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Back in the day, it wasn’t uncommon that the same gas station that would fill up your tank could also fill up your belly. As car manufacturing ramped up in the U.S. in the 1920s and 1930s, a budding travel industry formed around it that spoke to the freedom of the all-American road trip. And so, family-owned gas stations became a part of the journey, feeding weary travelers on the way to their final destination (and even served as a means of survival). Nowadays, many of these small-town operations have all been phased out in lieu of massive corporations that merely hawk spinning hot dogs and scorching hot (but barely palatable) coffee. Yet several roadside gems remain, serving burgers, tacos and even full pans of paella, becoming a stop-worthy destination in their own right. And one of the best in the country resides right here in New York City.
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Yelp curated a selection of the best gas station restaurants across America, from lobster taquitos found at a reststop in Yosemite National Park to Loco Moco, Katsu curry and other Hawaiian eats at a gas station in Silverdale, Washington. Only one New York restaurant made the list (not to be confused with Brooklyn New York Pizza & Wings in Mesa, Arizona, which also made the ranking), a notable stop for its smash burgers hidden inside the last operating gas station under 14th Street. Of course, we are talking about the viral hit that is Smacking Burger.
Run by Elizabeth Torres and Tommy Hondros, the burger restaurant commands just a small corner inside Mobil Mart, the last gas station to exist in lower Manhattan. With such quaint digs, the couple opted to keep things simple but fun, grilling up seven smashed burgers that sport caramelized onions and truffle mayo next to perfectly crispy fries. Maybe it was the location or maybe it's because they serve a good burger, but the counter-service shop caused a bit of a frenzy on social media when they turned on the grill in 2024.
But more than just a flash in the pan, Smacking Burger has proven they have this staying power, as Yelp ranked the corner stop for its “very affordable” burgers, including The Big Smack ($10.99), a two-patty smash burger with “caramelized onions, Butter Crunch pickles, American cheese, and top-secret “Smack Sauce” on a Martin’s Sesame Potato Roll.” Nodding to Torres's culinary know-how, including making “all the sauces from scratch,” the user generated ranking website also called out new menu items such as the milkshakes and even a pup burger for your four-legged friend.
So, should you add this gas station dine to your must-try list of restaurants? Check out our take below and plan your road trip (or really, trip on the train) to this gas station hot spot.
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