Texas Travels: A Comparison of Food in Gas Stations and Repurposed Gas Stations from Mississippi and Texas

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Erin E. Scott

Abstract

In the 20th century, car culture influenced and shaped the way Americans ate. When there were few choices along the road, early motorists relied on boxed lunches and picnics. Soon roadside eateries offered food and quick bites to the motorist looking for a place to stop and fill up. Today this gas station or “road” food sometimes sparks fond memories, but it frequently carries negative connotations.


Can the gas station convenience store capture the on-the-go American customer? Will the average American consumer buy sushi from a gas station? With the explosion of food culture, enthusiastic “foodies” are seeking out food trucks and trailers. Will the next new “hit” move from the truck and be in the gas station? I was curious to explore these questions, and after moving from a smaller populated, small town state (Mississippi) to a large state both in population and area (Texas), I was also interested to compare stores in denser populated regions to those in Mississippi where I had already done research.

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Research Essays, Notes, & Queries