Wow, Wally's has now replaced Buc-ees as favorite gas station! It was the first time we haven't seen one or heard about it, so we had to stop by. Very similar to a Buc-ees, lots of food, great bathrooms, hot food, retail, jerky, popcorn, beer, and Nee-dohs! We spend about 30 minutes later walking through everything. We ended up buying jerky, hot cheesy potato bites, house made chips, hoagie, chicken Caesar wrap, cinnamon roll, and Nee-dohs! The food was great - not too salted - tasted pretty fresh and portion size was good. Much better than competitors. They told us they have been open since June 2025, but it was barely crowded inside. This is definitely a must stop location! read more

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It is a shopping mall built into a truck stop. Ice Cream, Pop Corn, Sandwiches, Toys, and Apparel. It's overwhelming, and the bathroom is all the way in the back. These marketing genuises make You walk through everything so when You come out; they have You! It's an interesting setup. Who would think American culture would devolve? A trip to the truck stop is now the same as the Griswald's going to Wally World? read more

THE CLEANEST BATHROOM AND SO MUCH STALL SPACE! That's literally all you need to know but it doesn't stop there. They have a bakery, fresh made popcorn section, a grill, a BBQ section, then classic Chicago items like hot dogs and Italian beef hoagies. There's an ice cream section as well then souvenirs GALORE. Idk if this is a joke but the pic I have is of spam flavored bev? I also saw some customers wearing bucky's gear. The rival but I think everyone appreciates both. Don't ask me which one I prefer! Don't ask me how many Bucky shirts I have read more

Wally's - Service Stations Near Me - Pontiac, Illinois

Wally's has a special place in my heart because we don't have a beaver place to go to around here (yet). I live the bear and stopped here years back when we were heading home from Branson. We put it on the itinerary for our STL trip this year, but I was disappointed in the lack of clothing this time around. We still got popcorn and a blanket and a stuffed bear, but last time I had a whole haul of zippers and tees. This time there was not much to choose from. I still appreciate them and will be back the next time we are passing by! read more

Wally's - Obligatory popcorn tin - Service Stations Near Me - Pontiac, Illinois

Wally's is very similar to Buc-ee's. It gives that vibe. It one gigantic store with gas pumps. Not as big as Buc-ee's, but big. The restrooms were very clean with the amount of traffic that was in there. They had a variety of snacks and food items. The staff I encountered were nice. The store was spotless. Definitely a place to visit if you're near one. read more

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My fiancé and I absolutely love this place. It's my first time coming, and I was amazed at how clean and nice it was inside. Tons of amazing gifts! They slice and chopped the brisket in front of you and it smells amazing, like you're at a smokehouse. It's delicious too!! $7.50 for a sandwich is worth it because they really pile on the meat. My fiancé also had the Italian beef which is $7 and that was delicious and seasoned so well. The meat is very tender. The garlic beef jerky that's made fresh is outstanding. We brought sandwiches and jerky home for my parents and they went crazy. read more

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So I have to point out first that I've never been to a Buc-ee's before, which Wally's will obviously draw comparisons to. I have friends who have though and watched some videos of it, so I have a little knowledge? Both have lots of gas, both have a larger than life store, and both have lots of hot food items for sale. From what I remember, here you can get coffee, slushies, popcorn, cookies, ice cream, a wide selection of pop, barbecue, fish sandwiches, baked goods, and probably a few more I'm forgetting. We brought a brisket sandwich and fish sandwich home, and both were pretty solid, and I was surprised the brisket wasn't dry. They have a lot of non-food stuff to buy too. We picked up a few souvenir shirts, but there are a lot of random toys to entice your children to buy, so keep an eye on them. Is it better than Buc-ee's? I can't really say, but their CEO sounds kind of douchey so I'm happy to have Wally's in our state. It's hard to define if it's a destination spot as I don't think people are necessarily coming to Pontiac on vacation, but it's great as a road trip stop. read more

Pit stop mission. Lots of different snacks and products to choose from. Gas station as well. Everything from donuts to clothes. Fun trip to look through the store at all they have to offer. Located in Pontiac, Illinois. Known Great American Road trip pit stop. Recommended. read more

