts. In September, he spent a week in the Gulf Shores area after Hurricane Sally serving others.

“I realized the people trust me, and God trusts me to be a channel and not a reservoir,” he said. “The blessing flows through me and doesn’t stop with me.”

The “Feed the People” initiative donates food to those in need. When customers visit Chubbfathers and bring two non-perishable food items, their drink is free. After 15 donations, their meal is free. When the box gets full, which usually takes a week or two, Cholewinski matches the amount inside and donates it to a local food bank in the community.

Cholewinski said he is not in this business for the money, and gives away around 40% of what the company brings in.

“The Lord told me feeding the people would be my responsibility, and I take that charge very seriously,” he said. “Seeing the difference we make on a daily basis makes me want to do more. I choose to do this because of the people, not the money. That’s what puts a smile on my face, that’s what makes my motor run.”