For Jeff Ford, the path to a successful culinary career began in the back of a catering company’s semi-trailer. He perfected his chicken frying technique there when he was just 17 and that led to stints as sous chef and executive chef at various country clubs and restaurants in Indiana and Kentucky. In 2006, he was named the top country club chef in an Ohio Valley Club Managers Association competition.
Wife Kelly’s food service background includes working at restaurants in high school and college and after graduation before transitioning to a successful career in sales.
So, when the Fords took over the Black Angus, an established Terre Haute steak house in 2007, good things — and good eating — were bound to happen. With Jeff as executive chef and Kelly running front of the house operations, J. Ford’s Black Angus has a well-deserved reputation for serving excellent food in a comfortable setting. State. Rep. Bob Heaton, a restaurant regular, can attest to J. Ford’s commitment to providing its customers an outstanding and unique experience. After all, how can you go wrong with a kitchen commandment like this one: “We wouldn’t serve a customer anything we wouldn’t be proud to serve our mother.”
The menu rotates regularly so be sure to visit www.jfordsblackangus.com to see what’s currently being created in the kitchen. Perennial favorites are the Lobster Corn Dog appetizer and the tightly trimmed New York Strip Steak, chef Jeff’s choice. Even the House Salad — a menu staple that rarely gets a shout out — is a show-stopping medley of greens, mandarins, feta cheese and red onion rings in a creamy vinaigrette dressing. A six-time Wine Spectator Award of Excellence winner, J. Ford’s offers an extensive selection of wines of all varieties, domestic and imported as well as full bar of other spirits.
J. Ford’s is located in historic downtown Terre Haute at the corner of 7th and Walnut streets, two blocks south of Wabash Avenue. Guests can enjoy food and drinks in the bar, the dining room and in J. Ford’s three private dining rooms.
If you go …
J. Ford’s Black Angus
129 S. 7th St., Terre Haute, Indiana
812-235-5549