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My first visit here - super impressed with the clean bathrooms. Would have liked to try their popcorn, but wasn't willing to wait in the long line after an 8 hour drive with several more to go. Gas prices were good & it was good to have so many pumps for easy entry & exit. The traffic circle (roundabout) also makes traffic flow well. On my return to the long trip, I stopped here for the restrooms & top off the gas. The restrooms were less than ideal this time. Literally, there was POOP on the floor of the first stall I opened. The next stall was poopless, but still a mess. I didn't wait for the popcorn again. I just wanted to get out of there as fast as I could. Topped off the gas & headed on down I55. I originally stopped here bc of all the comparisons to Buc-ee's. Not even close. Buc-ee's restrooms are impeccably clean with a dedicated employee ensuring that is the case. Indicator LIGHTS (red/green) above and "vacant/occupied" indicators on the doors. There is no peeking or knocking to see if something is open. Not the case at Wally's. Gas situation is similar to Buc-ee's. Easy in & out & fair prices. Wally's gets the extra star here by providing washer wiper squeegees to scrub off the dead bugs from the road trip. Overall, not super impressed & definitely disgusted by the restroom situation. Would probably go to a different exit for a better road trip stop experience next time. Disappointing- I wanted to love you, Wally's read more

Wallys is the temu version of buccees but it is a must stop also more expensive than buccees

It was my first time. I need to go back on my next road trip because this stop was so late night We didn't get to try anything really They were already cleaning up for the night I hear donuts are great but it was a quiet lonely visit This is a must stop but I just have to time it better. Plenty of variety but no where near the beaver. I thought some of their merchandise was so funny! read more

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A perfect break when driving from STL to the Chicago area. The place is huge, with plenty of gas pumps and parking. The store has something for everyone. A large selection of food items, BBQ, sandwiches, burritos, and pizza , drinks, alcohol, sugary treats and tons of Wally branded items. Bathrooms were very clean. This is our go to stop ! read more

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Me and my wife's first time at Wally's in Pontiac, Illinois and it is hands down one of the best gas station we have ever been to! The place is spotless, super spacious, and feels more like a mini travel destination than a pit stop. Whether you're filling up, grabbing a coffee, or just stretching your legs -- Wally's makes the trip so much better. Highly recommend stopping here! read more

Wally's - Service Stations Near Me - Pontiac, Illinois

Wally's is an experience. It is absolutely HUGE. I was driving to Bloomington and needed gas, Wally's was the best price. There are plenty of pumps and no waiting. I moved my car to the parking lot, as I approached the store entrance, I passed by about a dozen Tesla charging stations. There what seemed to be generic charging stations across the aisle they were covered in tarps, maybe they are still being installed? As I walked into the store I was greeted by the smell of freshly popped popcorn. Just like a movie theater and since the popcorn machines are nowhere near the entrance that was deliberate, it worked as I did walk out with a large bag of popcorn. There is a lot of Wally's branded merchandise, including coffee mugs, t-shirts, hoodies, plush toys, and nick-nacks. They have five dedicated counters: popcorn, coffee/barista, jerky and sausages, BBQ (brisket, pork, I think they had a catfish too), and bakery. They also have 60 self-service flavor fountain options (I'm serious I counted there were 60). The jerky was good, but at $29 a pound I do not know if it a good price. Three pieces was $4.00. The bathrooms were clean and well maintained, they were hotel level bathrooms...at a gas station. Worth a stop. read more

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Stopped at this Wally's in Pontiac during my drive from Chicago to St. Louis. It looks almost exactly like the Wally's in Fenton, MO. Most importantly the restrooms are clean and the soda fountain is clean and well maintained! I'll be back! read more

About 90 minutes away from Chicago. It's like a Buc-ees on training wheels. I went too late to get fresh hot foods. So much of it is like Buc-ees. The super clean bathrooms. The gifts and seasonal items to buy. Tons of self branded food and drinks. Workers are very pleasant. read more

The employees at this location are incompetent. They weren't even friendly. Everything is marked up 1000% and there's so much junk there that you cannot find what you actually need, like washer fluid. DO NOT recommend visiting this company. read more

