The Must-Visit Gas Station Snack Stop For New York Road Trips
They say one of the best parts of living in New York City is leaving it. Having a car isn't always practical when street sweepers require constant re-parking, but it's worth it when a road trip calls. If you answer that call, one of the best decisions you can make as a car owner (or renter) is packing a bag and heading upstate for a few days — especially in the fall and spring months when the drive is extra-scenic.
Everyone road trips a little differently, but there are a few universal requirements: plenty of water, a solid playlist (or engrossing audiobook), and good snacks. Some prefer to stock up before they hit the road, but for the spontaneous vacationers among us, it's all about the pitstops. If you find yourself cruising to a pastoral destination in the Empire State with nothing to tide you over before dinner, don't miss a detour to your nearest outpost of Stewart's Shops.
Stewart's is a treasure of the Northeast
If you're not from New York, you might not be familiar with Stewart's. The family-owned convenience chain, founded in 1945, has a relatively small footprint, with only 30 locations concentrated in upstate New York, including Albany and Schenectady. Unlike your typical gas station outlet for chips and drinks, Stewart's is the charming terminus for all your nostalgic cravings in the middle of a long journey. The chain prides itself on being "the place to go" for roadside nourishment.
If you're in the mood for a light snack, get a buttered hard roll. It's an exemplary model of the crispy-crusted version of a Kaiser roll that's specific to New York State. If you're hungry for something more substantial, you can get it with "spicy and crispy" chicken in the middle. But be warned: According to Reddit, Stewart's hard rolls are best when they're hot out of the oven. If you're swinging by later in the day, it never hurts to ask about the latest batch.
If you choose to forsake our buttered roll tip, we understand. You can get a hot dog, a burger, chicken tenders, a salad, or a cup of soup instead. You can also get ice cream.
Stewart's has its own brand of scoops
As much as we've talked up the rolls, Stewart's real claim to fame might be its ice cream. In addition to its classic scoops and "hand-packed" pints, it's always rolling out new flavors that tie in with the seasons.
As of this writing, the latest options include Brownie Points (brownie-batter ice cream pocked with chocolate cookie crumb swirl and brownie pieces); Peanut Butter Pie (peanut butter ice cream with chocolate cookie crumb swirl and peanut butter cups); Very Berry Shortcake (mascarpone ice cream with mixed berry swirl and bites of pound cake); and Daily Grind (coffee ice cream with marshmallow swirl and espresso nubs covered in fudge). They also have mainstays like Brownie Cookie Sundae, Butter Pecan, Columbian Coffee, and Mint Chip.
On a slightly unrelated but potentially helpful note for electric vehicle drivers, the brand announced in March 2023 that one of its Ballston Spa outposts is now equipped with Tesla Superchargers in the parking lot.