Circle K

I was relatively happy with my experience; however, the employees made some unwarranted comments towards my method of payment which I did not appreciate! I’ve never been questioned about not using cash instead of debit in all my days Unilocaling, and frankly, it was awkward for everyone.

This circle k is where I usually fill up. It is always clean and they have a good selection of various items inside (I can’t even touch the extensive list of the previous Reviewer). It has just about anything you need in the middle of the night or if you don’t feel like stopping anywhere else. The staff is very friendly and always greets customers. My only complaint here is it seems there is always at least one pump that isn’t working. But it usually is not a problem as they have many, many pumps here!

It’s a tumultuous universe we fancy monkeys inhabit. True permanence is an illusion; things we take for granted are but ephemeral blips on eternity’s radar. But stepping inside Circle K provides a comforting approximation of temporal grounding. This is a place where certain things are givens. Three dozen different kinds of scratch-​off lotto tickets can be yours. If you’re hungry and frighteningly pinched for time, and feeling brave and/​or drunk, grab a taquito, a hot dog that looks like one of those plastic molding replicas sushi restaurants use in their front displays, or a crime-​scene-​evidence-​baggied Landshire sandwich. There are approximately 2,000 different kinds of bottled sodas, energy drinks, and sports beverages. Marvel at varieties of Doritos and Beer-​Nuts you didn’t know existed, Kid Rock endorsed bourbon, and loads of cold beer. There’s even an ice-​filled cooler display by the checkout full of cheap, 24 oz NASCAR branded (or camouflage patterned Busch, depending on time of year) cans of Bud/​Bud Light. For quittin’ time, natch.
This is the kind of quick stop that embodies the whole point of a quick stop. Nothing is terribly cheap, but if you need it and need it now, you can probably find it. It is *stocked*. A recent display of frat-​boy outfitting flip-​flops, bandanas, and fedora-​type hats has sprouted near the registers. There’s cereal, yogurt, wine, a decent array of toiletries, maps, an ATM, and a huge coffee zone. There have to be at least a dozen gas pumps, maybe more.
And Polar Pop! 69 cents (plus tax) as it was, is, and ever shall be. Really, it’s the massive soda fountain and its inclusion of the hard to find Caffeine Free Diet Coke that keeps me coming back day in, day out.
This Circle K, owing to its location at the confluence of 44, Lindbergh, and Watson, and on the edge of a massive office park, is a constantly buzzing mass of humanity. You’ll need your best bobbing & weaving skills to navigate the shifting groups of just-​off-​work construction guys, lost travelers, the shiftless unemployed, harried cubicle slaves, and just plain weirdos. The amiable but distracted staff try to keep things moving along best they can… but not too hard, mind you.
I’m in here every day because it’s next to my office. But even if you’re not a captive audience, it’s easily your best gas-​and-​go option in the immediate area. It might just become a small island of continuity in your otherwise unmoored life.