If 'gas station food' conjures images of stale sandwiches and sad, plastic-wrapped snacks, these restaurants might come as a surprise. While America has plenty of gas stations serving the same old fare, there are some dishing out tasty and innovative cuisine. Then there are the closed and derelict service areas and garages that have been transformed into highly rated eateries. From tiny taquerias to fine dining restaurants, these are the best places across the USA to fill up while you fill up.

Click or scroll through our gallery to discover America's most tempting gas station restaurants, counting down to the best of all. 

Our ranking is based on restaurant reviews, awards and accolades, and on the opinions of our well-traveled (and well-fed) team. The list is unavoidably subjective.

Convenience store pizza is rarely anything to write home about, but some people say the slices served up at Casey's, a chain of unassuming general stores, are the best money can buy. Expect thin, crispy crusts (in classic Midwestern style), perfectly seasoned, not-too-sweet tomato sauce, and toppings that are tasty and plentiful. Sure, the offering here may not be particularly groundbreaking, but it's reliably good – and, with more than 2,600 locations across 16 states, the stores are easy to come by, too.

Allsup’s has been slinging its famous fried burritos since the 1970s – and if you ask us, they’re the perfect road trip snack. Featuring handmade tortillas and perfectly spiced fillings, these mighty handhelds come in beef and bean, pizza, green chile and cheese, and chimichanga flavors, and they're packaged up in paper sleeves to help contain any mess. Feel like making a pit stop? The convenience store chain has more than 400 locations in Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas.

Panamint Springs Resort offers accommodation, dining, fuel, and groceries for those traveling through the middle of nowhere. Here since the 1930s, it opened as a restaurant and motel serving miners – and it's been able to survive in one of the world’s hottest places thanks to Darwin Falls, which provides water to the property. The tiny restaurant and bar serves comfort foods like burgers, chicken tenders, fish and chips, and apple pie.

7-Eleven is a ubiquitous favorite whose food has achieved cult status, and Denver’s Josephine Street store stands out from the rest, praised by locals and travelers for being clean and well managed. Located between I-25 and I-70, it’s the perfect place to stop off for a bite to eat if you’re passing through the city. The only question is, will you opt for the beef chimichangas, the mini beef tacos, or the chicken tenders?

Outposts of Danny & Clyde’s are located in a handful of Food-N-Fun spots in Louisiana, bringing a dine-in option to the popular chain of food shops and gas stations. Here, you can get your hands on a range of platters, many of which showcase delicious Gulf seafood, although the real stars of the show are the po' boys: perfectly crisp and chewy sub rolls overstuffed with fillings like fried shrimp, catfish, and hot sausage.

Known as 'the Original Rudy’s,' this barbecue restaurant and gas station on the outskirts of San Antonio puts a different spin on the phrase 'pit stop.' There are now Rudy’s outposts across Texas and elsewhere in the US, but the original Leon Springs location, opened in 1929, stays true to its roots with filling pumps and a no-frills dining room. Here, you can eat tender brisket or baby back ribs cooked in oak-fired pits, along with some delicious sides.

This chain of convenience stores offers a selection of tasty pastries and sandwiches, plus taquitos and hot dogs served straight off a roller grill. But it’s another roller grill item that fans say you shouldn't miss; QuikTrip's egg rolls are packed with flavorful pork and vegetables, and their crispy outer layer provides the perfect crunch. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are available to order, too, if you’re looking for something more substantial.

Billed as the world’s largest truck stop, Iowa 80 has several restaurants and gas stations across its vast site near the town of Walcott. There’s a cinema, barbershop, and even a dental surgery too, along with a display of unusual vehicles shaped like everything from boots to hot dogs. It’s Iowa 80 Kitchen, though, that offers the best food. There's a range of breakfast favorites (think French toast and corned beef hash), and a dinner menu of homey plates including meatloaf and spaghetti.

In Texas, barbecue is such a big deal that even the gas stations sling sandwiches loaded with perfectly cooked brisket – just head to the nearest Buc-ee's for proof. This chain of enormous convenience stores was founded in Lake Jackson, around an hour south of Houston, in 1982 – and, since then, it's spawned more than 40 locations across nine different states. Besides the mouth-watering brisket, you can get your hands on breakfast tacos loaded with eggs, cheese and meat, a huge selection of homemade fudge, and a top-selling snack called Beaver Nuggets (sweet, crunchy corn puffs).