The Buc'ees of the Midwest? Yesssss! They have a cool BbQ sandwich central and it was just ok. I love that the have their own huge array of merch and obvi, tons of snacks and gas was fairly priced, too! It's a good alternative to my fave spot Buc's! Try their coffee bar. They have a pretty good selection of creamers and sweeteners. Otherwise, clean and huge bathrooms and pretty friendly service. read more

Had the kitchen sink breakfast burrito this morning. It was pretty good and very filling. The staff were super friendly and accommodating. They made me a burrito without cheese and were super nice about it. They gave me a military discount which was very generous. The establishment was very clean. read more

how you get a staff this size to all be so helpful is beyond me but WALLYS ROCKS!! got a free scoop of ice cream on my GF's bday too. we left with way too much stuff haha but, 'when in wallys!' try the orange creme sloosh...it will change your life!! read more

The ultimate truck stop From the bathroom to the dining room , hats , blankets, food, gas You name it they got it They need to create an exit ramp leading right to the parking lot Stop here everytime we go down to the capitol Love this place read more

Wally's - View from the gas pumps - Service Stations Near Me - Pontiac, Illinois

Okay, I get it. I GET IT. The North has responded to the South's Buc-ee's and the war of Northern Aggression has begun again. Please don't get me wrong, I understand the nuances, but those from the great northern climes don't realize how little Wally's registers in their lives. Living in a southern state that has the great southern equivalent in most directions that I travel, it's hard not to be biased. However, I note that when traveling north, they're *really trying* guys! When you're in the middle of nowhere and want way more gas pumps than is truly necessary on I-55, sure, this is a great stop. When you really want some cheesy themed merchandise or random tchotchkes in the middle of said no where, stop here! Now, the parking lot is kind of awkward and isn't really meant to handle shoppers or eaters during a "peak" hour, but I'm sure they'll fix that eventually. Oh, and there's food. Seems legit. Smells good. Then, there's the reason my mother told me to stop - the gloriously clean bathrooms that she hasn't seen since a Buc(SHHHH). Here was the biggest disappointment. Did it look like someone had cleaned at some point? Sure. It's brightly lit, which makes it feel even more cleanly. However, the streaky mirrors, bags of trash stacked by the cans, random toilet paper on the floor? Not so much. I had high hopes. This was the biggest disappointment on the stop. Like I said, it's good. It's fine. Really. About on par with a Love's stop. However, I wasn't overly impressed, especially over the crazy clean bathrooms that my dear old mother had promised. Bummer. read more

Nicknamed the Great American Roadtrip, Wally's in Pontiac, IL is a large gas station, rest stop combo modeled similarly to Buc-ee's in Texas or even EddieWorld on the way to Las Vegas. We saw the large signs on the way to St Louis from Chicago, and made it a point to visit on our way back: picking up lunch and filling up with gas. Named after the last name of one of the founders/owners, Wally's opened in 2020 and has 72 fuel pumps. It is located pretty deep inside a complex of other retail, and is geared towards cars (not a truck stop). We first filled up our tank (paying at the pump), and then moved the car in one of the front spots to enter. There is plenty of parking, and it is very big inside separated into different sections. It also has multiple exits/entrances so important to remember where you came in, to later find your car. We spent a bit of time exploring, and then settled on their barbeque station. Prices were very reasonable, and the food reflected that. Everything was self serve/ prepackaged. There is no place to eat inside, so after we paid, we scarfed down the sandwiches and chips inside the car before we got back on the road. Large fountain soda ($1.59) - had both Coke and Pepsi products. Sandwiches: Slice Brisket ($7.50), Pulled Brisket ($7.50), Pull pork ($7.00). They were all OK, with decent amount of moist meats on a squishy potato bun. You can add diced onion, pickles, and bbq sauce from the condiment stand. Chips ($2.00) - a bag of homemade potato chips. These were very good, and addictive. They also have ice cream, various coffees, and fresh baked items. It also had a running gag at their self-serve soda machines, with 'coming soon' flavors like StarKist Tuna and Van de Camp Baked beans. It's unusual for sure, and worth a stop. read more

