Jim Hill had a cooking car built to go along with his threshing crew in 1889. According to the Courier, it was the best seen in that line. The cooking room was built in the center of the car, and men ate from both sides. A covered driveway, so to speak, was arranged on the outside of the car with stalls that would accommodate 18 men at one time.
The food was served from the inside of the cooking room, from windows that were made to lift up at mealtime. The cook car stood by the old Whidden Store in July of 1899 where everyone could take a look at it.
Source: Cooperstown, North Dakota 1882-1982 Centennial Page 141