Some people keep tire jacks and emergency flairs. I stock my car with fork-and-napkin packets from takeout places. I usually have 5 or 10 stuffed into the pocket of my driver's side door.
In nice weather, I might perch on the hood. But mostly, I end up with food spread across my ample lap or on the passenger seat. I've stopped apologizing for the feed stains on my shirts. I don't think I own any item of clothing that hasn't been annointed with something.
For this edition, I had to spread out on my lap because Tom Hanchett, learned curator of a perfectly legitimate museum, the Levine Museum of the New South, had accepted the invitation Friday when I called with the magic words: Shell Station.
Tom and I both were at a Story Slam reading in Charlotte a couple of weeks ago when poet John Hartness threw out a provocative claim: "The best fried chicken in Charlotte is at the Shell station at Eastway and Shamrock." Stick to your iambic pentameter and line scans, buster. You're making claims about gas station fried chicken and that's my business.
I had to wait for Thanksgiving to get out of the way, but I was ready at the first open lunch hour. Yes, the Shell station does indeed have fine fried chicken. You can pick between spicy (kind of red in color) and plain. Huge drumsticks. Excellent crust. Meaty thighs.
Sides include things like nicely cooked lima beans and cheese-saucy mac & cheese. I sampled a couple of Buffalo wings, which were slightly disappointing -- decent crust and chewiness, but no heat.
So I will offer up the Eastway Shell station in two categories: Best gas-station fried chicken, and almost certainly best late-night fried chicken. I can't personally vouch for that last one, not being a late-night kind of girl anymore, but my youth isn't so far gone that I don't have a feeling for things like that. If I were out bar-crawling, I would be happy stopping there to gnaw a thigh as insurance against a hangover.
What do you think? Care to offer up your own nomination for best gas-station fried chicken in Charlotte and the immediate vicinity?
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19 comments:
The BP at the corner of Arrowood and Nations Ford Rd has excellent Fried Chicken. Their potato boats are the best in Charlotte.
Shell at South Blvd & East Blvd
Is the Shell at South and East still good? I remember that it used to have really good breakfasts, but I haven't been there in a while.
I second the shell station at east/south blvd. I might even go so far as to say its better than the extremely overhyped chicken coop around the corner.
I am to scared to eat anything from a gas station....they always smell like feet.
My wife once ate a pickled pigs foot from a gas station outside back mountain , it was a dare, the next dare she passed on food and married me that was twenty years ago.
I have pictures of both occasions.
LIVERS & GIZZARDS!
Please does anyone know where in Charlotte I can find good fried L/G? I've bought them at a couple of gas station "restaurants," (I think Chester's) but very disappointed.
both locations ( east blvd and eastway) are owned by the same company.
Glad you enjoyed it! You can always trust a fat guy to steer you right for fried food!
The "old" BP on Red River Rd in Rock Hill has pretty good chicken but their fried pork chops are killer (except on Friday when all they fry up is local fish.)
Anon 3:04 - you must be out of your goldang mind - the coop is the king.
Livers & Gizzards: I can't speak for the livers, due to an unfortunate force-feeding episode from my childhood. (I'll spare you the ugly details.) But I do speak gizzard, and I have to stand by the gizzards at Price's. I haven't confirmed the reports that they are soaked in buttermilk before frying, but they are the perfect combinations of tender/crispy.
I hope you never have to use those "FLAIRS", you might have better luck with some Flares instead.
A little far away but Aunt M's at exit 5 on i-26 in South Carolina. Then you can take it over and get great peaches in Cooley Springs.
"both locations (east blvd and eastway) are owned by the same company."
They are all owned by the Spivey's. East and South, Shamrock and Eastway, Wilkinson and Ashley, Brookshire and Oakdale. All have great food. Westside Originals.
this is great. gas station cuisine is the norm in Iceland - and when i visited there back in April, i had a hard time with it at first! gas station eating there is nothing at all like it is here - they have full fledged cafes and serve beer! i'm not sure i'll ever eat at one in the States but i sure did enjoy the Icelander's Shells and Essos!
The store at East/South Blvd is Quick Shoppe and the chicken is excellent. They buy from local distributor Prestige Farms, the same distributor the majority of fine dining restaurants buy from. Great on Panther Sunday's if you need a quick tailgate meal.
For Chicken, Livers & Gizzards, try Mr. Charles @ the corner of LaSalle St. and Statesville Rd. You can't beat the 3 Wing 4 Taters & a roll "PoBoy" for $2.99. My five year old even loves Mr. Charley's! You can also go up a half mile to Pile Em Up Bob's on Statesville!
I am not a liver fan myself but the folks I work with swear by the KFC livers in Belmont on Wilkinson....
Great story! I got a kick out of reading this - and I'm sure you and your colleagues loved reporting it.
Makes me want to take a road trip for some fried chicken and potato wedges.
I love ride for drive on the road. I park in the first restaurant that sells fried food!!! I buy any thing with fat. I love!
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