Today I pulled into this Gas Station I go to near ELA College on Atlantic Ave. & Chavez. (on the intersection where I can find some fave food joints I’ve frequented in the past, The Old Van De Kamps Cafe, The Hat, Hawaii Island BBQ, there’s even a Boston Market down the street that I like sometimes.) Normally, I just pay at the pump at this gas station and drive away, but today was different. The card swipe machine wasn’t working and I was obliged to see the cashier inside. So I walk in and…..Holy Egg Rolls!!!
Not only did they have the usual candy, chips, Gatorade & Lotto tickets, they also had a FULL ON CHINESE FAST FOOD RESTAURANT! CHINGAO!– I’ve never seen this kind of setup at a Gas Station before,…….you’ll please excuse the shaky look of the photos, but I just sort of whipped out the camera and started shooting undercover style!
Looking over to the side, I noticed this Chinese Vato was going to town, stirring a Giant Wok near the Snapple/Evian Water display case. (you can see him on the left edge of the photo) I was mesmerized, but I did what any civilized person would do at this point. I ordered some Chow Mein and Egg Rolls. After waiting my turn in line at the cashier (everybody seemed to be buying Lotto tickets today) I paid for my food & gas. As I walked out I noticed a large display case full of a wide variety of Deli Sandwiches for sale. Wow! These guys really know how to diversify. Hey– during La Crisis, you gotta do what you gotta do, and I admired their Spunk!.. Their Eggrolls,….not so much….. 
You mean, you got gas and then you ordered the chinese food right? 😉 I’ve seen all those hot dog and burger food displays at gas stations but this seems to take it up a notch. All they need now are donuts.
I’m going to school tomorrow and checking this place out. Chale Chinese food and Gas, god bless America
that doble sentido too funny!
Is this gas station still a national brand or independent?
if i remember correctly this is a Shell,que no and the other one across the street is a Chevron.
I miss TOWER RECORDS!
I take it because this is the “classy” part of East LA that they didn’t offer tax preparation and notary service along with the Chinese food and gas?
Yeah- This is indeed a SHELL station.
For some reason I don’t like eating hot food whent he resturant is inside a gas station lol it just don’t seem right, but i hope it was good.
This Shell station used to have a donut shop inside.
I miss TOWER too. I refuse to shop at Walgreens to many memories of my beloved Tower records.
Al- On the SouthEast Corner of Beverly & Atlantic, there is a “Valero” Gas Station(Gas, Mini-Mart, Restaurant)??? Wow!!
Jaime, I miss Tower, too. I’m in Sacramento, the birthplace of Tower. Russ Solomon, the owner, actually reopened R-5 records at the location of one of his first Tower stores, on Broadway in Sacramento. It looks just like Tower, even with the yellow background and red letters on their sign. Like Tower, they focus on independent music while also carrying everything current. They even have concerts in the parking lot, which is really small. Also of note: Solomon is 80 years old! Talk about an aging hipster. If you’re ever unfortunate enough to be stuck in Sacramento, it’s on Broadway and 16th.
Al- I miss Tower Records, I mean what are we supposed to do? They take all our music stores away from us, Licorice Pizza, Music +, Tower Records, etc.etc… What are we supposed to do get everything online? no more stores? I know Sounds of Music is still there on Whittier & La Verne, and they are good with selection and price, but is nice to have another choice, yet I do highly recommend Sounds of Music in ELA!!