The Best Gas Station Food In Every State

If you're looking to fill up your tank and your tummy, your friendly neighborhood gas station might seem like a convenient, if not totally appetizing option. However, there's a lot more to these roadside pit stops than stacks of Slim Jims and curiously hard Snickers bars. Of course, it's perfectly possible to find good gas station grub in the convenience aisles. Still, there are also unassuming gas stations all over the country that are kicking things up six or seven notches with gourmet-worthy food that makes them a destination all in and of themselves.

From down-home cooking and freshly-made local faves to straight-up five-star dining, there are plenty of surprises waiting just beyond the pump. If you've never thought you could eat a good, hearty meal while filling your tank and checking your tires, you're in for a real treat. These top gas station foods defy conventional wisdom in absolutely delicious ways.

The lucky residents of Anchorage, Alaska, get to enjoy their cup of morning joe alongside some of the best pastries and muffins in the state. Welcome to the Chevron Alaska Denali Express, a full-service gas station in the heart of beautiful Alaska, where the coffee is piping hot and goes perfectly with fresh blueberry muffins. Its blueberry muffins are generous, fluffy, and packed with giant Alaskan blueberries that strike a great note between tart and sweet. If you're used to dinky, overly-sweet, processed gas station muffins, you're in for a true treat. These blueberry wonders are the real deal.

Although breakfast is the time to visit Chevron Alaska Denali Express, they also do a decent lunch service with huge teriyaki bowls and rice and vegetable bowls. It also offer giant sandwiches and an array of snacks and trinkets, plus freshly brewed coffee all day long.

Arkansas' Pig Trail Bypass Country Cafe off Highway 16 is a down-home gas station restaurant where you can snack on classics like crisp fries, huge burgers, and comforting patty melts oozing with cheese and meat. It's a family-owned joint with a welcoming atmosphere and plenty of charm, and although you can gas up outside, you might have the urge to sit and stay awhile — especially after you taste the Hooshburger.

The Hooshburger at Pig Trail Bypass Country Cafe is a big ol' burger with special seasoning, tons of perfectly prepared onions, a thick slice of cheese, all the veggie fixings, and mayonnaise. Even if you prefer your burger sans mayo or pickles, try the Hooshburger as is. You won't regret it. Every ingredient works together in a cheesy, meaty, tart, and tasty symphony, making this gas station burger one of the top in the country.

Sally's Kitchen in Collins, Colorado, has excellent fried noodles and rice, served with veggies, pork, chicken, shrimp, or beef. So bypass the pre-packaged ramen next time you're in The Centennial State and treat yourself to the real deal. As with most of the picks on our list, Sally's Kitchen looks pretty unassuming from the outside, but once you check out its massive, authentic menu, you'll know that you hit on something exceptional. Plus, at around $10 a pop, the price is right.

According to its Facebook page, the double pan fried noodles aren't on the menu but you can, and should, ask for them specifically. Double-frying caramelizes the sauce and adds tons of additional texture and taste. Pair your noodles with veggies and the protein of your choice, and you're in gas station heaven. You can also have a complete meal with egg rolls and hot and sour soup.

Although Patty's Pantry is an excellent place to get your fried chicken fix in Connecticut, Delaware, has its own gas station fried chicken king. Visit Milton Quick Stop in Milton, Delaware, for some of the crispiest, juiciest pieces of fried chicken in the whole state. This gas station tends to get pretty packed with people fueling up their cars and themselves, so don't be surprised if you have to wait a bit for your meal. However, once you sink your teeth into the crispy, seasoned crust, you'll get why Milton Quick Stop is a local haunt and something of a legend.

One thing that Milton Quick Stop does well is consistency. You'll get the same tasty breading, rich meat, and delicious meal every time. Although their fried chicken is worth crossing state lines for, they do a very good fish sandwich, too, just in case you want to change it up.

