Really Really small parking lot, and even though it is at the corner- the in and out is not…read moreconvenient to get back on the road the way you want to go.

I am notorious for not keeping an eye on my gas gauge. Luckily, as I was sitting at the stoplight…read moreat the intersection where this QT sits, I glanced down and saw my alert light was on. So when the light turned green, I pulled into the QT lot and up to one of their many pumps. The old man who pumped my gas was fast and efficient. He even printed a receipt for my records. When he was done, I was on my way to meet friends at the local vodka distillery. I prefer QT over the Circle.

I used to be a regular at the QT in Edwardsville. This week I had a job near Bethalto so I stopped…read morehere for my morning coffee and breakfast to go. What happened to the coffee? Are they cutting corners to save money? I've tried two different blends and both are weak and watery! That isn't how you build repeat business! I'll probably be back for gasoline but NOT coffee!

I admit I did not go inside. This was a gas and go stop for me. The parking lot and gas pump area…read morewas clean. The pumps worked great, requires you to enter your zip code and wants a 'yes' or 'no' response for the receipt request. Prices were cheaper than the Marathon across the street. Easy in and out and right next to the highway!

The number of crimes that are committed in the name of breakfast are legion. We are often willing…read moreaccomplices, and from time to time I am guilty as charged. Such was the case recently after a Road Gig of my band in the charming Hamlet of Edwardsville, Ill. Wife accompanied me on this one, and brought along our smallest, most fragile beloved Chihuahua, Minnie. We got an early start, but Our diminutive, furry passenger precluded a restaurant stop for breakfast. As McDonalds is often a workaday choice during the week (McD's was the only choice near for drive-through food), I looked for an...alternative. We refueled at the Circle K which is the subject of this post. (Please don't let the one-star rating reflect an indication of the condition/service of this Circle K as a pit stop. The store is clean, well stocked and as pleasant as a service station as can be. I'll explain why the one-star was thrown.) I filled up the Whale, and went inside the store to get a bottle of Diet Pepsi, a small cup of water for the puppy, and find something to shove down our throats tiding us over the 3 hour ride home. The Pepsi and water were easy. Wife asked for a glazed donut, also easy. I did a few aisle laps in a futile attempt to find something edible. The idiocy here, was that I was half expecting to find something different on each lap. What the hell was I expecting, other than the Chips, candy bars, overpriced sundries and cheap wine that is the usual truck of the convenience store. And isn't it funny, the later in the day, the more appetizing that stuff is, and if it's REALLY late, it's a goddamned gourmet buffet. But at 9 in the morning, your eyes define truth at a higher definition-it's all junk, all the time. Cheetos and KitKats do not a fine breakfast make. Fine and noble, but what sort of cosmic buggery caused me to take a pass on the known shite of the cellophane bags, and look with interest on the roller-grill stuff opposite the cashier? A cosmic distress signal? Was the recreational medication I consumed in the 70's calling a due marker? In the past, given the choice, I would have broken the seal on a bottle of Quaker State 10w40 and guzzled it down instead of choosing from the hardened, ultra-processed, looks-like-it-was-2-weeks-old sausages, etc, that wer spinning on those rollers. Yet here I was, reaching for the tongs and taking a pair of things with the umbrella brand name of "Torpedoes" from the rollers. One with what looked like a HotDog inside, and another which purported to be an "Egg Roll". What had led me there was a sign that said "2 for $3". I slipped each into the provided, branded paper sleeve and turned, zombie-like toward the cashier. I'm an unreconstructed foodie, and Wife is bewildered at my predilection for Anchovies, Stinky cheese, Innards, and the rest of the Fear-Factor food groups; but as I took my place behind the wheel and tucked into the Torpedoes, she looked on me with a gaze that was somewhere between pity and horror. For those who have never had the temerity or courage to sample a "Torpedo", it is a hard type of shell, with a filling or meat(ish) object inside. The shell is close to an egg roll, if an eggroll had a belligerent attitude, and was determined not be eaten. The texture is closer to a Cannoli than a trad eggroll skin. It did have a pleasant crunch, but the Torpedo folks must have blown their development wad on texture, as the skin had no discernible flavor. The "EggRoll's" filling was akin to the filling you find in the bags of frozen finger-food eggrolls at the supermarket. Cabbage-y with hints of white pepper. It was the barest tick above "awful". I can tolerate a shitty eggroll at a low-budget party, when I have a cocktail in hand, but not at 9 in the morning, when I haven't even had a decent cup of coffee yet. The "EggRoll", however was a LeBernadin Amuse-Bouche compared to the Sausage Torpedo. Not much escapes me. I've had it all. Bugs, Balls, Cheeses riddled with mold, fermented fish that cats would turn their noses up to and on and on. But I wept for whatever animal gave their all to produce the disgusting capsule contained inside the second "Torpedo" on my virtual plate that morning. Then again, there might have not been any "meat" in that tube at all. I've had those little canned "cocktail sausages" you've seen at the supermarket, but dared never buy or try. Those were better than the "Torpedo" HotDog. I've had the bulk, no-name "Dogs" you see off to the side of the name-brand Franks at the store. You know, the ones you joke about being "Mystery Meat". Those are better. I have now found my limit. I now know where I will not tread. These items were not spoiled or prepared wrong. they were just intrinsically awful. I can point to dinners at Galatoires in New Orleans, BBQ in Kansas City, and my Wife's Filet Mignons as some of the best stuff I've ever eaten. And now I know exactly where, when and what the WORST food I've ever had was... Tornadoes

