Welcome Cookin with Don
Let's Talk Chuckwagon!
Since early 17th Century England, individuals involved in the meat business referred to a lower priced part of the beef carcass as the "chuck.
Chuckwagon food was comprised of black-eyed peas, beans, corn and cabbage. Of course, there was lots of beef and bison steaks and stews spiced with chiles, garlic, and onion or the occasional catfish or shrimp caught from the rivers, lakes or coastal waters. Sourdough breads (sourdough bullets), quick biscuits, skillet corn bread and cowboy coffee were served with the meals.
The chuckwagon was drawn by oxen or mules. The wagon usually carried food, eating utensils, a water barrel, as well as tools and bed rolls, all tucked away in drawers and shelves and covered by a canvas covering. A hinged counter that folded out was used for choping and preparing the food.
THE MAN - THE CHUCKWAGON
Charles Goodnight
The chuckwagon (a cowboy's portable kitchen wagon used on the cattle trails) was invented by Charles Goodnight in 1866. Charles Goodnight was born with the Texas Revolution, came to the state from Missouri the year Texas entered statehood, and, later, with a handful of men, invented the American ranching industry and the chuckwagon. Charles Goodnight rebuilt an army surplus Studebaker wagon to create his chuckwagon.
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