About Us
The Chef
Special Events & Back Country Trips
Special Events & Back Country Trips
A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America & over 25 years of experience cooking throughout the United States & over seas. Chef Macchina is excited to present his passionate culinary vision to you. He is committed to making you smile one bite at a time by using fresh & quality ingredients. His original rustic style of cooking, Italia
A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America & over 25 years of experience cooking throughout the United States & over seas. Chef Macchina is excited to present his passionate culinary vision to you. He is committed to making you smile one bite at a time by using fresh & quality ingredients. His original rustic style of cooking, Italian heritage & attention to detail ensures that his food is simple yet delicious.
Special Events & Back Country Trips
Special Events & Back Country Trips
Special Events & Back Country Trips
Yes, we cater private events & back country trips: weddings, business lunches, dinners, cocktail receptions, and more. Going into the back coutry & want to treat yourself to a gourmet meal? We would love to discuss how to be a part of your next event or adventure. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
Commitment to Quality
Special Events & Back Country Trips
Commitment to Quality
We refuse to compromise on the quality of food at The Meatza Wagon. That's why we source as many fresh ingredients from local greenhouses & gardens when in season. Also, because we are a "food truck" folks often think that we are a "fast food" place. No deep fryer in here! We pride ourselves on serving high quality food as fast as we can.
We refuse to compromise on the quality of food at The Meatza Wagon. That's why we source as many fresh ingredients from local greenhouses & gardens when in season. Also, because we are a "food truck" folks often think that we are a "fast food" place. No deep fryer in here! We pride ourselves on serving high quality food as fast as we can. So please sit back, relax, enjoy the view, and allow us the proper time to execute. An average wait time is somewhere between 10-15 minutes.
More Reviews
Amazing Food
My boyfriend and I ate there on our trip to Kennicott last week. It was one of the BEST meals I've had in my entire life. The meatball sub was incredible, the pasta salad was light, fresh, and delicious (and I usually hate pasta salad), and my boyfriend couldn't stop raving about the pork carnitas. I was so impressed! Thanks for the amazing food- it was a wonderful addition to our trip!
Feels Good
The Meatza Wagon food made us come back again and again during our month's stay in McCarthy. The meatball sandwich is insane. And you will like the laidback owner who remembers your name after one visit. Feels good, tastes good!
Do Yourself A Favor
YUM!
Stayed 2 nights at Kennicott Glacier Lodge but ate all of my meals here!! This is hands down the best food around, I'd go out of my way to eat here if it were in Anchorage!
You can tell the owner/cook has a real passion for cooking, beautiful presentation, fantastic fresh ingredients, time and attention to in each dish. Do yourself a favor and if you are one of the lucky few to visit McCarthy/Kennicott, stop on by The Meatza Wagon, you'll be glad you did!
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Kitchen Assistant-2025
- Summer Seasonal Work- June 1st - September 5th, 2023
- Job: Kitchen Assistant- 40hrs/week $15+/hr + tips (avg. $75/day, tips)
- Free Housing (your own cabin)
- Working with chefs in a Food Truck, serving locals & tourists, perched beside the Kennicott Glacier.
- Looking for a charismatic up beat person with plenty of energy. Someone with a sense of adventure and who likes to have fun @work and on their own time.
- This is a fun work environment in a small tight knit community with plenty of opportunity to explore mountains, glaciers & rivers.
- Taking orders & money from customers, plating food, prep-cooking, baking, washing dishes, cleaning. Assists in food preparation.
- “window duties” – taking orders, money, greeting guests etc…
- Washing dishes according to localized process.
- Cleans work area when cooking is completed.
- Assists in keeping kitchen area clean, including, refrigerators, freezers, dry storage areas & dishes.
- Operates equipment in safe and sanitary manner. Reports to Executive Chef or other supervisor on food supply shortage or any other problem at the station.
- Assists in receiving and storage of food when necessary. Performs other duties as requested.
- Assists other cooks in food preparation as needed.
- Breaks down the station in the end of each shift: turns off all equipment and lights, locks storage areas.
- You must obtain an Alaska Food Workers Card prior to your start.
Location & Activities
· The Meatza Wagon is a Gourmet Food Truck located in the historic town of Kennicott, AK, which is located within Wrangell St. Elias National Park. (Largest National Park in N. America)
· Kennicott is a very remote town, 60 miles from pavement, local summer residents range from 200-250 people, & thousands of annual tourists.
· The remote nature of this location provides for a challenge in running a food truck as well as otherwise “normal” daily routine. You will need to be flexible and understanding when it comes to certain tasks & daily routine. Stay open minded and acceptant to these procedures.
· The Surrounding area provides an abundance of outdoor adventuring, activities, wildlife & a local community.
· Hiking, Pack Rafting, Back Packing, Ice Climbing, Glacier Hikes, Flight Sees, Fishing, Biking & Community Softball every Friday Night!
· There are 5 other restaurants in the area to go along with, 2 hotels, hostel, camp grounds, guide services & flight services, a small grocery store and 2 bars
· Live music venues also pass through the valley
Food & Chef
· Even though The Meatza Wagon is a Food Truck, The food is “gourmet casual”. PRIDE & attention to detail must be taken in all preparations.
· All food preparations are made from scratch on a daily basis to ensure that the guest receives the BEST possible quality of food. Nothing pre-packaged. An accent to an already amazing vacation. “Real Food!”
· Most of all the herbs and vegetables used in food prep, are locally grown. The Meatza Wagon also has a small garden of its own that you will assist in tending.
· Chef/Owner Joe Macchina is a classically trained chef who grew up with a culinary background and takes great pride & satisfaction in his work. CIA graduate, Culinary Professor at UAF (University of Fairbanks Alaska) & 15+ years of running commercial kitchens.
· The work setting is casual, very fun, relaxed and rewarding. However busy and full of daily tasks.
Accommodation
·Housing provided-
Laundry, Shower & shift meals also provided.
The Kennicott/McCarthy Area is an extremely fun and adventurous place. It is very wild & remote so it is not for everyone. People come here from all walks of life & from every corner of the world. This makes for a diverse landscape of people, opportunities & scene. It is advantageous if one is open to learning and can “go with the flow”. This area ends up being one of the greatest places some people have ever come to and they come back year after year after year. Some never leave & some never return. If this sounds like your cup of tea…?...You can contact me directly with a resume & any questions.
Thanks Kindly,
The Meatza Wagon