Dave Schonfelder has a long history of cooking in the Macomb area, including for Farm King, MDH and the Elks. He has also set up his “kitchen on wheels,” or KOW, at Western Illinois University and various community events.
On June 15, Schonfelder opened his new eating establishment, Fields Chuck Wagon at 233 E. Jackson St. in Macomb, the site of the former Weaver Guns & Ammo and Standard gas station because “It’s the right thing to do.” One might wonder where the name “Fields” enters the picture.
Dave’s ancestors were from northern Austria. Not wanting people to struggle with pronouncing his last name of Schonfelder, he took the first part of his name which means beautiful in Austrian, and added the last part of his name, felder, which means fields. Beautiful Fields. Thus, Fields Chuck Wagon was born.
Schonfelder is no backyard cook. He has trained with Matt Jost, the Chief Executive Chef associated with Weber Grills, spending three months in St. Louis to take six sessions on the proper way to grill meat and other foods. He has also attended cooking education courses and worked in New York. Schonefelder, in his lifetime, has also recorded music and written books.
The grilling business is just one more talent belonging to this entrepreneur.
Since Fields Chuck Wagon is taking over a building that was not set up for cooking, the establishment will be remodeled slightly in three phases.
Make no mistake, the basic interior of the former Weaver Guns and Ammo shop is already very tastefully designed with wood plank laminate flooring and small gooseneck barn lights decorating the walls.
Small changes will make the building restaurant-like in no time.
Dave is in the process of opening boxes of new furniture and assembling tables, chairs and benches.
Phase one of the three phases will find Schonfelder grilling delicious meats in his kitchen on wheels just outside of the newly purchased building. Customers can purchase their food for takeout or sit outside at one of Fields Chuck Wagon’s tables.
Phase two, which will happen later this fall, will consist of indoor seating with food brought in from the mobile kitchen in health department-approved containers. Phase three involves installation of a professional kitchen area in the facility.
Fields Chuck Wagon, starting immediately, will serve up such mouthwatering foods as ribeyes, smoked chicken, smash burgers, grilled tenderloins, cherry smoked pulled pork, cowboy beans, quarter pound beef hotdogs, beef hotdogs for kids, chips and drinks including their unique watermelon shakeup. Later in the game, they will possibly sell such foods as smoked salmon, homemade soups, and fried bologna.
Fields Chuck Wagon uses no lighter fluids and only uses cherry, hickory and oak woods. No bark is ever burned in the grilling process.
Schonfelder stresses the importance of new businesses joining the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce. He states that the connections made alone make the membership totally worthwhile, in addition to receiving the support they offer. Fields Chuck Wagon will be open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturdays with the hours of 11 a.m. until the crowd leaves. Fields Chuck Wagon also caters and they can be reached at 309335-6368 or on Facebook messenger.
Fields Chuck Wagon is currently hiring cooks and servers. The new restaurant has a prime location, catching the square traffic and the City Hall employees. It is also located at one of the busiest traffic intersections in Macomb.
An official Grand Opening will be held when the business is closer to being completely finished.
