Is the debate settled? This Iowa gas station ranks among the best for food, voters say

Paris Barraza, Des Moines Register
·2 min read

Quick. Where do you go to get some of the best gas station food around?

If you answered Casey’s, then you’ll be glad to know it was named second in a new ranking.

USA TODAY 10Best released its list of best gas stations for food. A panel of industry experts nominated gas stations that 10Best editors vetted before readers voted on a final set of nominees.

It’s not the first time Casey’s won in a convenience store battle decided by the people.

A 2019 Des Moines Register online poll, with more than 2,600 votes counted, proved Casey’s was the favorite for pizza, coffee and doughnuts.

The Ankeny-based Casey’s General Stores, which is the nation’s third-largest convenience store chain, has more than 2,600 stores in 17 states.

But it isn’t the only Iowa-based chain recognized by 10Best.

What other gas stations have the best food?

The new Hy-Vee Fast and Fresh combination gas and grocery store in Altoona Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019.
The new Hy-Vee Fast and Fresh combination gas and grocery store in Altoona Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019.

Beating Casey’s for the No. 1 spot was Royal Farms, a convenience store headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland and known for its hand-breaded fried chicken seasoned with its “famous” spice blend. That’s in addition to offering hand-cut potato wedges known as Western fries, breakfast items and more.

Here are the other top 10 best gas stations for food, following Casey’s:

  • Kwik Trip (Kwik Star in Iowa)

  • Rutter’s

  • TravelCenters of America

  • Maverik

  • QuickChek

  • Weigel’s

  • QuikTrip

  • Buc-ee’s

In addition to naming the 10 best gas stations for food, 10Best released a new list on the best gas station brands. Casey’s was ranked third, following Hy-Vee at No. 2.

What’s on Casey’s menu?

A Casey's pizza with pepperoni and extra cheese, on Sunday, June 12, 2022.
A Casey's pizza with pepperoni and extra cheese, on Sunday, June 12, 2022.

Casey’s pizza is likely the first thing that comes to mind when people think about their food. That includes breakfast pizza, taco pizza and a thin-crust pizza introduced last year.

More: Do Iowans know taco pizzas? Watch a blind test of Taco John's, Casey's and Happy Joe's

In fact, the convenience store chain sees pizza, and prepared foods, as a growth area for the company.

Casey’s also offers chicken wings, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, salads, chicken tenders and more. The chain expanded its sandwich menu in March with new offerings including a breaded pork sandwich.

Paris Barraza is a trending and general assignment reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at pbarraza@registermedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Ankeny-based Casey's named No. 2 best gas station for food