Which gas station food owns the tastebuds of Hagerstown? Hint: It's local

In the battle for the Tri-State's best gas station food, the local option was the favorite.

The Herald-Mail last month asked readers to fill out a short survey answering what was their favorite gas station chain to grab a meal, and also what that meal might be.

Hagerstown's own AC&T took the contest in a landslide. Out of 106 participants in the online and mail-in survey, almost two-thirds picked the refueling and convenience store headquartered on Hopewell Road in Halfway.

The next closest store was Sheetz with 17%, followed by Wawa with a little more than 10%, Royal Farms at just below 5% and Rutter's at just below 2%.

AC&T Director of Operations Pat Dillon said the company was pleased with the results.

"We have a lot of loyal customers," he said. "We appreciate their business."

What sets AC&T apart, judging from the responses, is the quality of the food and service for the price. The company has 17 stores — nine of which sell food from The Market, the company's food counter — spread between Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

"I think it's the consistency," Dillon said. "We’re different than most of our competition. Everything is made from scratch."

Survey participants whom The Herald-Mail interviewed had similar opinions.

“I think the price is reasonable and not outrageous at all and competitive with other fast food,” said Joe Moss, 62, of Hagerstown. "The fact it is a local store is that’s even better.”

John Hull, 64, of Hagerstown, said he's been going to the Sharpsburg Pike location as long as it's been open.

“The down-home aspect and the taste of the food and being moderately priced,” won his loyalty to the brand, he said.

Nancy Evans, 78, of Williamsport said she was unfamiliar with the concept of getting a meal at a gas station when she first moved to the area. But she became such a loyal fan, she even celebrated her birthday at an AC&T one year.

"When I moved here, I heard a lot of people go there for Sunday dinner, and I said, 'Why would someone go there for dinner? It's a gas station,'” she said. “You can get a full meal there.”

What did you like best at AC&T?

The fried chicken was the most popular order.

“I love fried chicken and I love the juices and texture of the chicken,” said Barron Ford, 49, of Hagerstown.

“I like it because the batter is very crispy," Evans said. "I don't normally eat skin but I do with their chicken."

“It has a unique taste that no other establishment in this area competes with," Moss said. "It’s like they have a secret recipe."

What is the secret recipe?

None of the workers would divulge the makeup of the crispy breading.

But Dillon said AC&T President Ad Fulton credits AC&T's employees, and not just those at the convenience stores. AC&T started as a fuel-hauling business and has expanded to include other petroleum products and services, plus home heating and air conditioning, mobile storage, portable toilets and septic service.

"Mr. Fulton says, 'We're only as good as our people," Dillon said. "And it’s true."

Related: 'Behind-the-scenes guy' Ad Fulton named Person of the Year

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Hagerstown gas station chain picked as having the best food