Gas Station Food Review

The greater Cincinnati area is full of fun restaurants and places where almost anyone can have a great time. Loveland is full of diverse foods from different cultures and backgrounds for a variety of prices, usually ranging from surprisingly cheap to bank-breaking options. With recent additions matched with all the fan favorites in terms of food options, most often, one of the oldest American staples of quick, convenient food is overlooked: gas stations. While gas stations are quite obviously known for their gas (duh), they have been offering quick, affordable food options for all ages. 

Cincinnati is full of a wide variety of gas stations. Some gas stations, in particular, have gained quite a bit of traction in recent years. A store that opened on the East Coast, called Wawa, opened its first store in 1964. After over 60 years, Wawa is finally gaining traction as a preferred gas station, not due to its gas; its hype has come from its food options. For example, fresh, made-to-order hoagies that customers can order and customize on a touchscreen, matched with premium coffee, and breakfast Sizzlis. Other stations, such as Buc-ee’s, which is well known in the south, have recently returned to fame amongst young people. Wawa is not the only reason gas stations are once again gaining traction.

Social media is an integral component of gas stations coming back into popularity. “Chatusup,” a multi-platform channel run by food fanatics, has been blowing up on social media, acquiring millions of views through their gas station food reviews in which they interview famous athletes and public figures and ask for their gas station order, then they purchase it matched with a quick review of price and calories, finally trying the items and giving them a ranking. 

Now for the ranking. After a quick interview with two Loveland High School sophomores, we have two orders for the gas station review. First off, Nathan Korchok (10). His order consisted of Chester's hot fries, sour Trolli gummies, and a Dr. Pepper. Coming in at 560 calories for nine dollars and seventy-eight cents, this order was quite interesting. The Chesters' hot fries were less spicy than some other popular hot fries, and the gummies and Dr. Pepper were very sweet. However, the offset of sweet and spicy was quite nice, with the score of the order coming out at 7.1/10. Second, Ryan Saletta (10), who had a simple but classic order. A hot dog, which he referred to as a “roller dog,” and a root beer. The order was consistent with what many call the “trucker diet,” in which quick, affordable food somehow always tastes great. The order came out as a 7.3/10, while not having many items, pulled its score slightly down in the rankings. Still, it was a reliable, tasty order that I would not mind having again. 

Make sure to go to your local gas station and try some new things out! What do you think is the most elite gas station order?