(Filled-up 09/01/25 MO @ 12:30pm): These days, everyone is getting shelled by the price of gas!…read more
Glendale's Pacific Ave. Shell gas station location was conveniently located on the 134 eastbound freeway offramp exit. Usually, I tried to fill up at Costco because they had the least-expensive gas around; however, circumstances led me here. The company was founded in 1833 by Marcus Samuel when he decided to expand his London antique business to try and sell oriental seashells as well, due to their popularity in interior design at the time, that ultimately laid the foundation of an import-export business. In the 1880s, his two sons expanded into the oil exporting business. In 1897, his sons renamed the company the Shell Transport and Trading Co. (hence, the logo) and launched their first refinery. On April 23, 1907, the company merged with Royal Dutch to form the Royal Dutch Shell Group (noted as Shell's birthday). Over the decades, the company expanded globally, launched new exploration programs, and found innovations. In the 1980s, the company grew by acquisitions. Today, the company has been met with many challenges from climate change to increased energy needs as it focused to be an active player as the world transitions to a lower carbon emission energy system. Was I shellshocked by the price!?
PURCHASE(S)
87 Unleaded Gas ($59.50): I was below the ¼-tank marker and frantically dealt with some last-minute errands before I left town for work. I was the only customer at the time, so I easily pulled into a pump and fueled up immediately. After 13.314 gallons of gas at $4.469/gallon, my CRV was full and ready to go.
SERVICE
Unless there was something wrong with the pump you were at, the machine was out of receipt paper, or the credit card wasn't working, it was all self-service. Thankfully, my pump flowed quickly and finished fast. If I went inside the food mart, I'm sure I would've seen some employees. All was good and straightforward - thank you!
PARKING
(N/A) None specifically for the gas station (why would you need one anyway?). However, there were a couple of spots near and behind the food mart - 'nuff said!
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
Located along the high-trafficked main drag Pacific Ave., this was a medium gas station with fairly wide one-lane aisles all with long lanes that allowed you to pass around cars. It had a total of 8 pump stations (4 gas lanes with two pumps each). They had soapy suds, squeaky squeegees, paper towels, trash cans, and air & water stations. The pump stations were completely covered from the elements unless a hurricane or tornado headed towards you. And, there was a food mart for any snack. There were a couple of ways to enter/exit the area which alleviated the potential for any traffic jams. There was plenty of natural lighting during the day and plenty of soul-sucking fluorescent lighting at night. There were no TVs or background music. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=V7Kit6r2uTuBWdNPChpI0A
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
Shell's Glendale's Pacific Ave. location served its purpose with its relatively comparable prices, its proximity to the freeway offramp, and the food mart in case I needed any snacks. However, I wasn't aware whether or not they charged for air or water which many stations annoyingly did these days. I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $59.50 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice...AMEX! 4.0 STARS