The Pizza at This Midwestern Gas Station Chain Has a Cult Following

Here's why it's so good.

These days, everyone has a regional claim to pizza. It’s hard to keep track of all the geographic classifications from New York to Detroit to Colorado to California, and often it's even harder to tell a real difference between two so-called styles.

The Midwest is no exception. We have Chicago deep-dish (and Chicago-style tavern), Provel-topped St. Louis thin-crust, and apparently even a strip-sliced Quad Cities-style (seriously?). But true in-the-know Heartlanders will tell you that there is one pie that reigns supreme (with extra cheese) around here, and you likely drive right by it several times a day—Casey’s pizza.

That’s right. Before you turn your nose up at gas station food: First, y’all need to open your minds and fill up when you fuel up because some of these convenience-store commissaries are next-level. Secondly, and more importantly, you need to realize that Casey’s is no mere gas station.

What is Casey's?

These red-roofed pit stops along the highway called Casey's General Store are a chain of gas station convenience stores that are part club, part cult, part culinary wonderland of subs, wings, breakfast burritos, and bacon mac and cheese. Casey’s is also the fifth-largest pizza chain in the country, serving 30 million pizzas and 63 million slices each year. And in many smaller rural communities, it’s the only fast food, let alone pizza joint.

But don’t feel sorry for these townsfolk. In fact, you should envy them. Because they have access to the best pizza in the Midwest.

What Makes Casey's Pizza So Good?

Good pizza, like any sound structure, is built from the ground up. Here, the foundational dough is handmade from scratch every morning. Casey’s original crust is perfect in that doesn’t try to be particularly distinctive in structure. It’s not tummy-stuffing thick nor is it cracker-crumbly thin. It’s soft without being flimsy, firm without being stale. The crust also provides flavor, a subtle, yeasty richness.

Next is the sauce, which is zesty and slightly sweet beneath a thick, chewy layer of whole-milk mozzarella baked to golden-brown spots.

But lest you think small-town Casey’s leans too much on tradition, the next differentiator is all about adventure. Because while you can’t go wrong with the standard single-topping pepperoni or sausage, Casey’s pizza rewards boldness.

Start with the Taco Pizza which features refried beans, salsa, cheese, and beef or chicken topped with lettuce, diced tomatoes, and seasoned taco chips (It’s amazing!). There’s also the BBQ Brisket Pizza, smothered in barbecue sauce, chopped smoked brisket, jalapeños, red onion, cheese, and drizzled in ranch.

No matter how full you imagine these decadent offerings will make you, add on a Breakfast Pizza—sausage gravy sauce topped with scrambled eggs, cheese, and bacon or sausage. It warms up perfectly in the oven or microwave for a delightful morning treat (or late-night snack).

And yes, since this is the Midwest, you can order sides of Casey’s ranch dressing to dip those leftover crusts in.