Marietta Donuts in Marietta, Georgia, is a phenomenal little bakery tucked into a local gas station that serves hot, fresh donuts to go with your morning coffee. Although the locals flock there in the wee early hours, you can get your flaky, light, sugary fix anytime. The donuts at Marietta Donuts are always fresh, and they come in tons of different classic flavors like old-fashioned and apple fritter. However, one donut that hits the sweet spot right is the glazed.

The glazed donuts have fantastic texture and flavor. Topped with a light brushing of crunchy glaze over soft, doughy, perfectly baked donut, they're a great example of form and function — and downright delicious, too. Some glazed donuts can taste a little bit soggy or heavy, but Marietta Donuts does them right, so you get a good ratio of sweet glaze to cakey donut in every single bite. You might want to pick up a dozen or three for the road.

What pops into your head when you think of the perfect comfort food? If you're like many people, that answer is "meatloaf." Although there are precious few places outside of your grandma's kitchen that serve the best portion of oniony, garlicky, saucy meatloaf, there is one where you'd least expect it. Idaho's Rustic Pig BBQ in Fruitland is a piece of homey comfort smack dab in a gas station and mini-mart. Although you can't go wrong with anything on its authentic BBQ on the menu, the one item you'll want to try is the flavorful, slow-cooked meatloaf.

You'll get a nicely sized portion, plus plenty of sauce to dip each bite into. If you have room, try the macaroni and cheese with a side of its signature BBQ sauce or a refreshing scoop of coleslaw. Trust us: Idaho's Rustic Pig BBQ serves precisely the type of soothing food that you need after a long drive, and you can fill the tank up while you're there, too.

At Silver Express in Indianapolis, Indiana, you can get the best of all worlds with gas-station-level prices and tasty cuisine. Silver Express specializes in Mediterranean food, and its flavors are off the charts. Although its massive salads and gooey squares of authentic baklava are well worth trying, savvy travelers and locals know that the gyros are really where it's at. Its gyros are right around $5 apiece and come packed with slowly cooked, well-seasoned meat, tons of vegetables, and sauce wrapped up in a soft pita.

Its meat gyros are delicious, but vegetarians aren't left out at Silver Express. Instead of gyro meat, you can customize your order and stack up on extra veggies. Plus, the service is excellent, friendly and fast. A trip to Silver Express is precisely what you need if you've been on the road for a while and need to refuel your car and body quickly.

In Kansas City, Kansas, you don't have to go too far off the highway to get some gorgeous gas station grub that also happens to be some of the best barbecues in the state. Joe's Kansas City Barbecue is a delicious find, full of classic dishes like flavorful ribs and rich meaty brisket. Although you should certainly sample all of the tasty meats that this restaurant offers, the best thing to order is one of their side dishes — macaroni and cheese.

The macaroni and cheese at Joe's Kansas City Barbecue is pillowy, light and full of cheesy flavor. It's not too heavy, but you certainly get all of the taste that you crave in every single bite. If you're feeling feisty, why not pair it with a signature barbecue sauce for a little extra zing and flavor? This macaroni and cheese makes the list because it won't weigh you down on the road, but you'll feel full, satisfied, and like you got the perfect cheese fix.

Fill up your gas station at Broussard, Louisiana's Shell station, then swing on in for a smothered beef steak meal that tastes exactly as good as (or even better than) mom used to make. Billeaud's Meat & Grocery is the ultimate definition of a hidden gem, a gas station adjacent eatery that serves authentic Louisiana cuisine in a comfortable, cheery setting. If you're looking for pork cracklings or boudin, Billeaud's Meat & Grocery certainly has you covered, but its smothered beef steak is truly next level.

First off, let's talk about the portion size. You get huge pieces of steak, lightly battered and cooked, then served with a rich brown gravy that permeates every single bite. Round off the meal with a hot roll and a homemade side, and you'll have sampled some of the best Cajun comfort food that the state has to offer.

Fried chicken is one of those foods that's pretty much universally loved, but unfortunately, gas stations don't seem to do it justice. Fortunately for people traveling through Maryland, there's one restaurant that's changing all that. Pick up some fried chicken from Royal Farms, and you're bound to be amazed. Its fried chicken is just about as good as anything that you'd get at a sit-down restaurant, and it's just steps away from the pump.

