10 of the very best gas station stops in america

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EL CARAJO, MIAMI, FLORIDA The restaurant dining view from farthest end in El Carajo in Miami. El Carajo It’s probably safe to say this is the world’s best gas station/Spanish tapas and wine


bar. After you fill up your tank, you can fill up on croquettes and paella or enjoy a glass of one of El Carajo’s selection of 2,000 wines. The charming full-service restaurant that’s tucked


behind a gas station even has its own sommelier. IOWA 80, WALCOTT, IOWA The Iowa 80 truck stop in Walcott, Iowa. Mark Kanning/Alamy Stock Photo The self-proclaimed world’s largest truck


stop sits on 225 acres, has 100,000 square feet of retail space and serves 5,000 customers per day. Sure, there are gas pumps. But there’s also a barber shop, chiropractor and laundromat. In


its nearly 60 years in business, Iowa 80 says it has served 35 million cups of coffee and more than 19 million eggs. THE MARKET, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA The Market in Charlottesville,


Virginia. SBK Photo No food is better suited to the grab-and-go road trip mentality than the sandwich, and The Market uses local and fresh ingredients to make gas stop grub gourmet.


Established in 1991, The Market, with five locations in the Charlottesville area, is operated by Tiger Fuel Company. Its signature sandwiches include the Montpelier (roast beef with cheddar


and horseradish mayo) and the Jefferson (maple turkey with cheddar, cranberry relish and herb mayo). The local chain also has a Market Rewards program to save you money on gas. REIGHARD’S


GOLD STAR SERVICE STATION, ALTOONA, PENNSYLVANIA Reighard’s has been operating since 1909, making it America’s oldest existing gas station. The site, originally established as a blacksmith


shop, was located next to the railroad line so fuel could be delivered by railcar. Owner George Hinkle began selling gas after seeing the appearance of horseless carriages in the early 20th


century. Martin Oil Company purchased the business in 1978 and has been continuing the tradition ever since. WHEN PIGS FLY BBQ, VISTA, CALIFORNIA The owners got started in BBQ competition in


2006 as a way to get cheaper tickets to the Stagecoach Country Music Festival. After winning first prize for brisket in that initial competition and having continued success on the BBQ


circuit, the owners broke ground in 2014 on a restaurant inside a Chevron gas station. From ribs to pulled pork to beef tri-tip, When Pigs Fly serves award-winning barbecue from the side of


a convenience store.