For those of us who are well acquainted with Wawa, it can be difficult to imagine life without it.
Wawa is a small convenience store that fulfills big dreams. Prepared meals ordered on a touch screen have made Wawa a food destination. It’s cheap, it’s delicious, and it’s right at your fingertips. You cannot go to the beach, embark on a long road trip, or hang out with friends without stopping at Wawa for the essentials — ice cold or piping hot drinks, fresh chopped fruit, freshly-made and customizable sandwiches, and any snack you could possibly think of for later in the afternoon.
I’m not sure if it’s the unique name or the length of its existence, but something about Wawa has us entranced. To put it simply, Wawa is everything and it has everything. But here are some specific reasons why Wawa is so important.
1. Endless coffee
Photo by Olivia D’Aiutolo
Coffee has become an over-priced, yet necessary part of our everyday lives. Wawa’s coffee is amazing, and it’s cheap. A 16 oz. coffee costs less than $1.50, and you can make it however you like.
An overwhelming amount of roasts to choose from, accompanied by tons of different creamers and at least four different types of sweeteners, draws you in immediately. Wawa even does this amazing thing when, every now and then, coffee is $1.00 any size for a certain number of weeks, and they even participate in free coffee day.
2. Fast food on a new level
Gif courtesy of giphy.com
You have the warming shelves of breakfast foods during the mornings and snacks during the afternoon. The best is the bacon/sausage/turkey sausage with egg/egg white and cheese on croissants, bagels, pancakes. Try hash browns on the side — or cheese-stuffed pretzels, buffalo chicken bites, and jalapeño bites.
There’s a refrigerated case where you can get salads (that actually aren’t all calorie bombs), wraps, sandwiches, and snacks like veggies and ranch dressing, apples and caramel, hard boiled eggs, and cookie dough parfaits. There is always fresh chopped fruit, whole fruit, cheese sticks, and yogurt.
The best part is the made-while-you-wait food. You can choose between different macaroni and cheeses. Buffalo chicken macaroni and cheese (buffalo chicken anything, am I right?) is a favorite. Then add chicken fingers on top for added protein. Other options are soups, smoothies, omelets, and everything in between prepared in your liking.
3. Hoagies
Gif courtesy of giphy.com
Yes, HOAGIES. Not subs. The best sandwiches, ever. You can basically make any type of sandwich in the world with endless combinations of meats, toppings, sauces, etc. There is another event to coincide with $1 coffee, and that is Hoagie Fest. The footlong sandwiches are discounted, the commercials have catchy songs, and the employees wear cool tie-dye t-shirts.
4. All the snacks
Photo by Olivia D’Aiutolo
Ben & Jerry’s, eggs, milk, Monster energy drinks, marshmallows, chips, peanut butter, cigarettes, bags of ice, lottery tickets, newspapers, magazines, candy, just to name a few. Be prepared to spend an indeterminable amount of time in Wawa when you go in for just a pack of gum.
5. All the drinks
Photo by Olivia D’Aiutolo
If you have a thirst for something, Wawa has the quencher. They have every type of beverage imaginable, and most of the time they’re discounted. For example, Wawa’s drinks are usually 2 for $2, and they have Monster for 2 for $4, too.
In addition, you can head on over to those screens where you ordered your food and put in an order for a custom-made specialty beverage. These usually consist of smoothies, frozen coffee beverages, and lattes.
6. It’s cheap
Gif courtesy of giphy.com
The coffee isn’t the only thing that’s cheap but delicious. All of the food and snacks are affordable, too. There goes your last excuse not to go to Wawa.
7. The overall experience is enjoyable
Gif courtesy of giphy.com
Wawa is always open, regardless of what obscene hour you might decide you need a F’Real milkshake. The staff is normally very friendly and welcoming. You get what you want, and you get it quickly. If you find a Wawa with a gas station, the gas is often cheaper than other vendors, and it will have your car running wonderfully. Their ATMs are even free (but first check if your bank charges an ATM fee, just in case).
Wawa has a neighborhood-like atmosphere that draws you in — perhaps that’s one of their marketing techniques. You’re always so happy to be there that you just want to spend all your money on snacks you probably don’t need. It would be selfish for the East Coast to keep this gem all to itself.