Attached to a Shell garage and part of the vast Harris Ranch (which is also home to a cattle farm and hotel), this fast casual barbecue restaurant off the I-5 makes a welcome change from your typical gas station fare. Harris Ranch Express BBQ serves delicious, finger-licking food, with the aromas of slow-smoked meat drifting out of the door. Unsurprisingly, Harris Ranch beef – from brisket to tri-tip – dominates the menu.

Don’t forget to stop off at Anacoco Mercantile if you’re driving along Highway 171. This convenience store, bait shop, and café (among other things) is part of an Exxon gas station, and it's loved for its classic burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, and filling plate lunches. Get one of the lunch specials, which change daily, and you could soon be tucking into chicken and sausage jambalaya, fried pork tenderloin, or a thick slice of meatloaf with creamy mashed potatoes and gravy.

Based in Tupelo and with locations across various states, Dodge’s looks like a mere gas station – but it has a reputation for serving some of the best fried chicken anywhere. There’s often a line of people waiting to try the crispy chicken, jojos (fried potatoes), and pizza, all of which can be taken away or eaten inside. A Gulfport, Mississippi location opened in 2014 with more emphasis on restaurant service.

Big Star has three Chicago locations, each serving freshly made tacos with inventive fillings like barbacoa-style chicken thigh, fried shrimp, and marinated pork shoulder with grilled pineapple. But it's the Wicker Park location that’s really interesting. The restaurant is housed in a now-defunct 1940s gas station – and it's stayed true to its roots, with whitewashed brick walls, steel beams across the ceiling, and garage doors that create an indoor-outdoor space in summer.

Gas station and dining chain Royal Farms is something of an institution in its home state of Maryland, where the first location, opened in Hampden in 1959, remains a popular spot to grab a meal while filling up on fuel. With around 300 locations, it's since expanded out of the state and into Delaware, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. You can expect a mix of grab-and-go counters, cafés, and full-service restaurants. It’s famous for freshly fried chicken, made-to-order subs, and breakfast sandwiches made with croissants.

With three of its 14 locations featured on the official Louisiana Gas Station Eats culinary trail, eating at Shop-A-Lott is an experience you won’t want to miss. You’ll find mouth-watering Southern staples on the weekly lunch menu here – think chicken fried steak, gumbo, fried pork chops, and meatloaf with mashed potatoes – plus lots of snacks, from hush puppies to corn dogs. No time to stop for a hot deli lunch? Grab a salad or sandwich to go instead.

Xiao Bao Biscuit brings the most delicious soul food to an old gas station and auto repair shop. The original structure remains, but everything else – from the type of fuel on offer to, we assume, the ambience – has changed, and most would say for the better. Menu highlights include okonomiyaki (a crunchy, savory Japanese pancake) and mapo tofu with greens. The toasted rice ice cream is divine, too.

Many happy customers regard the tacos dished out at Fuel City as the best in Texas, which isn’t bad for a regional chain of tiny counter-serve spots attached to gas stations. Everything is reliably delicious, from breakfast tacos with chorizo and eggs to tender barbacoa and chicken fajitas – and it’s great value, too. There are locations in Dallas, Cedar Hill, Haltom City, Saginaw, Mesquite, and Wylie, and several spots have patio areas or indoor tables.

La Salsa Verde has several gas station–adjacent locations. The Community Drive location in Dallas, for example, is sandwiched between a 7-Eleven and some RaceTrac pumps, while the Coit Road joint (also in Dallas) is located at a Chevron station. But it’s the food that really matters, and the chain's tacos are enough to tempt you to stop by even when you don’t need to fill up your car. Choose from tacos al vapor – which are steamed for an extra-soft, moist texture – or get them with beef fajita, chorizo, or pork chop fillings, mixed with melty cheese.