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A great station with plenty of pumps and great price on gas. They have a large convenience store and restrooms. Don't forget to check out their beef jerky, sweets and deli counters. They also have a ton of shopping inside. Clothes and HomeGoods. It's a great place to stop and take a break if you've been driving for a long time. The staff was very nice The only advice I could add for the management, would be to better label the child changing station. It blended in with the wall, and when I was in a rush because of an emergency, I could not find it. read more

I've been to the Wally's in Fenton, Missouri a few times (and love it), so I thought the experience would be the same here. I don't know if it's just me, but the place seemed to be a smaller version of the one in Fenton - like the serving areas are not as big. Bathrooms were clean, got a few snacks and fountain drink....but the major turnoff was there was no pizza. You read that right - no pizza slices! I came in there with a craving for one or two of them, and the cashier told me the store was not originally set up to have a bakery station that big to have pizzas. Um, okay. I'll be back I guess. read more

Wally's is an absolute staple for me, whether I'm headed north or south on I-55, this is the stop. They have a ridiculous number of gas pumps and an equally impressive amount of bathroom stalls, and somehow the bathrooms are still the cleanest I've ever seen at any gas station. Seriously... spotless every time. Inside, it's a road-trip paradise. A wall of beef jerky, all kinds of snacks, and legit in-house food that puts most restaurants to shame. The pulled pork sandwich and brisket sandwich are both made fresh, and they never disappoint. Don't even think about passing it up, make the stop! It's worth it every single time. read more

Many of my friends stop at Wally's on their way to and from Springfield, so I went to see what the buzz was about. I was immediately overwhelmed. There are dozens of gas pumps along the outside. Once inside there are fresh food stations, a coffee and drink bar, fresh popcorn, a bakery, and a BBQ sandwich area. You can buy packaged food and snacks as well as t-shirts and Wally's themed merchandise. The food was overpriced for the quality I got. $4 for a chocolate chip cookie is too much. The bathrooms were moderately clean. I'd rather go to a smaller restaurant with fewer people. read more

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A huge, clean, gas station/rest stop in Pontiac. If you are familiar with Buc-ee's in the South, Wally's seems primed to become a Midwestern competitor (so far there are two locations). But there are over 70 gas pumps, clean restrooms, a large food area including popcorn bar, barbeque sandwiches, a huge soda fountain, and packaged candy and treats, not to mention a bunch of branded souvenirs to buy (their mascot "Wally Bear" is illustrated in a simple midcentury illustration style). There's a whole section of camping supplies and basically anything you might need on the road. Would definitely stop again! read more

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Our first trip to a Wally's.While on the way to visit our daughter in Wisconsin, we stopped in the Pontiac location. I got gas and cleaned the windshield. Later we went inside and looked around. They have an eclectic selection of things, from camping/sporting goods, to novelty items and their own signature hats and shirts. Prices seemed reasonable. We went through the food area and they seemed to have all you need for a road trip. We stopped at the sandwich area and picked up a couple of items as a brunch meal. My wife got the chicken biscuit and I got the egg scrambler burrito. My wife said the biscuit was "fine" and the burrito was just "Ok". Kind of seems like more of a novelty more than anything. read more

Wally's - Lacking flavor. - Service Stations Near Me - Pontiac, Illinois

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A fun little stop when on 55! I was there 3 times in one week(ish) due to marching band travel and appreciated the sparkling clean bathrooms, 24 hour access, and novelty items. 1st visit, we got pop, a Sloosh, and breakfast tacos to try. Both were good, but my boyfriend liked the pulled pork better and I liked the brisket better. The meat with the egg and tortilla was perfection! 2nd visit, we stuck to repeat order of the drinks, popcorn for my daughter, and their freshly made chips. The chips were flavorful, crunchy (but not too crunchy!), and a perfection companion to the sandwiches we had packed. 3rd visit was in the middle of the night so just a repeat order of the drinks. I look forward to stopping here the next 2 years of marching band! read more

