Texas Demands WaWa, Now!

As a person who used to live near and with WaWa every day then all the sudden not having it when I moved, completely killed my meaning of convenience gas stations. While we may have Buccee's down here, it will never compare to the wonderful, joyous foods the corporation had to offer.

Wawa. It's not just a convenience store and gas station—it's a way of life. For those of us lucky enough to live near one, it's always been that reliable place to get coffee, hoagies and snacks (so many snacks!). Friends who moved away from the area still get a jealous twinkle in their eyes when we even say the word "Wawa." Can we even put into words how special it is? We can try! Here are just 20 reasons why Wawa is everything:

1. The coffee! It's cheap. It's delicious. It's our lifeblood. Go nuts and mix in some hot chocolate from the machine or try the French Vanilla creamer—there are no rules. And if you're feeling fancy and want a latte, you can hit up the sandwich bar which is also a café/smoothie station.

2. Touch screen ordering. All the wonder of the world can be found in those little computers where you design your hoagie. How many computers in your life ask you if you want to add bacon to literally anything? Want to add five random sauces? No problem. The computer will just check it off and print it out.

3. It's truly a judgement-free zone. Want your chicken strips directly on top of some mac and cheese? Hold your head up high and take your bowl of shame to go! It's just between you and that touch screen. Plus, how many meals can you and your toddler 100% approve?

4. There's also that grab-and-go case of fresh, healthy choices like salads, fruit and wraps. (Plus, hard boiled eggs and string cheese!)

5. Free ATMs, no matter what bank you're using. Fees are for suckers.

6. Soft pretzels are bagged up (single or double!) right by the counter so you can promise one to your kid if they're good while you shop and they can munch while you pay. You'll want one for yourself, too, but they're a dollar, so go for it—and grab some of those mini candies for a quarter (Reese's, Swedish Fish) while you're at it!

7. Hoagies! The little one is called a Shorti, which is adorable enough and perfect for kids. They are fresh, made to order and there is never a dud. Each hoagie somehow combines the certainty of taste you would expect from a chain with the homemade deliciousness you would seek in a corner mom-and-pop. The secret is in the ingredients, especially the bread, which is never too soft and compliments whatever fix-ins you and your touch screen dream up.

8. Wawa sponsors Philly's July 4th festivities during "Welcome America" which means a week of free fun! They hand out iconic American flag hats at all the events, so you've even got your holiday wear down. There are outdoor movie screenings, a food truck festival, concerts, a party on the Parkway, free museum days and a fireworks displays. Not to mention...

9. Wawa Hoagie Day! As part of the "Welcome America" festivities, Wawa takes over Independence Mall with a five-ton hoagie that they give out for free (along with chips, Tastykakes and their signature iced tea) to all the Philadelphians that line up at the event. The celebration also includes a salute to our troops, a USO performance and a hoagie-making competition between the police and fire department. Both the Wawa goose mascot and the Shorti mascot are there. The mayor gives a speech. It's kind of a big deal. They also do this at all WaWa locations!

10. They sell what I now call "toddler boxes" because they are basically what would happen if a toddler had to package and sell their perfect meal. There's a box that is literally just called "Fruit & Cheese." If you want to step it up, there's "Grapes & Cheese with Crackers." We've just covered three food groups in one little plastic box. Add in some single-serve packs of apple slices and baby carrots and lunch is handled.

11. You know that Thanksgiving is upon us when they roll out the Gobbler.

12. You can pay with the app, and earn rewards too. No wallet, no problem.

13. Hoagiefest! Wawa's summertime promotion complete with a psychedelic animation reminiscent of Yellow Submarine, original songs, Hoagieman in his hoagie balloon (or whatever other hoagie-based transportation they can dream up that year) and hoagies that are even cheaper than usual.

14. Some Wawas—mostly the ones in the 'burbs—are also gas stations! (Without that sad desperation of gas station food.) I'm not sure if the gas is actually cheaper there, but it feels like it is because all our other life needs are being met inside.

15. The stores are always clean and the staff is always friendly.

16. When a new store opens, they are as excited as we are and throw a party! There's free coffee and giveaways, and customers will line up for all of it. When the flagship opened near us on Broad and Walnut, there were Eagles cheerleaders, mascots and a ribbon-cutting by the Mayor of Philadelphia.

17. If you need to get a holiday gift for pretty much anyone in your life, you can't go wrong with a Wawa gift card. You know it'll get used and appreciated.

18. They're open 24 hours. You were thankful for it in school, then after the bars closed, and then when you were up at random hours with a newborn and the only place you could send your partner to get junk food was Wawa. No time is ever too early for Wawa, so if your kid gets you up at 5:30am, you can still get your coffee.

19. It's everywhere you want to be. I can tell my history by which Wawa I frequented—after-school coffees in Abington, 2am finals runs in Ardmore, beach hoagies in Margate, grad school breakfast in University City, toddler bribery on Broad Street. I'm sure you have yours, too.

20. It is a microcosm of Philadelphia. You go in to Wawa and everyone is there—all kinds of people having all kinds of days buying all kinds of food. No matter who we are, we can all agree on Wawa.

Credit to Laura Swartz