10 Gas Station Chains Serving Food So Amazing, You'll Drive Miles Just to Taste It!

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Most people associate gas stations with fuel, road trips, and maybe a small bag of chips. In recent years, however, gas station chains across America have become bona fide culinary havens, dishing up freshly prepared meals as good as you can find at sit-down restaurants. NACS (National Association of Convenience Stores), in a 2022 report, reported that foodservice sales now make up 23.5% of total in-store sales, an excellent indicator of the swelling demand for nutritious meals you can grab and go.

There are gourmet breakfast pizzas, smoked brisket sandwiches, and more at gas stations that are redefining grab-and-go on the road. Some of these chains are so famous for their food that they’ve turned into destinations in their own right. Take Buc-ee’s, the Texan mega-chain, for example; it was voted ‘America’s Best Rest Stop’ by USA Today in the 2023 poll, while Casey’s Pizza has been called ‘legendary’ in the Midwest. Here are ten gas station chains that go above and beyond to give their customers good eats.

Wawa (East Coast, U.S.)

Wawa is beloved, from Florida to Pennsylvania to New Jersey, and its cult following borders on the fanatical. Wawa’s menu has long shaded out local fast-food spots for its freshly prepared hoagies, breakfast sandwiches, and customizable burritos.

Wawa was one of the top-rated convenience stores in America and had more than 1050 locations serving millions of customers. Their coffee program is another reason to go out of one’s way to visit as it has roasts for every preference and seasonal favorites.

Buc-ee’s (Southern U.S.)

Buc-ee’s is a whole lot more than just a gas station. It is a phenomenon not just in Texas, where it was founded in 1982, but around the country. Buc-ee’s is known for its smoked brisket sandwiches, kolaches, and sweet Beaver Nuggets.

Its locations are now spreading into Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee. Many travelers rave about Buc-ee’s massive stores, which have some in excess of 100 gas pumps. Last year, Buc-ee’s set a store size record with its 74,000-square-foot store in Sevierville.

Sheetz (Mid-Atlantic & Midwest, U.S.)

Sheetz is the prettiest combination of a gas station and a fast-casual restaurant. Here, you can get a made-to-order menu in a mac and cheese bowl, wrapped or fried appetizers. It has more than 760 stores in six states and numerous awards for customer satisfaction and innovative convenience food; Sheetz is a business making a difference.

As a go-to spot for late-night munchies or a quick on-the-go meal, it’s available 24/7 and you can order through its app. The chain also offers a surprisingly wide array of craft coffee drinks and smoothies that are well worth trying.

QuikTrip (Midwest, South, and Southwest, U.S.)

QuikTrip—or QT, as it’s affectionately known, has over 1,000 locations around the country and is popular for its high-quality fresh food and friendly customer service. QT kitchens have got you covered, from fresh pretzels to taquitos and breakfast pizzas that are sure to rival full-service restaurant pizzas.

In 2022, GasBuddy even named QuikTrip as one of the top gas station chains for food quality, so it’s a go-to for road warriors. Their efficiency, service, and consistently clean facilities make the chain a sparkling reputation.

RaceTrac (Southern U.S.)

A favorite for quick and cheap eats, RaceTrac has more than 800 locations across the southern U.S. RaceTrac is known for freshly prepared pizza slices, roller grill items, and a self-serve frozen yogurt bar, to name a few of the many choices available to customers on the go.

Families like their Swirl World stations, which have customizable frozen treats with toppings. RaceTrac is all about affordability, and, as such, many travelers who stop in for fuel also stop for a quick and satisfying meal.

Kwik Trip/Kwik Star (Midwest, U.S.)

Fried chicken, cheese curds, and breakfast burritos are among the fresh, high-quality food offerings Kwik Trip — or Kwik Star in Iowa — has built its reputation on. Kwik Trip, with over 800 locations, is a place that focuses on the use of fresh ingredients from its dairy and bakery operations and has won legions of fans in the process.

Kwik Trip’s cheese curds are considered a must-have delicacy in Wisconsin, its home state. The chain targets people who want something affordable and nutritious in the crowded convenience food market.

7-Eleven (Worldwide)

7-Eleven has a global presence with over 85,000 sites worldwide and has become the leading convenience store chain with the highest number of locations worldwide. Best known for its iconic Slurpees, the chain has expanded its food menu to include pizza, chicken wings, and taquitos, which are especially popular in the U.S.

Across Japan, 7-Eleven convenience stores are well known for their gourmet bento boxes and onigiri (rice balls), which commuters and foodies snap up. Although its origins are humble, 7-Eleven has always evolved with the tastes in the area, ensuring it’s a convenient stop when you need food no matter where you find yourself.

Rutter’s (Mid-Atlantic, U.S.)

A little smaller chain with around 80 locations, Rutter’s punches above its weight when it comes to food quality. Based in Pennsylvania, it is well known for its burgers, fried pickles, and decadent milkshakes.

Customers can create customized meals using touch-screen ordering kiosks, and the restaurants often feature scratch-made ingredients on their menus. To back up that dedication, USA Today recently named Rutter’s the seventh-best gas station for food in 2023.

Casey’s General Store (Midwest, U.S.)

Casey’s General Store is now famous for its renowned breakfast pizza, which boasts eggs, cheese, and sausage on a hand-tossed crust. You’ll also find fresh-made subs, baked goods, and coffee at Casey’s.

Casey’s place is a regional favorite, as a 2021 USA Today readers’ poll ranked it among its top gas stations—not just locally but nationally. There’s a lot to love about the chain’s community focus and scratch-made recipes.

Love’s Travel Stops (Nationwide, U.S.)

Despite its focus on truckers and long-distance travelers, Love’s has more than 650 locations in 42 states and is known for its food. Many Love’s locations team up with area chains like Chester’s Chicken, Bojangles, and Godfather’s Pizza so customers can fulfill cravings for familiar tastes while on the road.

They also dish out crowd-pleasers of their own hand-breaded chicken sandwiches and hearty breakfasts. Love focuses on quality over quantity and provides a full meal versus a quick snack, so it’s a favorite for many.

Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.