Between the cool retro-architecture and the central corner locations, old gas stations and auto body shops are becoming the sought-after real estate for restaurants and bars. Statistically, over 50,000 stations have closed since the 1990s and while many have been torn down, some have received a new lease on life. All of these eating and drinking establishments are pro-recommended spots for fueling up.

Charleston, SC | Xiao Bao Biscuit

You'll find Asian soul food served in an old Exxon station. Chef Josh Keeler recommends their Japanese pancake, "It's called Okonomiyaki and it's taking the town by storm."

Charleston, SC | Leon's Oyster Shop

"Cheap beer, expensive champagne, and fried chicken" is how co-owner and barman Brooks Reitz describes his restaurant and bar located in a renovated auto paint and body shop.

Louisville, KY | Garage Bar

Bartender and restaurateur Brooks Reitz of Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. calls this former auto service garage "a great pizza, oyster, and country ham joint."

Brooklyn, NY | Lilia

Chef Missy Robbins just opened her first Brooklyn restaurant in a renovated Williamsburg auto body shop. She is featuring wood-fired seafood, hand-crafted pastas, and classic Italian cocktails.

New York, NY | Barbuto

Chef Jonathan Waxman's Barbuto is located in an old garage built to sell Rolls Royces in 1939.

Philmont, NY - Local 111

Chef Brian Alberg recommends this hyper-local 39-seat restaurant that was previously a gas station, "chef Josephine Proul is doing the local thing like nobody's business."

Portland, ME | Tandem Coffee & Bakery

This is located in a 1960s gas station turned laundromat turned coffee house and bakery. Barman Andrew Volk comes here daily, "They roast and pour some of our favorite coffee ever."

St. Louis, MO | Olio

This wine bar was a 1930s Standard Oil filling station. Chef Josh Galliano recommends it for "Mediterranean food with an Israeli-Turkish bit to it and lots of cured meats."

Nashville, TN | El Amigo

You can fuel up on Mexican food at this gas station turned taco joint. Chef Sean Brock says, "The best selection of tacos and great agua frescas, like mango watermelon."

Chicago, IL | Big Star

Opened by chef Paul Kahan in a former mechanic's garage. This is his homage to tacos, tequila and bourbon.

Tampa, FL | Hampton Station

"Located in an old gas station, they serve great pizza and have a really good selection of craft beer," says chef Greg Baker of The Refinery.

Miami, FL | El Carajo

This existing gas station seems like an unlikely place to find some of Miami's best sommeliers drinking Spanish wine and snacking on tapas.

Inside of El Carajo

But head to the archway in the back and you'll find this little gem. Sommelier Allegra Angelo likes that the wines are affordable and says they have an impressive selection.

Fernandina Beach, FL | T-Ray's Burger Station

"It is an old gas station converted into a diner. This is a local hot spot with the best biscuits, pancakes and down-home cooking in Fernandina," says chef Chef Scotty Schwartz of 29 South Restaurant.

Atlanta, GA - Leon's Full Service

The name gives a nod to its former life as a gas station. Bartenders Greg Best and Miles Macquarrie love the cocktails here.

Houston, TX | Liberty Station Bar

They gussied up an old gas station and put in a bar with a rotating tap wall. Beer man Kevin Floyd calls it "the little diamond in the rough with craft beer on tap and Bud in a bottle."

Dallas, TX | Fuel City

This is an existing car wash, gas station, and convenience store combo where chef Brian Zenner recommends you come for the al pastor tacos because, "they are the best tacos in town."

Fort Worth, TX | Kent & Co

Chef Marcus Paslay recommends this wine bar and auto repair shop. If you don't need your car serviced, they have over 300 wines in stock. "The owners are a brother and sister who come from a family of car dealerships."

CHARLESTON, SC

XIAO BAO BISCUIT
224 Rutledge Avenue, Charleston, SC 29401
xiaobaobiscuit.com

LEON'S OYSTER SHOP
698 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403
T: 843.531.6500 | leonsoystershop.com

LOUISVILLE, KY

GARAGE BAR
700 E Market Street, Louisville, KY 40202
T: 502.749.7100 | www.garageonmarket.com

NEW YORK CITY, NY

LILIA
567 Union Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11222
T: 718.576.3095 | www.lilianewyork.com

BARBUTO
775 Washington Street, New York, NY 10014
T: 212.924.9700 | www.barbutonyc.com

PHILMONT, NY

Local 111
111 Main Street, Philmont, NY 12565
T: 518.672.7801 | www.local111.com

PORTLAND, ME

TANDEM COFFEE & BAKERY
742 Congress Street, Portland, ME, 04102
T: 207.805.1887 | www.tandemcoffee.com

ST. LOUIS, MO

OLIO
1634 Tower Grove Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110
T: 314.932.1088 | oliostl.com

NASHVILLE, TN

EL AMIGO
3901 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211
T: 615.833.-6434

CHICAGO, IL

BIG STAR
1531 N Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622
T: 773.235.4039 | bigstarchicago.com

TAMPA, FL

HAMPTON STATION
5921 N Nebraska Avenue, Tampa, FL 33604
T: 8132381114 | www.zaisdank.com

MIAMI, FL

EL CARAJO
2465 SW 17th Avenue, Miami, FL 33145
T: 305.856.2424 | el-carajo.com

FERNANDINA BEACH, FL

T-RAY'S BURGER STATION
202 S 8th Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
T: 904.261.6310 | www.traysburgerstation.com

ATLANTA, GA

LEON'S FULL SERVICE
131 E Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030
T: 404.687.0500 | www.leonsfullservice.com

HOUSTON, TX

LIBERTY STATION BAR
2101 Washington Avenue, Houston, TX 77007
T: 713.640.5220 | libertystationbar.com

DALLAS / FORT WORTH, TX

FUEL CITY
801 S Riverfront Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75207
T: 214.426.0011 | www.fuelcity.com

KENT & CO
1101 W Magnolia Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76104
T: 817.632.6070 | www.kcowines.com

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