Fierce Anticipation: July 10-12
On Saturday, July 11th, “John Dunn’s Last Run,” a 30-minute film I wrote and directed that revolves around nighttime jogging, ghosts, underage sexual temptation and unwanted back hair will screen at the Johnstown Film and Wine Festival in Pennsylvania.*
Since I’m sure that many of you are planning to see the film and sip some of Appalachian Pinot Grigio, I thought I would helpfully provide you with two pre-festival dinner ideas by giving you brief descriptions of Johnstown’s must-eat destinations.
- Photo Credit: Via Bulatao
Whether at a dinner party or on a first date, bringing up the topic of convenience stores is a risky proposition that will often be met with scorn and derision. However, talking about Sheetz is different. It is a convenience store like Citizen Kane is a movie, Moby-Dick a novel or the Pittsburgh Steelers a mere football team. It is the convenience store by which all other convenience stores are judged.
Founded by Bob Sheetz in 1952 — the first store was in Johnstown’s neighbor city of Altoona, Pa – and now a robust franchise with 344 locations in six states stretching all the way down to North Carolina, Sheetz has eclipsed steel and coal as single greatest export in the history of Western Pa.
At the heart of Sheetz’s success is the “MTO”. While these three letters (which stand for “made-to-order”) once solely represented the process of how the subs were made, the “MTO” has now grown to encompass the means of production for a cornucopia of 24/7 culinary delights ranging from juicy, delectable burgers, freshly tossed salads and a smoothie bar.
Sheetz not only revolutionized the type of food found in convenience stores but the way we humans order it. Upon entering the store, patrons are free from having to place their lunch, dinner or Taco Bell-coined fourth-meal orders into the often unwashed and illiterate hands of apathetic teens or unable-to-retire senior citizens and instead they are greeted by a wall of sleek, easy-to-use kiosks (which are now also found on the gas pumps) with an interface so simple, sleek and sturdy as to make the iPhone feel as clunky as a Ford Pinto.
Quite simply, while in Johnstown, there is no better way to celebrate both the centennial of the Italian Futurists and John Dunn’s Last Run than to visit Sheetz, the elBulli of convenience stores.
YOU SHOULD KINDA WANNA EAT HERE EVEN THOUGH YOU PROBABLY SHOULDN’T GO EVEN IF THEY PAID YOU
- Photo Credit: Eileen Mundok
Not to be confused with the historic resort destination in New York City, Johnstown’s Coney Island restaurant — located within the skeletal remains of downtown next to a Greyhound bus station and an airport-sized steel mill– is a historic monument in of itself, albeit one dedicated to extruded meat.
It’s doors are open nearly 24 hours a day (except from 4AM-6AM), but no matter what time or in what inebriated state you arrive, a host of aged, rotund women with receding hairlines wait behind the counter to take your order. When seen together, this collection of the nearly departed resembles a group of hymn-singing lobotomized mental patients in a 1920’s lunatic ward.
Of course, the real attractions are the world famous hot dogs and how they are put together. After you order the hot dogs, the Islandettes –as the locals affectionately call them — retrieve buns from the steamer and line them up on their non-too insubstantially sized forearms (five buns per forearm is usually the norm). Then, they seamlessly slide each hot dog into the bun and slather it, their bicep fat shaking like Jell-O in a 9.5 earthquake, with Coney Island’s patented condimentary mixture of mustard, chili and onions. Finished, they plop them on plates, ready for you to eat and enjoy. Bon Appetit!
*For those not in the know, Johnstown is a Western, Pa city recently re-famous, hitherto in this column, for its fugitive TV weatherman.
I now live in CA, but used to live in Northern VA and worked for Sheetz for 3 years as an assistant manager. They were the best convenience store around at that time, and have only gotten better from what I can tell. (Side note, there were also a pretty decent company to work for!) Nobody out here knows about Sheetz, and when I try to explain, some people go 'Oh! Like am/pm.' or Jersey transplants go 'like WaWas' and the answer is NO. There is nothing like Sheetz. End of story.
