Gremlin Grill

There’s a gas station about two blocks from my downtown Kansas City office. It’s near the trendy River Market area and Quality Hill areas, but also close to I-35/I-29, and the rest of the noodly downtown interstate loops. The gas station has more highway than trendy neighborhood in it, though. Imagine the darkest truck stop you’ve ever been in; Not the huge, shiney, Vegas-strip-esque trucker plazas on I-70 or I-80. I’m talking the tiny joints with the sticky floors, doorless bathrooms and Chick-O-Sticks from past civilizations still undiscovered. It’s a place like that. And, if you time it right, you can get three spicy fried chicken strips and a half dozen or so potato wedges that just kick ass. Time it wrong, though, and you get tepid battered elm twigs and surly looks. All for $4.46. Ask for some ranch.