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  4. I went to the popular gas-station chain Royal Farms for the first time. Here's why I'll go out of my way to stop there again.

I went to the popular gas-station chain Royal Farms for the first time. Here's why I'll go out of my way to stop there again.

I went to the popular gas-station chain Royal Farms for the first time. Here's why I'll go out of my way to stop there again.
The author went to Royal Farms for the first time and appreciated the snack variety and clean bathrooms.Joey Hadden/Insider
  • Royal Farms is a chain of East Coast gas stations and convenience stores with a loyal fanbase.
  • I visited Royal Farms for the first time in Maryland and saw why it's so popular.

Royal Farms is a fast-growing chain of gas stations and convenience stores with 250 locations and a devoted fan base, as Baltimore Magazine reported in 2021.

Royal Farms is a fast-growing chain of gas stations and convenience stores with 250 locations and a devoted fan base, as Baltimore Magazine reported in 2021.
A Royal Farms in Baltimore, Maryland.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The chain is known for its fresh food, coffee, and fried chicken, Baltimore Magazine reported. Locations include Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and West Virginia, according to their website.

The chain is known for its fresh food, coffee, and fried chicken, Baltimore Magazine reported. Locations include Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and West Virginia, according to their website.
A wide view of Royal Farms.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Gas stations and convenience store chains across the US have gained popularity over the years for their exceptional food and coffee choices, like Wawa, Buc-cees, and Royal Farms, as Food and Wine reported.

Gas stations and convenience store chains across the US have gained popularity over the years for their exceptional food and coffee choices, like Wawa, Buc-cees, and Royal Farms, as Food and Wine reported.
A Wawa in South Florida.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I went to Royal Farms for the first time during a recent trip to Maryland and was impressed by the chain. In my experience, it was much better than the average gas station.

I went to Royal Farms for the first time during a recent trip to Maryland and was impressed by the chain. In my experience, it was much better than the average gas station.
The author in front of Royal Farms.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I've taken several long road trips before, and most gas stations I've encountered have been slow and lacked snack and drink variety, and clean bathrooms.

I
The author takes in views on the road.      Joey Hadden/Insider

But the Royal Farms station I stopped at had eight kiosks to get gas, which is more than I typically see on the road. I wasn't driving, but I noticed others didn't have to wait long to pump their gas.

But the Royal Farms station I stopped at had eight kiosks to get gas, which is more than I typically see on the road. I wasn
A Royal Farms gas station.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The Royal Farms I went to also had a drive-thru car wash, something I rarely see at gas stations. I thought it would come in handy after days of driving. Several locations have these, according to their website.

The Royal Farms I went to also had a drive-thru car wash, something I rarely see at gas stations. I thought it would come in handy after days of driving. Several locations have these, according to their website.
A car wash at Royal Farms.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Royal Farms

Inside the convenience store, I saw there were several snack aisles.

Inside the convenience store, I saw there were several snack aisles.
A snack aisle at Royal Farms.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I thought the abundance of snacks was surprising. I'm not used to seeing so many options in gas stations. These offerings would be crucial for a successful road trip.

I thought the abundance of snacks was surprising. I
More snacks at Royal Farms.      Joey Hadden/Insider

There were even fresh snacks, like bananas. I also spotted tubs of kettle corn, which I haven't seen at many other gas stations.

There were even fresh snacks, like bananas. I also spotted tubs of kettle corn, which I haven
Bananas and kettle corn at Royal Farms.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Most convenience stores I've been to have pastries, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that Royal Farms carried Krispy Kreme doughnuts, a brand I don't often see in gas stations.

Most convenience stores I
A Krispy Kreme case inside Royal Farms.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The frozen section had a wide variety of ice cream in small servings. I thought these treats would be ideal on the road so I could finish one before it could melt.

The frozen section had a wide variety of ice cream in small servings. I thought these treats would be ideal on the road so I could finish one before it could melt.
The freezer aisle at Royal Farms.      Joey Hadden/Insider

One corner of the store offered plenty of drink options including soda, slushies, and a variety of coffee.

One corner of the store offered plenty of drink options including soda, slushies, and a variety of coffee.
The coffee station at Royal Farms.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Royal Farms also had fresh food available to order on touch-screen kiosks, including sandwiches and fried chicken.

Royal Farms also had fresh food available to order on touch-screen kiosks, including sandwiches and fried chicken.
A Royal Farms ordering kiosk.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Royal Farms is known for its fresh fried chicken, which has a secret recipe, according to Baltimore Magazine, so I ordered a chicken drumstick to sample the specialty.

Royal Farms is known for its fresh fried chicken, which has a secret recipe, according to Baltimore Magazine, so I ordered a chicken drumstick to sample the specialty.
Fried chicken from Royal Farms.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Unfortunately, I was underwhelmed by the texture. I found the chicken to be too greasy and not crispy enough. I wouldn't order it again. Insider reached out to Royal Farms for comment but did not hear back.

Unfortunately, I was underwhelmed by the texture. I found the chicken to be too greasy and not crispy enough. I wouldn
The author takes a bite.      Joey Hadden/Insider

A trip to the bathroom reassured me that Royal Farms would still be worth a stop just for the cleanliness.

A trip to the bathroom reassured me that Royal Farms would still be worth a stop just for the cleanliness.
A clean restroom sign at Royal Farms.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Unlike most gas stations I've been to, the bathroom was spotless at Royal Farms. I also appreciated the touch-free door handle.

Unlike most gas stations I
A restroom at Royal Farms.      Joey Hadden/Insider

While I won't be stopping for the famous fried chicken, I'll be back during my next road trip for the car wash, snack variety, and clean bathrooms.

While I won
The author outside of Royal Farms.      Joey Hadden/Insider

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