Myth Vs Fact: 6 Things You Need To Stop Believing About Gas Station Food

There are two types of people who encounter gas station food. Some of them turn their noses up at it, convinced it's going to make them sick (and unfortunately, they may be right). Others, hungry and weary from their time on the road, see those glistening gas station hot dogs or other hot foods and immediately decide to indulge in a treat. We don't judge either way — although we do recommend staying on the lookout for these hot dog red flags when you do decide to buy food from these places.

Whichever category you fall into, though, there's a good chance that you believe some of the most prevalent myths about gas station food out there. Perhaps you think that the coffee is always bad or that you're getting a good price on snacks from the gas station. And until you learn the truth, you won't be taking advantage of gas station trips like you could be.

We're taking a closer look at these myths and busting them so you can get a clearer idea of what you can expect the next time you eat gas station food. After all, whether you decide to partake or not, you might just learn something that will prompt you to think about this kind of food a bit differently moving forward.

Let's be honest: There's a lot of not-so-healthy food at most gas stations, from chips to candy. And while everyone has a different sense of what's healthy and what's not, it's not a secret that most of our favorite gas station snacks are not exactly health foods. But that doesn't mean that absolutely all the food you'll find at these places is bad for you. In fact, depending on the exact station's offerings, you might be able to snag some pretty nutritious items while you're there.

For arguably healthier choices, be on the lookout for foods that pack a decent amount of protein, like cottage cheese or tuna. Many convenience stores offer these snacks in individual sizes, which makes them easier to grab and go. Another good option? Items that contain a decent amount of fiber. Air-popped popcorn and sunflower seeds are two options to look for the next time you need a quick snack on the road. And if you're lucky, you might have a station near you that carries fresh fruit. We often find bananas, apples, and oranges at gas stations, which can make for a fresher, more hydrating snack than a bag of potato chips.

It seems like everything is getting more expensive these days, including fast food. Fast food restaurants used to be where you'd go to get a cheap meal, and now, many consumers regard them more as a treat than an everyday indulgence. These high prices are part of what's prompting consumers to turn to gas station food instead. You can still find decently cheap meals at a lot of gas station chains, and even though they might not have drive-thrus, that lower price point has its appeal for cash-strapped convenience diners. In fact, customers are specifically turning to these convenience chains at gas stations for breakfast instead of stopping at a fast food joint. Most consumers agree that they offer a viable alternative to other cheap meal sources.

But it's not just rising prices that are convincing diners to eat at gas stations. Many chains are actually offering good — even gourmet-level – food, appealing to those who may not be inclined to eat a roller taquito but could be open to purchasing freshly baked pastries. Some chains are really leaning into this new trend. For example, 7-Eleven has now decided to bring some of its massively popular Japanese food options to the U.S., so shoppers can now grab a tamago sando while filling up on gas.

It's not just fast food prices that are steadily climbing — groceries are also exploding in price, and those viral $7 bags of chips are just one (frankly outrageous) example. Since gas stations arguably have a reputation for offering food for cheap, you might assume that you can stock up on some of your favorite snacks at these spots instead of heading to your local grocery store and save some money in the process. Unfortunately, though, the idea that these snacks are less expensive is a myth. In reality, it can actually be a lot more expensive than what you'll find at the grocery store. Generally speaking, gas station snacks tend to be around 20% to 50% more expensive than their grocery store counterparts. That can make a huge difference in your budget, especially if you're buying these foods from convenience stores on the regular.

This doesn't mean that you won't find food at a gas station convenience store that actually is priced competitively, and sometimes, it really is worth it to pay for that convenience. But if you find yourself wandering into these kinds of spots several times a week to buy a bag of chips, you might want to think about grabbing a big bag at the grocery store and portioning it out instead. Over the long run, it could save you some serious money.

Although, as we've already covered, there are an increasing number of gourmet (or at least gourmet-ish) foods at gas stations, there's largely still an impression that this kind of food doesn't taste very good. In fact, there are plenty of gas station foods that we recommend you avoid entirely. In some cases, that's because you might be at risk of food-borne pathogens, but in other instances, it's simply because these dishes just don't taste very good. That being said, it's a myth that food at gas stations never tastes good — you just have to know where to look to find the good stuff. Chains like Royal Farms and Kwik Trip are generally considered to have excellent food options. Buc-ee's is also popular amongst many convenience store-goers, as is QuikTrip. (Make sure to take a closer look at our favorite QuikTrip eats.)

More generally speaking, a lot of people think that gas station hot dogs specifically are quite delicious, which is perhaps partially attributable to the fact that they strike a nostalgic chord for some. And even when the food isn't incredible, a lot of it is more edible than it's sometimes made out to be. For example, some Redditors say that gas station sushi really isn't all that bad and is comparable to the kind you'd find at some large grocery retailers. Before you write off a good gas station meal, make sure to check out all of your options — you might discover a new convenient fave where you least expected it.

A lot of people think of gas station coffee as the black, sometimes watery, and often over-bitter hot beverage you buy when you need to stay awake for a few more hours to drive to your next destination. This coffee isn't as much an enjoyable beverage as it is a purely functional drink. And the idea of actually looking forward to a gas station coffee? For many convenience store-goers, it's laughable.

But as it turns out, there's a lot of decent coffee out there in these places, with some gas station coffee bars offering an impressive array of different options. At QuickChek, for instance, you don't have to settle for hot coffee — the chain also offers iced coffee, along with lots of different creamers to give your coffee an extra boost of flavor. There are even employees who are trained to help you with your coffee specifically.

At Wawa, there are specialty coffee machines that allow you to make a special, nearly barista-quality coffee yourself. One Instagrammer even managed to make their own pumpkin pie salted caramel latte. So, no, you don't have to settle for bad coffee at these convenient spots.

The United States is a country in which vehicles really do reign. In most parts of the country, you really do need a car to be able to get around easily. It would only follow, then, that with how much this country depends on gas, you would be able to find the world's best gas station food in the U.S. When you consider how celebrated places like Wawa and Buc-ee's are for their food, it sounds like a plausible assumption.

In reality, though, there are a lot of countries that arguably do this kind of food much, much better than the United States. At places in Iceland, for example, you can get full, complete meals that actually look somewhat nutritious, like the fish and chips one writer found while visiting. In some cases, you might even see hot soup available at these convenience stores.

Japan's convenience stores, including those at gas stations, are literally legendary for how delicious their food tends to be. At many locations, you'll be able to find curry dishes and onigiri that make for the perfect convenient treat. And at roadside stops in Italy, it's not unusual to find delicious sandwiches stacked with fresh ingredients, along with espresso bars where you can stand and drink your coffee before returning to the road. So, the next time you travel out of the U.S., see if you can get a taste of the gas station food of the country you're visiting.