The original Texas food truck was a chuck wagon, and you will be able to find a whole food park of them at the Gillespie County Fairgrounds in Fredericksburg from April 5-7, 2018. The event is organized by the American Chuck Wagon Association. Saturday’s schedule includes a meal from competing teams including chicken fried steak, potatoes, beans, bread, and dessert. Meal tickets are $20 but there is no charge to attend the event.
Robert C Deming
History
The Chuck Wagon: The Original Texas Food Truck
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1. First Come First Served, Saturday April 7, 2018
Photo: Robert C Deming
Meals which will fill you up and benefit kids, cooked over open fires with 1800’s technology. Tickets can be purchased in advance. This will likely be a sell-out, make your plans to attend early with time to wander through the camps and see what attention to detail these enthusiasts go to for an authentic experience. The Fairgrounds are on the south side of Fredericksburg along Hwy 16,
2. Learn About Life in the 1800s
Photo: Robert C Deming
Thursday is public education today, particularly focusing on 6th-grade students. This surrey (with fringe on top!) was the station wagon and pickup truck of the 1800s and early 1900s, and this one comes complete with a dog.
3. Learn About Chuck Wagon Cooking on the Frontier
Photo: Robert C Deming
Participants wear period clothing and cook over wood stoves with authentic equipment. And they love what they do! See what you can learn about Dutch Oven cooking from them. The time period for these wagons and clothing is the trail drive era, 1866 to 1886.
4. Horse-Drawn Food Trucks!
Photo: Robert C Deming
This chuck wagon is only missing a horse, but the harness and tack are all there.
5. Chuck Wagon For Sale
Photo: Robert C Deming
Chuck wagons are still being built, and this one was for sale at last year’s event. Do you see a chuck wagon in your future?
