Illinois Gas Station Hot Dogs, Ranked by Road Trip Foodies

Gas station hot dogs are the unsung heroes of road trip cuisine, beloved by a secret society of snackin' travelers and late-night foodies. So, in the name of highly unofficial research, two self-appointed gas station connisseurs hit the road to rank which roller dog reigns supreme.

The Gas Station Gourmet Mission

Hot dogs spinning endlessly on rollers are more than just gas station filler; they're a lifestyle choice. Two self-proclaimed Road Trip Foodies took one for the team and sampled hot dogs from some of America's most popular gas stations. Four hot dogs across Illinois topped their rankings.

4th Place: 7-Eleven

According to the Road Trip Foodies, great toppings, but bad buns. The beefy dog was warm and well-cooked, but nothing could save the stiff, plastic-wrapped bread.

This roller dog was tough to beat during my college years. My apartment was across the street from a 7-Eleven, and those hot dogs were a big contributor to my "freshman fifteen."

3rd Place: Huck's

A juicy hot dog with no support. According to the Road Trip Foodies, the bun was dry, the steamers lacked steam, and there was no tray or wrapper to carry it with dignity. We respect Huck's hustle, but this one was a struggle.

MORE: The 5 'Must-Try' Chicago Hot Dog Experiences In Illinois

2nd Place: On The Run

The Road Trip Foodies were skeptical of the dog's slightly wrinkled appearance, but this dog surprised them. Juicy, flavorful, and genuinely beefy. The bun was cold but passable. A solid middle-of-the-road option.

MORE: Top 5 Rockford Area Gas Stations with the Best Food

This is a tough dog to find in Illinois. I checked Google to see where the closest one to Rockford (where I live) is, and there is only one Illinois location. It's in Waterloo, an almost 5-hour drive southwest of here. That same Google search revealed that the On The Run brand is owned by ExxonMobil, so the food may be available inside many locations, just not listed as a separate business address.

1st Place: QuikTrip

QT crushed it. A real beef Oscar Meyer dog, warm and snappy, tucked into a soft, steamy bun. Bonus points for toppings that ranged from bacon bits to sriracha ranch. This wasn't just gas station food, it was a destination meal. Their roller grill game is strong.

Do you agree, or do you have a go-to roller dog stop in Illinois that we've missed? Let us know, your next snack stop might depend on it.

Find more on the roller dog road trip, visit allrecipes.com.