The Allure of a Gas Station Biscuit (Tales from Room 241, No. 2)
The Allure of a Gas Station Biscuit (Tales from Room 241, No. 2)
"If more of us valued food and cheer above hoarded gold, it would be a much merrier world." - Thorin Oakenshield (The Hobbit)
In life, there’s a general rule most people follow about gas station food: don’t eat it. Whether it’s the hot dogs forever rolling under the light of a QuikTrip heat lamp or a local Shell trying their hand at selling sushi, self-preservation skills tend to steer clear of these foods. Despite that, for my breakfast this morning I sought out a gas station to get myself a chicken biscuit. And it was tasty.
For some context, I’m currently staying on St. George Island, a tiny little island about an hour and a half drive away from Tallahassee. There’s only one chain restaurant on the island, that being a Subway (which does have the same chemical smell as every other Subway on the planet) but aside from that, all local business.
At the front of the island is a gas station that is perpetually full, seeing as it’s the only spot to get gas on the island. The interior of the building is what’s really interesting though. Since the only “real” grocery store on the island tends to be ill-stocked, this gas station has made itself a psuedo-grocery store. Not just in the typical way of having cereal and milk, but there’s now produce, a whole deli section, and freshly baked goods every day. And in the mornings, an array of homemade biscuits.
Now, this hasn’t always been the case. For years it was just your typical gas station affair. You’d go in to grab some snacks and gatorade, and then be back on the road. However, St. George Island also used to be a lot less well known. As its popularity grew, so did the need for more food. As such, in 2018 the small gas station that greeted you at the front of the island got an expansion of a side room with fresh vegetables, fruits, meats, and cheeses. But along with that, every day there were fresh cookies, muffins, gigantic cinnamon rolls, and other assorted pastries set out. As these sold well, it wasn’t long until breakfast sandwiches and biscuits were added to the repertoire.
I’ve had these biscuits in the past, so my trek this morning wasn’t an adventure into the unknown as much as it was a check up with an old friend. To be honest, the biscuits aren’t anything too special. It was a simple chicken biscuit (for some reason with American cheese) and it was tasty, but not anything you have to travel down to Florida to get. However, if you’re already in the area, why not swing by and grab one? The biscuit itself has become more of a tradition for me, checking in with the shop each time I’m down on the island. But it’s always nice, seeing the same people running the store who have for years finally being able to expand their selection more, serving their community with a homemade and heartfelt breakfast.
Despite the typical stigma around it, the food found in gas stations can be quite delicious. Whether it’s full on meals like breakfasts with biscuits, a southern staple of barbecue on the side of the road, local affairs like boudin in Louisiana, or simply some local baked goods, the people making these foods aren’t trying to poison you. But if it feels right, grab some grub the next time you pull off the highway to fill up your tank. Who knows, you might just find a great meal and a great story in a place you’d never expect. Although, you may still want to stay away from the hot dogs, that’ll give you a less fun story to tell.
PS. If you enjoyed this, you can find all of my other projects I’ve already made here, and follow my Instagram and Twitter to keep up to date with me too.