From slushies to pretzels, the gas station has it all. Graphic by Eleanor Angelly.
The gas station is an intensely mundane and integrally common part of the modern human experience. The necessary pit stop is ready to be embraced as an art form. Read on to discover Culture’s optimal go-to orders.
EMMA MCLEAN | CULTURE CO-EDITOR | emclean@butler.edu
In the midst of shelling out an eye-watering sum of money for gas and listening to Lana Del Rey over the radio, a gas station on a desolate country road becomes a culinary oasis. It is now time to transform into a Z-List food curator. Step inside, and lo and behold: a cold Cherry Coke awaits in the crowded fridge. Naturally, the next step is to grab Baked Barbeque Lays and assign them to a special, reachable place by the dashboard. This delightful pairing guarantees at least a sliver of serotonin for the monotonous stretch of road ahead.
JACK WILLIAMS | CULTURE CO-EDITOR | jrwilliams@butler.edu
Selecting a favorite gas station snack is a finely honed craft, developed over years of family road trips and late-night study sessions. Keebler Sandwich Crackers are a practical choice. The option between the cheesy standard square and the blaze-orange peanut butter pack is the perfect amount of variety. For those who need equal parts fuel and delight, a comically large cup of unbranded black coffee and a pastry of the day can provide the ideal start to the day. Either way, gas station snacks are a reassuring constant, whether students are in the driver’s seat or passengers drifting off to sleep.
MADDY BRODERICK | ASSISTANT CULTURE EDITOR | mbroderick@butler.edu
As the gas pump clicks to a stop, Taylor Swift’s “Mean (Taylor’s Version)” blares through the car speakers and the car’s energy is contagious. 7/11 is a must-hit stop in Glenview before driving northeast to watch the sunset on the beach. Inside, the first order of business is finding that coveted Red Gatorade — a necessary pick-me-up for an optimal sunset-viewing experience. With the electrolytes secured, a family-size bag of Cheez-Its comes next, perfect for sharing and snacking. To top it off, a couple of king-sized Milky Ways make their way to the counter — because nothing says beach vibes like a little sugar rush. Stocked and ready to roll, this sets the scene for a perfect evening, snacks in hand and Taylor on repeat.
TORI SATCHWELL | STAFF REPORTER | tsatchwell@butler.edu
Red or blue — the infamous question Bob’s Food Mart asks patrons every time they enter those beloved doors. Forget “The Matrix”; Bob’s slushies are out of this world. While many gas stations stock the beloved slushie, they simply do not compare to the brain freeze one might get from a slurp of Bob’s slushies. Travel far or down the block for this unmatched flavor, guaranteed to brighten anyone’s day.
SAMANTHA RITTENBERG | STAFF REPORTER | srittenberg@butler.edu
A red label catches the eye of an onlooker, could it be a pack of Ritz peanut butter crackers? Nothing compares to the crunch of a buttery cracker mixed with the smooth, creamy taste of peanut butter — so simple yet so delicious. There are the perfect amount of mini sandwiches in the pack to keep the snacker satisfied without being overly full. Every gas station sells them, and they are impossible to mess up.
ABBY KIDWELL | STAFF REPORTER | arkidwell@butler.edu
Every visit to the bright fluorescent interior of a gas station begs the same initial question — fruit or chocolate? After all, there is no cardinal sin greater than that of mixing flavor profiles. To satisfy the former, there is no better pairing than a cherry slushie and a bag of Skittles in the original flavor. As for the latter, look no further than a KitKat and Prairie Farms chocolate milk to wash it down. Either fix will provide the necessary fuel for whatever journey is ahead.
ALEX MCCARTY | STAFF REPORTER | armccarty@butler.edu
Rarely is the thought of visiting a gas station something to be excited about. However, the savory taste of Combos cheddar cheese baked pretzels turns a mundane roadside stop into a worthy endeavor. The crunchy exterior awakens the senses while the smooth and creamy interior eases the mind. Combine that with a soothing 70s song like America’s “Ventura Highway” and the road is yours to conquer. Considering how stressful long road trips can be, there are few things more reassuring than that.