Its fried chicken with honey mustard sauce is an inspired combination. Juicy strips of tender white meat chicken taste incredible when you pair them with the slightly tangy, mildly sweet, creamy honey mustard. If you want something more substantial, opt for one of its freshly baked rolls or thickly sliced potato wedges to go with your meal. Royal Farms is reimagining gas station fried chicken in glorious ways, and we are entirely here for it.

Weary Michigan travelers don't have to go far to get their hands on some exceptional Mediterranean food. Mr. Kabob, with locations in the Detroit area, has them covered. As with many of the greats on our list, Mr. Kabob accomplishes the extraordinary by putting a healthy, fresh, flavorful twist on gas station food. Although you can find roller dogs in every corner of the country, you must travel to Michigan to get delicious kebabs slow-cooked and seasoned expertly.

Some of Mr. Kabob's best and brightest dishes include falafel, babaganoush, and chicken kafta, but the real winner in our book is their chicken shawarma bowl. It starts with a hefty bed of lettuce and diced vegetables, plus cubes of feta cheese. Then, Mr. Kabob adds beautifully cooked chicken shawarma and light dressing to the mix. So, you get all of the flavors of classic shawarma with a nutritious stack of yummy veggies.

In Columbus, Mississippi, United Deli and Grocery serves delicious pub grub and sandwiches to hungry passers-through. Although United Deli and Grocery uses top-notch, fresh ingredients, it can still get you your grub in about the time that it takes to select a bag of chips. Plus, this Magnolia State staple features portable food that you can eat in or take with you on the road. Its fries are phenomenal, crinkle-cut and crisp, but their sammies are really where it's at.

United Deli and Grocery serves giant, loaded sandwiches that are easily enough for two people, although you can enjoy them all on your own. One of its top-sellers is a deceptively simple dish that hits all the right flavor points. Known as John's Special, it's an overstuffed sandwich full of two types of cheese, ham, roast beef, turkey, thickly-sliced pickles, veggies, mayonnaise, and mustard.

Saint Regis Montana's Huck's Grill is one of Big Sky Country's top treasures. While plenty of the players on our list are known for their savory contributions to elevated gas station fare, Huck's Grill goes in a different direction. Although you can certainly get your fill of fresh salads and sandwiches at Huck's Grill, the real winners are the milkshakes. Its shakes are things of beauty, creamy concoctions bursting with tons of flavor in both traditionally sweet and fruit flavors.

One of their top sellers is the huckleberry shake, and there's a good reason why the locals love it. Huck's Grill's huckleberry shake is a smooth, slightly tart, sweet medley of fruit and cream. These shakes are so thick that you can reasonably eat them with a spoon. With beautiful bright hues and chocolate and fruit-forward flavors, don't miss a trip to Huck's Grill.

If you have a sweet tooth, Nevada's Pinkbox Donuts can satisfy it. With a few locations throughout the state, this innovative gas station bakery serves traditional donuts, obscure varieties, and a fantastic concoction called the doughcro that would make Willy Wonka proud. Its doughcros are unique hybrids of donuts and croissants — giant, fluffy, decadent desserts that mix the best of both worlds. One of its most famous and easily most delicious doughcros is the maple bacon doughcro, with tons of tasty icing, a thick buttery dough, and maple flavoring infused throughout.

This doughcro is studded with real bacon pieces, so you'll get a smoky and sweet sensation in every bite. Plus, the thing is massive. If you're not super hungry and feeling generous, you can even split it and still be satisfied. Of course, you can get fresh coffee at Pinkbox, too, to go with your massive hedonistic doughcro.

What Sheetz is to Pennsylvania, Wawa is to New Jersey. Wawa is one of the best places to rest and fill up your tank because you can find tons of great food and drink options there that you don't get at regular gas stations. One of the key reasons why people love Wawa is that it makes fresh, delicious subs that are portable, tasty, and pretty healthy. Wawa's classic subs have a few things going for them. The flavors are all familiar and predictable, but the ingredients are super fresh, and there are plenty of different toppings to choose from.