The name alone is enough to make us fall for Whoa Nellie Deli, part of the Mobil service station near Yosemite. The family-owned business, inside a gas station, is considered a must-stop for travelers en route to the national park. It's loved for its warm service, cozy booths, and crave-worthy food that goes way beyond your typical café fodder. Fried whitefish tacos are a favorite, while other menu items include breakfast burritos, steak and eggs, BBQ chicken sandwiches, and pizza by the slice. 

Restaurant, bakery, café, convenience store… French Market Express, part of a services area with a gas station and several fast food restaurants, fulfills lots of roles. Most of all, though, this is the place to swing by for a Cajun-style Natchitoches meat pie – a snack that's a little like an empanada – filled with beef, pork, and spices. To top it off, it's deep fried. Yam cake is another specialty.

You might expect to find food this flavorful and vibrant in a treasured neighborhood restaurant. In a gas station off the highway? Not so much. Mr. Kabob opened at Sunoco Gas Station in 2003 and proved so popular that there are now four other locations, including one in downtown Detroit. The original remains, and it's an unusually good spot for zingy fattoush salad, pita wraps, and beautifully marinated meats, made in an open kitchen. The baklava is also particularly tasty.

A food truck parked right by a busy fuel station and surrounded by industrial buildings, Arab American–owned Detroit 75 Kitchen isn’t just a place where people grab a bite after filling up their vehicles. It’s a place that people flock to just because the food is so good. Customers can grab the most delicious sandwiches, wings, and seasoned fries to go, or linger on the patio area.

A taste of local Louisiana fare awaits at Jewel’s Quick Stop, a tiny store in small-town Oakdale. Daily specials include the likes of crawfish étouffée, shrimp Creole, and chicken fried steaks, plus home comforts like mashed potatoes, green beans, and white gravy. The store is also known for its deep-fried boudin balls – tasty morsels made by breading Cajun sausage, then deep frying until golden.

Attached to working gas stations and with a handful of tables, mini-chain The Market is considered one of Charlottesville’s best-kept secrets. Having said that, it’s difficult to keep food this good under wraps. The delis are known for their sandwiches, crammed full of high-quality ingredients like cured meats, cheeses, and fresh veggies. House specialties include the Fresh Prince, featuring grilled chicken smothered with Buffalo sauce, bacon, cheese, tomato, lettuce, pickles, and creamy ranch dressing. 

The Hooshburger, laced with Iranian spices typically used in kebabs, is the thing to order at Pig Trail Bypass Country Cafe, a beloved general store, café, and gas station hybrid. Owned by an Iranian immigrant, the café is tucked along a twisting, turning road in the middle of the Ozarks – and its food, along with the friendly service, make it well worth a detour.

The gas station that now houses Southern Soul BBQ on St. Simons, one of Georgia's Golden Isles, was opened in 1955 – and back then, it kept those who were filling up entertained with attendants dressed in bikinis and a pet chimpanzee. It’s a little different now, thankfully, with delicious slow-smoked barbecue being the main draw. This is no longer a place to fill up with gas, but the restaurant pumps out tender beef, pork, turkey, and ribs to devoted customers and lucky passersby every day.

Connected to Sam’s Mart Shell station, this cozy joint is renowned for its American diner classics, from loaded breakfasts and seafood specials to thick milkshakes. It’s garnered quite a reputation, with locals and passersby making sure to stop off for a quick grab-and-go bite before heading on their way. Breakfast highlights include the hand-cut sirloin with eggs, toast and a side, and biscuits cloaked in thick sausage gravy. Many also head here for the juicy burgers and stacked sandwiches, which come packed with meats and cheeses.

Lockport Marketplace and Grill is a one-stop shop for filling up tanks and bellies, although it’s the type of place where people like to stay for a while rather than just grabbing groceries or snacks to go. Open since 1928, the dining room is a cozy space for enjoying fresh-from-the-oven hand pies, with flaky pastry encasing beef, carrots, potatoes, and rutabaga. There’s a gorgeous patio area, too.

Born in Pennsylvania (and now in several other states), Wawa is a regional fuel stop, convenience store, deli, and coffee shop chain that punches way above its weight when it comes to hoagies. The sub sandwiches here are considered some of the best in the state, which is saying something considering that Philly is the birthplace of the cheesesteak. Philadelphia branches even use crusty Italian rolls from legendary bakery Amoroso’s.

