Gas station food is typically like playing roulette with your stomach, but here in Florida we’re starting to see some serious restaurants moving into these once baron foodscapes. Here you’ll find a few hidden Orlando gas station restaurants (and some not too far away) where the food is worth the tank of gas to get there.
Los Bocados!
7191 N. State Road 7, Parkland; 954-637-4984
Los Bocados is the brainchild of Anthony Hoff and the restaurant’s sous chef, Robby Bushman. The taqueria offers DIY burritos, tacos and quesadillas, often doused in your choice of four sauces. Located in Parkland, Florida at the corner of Northwest corner of State Road 7 and Hillsboro Boulevard in the Chevron convenience store.
Photo via Los Bocados Facebook Los Bocados!Check out the Guajillo chicken quesadilla with monterey jack cheese, pickled red onion, smoky aioli, fire roasted salsa, crema and guajillo glaze.
Photo via Los Bocados Facebook Los Bocados!DaJen Eats Cafe & Creamery!
4845 N. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando; 407-286-4983
Located inside of Lee Citgo, the spot offers some seriously good Jamaican vegan food. Dajen serves up dairy-free desserts called Irie Cream, a treat that has all the creaminess of its traditionally milk-based equivalent.
Photo via Dajen Eats Facebook Dajen Eats!Check out the build-a-bowl option, which offers up rice and peas, with your choice of piquant jerk chick’n, crispy chick’n and/or cauliflower bites.
Photo via Dajen Eats Facebook Dajen Eats!Pepito’s Plaza!
10701 NW 58th St., Doral; 305-599-3503
Open until 4 a.m. this place is known for being for their late night bites. This Venezuelan inspired spot has some of the best burgers in town. Pepito’s also specializes in sweet corn cachapas, pepito sandwiches and parrillada mixta.
Photo via Pepito’s Plaza facebook Pepito’s Plaza!Check out “The Doralzuela,” which is influenced by the surrounding Venezuelan neighborhood. The sandwich contains a hefty amount of ground beef, chopped grilled chicken and thick-sliced ham, topped with sliced avocado.
Photo via Pepito’s Plaza facebookEl Carajo!
2465 SW 17th Ave., Miami; 305-856-2424
A gas station with a 24-hour wine shop should be enough to get anyone’s attention, however this place is also a Spanish tapas restaurant. This isn’t your average gas station food spot.
Photo via El Carajo website El Carajo!Check out the mushroom & truffle pairing, and pair it with a solid Pinot Noir.
Photo via El Carajo facebook page El CarajoCheck out the blue cheese and buffalo sauce burger, with baked beans and french fries.
Photo via Burger Master facebook burgermaster/facebookDirect from Philly
1201 South Military Trail, Inside the Chevron station, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442, 954-428-7035
In the back of a Chevron, station you’ll find this South Florida jewel. Direct from Philly is about as authentic as it comes, each sandwich has 1/2 lb. of steak or chicken on a 9″ amoroso roll.
Photo via Direct from Philly!Check out their signature sandwiches, including the Pizza Steak which is a cheesesteak sandwich with mozzarella, chopped pepperoni, and pizza sauce.
Photo via Direct From Philly!Check out their mofongos, aka fried mashed plantains.
Photo via Piñones en Orlando Facebook Piñones en Orlando!Tabuleh Cafe at Planet Ozone!
1601 SE Federal Hwy, Stuart, 772-403-2199
This gas station in Stuart houses an organic grocery store with a restaurant serving Greek, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean food.
Photo via Planet Ozone Facebook page Planet Ozone!Check out their famous falafel wrap, which comes with lettuce, tomato, pickled turnip, fresh mint and tahini sauce, served with your choice of pita, lavash or gluten-free lavash
Photo via instagram/theresaann0726Try the Peanut butter cookie dough and strawberry champagne donut.
Photo via DG Doughnuts FacebookCheck out their classic double bacon cheeseburger, a serious gut buster.
Photo via Tops HamburgerSuper Arepa!
15801 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines, 954-240-8351; 9489 Sheridan St., Cooper City, 954-870-9118; 14417 SW 42nd St., Miami, 786-447-8626;
Super Arepa makes some of the best arepas in Florida. The Venezuela-based chain is in many gas stations. Also they offer burgers, chicken caesar salad, pastelitos and empanadas.
Photo via Google Maps Super Arepa!Try the Super Patacon, which is a plantain sandwich with your choice of charcoal grilled beef, chicken, pork, or any combination of the two grilled.
Photo via Photo here
