It’s the summer of 1996, and I’m working a summer job in the Raleigh area that has me traveling all over the back roads of eastern North Carolina. Clayton, Clinton, Kinston, all the way to the northeast corner of Chowan County.

Most days, it’s me and my Mr. Miyagi at the time, Dennis Adams. Dennis was probably 20 years older than me and had been doing this work for a long time. He knew everyone, every shortcut and, most importantly, all the best places to stop and eat.

One place in particular was unforgettable.

It didn’t have a catchy name. It was just a gas station along some back road I couldn’t find today if you paid me.

The sign out front read: “Eat Food. Get Gas.”

My inner 11-year-old laughed. Because it’s funny. I don’t care how old you are. Fart equals funny.

But there was no false advertising here. You could walk inside, fill your stomach with what was probably a meat-and-three and a sweet tea, then top off your gas tank before getting back on the road.

There’s something special about food from a place that doesn’t look like it should have good food.

You walk in expecting a bag of chips and some roller-grill hot dogs. Instead, you find fried chicken, burgers, biscuits or some other delicacy good enough to make you tell your friends about it.

For a time, some of the best fried chicken in Charlotte could be found inside the Quik Shoppe/Shell station at the corner of East Boulevard and South Boulevard. People didn’t simply stop there because they needed gas. They went because they wanted the chicken.

That got me thinking: Where is Gaston County’s “Eat Food. Get Gas.” spot?

Where are the places that look like regular gas stations from the outside but serve food good enough to become the real reason you stop?

I want to hear about your favorite gas-station food in Gaston County. Maybe it’s fried chicken, a breakfast biscuit, a burger, a hot dog or something else entirely.

There is only one requirement: You must be able to fill your stomach and your gas tank at the same place. Just not at the same time, of course.

Send me the name of your favorite place, where it is and what everyone should order when they get there. I’ll gather your recommendations and share the best ones in an upcoming issue.

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A new profile introduces Christi Falls, whose children’s roadside tomato-and-egg stand inspired Falls Family Farms in Gastonia. Today, visitors can shop rare houseplants and Carolina-made goods, cut seasonal flowers and meet farm animals, while Christi moves forward following breast cancer treatment with hope. [VoyageRaleigh]

On Oct. 3, Belmont Abbey College will dedicate its refurbished stage and theatre to Simon Donoghue, honoring the Abbey Players director on the 50th anniversary of his directorial debut. The free celebration launches a new chapter for performing arts at the college.

Hello Gaston subscribers can enter to win two tickets to the Ghost Peppers’ Fan Appreciation Night on Thursday, September 10. Gastonia hosts the Lexington Legends at 7 p.m. for its final regular-season home game. The deadline to enter is this Friday, September 4 at 3 p.m. Enter here!

Inspired by a local third grader, Dallas is working to build an all-inclusive playground at Cloninger Park. Senator Brad Overcash secured $100,000 for the project, leaving $80,000 to raise. Mayor Hayley Beaty is inviting businesses, organizations and residents to help make this vision a reality.

Hello Gaston just turned 2, and if you haven’t completed this year’s anonymous reader survey, I’d love to hear from you! It takes only two or three minutes, and your answers will help shape Year 3 while giving local advertising partners a better picture of our readers.

Disclaimer: News items marked with ($) in this section indicate sponsored content.

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Tuesday (9/1) - High Point Rockers @ 6 p.m.
Wednesday (9/2) - High Point Rockers @ 12:30 p.m.
Thursday (9/3) - High Point Rockers @ 7 p.m.

Strong Like AK 2nd Annual Low Country Boil
📍 2311 S. Point Road, Belmont
📅 Saturday, September 12
⏰ 4–8 p.m.
Enjoy a Low Country boil and live music while helping Strong Like AK provide housing, financial assistance and comforting experiences for families facing childhood cancer. More Details.

Get Ready Gaston Forum
📍 Gaston College, 201 Highway 321 South, Dallas
⏰ 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
Hear updates from civic, transportation and economic-development leaders while connecting with local professionals over breakfast, lunch and scheduled networking breaks. More Details.

Caffeine & Conversation
📍 Gastonia Farmers Market, 410 E. Long Avenue, Gastonia
⏰ 9:30–10 a.m.
Grab some coffee and connect with Downtown Gastonia partners before the organization’s monthly meeting begins at the Gastonia Farmers Market.

First Methodist Church Mount Holly Cruise-In
📍 140 N. Main Street, Mount Holly
⏰ 5–8 p.m.
Check out custom cars, trucks and other vehicles while enjoying a relaxed community gathering featuring a 50/50 raffle. Everyone is welcome. More Details.

September Nights presents Tangerine Trees
📍 The Gazebo at Patriots Park, 220 S. Railroad Avenue, Kings Mountain
⏰ 6 p.m.
Tangerine Trees brings Beatles favorites and other songs from the era to this free September Nights concert in downtown Kings Mountain. More Details. 

Disclaimer: Event details are subject to change or cancellation. Please check with the event organizers for the most up-to-date information. We are not responsible for any changes after publication. Events marked with ($) in this section indicate sponsored content.

(One local. A few of their favorites. Countless reasons to love Gaston County.)

🏙️ Favorite Downtown | Downtown Belmont
“Downtown Belmont has everything I want in a small downtown: great restaurants, local shops, community events, and enough energy to feel lively while still feeling like home.”

📚 Favorite Local Shop | Belmont Bookshop
“It’s a great spot to hang out and support local. Their commitment to building community really resonates with me and reflects what we’re trying to create in our own little corner of Belmont.”

🍻 Favorite Place to Meet Friends | The Station
“Set in Belmont’s historic train depot, The Station is an unpretentious gathering place with great food and drinks. You can bring the family to meet a few friends and usually end up seeing several more.”

🌅 Favorite Place to Watch a Sunset | Drift on Lake Wylie
“Drift has one of the best views in the county. Watching the sun set over Lake Wylie with a drink in hand is hard to beat.”

🥾 Favorite Scenic View | The Pinnacle and Crowders Mountain
“Whether you hike the Pinnacle Trail to The Pinnacle or the Crowders Trail to The Overlook, the view reminds you how much natural beauty we have right here in Gaston County. Definitely worth the climb.”

❤️ Why I Love Gaston County:
“What I love most about Gaston County is simple: it’s home. I grew up in Stanley and graduated from East Gaston, but spent much of my adult life away for education and military service. Having experienced life elsewhere, I chose to come back. Now Belmont is where we’re raising our family, supporting our community, and building our future.”

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