By Jeanni Ritchie
Sometimes the best meals aren’t found at a white-tablecloth restaurant but at a roadside stop with a funny name. Around here, that place is Y-NOT STOP — my favorite convenience store that doubles as a must-try lunch or dinner spot.
My grandson Jonah put it in words only an 8-year old could: You have to stop here. It’s in the name: Y NOT STOP?
Sure, you can pop in for gas, snacks, or the best Coke ICEE around (my cheat drink when I go on a Coke fast), but locals know the real secret: Y-NOT STOP serves up hot, fresh food that rivals any restaurant in town.
With counter service, kiosk ordering, call-ahead pick-ups, and even a drive-through window at some locations, it’s as convenient as it is delicious. Most locations even have a dine-in area, so you can grab a seat and eat it hot.
The Menu
This isn’t your average gas-station food. The menu is packed with comfort food favorites and Louisiana staples:
• Tenders, Chicken, Fish & Boneless Wings — sold in pieces or full dinners (dinners include a side like Cajun fries, onion rings, or a log).
• Salads — Garden, Chef, and Chicken salads for lighter fare.
• Lagniappe Treats — Boudin balls, crispitos, boudin links, corndogs, egg rolls, and even chicken & sausage kabobs.
• Smash Burgers — Single, double, triple, or quadruple with customizable toppings (American cheese, mushrooms, bacon, jalapeños, chili, and more).
• Sandwiches — Chicken, fish poboys, Philly cheesesteak, ham/turkey, BLT, club, or grilled cheese.
• Sides — Cajun fries, onion rings, potato logs, fried pickles, and Philly fries.
But while everything’s good, there’s only one item on the menu for me — MEAT PIES! When I moved away from Louisiana, I missed them dearly — for 17 long years — and I’ve been making up for lost time ever since. At Y-NOT STOP, the meat pies are always hot, fresh, and one of their top sellers.
Why Not Stop?
Like Jonah said, it’s in the name — why not pull over, grab a hot meal, and taste a little bit of Louisiana tradition? Y-NOT STOP proves that convenience food doesn’t have to be boring.
Visit ynotstop.
