Gas Stations Become Heathy Food Outlets

For a number of years now, convenience stores that sold only gas and cigarettes have been introducing food. Whether it's a partnership with a fast-food outlet, or a line of junk food - there are more and more options when you go to "fill-up". Some stores are now upping the ante:

Bill Knight upped that ante when he opened his 12,500-square-foot flagship NexStore MarketPlace in Boca Raton, Fla., last December. Nearly two-thirds of the space is kitchen. Outside there are nearly 300 parking spaces.

He needs the room. Knight employees 41 chefs who prepare 120 different baked items, including cakes, pies and pastries, 12 soups, 16 varieties of sushi and more than 150 different deli items. There's also a meat carving station.

To be honest I've never really thought of a gas station as a gourmet destination. Walking through the carbon monoxide fumes only to sit down to a view of cars being filled up with gas - that's hardly the best environment to eat in. Then again neither are food courts/halls that grace all our shopping malls. I'm sure all that noise can't help digestion. I also wonder if you do actually eat fast at these places - after all - everyone is in a rush - so why shouldn't you be?