Since the original Chuckwagon restaurant was inspired by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, prominent community members at the time, current Food Service Manager Todd Skinner thought that the location’s cowboy history should be reflected in his Neighborhood to Nation Recipe Contest entry. A West regional winner out of Surprise, Ariz., Skinner developed a Cowboy Cookie Sandwich to honor that tradition, envisioning something that “would be fitting for a cattle drive over long distances for long periods of time.”
The sweet-savory Cowboy Cookie Sandwich pairs fruits scones made with Pillsbury™ Place & Bake™ Cranberry-Orange Scones with deli meat and cheese and just a touch of honey. The Chuckwagon staff and regulars are also big fans of Pillsbury Buttermilk biscuits, which are a hit at breakfast with peppered white gravy.
The lifeblood of the resort for ages 55 and up, the Chuckwagon is run mostly with volunteers who reside in the resort. Skinner and his team train all the volunteers in food service production, taking advantage of any unique skills. “Eliminating labor costs allows us to provide the best quality foods at the lowest prices in town,” he says.
Even though many residents are seasonal, the Chuckwagon dining room remains open 24/7 year-round so that residents and visitors can meet, eat, converse, catch up on news and play games at their convenience. During the busy winter season, Skinner oversees a variety of special events and dinners as well as the resort’s ice cream shop and poolside dining.
As a Regional Recipe Winner in the Neighborhood to Nation contest, Skinner will receive $5,000 as well as $1,000 to share with a local nonprofit. A former social worker, he recently adopted a puppy and will share his donation with K-9 Konnection, which rescues animals and places them for adoption.
Notes Address: 17200 W. Bell Rd. Surprise, Arizona Website: http://www.happytrailsresort.info/chuckwagon/ Facebook: @happytrailsresort