You can order from its regular classic sub or cold hoagie menu or create your own. Although Wawa might not be making serious waves like some of the other gourmands on our list, it's hard to argue that it doesn't serve some of the best, consistently good gas station food in the country.

Thanks to its myriad flavors and rich, creamy consistency, Stewart's ice cream is a New York fave. Incredibly, you can find Stewarts in gas stations all across the state and pick up a scoop or two or a milkshake to enjoy on the road. But if you're looking for a special summertime treat, reach for a sherbet cooler. These bright beverages are lighter than shakes, with bright fruit flavor and a dash of heavy cream.

Sherbet coolers are the perfect go-between for people who want to satisfy their sweet tooth without feeling too full afterwards. They won't give you an intense sugar rush, but you'll get a nice little buzz that will fuel you as you drive across the Empire State. They come in plenty of bright summery colors, making them Insta-worthy and drinkable. No matter where you are in New York, there's definitely a Stewarts by a pump near you.

North Dakota's Landers Shell & Northside Market in Bismarck might look like your typical fill joint from the outside, but take one step through the doors and you'll understand why it's one of the top places to get genuine gas station cuisine in the country. This humble restaurant specializes in authentic home-cooked cuisine made from local ingredients. Its menu changes often, but there's bound to be something to tempt your tastebuds, from huge sandwiches to homemade bowls of incredible soup.

One of its more underrated but intensely delicious offerings are zucchini sandwich cookies. First, Landers Shell & Northside Market elevates the simple squash by adding plenty of tasty sweet spices and playing up its brightness. Then, vanilla cream is sandwiched between two fluffy zucchini cookies for a wonderful treat that you're not likely to get anywhere else on the planet.

Oklahoma's chain of Quik Trips are busting the myth that you can only get stale bread and soggy pizza at gas stations, one delicious soft pretzel at a time. Quik Trips are high-end gas stations known for sparkling interiors (via Clark) and super friendly staff. So although you can find typical gas station fare at your local Quik Trip, you can also savor some piping hot, uber-fresh, giant pretzels complete with a side of yummy dipping sauce.

The pretzels are crunchy on the outside, fresh and doughy inside, and have a light sprinkle of sea salt all over their nooks and crannies. Although they won't hit the spot for a full meal, they're a great snack that's a far better option than stale chips. If you want something more substantial, check out one of its pizzas, or get a freshly baked sandwich with all of the delicious fixins.

If you've ever traveled through Pennsylvania, there's a good chance that you've spotted the welcoming glow of a Sheetz in the distance. These premium gas stations are full-service experiences (via Retail Wire), serving great food and providing weary travelers with a break from the road. One of its underrated and delicious offerings comes in liquid form: the decadent dark chocolate chip milkshake.

The milkshakes at Sheetz rival anything that you might find in a premium ice cream parlor. They're thick enough to eat with a spoon, topped with a heavenly swirl of whipped cream, and packed with all sorts of goodies. What makes its dark chocolate chip milkshake unique is that it's not overly sweet, despite the layers of flavor. Instead, each sip is nuanced and tasty, studded with chocolate chips and bursting with deep, rich chocolate flavor. So if you need a quick pick-me-up, swing by your local Sheetz for this classic shake.

In Lexington, South Carolina, there's one spot to go for rib tips and onions, and you definitely do not need a reservation. Roy's Grille is right inside the local Exxon, and it serves traditional, homemade southern food and marinated meats that rival virtually any other steakhouse in the state. Its pimento cheese and fresh slaw are certainly winners, but for those looking for a meaty meal that will fuel them for hours to come, it's gotta be the rib tips and onions.

The rib tips themselves are slowly cooked and served with a sumptuous, tangy sauce that pairs perfectly with a gentle heap of fried onions. Eaten together, the texture of these two items is unparalleled. It's five-star dining in a casual environment, and it transcends anything that you would typically find inside a gas station. Although the portions at Roy's Grille are generous enough to share, you might want this one for yourself.

