Ode to the Gas Station Cheeseburger

First off, let me explain how this came about; last week a few of us got together for a short day on the water and on the way we had met up at a local gas station. We packed into one vehicle and the conversation got interesting, for most of us. The topic of discussion was cheeseburgers; gas station cheeseburgers. Sam had just mentioned how much he likes them, and my eyes nearly flew right out of my head with just the thought of sharing my love for gas station food. 

The topic of discussion was cheeseburgers; gas station cheeseburgers

Bosco sticks, Jalapeno poppers, Cheeseburgers, the Chester fried chicken at the Cascade, MT grocery store, and the breakfast burritos at Ulm, Montana’s Buffalo Jump gas station are some of our favorites just to name a few. So the question is, why are we writing about greasy old gas station food? Well here it is, today after a solo trip on the water I couldn’t help but think about how hungry I was and the closest warm food was… you guessed it, the ole reliable gas station and its delicious cheeseburgers.

I immediately thought about how gas station food has become engraved in our fisherman DNA and our culture as a whole. We have all been there whether it was after a 90 degree day chasing carp on the flats, a week long steelhead trip across a few states, or even a camping trip in the back country chasing cutthroat. The gas station and its delicious food and maybe even the occasional frozen ICEE were there with open arms. Even when we stroll in with wet pants from our leaky waders or looking and sometimes even smelling like a bum. Next time you go to the gas station take some pride in those chicken gizzards, sometimes we live at the gas station on some awesome trips with some amazing memories. All-in-all when you’re sleeping in the back of your truck in the parking lot next time raise a cold one or even a hot cheeseburger and know that you are part of a great fishing community and relax knowing that we have built an awesome culture around ourselves. Don’t be afraid to share with us your favorite foods or even specific gas stations, we would love to hear them! Here are a few of ours.

Sam: Jalapeno poppers. Fried chicken – Cascade, MT  Breakfast burritos – Ulm, MT… and the fried burritos at the Browning, MT Town Pump

Paul: Jalapeno corn dogs – Great falls, MT

Fred: Breakfast burritos – Ulm, MT

Calvin: Gravy cups ( Pack river store) – ID

Myself: Breakfast burritos – Ulm, MT – Mac & Cheese bites – Cascade, MT