I went here for an oil change and tire rotation. On the ride home I noticed a noise under my car…read more The next day my tire was leaking air and eventually went completely flat and I couldn't air it up as the valve stem was leaking. I was left in a gas station parking lot to change my tire and put on the spare. The next day I went to the dealership and had them check the tire and figure out what was making the noise. They told me the valve stem was leaking and that 9 pins that hold up the engine splash guard were missing. The only time that splash guard has been removed was at this location. I spoke to Valvoline customer care and they assured me they would make it right and would talk to the manager of the location to see what could be done. I get a call a few hours later and it is Valvoline customer care and the manager of the location. She claimed they did everything right and they weren't going to reimburse me the $140 to get the valve stem fixed and the 9 missing pins replaced. DO NOT GO TO THIS PLACE.

fast service, they don't pressure you into buying something, if you have the coupons you save more…read more They will let you know if you need a new filter, but you don't have to buy it there go to Auto Zone and change yourself

i have been going for over 20 plus yrs. this morning was the WORCE ever. lead guy sith beatd…read moresucked. ndver checked lights air filter or air in tires. he said he was turning in key and wuitting. i stdongly agree. you sucked

I'm no do it yourselfer when it comes oil changes. This is my go-to. They don't have much to say,…read morebut everyone is polite and direct. They tell you what you need and get you in and out in quickly, even when they're crowded. It's all you need for your oil change.

Great little gas station at a convenient area. It's quite large so there are tons of pumps you're…read morenot waiting. I would be careful as some of the pumps were taped together, so if you were using a credit card at the pump just be cautious The staff, and I was very friendly and very engaging

I always stop here when I'm in St Louis working close by. This Mobile Mart is so new I was watching…read moreit get built over time a couple of years ago. Nice selection of fresh donuts and other assortments. They sell all sorts of alcohol, very clean new finish. The only issue you can have is turning left out of the driveway during times of heavy traffic.

Neighborhood gas station. Gas, drinks, snacks etc. I stopped in here to grab a slush , machine…read moredown, fountain drink next no ice, bottle drinks too expensive. Not satisfied with this visit at all.

Great value per cost and great value to keep the car clean. I subscribe monthly for two cars and…read morelove it.

A clean car makes for a happy driver…read more It's a totally automated service, but there are friendly staff members to guide you into the pull-thru auto wash. When you first arrive, you'll have a variety of packages to select from to make your car shine. You can also, do various add-ons to make your vehicle shine even more. After your ride thru the auto wash, there are many vacuums to use and clean the inside of your ride. Best thing about that is, they are FREE. In this day and age, we rarely get anything free, so take advantage and get that debris off the floor. The packages are priced reasonably and they have a club membership you can join, too. The prices are so reasonable, that at times I just get the cheapest one when my car just looks a little dusty. If you need to give your car a bath, drive to the Gorilla and take a ride thru their auto wash.