Food trucks and carts have become very popular in recent years, and they’re great for chefs, too. Why open, decorate, and staff a whole restaurant when all you want to do is make great food? All you really need is a place to cook where people can find you.

Sharing a storefront with another business is another good option, which is why a lot of great food can be found in gas stations. Next time your car needs gas or air, grab something for yourself while you’re there.

1. Ana’s Casita/76
4321 Rucker Ave

Formerly a food cart in the parking lot, Ana’s Casita can now be found inside the 76 station at 43rd and Rucker. The sign above the kitchen reads Ana’s Mexican Cuisine while the menu reads Ana’s Taste of Mexico. Don’t worry which of these three names is correct, just figure out what to order. It’s a small menu, but it’s all delicious.

Ok, I’ll admit, I’ve only had half of the menu. It’s my favorite neighborhood Mexican takeout, though, so it won’t be long before I have the rest. My favorite so far is the three taco meal. I didn’t know when I ordered that it came as a full meal with rice and beans, that was a pleasant surprise.

Another nice surprise is the case of chicken and pork banh mi the gas station itself sells. Is it the best banh mi in town? Not by a long shot. But it’s good, and probably the only banh mi you can get first thing in the morning. It’s pretty great to have the option to eat banh mi for breakfast or pick one up for lunch later on if you have to eat at work.

TIPS: Ana’s is very popular, but you can avoid frustration by ordering ahead by phone or on Eat24. I never remember to, and while I wait, several people always pop in to grab their orders that are already waiting for them. Also note the limited hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10am-3pm.

2. Super Taco/Chevron
1020 SE Everett Mall Way

Everett’s other great gas station Mexican food comes from Super Taco, which shares little in common other than great flavor. Rather than just being a takeout stand, it’s a larger space with lots of seating. The surprisingly-large menu is spread over several signs around the room. They open early for breakfast six days a week, and even have horchata and milkshakes. They also offer lots of specials. 

The police station is across the street, and there were ten or so officers who got there just before I did. I worried when I was told it’d be a while before they could even take my order, but the chef on duty darted around the room getting that group’s orders and somehow turned them all out in just a few minutes. Highly impressive. I was feeling thrifty that day so I got the 2 Super Tacos Adobada special, which is still on the specials board today.

I wish I knew about Super Taco when I lived in Silver Lake with no car. I’d noticed a shuttered Vietnamese place in the spot that’s now a Boost Mobile at the Texaco on 112th, but had no idea this good stuff was all waiting for me just down the Interurban Trail. Super Taco even offers a Hawaiiana torta; I’ll have to see how it compares to the one at Ade’s next time I go to Bed Bath & Beyond. 

3. Jackson’s/Shell
2631 Walnut St

That’s all I could find for food made on site in Everett gas stations, but a friend who knew I was looking said I should check out the Tornados at the Shell on Everett Avenue at Walnut. I had no idea what Tornados were, but always love an adventure. Turns out they’re the taquito-type things that beckon from the hot metal rollers you can also find at AM/PM and 7/11. 

Over my next two lunches, I tried all four of the varieties that were available that day. They were all good, but the chicken teriyaki one was the most interesting. There were lots of other options for a truck stop-style meal, so if you’re in the mood for a quick adventure, pop by Jackson’s and then hop on I-5.

And please leave a comment if you know about more great gas station food in Everett!

Christopher Bragg works from home in Everett and loves walking, swimming, and cats. You can find him all over town, but only if you keep weird hours and avoid crowds like he does.