- Maverik stations in the western U.S. are about the nicest convenience stores I've ever visited, and their onsite kitchens prepare pretty decent gas-station food. Lately, they've rolled out premium pizzas in their larger locations; I had a thick-crust Detroit-style slice recently and it was absolutely restaurant quality.
- I understand Wawa stations in the eastern U.S. are known for their food; can anyone here comment?
They recently rolled out pizza in my area (northern NJ), and while I haven’t personally tried it, friends say it doesn’t hold up to what local pizza places can do, but it’s better than big chain pizza.
But Lykens Markets and Ingrams Fuel in the center “centre” of PA both have surprisingly good food for gas stations. Made fresh. Usually they’ll stock some surprising items from Local dairies too.
The only thing that Wawa food has going for it is that it's prepared hot at any hour; the quality of the food itself is quite mediocre.
Different story for Buc-ee's, which I thought was of exceptional quality and value.
I haven’t seen anything even remotely comparable in other countries I’ve visited.
The Valley Fair mall in the bay area is in both San Jose and Santa Clara, and the minimum wage is different at different locations in the mall.
> Under a 25-year deal brokered two years ago, [the year 2000] McDonald's has spent more than $25 million to overhaul the Pike's 11 service plazas. In return, the Pike receives at least $9.3 million annually in rent, plus a percentage of food sales.
https://www.milforddailynews.com/story/news/2002/08/17/havin...
(Unlike the freeways elsewhere in the US, where you can easily get on/off, so there's a bit more options for food and gas.)