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Great stop on a road trip. Plenty of parking, gas pumps, and charging stations. They have so many drink choices. Slushies, fountain sodas, energy drinks, and booze. Fresh popcorn and sandwiches. Touristy clothing and items. Check them out if you passing thru I-55! read more

As far as travel rest spots, this place is great. Not only can you fill up your car or charge it if you have an EV. The carry I wide amount of snacks from jerky to fresh popcorn. They also have a BBQ joint inside. You can go to the other side where they have camping, road a trip and other gear. So if you need a pit stop, stop by Wally's. read more

Wally's - Exterior. - Service Stations Near Me - Pontiac, Illinois

Honestly love this rest stop! Lots of food options and a good selection of snacks and candy. Grab an ice cream cone! Bathrooms were relatively clean - something they boast about. read more

Ok Wallys we all know you're competing with bucees. As a Michigander I had so much hope and was excited to come for all of the bear stuff. Let's saw i visit bucees every time i see one because its so awesome- and we travel cross country all the time. I will never stop here again. I CANT BELIEVE you don't have ONE SINGLE THING for someone who does not eat meat. You have endless jerky, breakfast sandwiches- just everything but not ONE SINGLE egg and cheese or even a salad!!! We all walked out and will never return. I get its the midwest but how hard would it be to put out one single item that not filled with meat. RIDICULOUS. Sorry wally's bucees will forever be the BEST! read more

I absolutely love stopping at Wally's when I am traveling through Illinois. There are plenty of gas stations, as well as electric charging stations. There are plenty of restrooms and always clean. There are lots of food options even a jerky counter. A portion is set aside for shopping as well as regular convenience items. Always spend way to much money in snacks and gifts but I don't mind. Worth the stop everytime. read more

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Another ahhhhmazing visit to Wally's ! Had a great kitchen burrito and a fried Fish sandwich. Fried fish was similar to one at Mickey D's but bigger and $9! Bathroom are super clean. Great Wally swag available! read more

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My experience at Wally's was underwhelming. The atmosphere was okay, but the restaurant felt somewhat disorganized and not very clean in certain areas. It didn't feel as welcoming as I expected. The food was inconsistent. Some items were edible, but others lacked flavor or were overcooked. Portions were average, but the overall quality didn't meet expectations for the price. Service was another area of concern. The staff seemed distracted at times and not very attentive, which made the visit feel slower and less enjoyable. Overall, Wally's has potential, but improvements in food quality, consistency, cleanliness, and service are needed. I'm not sure I would return until these issues are addressed. read more

Holy crap. Awesome. Everything. So big. Clean. So bear. Wally's......................................................! read more

This is a nice rest stop. Very similar to Buccees. Great selection of snacks and drinks. They also have food and baked goods. The bathroom was decent. read more

Wally's - The entrance - Service Stations Near Me - Pontiac, Illinois

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It's hard to review Wally's without comparing them to Buc-ee's but that's what they get for being a knock-off. Wally's is a smaller and less luxe version of Buc-ee's. The fluorescent lights and stark orange & white interior was super clean but not as warm and welcoming as the famous beaver's abode. Despite the show of placing them under heat lamps, the BBQ sandwiches were basic, mostly bread, and disappointingly cold. The "hot fresh popcorn", also displayed under heat lamps, was oddly cold and just okay. The restrooms were clean and comfortable but missing those little touches like hand sanitizer and grab bars in every stall. There was a specialty "Cafe" bar but it was closed. The regular coffee was hot at least...but the creamer choices were minimal. Small bags of potato chips under the heat lamps at the BBQ counter were easily the star of the show. Warm, crunchy, with tons of salt and black pepper. Too bad they can't figure out how to keep the sandwiches & popcorn just as warm. The staff were nice and friendly-ish. Oddly there was a lot of signage having to deal with security - no masks, no bags, no backpacks, side doors that close at 10:00pm, and surveillance notices everywhere. Makes me wonder how safe I'd feel stopping here alone at night. Overall it's a fine place to stop on the trip between St. Louis and Chicago. Just don't expect anything close to the Buc-ee's experience and you'll be fine. read more

Wally's - Yum hot chips - Service Stations Near Me - Pontiac, Illinois