Although Laredo Taco is a Texas-based eatery, Tennesseans know its restaurants from the road, specifically from Exxon Tiger Marts. Not only is it possible to get an authentic taste of Tex-Mex in Tennessee, but you can also do it while rotating your tires and giving your eyes a rest from the highway. Laredo Taco has many things going for it, but two of the top ones are price and taste. It's easy to fill up your tummy for well under $10, and you won't have to skimp on sides or sauces.

Laredo Taco also serves authentic Tex-Mex cuisine, bursting with heat, spice, and plenty of bold flavors. Its classic beef tacos are superb, with plenty of sliced beef and vegetables nestled inside warm flour tortillas. Add in some salsa, guac, or sour cream, and you'll have a meal that rivals anything that you'd get in a Texas taco house.

Kevin's Fried Chicken in Murray, Utah, is a local classic tucked away in an inconspicuous and unassuming Texaco gas station. If you're used to soggy, under-seasoned chicken strips on the road, do yourself a favor and try their strips on for size. Run by husband and wife team Donna and Kevin Nguyen, Kevin's Fried Chicken takes pride in making its fowl phenomenal. 

It starts off with excellent meat, never processed and always fresh. With generous portions of natural white and dark meat as the base, the food at this gas station find is always a cut above. Next is the breading, full of flavorful spices with just the right amount of crispiness. The other reason why Kevin's Fried Chicken always tastes so fresh is that it changes its oil several times during the day. As a result, you don't get any lingering flavors, just juicy chicken, savory breading, and dipping sauce.

When you think of gas station hot dogs, do you picture those sad, over-cooked roller dogs that have been sitting out since the Carter Administration? Fortunately, hot dog lovers can get their tanks filled and their fast-food fix in Lynchburg, Virginia. At Moore Country Store, the hot dogs take center stage, with heaps of fresh toppings and soft buns. These weenies are anything but sad. Instead, you can get them with chili, coleslaw, mustard, and onion for a downhome Virginian treat that is spicy and meaty.

If you're craving more comfort food, check out Moore Country Store's macaroni and cheese or any of their homemade soups and stews. Its macaroni and cheese is mild but gooey and full of flavor. In fact, all of its dishes are delicious, fresh, and never languishing on the rack for 20 hours. There's no way that you'll leave in any state other than satisfied and full.

Leave it to West Virginia to serve some of the best pie in the continental United States. Corner Gas & Grille in Mt. Hope, West Virginia, is your homestyle refuge from the road, complete with a friendly staff, homemade food, and great ambiance. Although you can get savory faves like cornbread, burgers, and hearty sandwiches, the actual draw of Corner Gas & Grille lies in its sweet side. Its butterscotch mudslide pie takes everything you love about a cream-based, decadent pie and puts a new flavor spin on it.

This pie is a masterpiece of taste with a thick layer of butterscotch, flaky crust, and oodles of light whipped cream. Top it off with a few butterscotch chips, and you have deep layers of flavor and texture. This pie will definitely fill you up, and it pairs perfectly with a steaming cup of coffee and some great conversation.

For hearty, huge chimichangas with a bright salad and a big side of sauce, head to Circle C gas station in Cheyenne, Wyoming. There you'll find Taqueria Mexicana Mi Tierra, a Tex-Mex eatery that puts all of those microwavable burritos and chimichangas to shame. One of the first things that you'll notice is that the portions are enormous, with plenty of fresh veggies, seasoned meat, and cheese. Taqueria Mexicana Mi Tierra has fast service, too, so you'll be sinking your teeth into a meaty, cheesy, loaded chimichanga within no time.

Although the chimichangas offer the most bang for your buck, there are plenty of other dishes on offer too. Try the tasty street-style fish tacos or fully-loaded breakfast burritos with eggs and cheese. If you have space after your meal, the homemade crunchy and chewy churros crowned with a light sweet sauce are everything.