USA Today’s 10 Best C-Stores for Foodservice
By Brett Dworski on Dec. 19, 2019CHICAGO — It appears the national media can’t get enough of convenience-store foodservice. Just as Food & Wine magazine released its c-store food rankings, USA Today revealed its 10 best food stops at U.S. gas stations. The list, which mainly consists of stores that are community-driven, focuses on a single item at each location.
Here are the 10 best c-stores for foodservice, according to USA Today …
Sunrise Grocery
Sunrise Grocery, a Blairsville, Ga.-based food mart with an antique gas pump, is known for its boiled green peanuts, which are cooked in a massive pot outside the store, according to USA Today.
Danny & Clyde’s Food Store
Danny & Clyde’s Food Store, a chain of four gas stations and food marts based in Metairie, La., is known for its po’boy sandwiches. They contain fried shrimp, hot sausage, roast beef and more smacked between French bread slices. Danny & Clyde’s also sells muffulettas, boudin balls and meat pies.
Casey's General Stores
The breakfast pizza at a Casey’s in Marshalltown, Iowa, has recently been hyped. The pizza contains a regular crust topped with egg, cheese and sausage, and other varieties have hash browns, sausage, bacon and veggies.
Based in Ankeny, Iowa, Casey’s General Stores is No. 4 on CSP’s2019 Top 202 ranking of c-store chains by number of retail outlets. It is the fifth-largest pizza seller in the United States.
Allsup's
Allsup’s, Clovis, N.M., is known for its chimichangas, which come in beef and bean or chicken varieties.
Allsup’s is No. 24 on CSP’s 2019 Top 202 ranking of c-store chains by number of retail outlets. In November, West Des Moines, Iowa-based Yesway, No. 43 on the ranking, acquired Allsup's and is keeping the brand and its regionally iconic menu.
Gott's Store
Gott’s Store, a local c-store and gas station in Southwest Harbor, Maine, is known for its whoopie pies. The dessert is made with two soft chocolate cookies or pieces of cake with frosting sandwiched between them.
Slovacek's
West, Texas-based c-store and bakery Slovacek’s is known for its Czech pastries and breakfast items, especially its kolaches. These rolls are stuffed with a variety of ingredients, including fruit, cheese, jam or sausage.
Aloha Island Mart
The spam musobi at Aloha Island Mart, a division of Aloha Petroleum, Honolulu, has gotten attention. Spam musobi is similar to sushi and features a slice of grilled Spam on top of a block of rice and wrapped in nori seaweed.
Mercado & Taqueria de Amigos
Mercado & Taqueria de Amigos, a c-store and taqueria in Pescadero, Calif., is known for its fish tacos, which include battered fish wrapped in corn tortillas. They are topped with lettuce, onions and salsa and are paired with horchata beverages.
Mid Atlantic Convenience Stores
Mid Atlantic Convenience Stores, a division of Dallas-based Sunoco LP, is known for its pepperoni rolls, which were created in 1927, according to USA Today. The rolls are made with yeast and are stuffed with pepperoni and may include cheese and peppers.
King Chicken Fillin’ Station
Fried chicken is the top seller at gas station King Chicken Fillin’ Station, Belden, Miss. The company specializes in golden fried chicken and serves it with a biscuit topped with honey butter. Customers can also purchase smoked chicken.
King Chicken was among CSP's2019 Indie Influencers.