What’s Cookin’?

The cook shack of the Atkinson wagon, was much more ‘shack’ than ‘cook.’ At that time, it was not a professional trailer as it is today. Instead, it was a converted hotdog stand like those used at county fairs.

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In 1982, the Desperados finally had their own wagon, but there was nary a cook shack. So, in true Desperado fashion, we hired a caterer from Houston who drove out to the wagon each morning and evening.

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In 1986, Joe Bennett proposed that the Desperados buy a cook shack and cook their own meals throughout the ride. The food would be better and cheaper, and, more importantly, it would all be a lot of fun.

The cook shack was bought by Beverly and Archie Bennett Sr. and put into service by Joe Bennett in 1987. It served the Desperados faithfully for 20 years and became a central element of the Desperados and a huge success.

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In 2007, a state-of-the-art cook shack was purchased by Beverly and Gary Smith, then outfitted and put into service by Joe and Travis Bennett with the help of countless others. It is, truly, a professional kitchen on wheels and a major source of Desperado pride. The quality of Desperado cuisine is imitated and envied by other wagons, but has never been matched.