Wheatstack - A Midwestern eatery & tap history
In 1912, John & Bertha Hatch purchased 144 acres along the East Branch of the DuPage River in what is now the Village of Lisle. Rich farmland and abundant resources made this area ripe for development. The family began farming preparations and planted wheat, corn and beans, as well as raised cattle, pigs and chickens. While the children were playing in and around the DuPage River and trapping mink, their mothers and grandmothers were busy in the kitchen baking homemade Hazelnut cakes made from the abundant trees that grew throughout the property. This farmland yielded years of bountiful harvests for the families and the surrounding area.
The John & Bertha Hatch and Frank Meyer Farms, where these fields once stood, is now home to Wheatstack and River Bend Golf Club. Wheatstacks were once symbolic of productive farmland and a bountiful harvest. The concept behind Wheatstack is to embrace our local history and celebrate the values of our early farmers and settlers of Lisle and the Midwest: family, friends, community and sharing a bountiful harvest. Our goal at Wheatstack is to incorporate these values in your visit with us while we serve up the best Midwestern Cuisine you’ll find. We look forward to extending to you Midwestern hospitality at its finest!
Meet the Staff!
Todd Shamberg, General Manager & event Planner
With over 12 years of experience, Todd Shamberg brings a wide range of restaurant operations knowledge to Wheatstack - A Midwestern Eatery & Tap. Todd started in July of 2011 as the General Manager and has defined long-term goals for the recently rebranded restaurant. His main focus has been to create an atmosphere where friends and family can gather together over a great meal. Todd is an Illinois BASSET Certified Instructor, Illinois Sanitation Certified, and a Member of the Illinois and National Restaurant Association. When visiting Wheatstack, be sure to say hello has share your favorite "Family Guy" episode with him.
Kim Rodak, Assistant General Manager
Kim began her employment with Wheatstack, formerly The View, since 2003. Although she co-manages the front of the house operations handling scheduling and training, her primary focus is on the bar side of Wheatstack – A Midwestern Eatery & Tap. This includes ordering, inventory, promotions, keeping the cocktail, beer, wine and martini lists fresh and exciting, and she is the creator of Wheatstack’s secret recipe for Sangria, a house specialty. Kim’s favorite aspect of her job is getting to know the patrons, learning their names, and treating all customers as friends. In fact, many customers have become close friends over the years and her attentive customer service is what keeps people coming back to the ‘Stack. Kim has been in the restaurant industry for close to 24 years and has been married just as long. Her family lives in Naperville, and with two children in their early twenties she now has more time for golfing and bowling. Be sure to say “hi” to Kim the next time you stop in to Wheatstack – although she’ll probably beat you to it!
Tim Dowling, Executive Chef
Tim joined Wheatstack in June of 2012 and brings over 20 years of experience to the position of Executive Chef. He began his culinary career at 15 years old when assisting his mother, a catering manager, with food prep and bussing tables. While attending the College of DuPage, he changed his path from marketing to a more hands-on calling in the culinary arts field. Tim has been working as a professional chef since 1994 and traveled through Europe, including France, Italy, England and Ireland. Throughout his journey, he picked up a surplus of knowledge and new cooking techniques. Tim has spent the majority of his career in Chicago and recently married and moved to the suburbs. He hopes to share his signature red velvet cake - it's the best this side of the Mississippi - with all of Wheatstack's guests.