Hi Laura,
I had a friend who emailed me earlier today arguing the benefits of WaWa and I gave her the Sheetz smackdown. It seems that like you, many ex-employees of the company leave fairly happy. Another feature of the franchise that I (and my mother) love is that they give out free coffee on the major holidays like Christmas.
I now live in CA, but used to live in Northern VA and worked for Sheetz for 3 years as an assistant manager. They were the best convenience store around at that time, and have only gotten better from what I can tell. (Side note, there were also a pretty decent company to work for!) Nobody out here knows about Sheetz, and when I try to explain, some people go 'Oh! Like am/pm.' or Jersey transplants go 'like WaWas' and the answer is NO. There is nothing like Sheetz. End of story.
Hi Laura,
I had a friend who emailed me earlier today arguing the benefits of WaWa and I gave her the Sheetz smackdown. It seems that like you, many ex-employees of the company leave fairly happy. Another feature of the franchise that I (and my mother) love is that they give out free coffee on the major holidays like Christmas.
Sheetz just opened several locations in the Triangle (NC) over the last year. I love it! I have a loyalty card with them. They remind me of Quiktrip from home (St. Louis and Atlanta) except for the Made To Order deal. I just wish the one closest to me had the outside ordering option like I have seen at others in NC.
Yolanda,
I can't tell you how jealous I am that you have several Sheetz locations nearby. Living in LA I would sell my soul (if I believed in that sort of thing) for one location within the state of California.
Sheetz just opened several locations in the Triangle (NC) over the last year. I love it! I have a loyalty card with them. They remind me of Quiktrip from home (St. Louis and Atlanta) except for the Made To Order deal. I just wish the one closest to me had the outside ordering option like I have seen at others in NC.
Yolanda,
I can't tell you how jealous I am that you have several Sheetz locations nearby. Living in LA I would sell my soul (if I believed in that sort of thing) for one location within the state of California.
RYAN! I still haven't even seen the damn thing! I need a copy asap! And if they mention the costumes, you better let me know ;-)
JP won an award at that fest a few years ago, we had a lot of fun and definitely were greatful for the $$$. Good luck! Can't wait to hear how it goes….and SEE IT!!!!!!!!!!!
RYAN! I still haven't even seen the damn thing! I need a copy asap! And if they mention the costumes, you better let me know ;-)
JP won an award at that fest a few years ago, we had a lot of fun and definitely were greatful for the $$$. Good luck! Can't wait to hear how it goes….and SEE IT!!!!!!!!!!!
Please let me know when Sheetz goes public. Assuming their balance sheet is healthy (perhaps unlike their food), and with the raves I’ve read here, they sound like a great stock to own.
Not only own stock, my friend, but if you happen to find yourself with an extra seven figures or so, I'd buy a franchise ASAP. Bring it to LA, put it on the corner of Venice and Sepulveda. They'd have to build a new highway just for Sheetz, it'd be so popular!
Please let me know when Sheetz goes public. Assuming their balance sheet is healthy (perhaps unlike their food), and with the raves I’ve read here, they sound like a great stock to own.
Not only own stock, my friend, but if you happen to find yourself with an extra seven figures or so, I'd buy a franchise ASAP. Bring it to LA, put it on the corner of Venice and Sepulveda. They'd have to build a new highway just for Sheetz, it'd be so popular!
Your article instantly made me hungry and yet very sad at the same time. Now that I live in the New York City area, and have access to the real Coney Island, there is still something in my heart about the Johnstown location. I know it has nothing to do with Coney Island, Brooklyn, yet it has it's own charm just the same.
The former owner, (who's name I cannot remember right now) used to dress up like she was going to a grand ball, only to serve hot dogs and crack the whip to her staff. She was great… there was no messing around when she was on duty. Late night, Coney Island is where you go after all the bars close. But, she would be there, pushing out the riff raff, and making sure your hot dogs were ready to go.
