Spork and Knife

Who doesn’t love a good roadtrip?  Well, a lot of people but I’m not one of them!  There’s nothing like getting on the open road-just you, some good music, hopefully some entertaining driving companions, insanely cheesy car trip games and best of all-the excuse to eat roadtrip food!  I’m talking bags of gummi bears, circus peanuts, beef jerkey…whatever your roadtrip preferences may be.  Me, I’m partial to a latte and a pack of sugary goodness to get me going. (peach rings, nerds, starbursts…I’m not too picky as long as it’s chock full of sugar.)

Of course, the one latte and starbursts only last so long and usually by the time my tank is empty I’m ready to refuel (notice the pun).  This is when I start to look for the beacon of lights, AKA Sheets gas stations.  Why you ask? 

First off, I’m a foodie.  So when I stop at gas stations I like to walk in and see rows and rows of everyone’s favorite junk food.  None of this 5-year-old dingy looking candy bar selection that seems to be acceptable to sell at so many stops along America’s highways.  And no I don’t want to buy last week’s brownies wrapped in cellophane sitting next to the cup of “buy one-at-a-time” cigarettes.  Gross!

Road trip food is a rare treat, so when I indulge it better be fresh, plentiful and satisfying.  I can also be fickle.  Perhaps the sugary goodness was the way to start off, but when I stop I could be thinking it’s time for something more substantial.  This is where Sheetz comes in.   

The place is full of options, not to mention that everyone I’ve been into has passed the cleanliness inspection!

In the mood for something that doesn’t come in a prepackaged bag?  You’re in luck.  They have a plethora of options at their made-to-order stations.  Subs, deli sandwiches, salads and wraps-CHECK.  Burgers, hotdogs, soft pretzels, nachos and fajitas-CHECK.  Everyone once in awhile you’ll even find a sheetz with chicken strips and fries.  Talk about diversity!  Ohh and if it’s the morning and you’re not feeling the lunch and dinner options, they have breakfast sandwiches as well.  Now the food isn’t gourmet, so don’t go expecting to eat like a king/queen, but it far surpasses anything you will find at the run-of-the mill gas station.  In fact, I usually refrain from full on meals at gas stations and the idea of a salad makes me a bit weary, but the Sheetz menu makes me think twice.

Another ringer that has me begging my driving companions to “hold-it” until we see a Sheetz…they have an espresso bar.  I’m talking lattes, mochas, frozen mochas and espresso.  Again, don’t expect the quality of a Parisian cafe or even a Starbucks, but appreciate the fact that a gas station is trying to enhance your roadtrip experience by providing you with something other than burnt watered down coffee.  Speaking of coffee, they do have a self-serve station, that in my experience has always been fresh and included the necessary variety of mild, bold, decaf and various flavors. 

The other side of the self-serve aisle houses my secret indulgence.  A self-respecting foodie would never admit this, but I’m all about honesty here.  When I walk into a Sheetz, it’s a beeline for the “cuppo’ccino” machines. 

Yes, I’m talking the automated, put your cup under it, french vanilla kind.  I have no shame.  You should see the smile on my face when I walk away with my 99 cent cup.  Priceless.  It’s the small pleasures in life people.  French Vanilla (or fat free FV in my case) isn’t your only option.  You’ve got Almond Amaretto, Marshmallow Peanut Parfait, Blueberry Crumb and Vanilla Spiced Chai to satisfy your tastes.  Next time you’re in a Sheetz try one.  If you don’t like it then you’re only 99 cents in the hole.  A fair warning:  These things are sweet as sweet can be, so if you’re not a sugar-aholic proceed with caution.

LOCATIONS 

Now that I’ve raved about Sheetz I should probably tell people where they can be found.  If you live or are traveling through Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio or North Carolina then you’re in luck.  There are 330 different locations in these 6 states so you’re bound to stumble across one.  If you need some assurance that you’ll be passing one of them, go here.  The Sheetz website will even come up with custom driving directions that will locate all of the Sheetz along your drive.  Have a GPS, no problem.  According to their website you can download a list of all Sheetz locations into your GPS device so that you don’t miss one along your way.  I’ve haven’t tried this, but if I had GPS then I’d be downloading away.       

So next time you’re driving along and see a Sheetz, stop in, fill up your tank and let the idea that a gas station can be so much more than stale donughts and burnt coffee wash over you.

To Sheetz,

Foodies all over the world thank you for recognizing that while we may be on the-go there’s no reason to choke down stale road-trip food.  From those of us that like to get it all in one stop…thank you.   

Note:  I welcome any and all comments about the actual food at Sheetz.  I’d be intrested to know the experience of other foodies who’ve ventured onto their made-to-order menu.