This snug Spanish spot has been challenging perceptions of gas station dining since it opened in 1981. Right behind a working garage in a building that once housed a car wash, El Carajo serves delicious plates of butter-soft jamón (cured ham), paella, grilled octopus, crisp sardines, and seared meats. It also has a huge wine list, cozy ambience, and warm service, adding to its reputation as not just one of the best gas station restaurants for miles, but one of the city’s best eateries altogether.

Parked up at a former Shell gas station, this taco truck is something of a hidden gem. A beloved stop for people road tripping between national parks, it’s also a gathering place for locals, serving authentic Mexican street tacos – and there's a salsa bar where you can add your own tasty toppings. The gas station canopy provides the perfect shade for alfresco dining, but cheery indoor seating is available, too.

Mobil Cafe, attached to the Sunoco station in Olmsted Falls, serves gyros and deli-style sandwiches crammed with cured meats, pickles, and cheese, to-go or to eat in. But it’s the hummus served by owner Khalil Dari and his chef mom that has really taken off. Named Mama Mary’s, it comes in tempting colors and flavors like jalapeño and garlic, and many customers come here just to try it.

The original Billeaud’s – there’s another in Broussard, and one in nearby New Iberia – is attached to a gas station on East Main Street. People are more likely to fill up their cars after stopping by for something to eat here, rather than the other way around. Established in 1889, it’s best known for boudin, a Cajun sausage made with pork and rice, although the rotating plate lunches are popular, too.

The tamales turned out daily at The Old Oak are truly something special; in fact, all the food served at this Mexican taqueria is pretty special. Sisters Angelina and Made San Juan Rizo bought the old gas station and convenience store in 2000 – and since then, they've been serving delicious snacks and meals made to their grandmother's original recipes. It's a favorite spot for visitors and locals alike.

Tucked away inside a BP gas station in Bushwick, New York City, Blue Hour serves up an array of eats from a takeout counter attached to a convenience store. After opening in June 2024, it quickly gained attention for its eclectic halal menu of lamb kebabs, spicy fried chicken sandwiches, smashburgers, and chicken over rice. The owners are the brains behind the popular Little Flower Cafe in Queens, and they've successfully used their experience to create a new late-night hangout that’s drawing in a trendy crowd.

Next to a Shell gas station, Little Czech Bakery draws on the city of West’s Czech heritage and specializes in kolaches, freshly baked pastries filled with a range of sweet or savory fillings (think fruit with cream cheese, or sausage with sauerkraut). People can grab a bag for the road, perhaps with a sandwich or two, or eat in at one of a handful of tables. There's also a deli and store, called Czech Stop, attached to the bakery.

With sandwiches this good, it’s hardly surprising that Banh Mi Boys boasts multiple locations. But it’s the Metairie, Louisiana location, next to a Texaco, that has a reputation as one of the best – and tastiest – gas station restaurants around. The spot is known for its Vietnamese-style sandwiches, with popular picks including the Korean fried chicken bánh mì and the juicy grilled pork bánh mì (not to mention the fresh shrimp and pork spring rolls). Pack up a portion to enjoy on the road, or stay a while and grab a seat outside on the porch.

Would you expect to find New York City’s tastiest burger inside a gas station? Probably not, but that hasn’t stopped Smacking Burger from grilling thin, crispy burgers that are deliciously juicy and packed with flavors. This small eatery, located inside a Mobil Mart, only opened in April 2024 – but it's quickly garnered a reputation for its smashburger-style creations. Menu highlights include the Classic (a single patty with onion, American cheese, pickles, ketchup, and mustard), and the A.T.W (All The Way), featuring a double patty, onion, American cheese, bacon, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and the spot’s signature sauce.  

There’s often a line snaking around the corner by Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, whose original location is right next to the Shamrock gas station. It's considered among the best barbecue spots in the city, with beautifully smoked and tender ribs and pulled pork. The Z-Man sandwich, stuffed with brisket, cheese, and onion rings, is a favorite, and all plates can be enjoyed inside or on the patio, right behind the pumps.

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Last updated by Laura Ellis.