One thing of note… you are correct that they line the hot dogs up their arms for dressing, but that too, adds to the charm of the place. A step inside is a look at the 1970's, right down to the bright orange booths, yellow walls, and worn floor. The signs SELF SERVICE, PLEASE SERVE YOURSELF are posted everywhere… but they do all the serving at the counter. Vintage photos of Johnstown are posted everywhere, as a great look back to what was. Oh, and the employees, who used to sit int he last booth on the left side in the back and smoke away their breaks! It is great that Coney Island has hung on, when the rest of downtown has dried up. They could have closed when the owner died a few years ago, but they still keep going… except of course, for those 2 disappointing weeks in summer, when they go on their annual vacation.
Now, onto Sheetz…
Once again, your article is spot on. One thing you have forgotten to mention is that Sheetz has always been on the cutting edge of technology at their stores. You mentioned, the touch screens and you are correct to note, they were one of the first to ever use them. But, they have it down to a science to get you in the store, your food and gas fast, and then on your way. Their menu has expanded by leaps and bounds over the last five years. Now, including pizza, burgers, chicken, gourmet sides, and most now have coffee bars! Basically, if the world were to come to and end, I would head for a Sheetz if I could. If you keep the intruders out, you could live there for a long period of time! How said I am that they have not and most likely will not come to New Jersey or New York anytime in the next few decades… If anyone has any influence — try to get one to my area NOW!!!!
Your article instantly made me hungry and yet very sad at the same time. Now that I live in the New York City area, and have access to the real Coney Island, there is still something in my heart about the Johnstown location. I know it has nothing to do with Coney Island, Brooklyn, yet it has it's own charm just the same.
The former owner, (who's name I cannot remember right now) used to dress up like she was going to a grand ball, only to serve hot dogs and crack the whip to her staff. She was great… there was no messing around when she was on duty. Late night, Coney Island is where you go after all the bars close. But, she would be there, pushing out the riff raff, and making sure your hot dogs were ready to go.
One thing of note… you are correct that they line the hot dogs up their arms for dressing, but that too, adds to the charm of the place. A step inside is a look at the 1970's, right down to the bright orange booths, yellow walls, and worn floor. The signs SELF SERVICE, PLEASE SERVE YOURSELF are posted everywhere… but they do all the serving at the counter. Vintage photos of Johnstown are posted everywhere, as a great look back to what was. Oh, and the employees, who used to sit int he last booth on the left side in the back and smoke away their breaks! It is great that Coney Island has hung on, when the rest of downtown has dried up. They could have closed when the owner died a few years ago, but they still keep going… except of course, for those 2 disappointing weeks in summer, when they go on their annual vacation.
Now, onto Sheetz…
Once again, your article is spot on. One thing you have forgotten to mention is that Sheetz has always been on the cutting edge of technology at their stores. You mentioned, the touch screens and you are correct to note, they were one of the first to ever use them. But, they have it down to a science to get you in the store, your food and gas fast, and then on your way. Their menu has expanded by leaps and bounds over the last five years. Now, including pizza, burgers, chicken, gourmet sides, and most now have coffee bars! Basically, if the world were to come to and end, I would head for a Sheetz if I could. If you keep the intruders out, you could live there for a long period of time! How said I am that they have not and most likely will not come to New Jersey or New York anytime in the next few decades… If anyone has any influence — try to get one to my area NOW!!!!
Ryan, I moved to Delaware approximately 6 years ago and one of the things I miss about home is Sheetz, that and Yost/Dutchmaid bakery items. The nearest Sheetz to us is roughly around the York area. And you’re right WaWa has nothing on them. Comparing WaWa to Sheetz is like comparing apples and oranges, especially since you will never find a free standing Sheetz sans gas pumps. Oh and I also miss the mountains.