What Should I Eat in Your State’s Gas Stations?

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Abstract

id="23b2">But what does “local” really mean? If something is made elsewhere but popular here, does that count? For instance, <a href="https://www.rccolainternational.com/">RC Cola</a> has plenty of Tennessee fans but originated in Georgia. What about something that’s made here but can be easily found anywhere? <a href="https://www.littledebbie.com/www">Little Debbie</a> snack cakes are from Tennessee but can be bought nationwide.Ultimately, I returned to the original reason I began this exercise: the whole point is to try foods that I can’t find elsewhere. So I should only recommend snacks and drinks that are made in Tennessee, that would be difficult to find anywhere else, and — of course — that are likely to be found in gas stations.So if anyone is traveling through Tennessee, especially Middle Tennessee, look out for <a href="https://moonpie.com/">MoonPies</a> and <a href="https://googoo.com/">Goo Goo Clusters</a>. MoonPies are snacks made of two soft, crumbly cakes that taste like graham crackers and are stuck together with marshmallow. Made in Chattanooga,

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Tennessee, these popular treats are enrobed in a flavored coating that could be chocolate, vanilla, banana, or a specialty flavor. I’ve even seen pumpkin spice MoonPies!<figure id="fe3a"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*KX-9aXUbW9JPR_FZAw78eQ.jpeg"><figcaption>I was surprised to find this Tennessee treat in the same Mississippi gas station. Photo by Maggie Gigandet.</figcaption></figure>Goo Goo Clusters are a favorite of mine. They are round candies about the size of your palm; the classic flavor is marshmallow nougat, peanuts, and caramel covered in milk chocolate. There are other varieties including one with peanut butter. I’ve never been able to resist a Goo Goo Cluster, and I bet you can’t either!<figure id="237c"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*NFWpm6MUh3PyjjuFJMS5iw.jpeg"><figcaption>I love Goo Goo Clusters! Photo by Maggie Gigandet.</figcaption></figure>So now that you have my recommendation, I’d love yours — what should I eat when I’m in a gas station in your state?</article></body>

What Should I Eat in Your State’s Gas Stations?

Snacks don’t stop at borders. I found these cookies in a Mississippi gas station near the Louisiana border, but the package says they’re made in Alabama. Photo by Maggie Gigandet.

One of my favorite parts of traveling is visiting local grocery stores. I love perusing each aisle looking for products that I’ve never seen before. To me, shopping at these stores is a good way to get a better glimpse at life in the community.

On long road trips, gas stations are more than just opportunities to stretch and grab a cup of coffee; they’re also opportunities to discover new foods and learn a bit about the region.

During recent trips, I’ve started wondering which foods I should be looking for as I cross state borders. And I started thinking about what local snacks I would recommend people try if they’re traveling through Tennessee.

But what does “local” really mean? If something is made elsewhere but popular here, does that count? For instance, RC Cola has plenty of Tennessee fans but originated in Georgia. What about something that’s made here but can be easily found anywhere? Little Debbie snack cakes are from Tennessee but can be bought nationwide.

Ultimately, I returned to the original reason I began this exercise: the whole point is to try foods that I can’t find elsewhere. So I should only recommend snacks and drinks that are made in Tennessee, that would be difficult to find anywhere else, and — of course — that are likely to be found in gas stations.

So if anyone is traveling through Tennessee, especially Middle Tennessee, look out for MoonPies and Goo Goo Clusters. MoonPies are snacks made of two soft, crumbly cakes that taste like graham crackers and are stuck together with marshmallow. Made in Chattanooga, Tennessee, these popular treats are enrobed in a flavored coating that could be chocolate, vanilla, banana, or a specialty flavor. I’ve even seen pumpkin spice MoonPies!

I was surprised to find this Tennessee treat in the same Mississippi gas station. Photo by Maggie Gigandet.

Goo Goo Clusters are a favorite of mine. They are round candies about the size of your palm; the classic flavor is marshmallow nougat, peanuts, and caramel covered in milk chocolate. There are other varieties including one with peanut butter. I’ve never been able to resist a Goo Goo Cluster, and I bet you can’t either!

I love Goo Goo Clusters! Photo by Maggie Gigandet.

So now that you have my recommendation, I’d love yours — what should I eat when I’m in a gas station in your state?