Visit Waikoloa: Island Gourmet Markets

If you're staying in Waikoloa and want to avoid the resorts and the resort prices, Island Gourmet Markets has plentiful options for meals.  They have grab-and-go, cook-to-order, as well as groceries so you can cook your own!

During our Waikoloa stay, we ordered breakfast.  

Buttermilk Pancakes with Side Bacon

Banana Paradise Pancakes

Loco Moco

Omelette Supreme with Fried Rice

The Omelette Supreme included sausage, bacon, ham, and cheese. 

Ultimate Hashbrown Breakfast

I had the Ultimate Hashbrown Breakfast, which included hashbrowns topped with bacon, sausage, cheese, and bell peppers. It was served with two eggs. I wish the hash browns were crispier, but it was a hearty breakfast!

Island Gourmet Markets
69-201 Waikoloa Beach Drive

Space B1/B2, Waikoloa, HI 96738

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Visit Nevada: Area 51 Alien Center

Our room wasn't ready yet, so we took the 90-minute drive from Las Vegas to the Area 51 Alien Center just to check it out and kill some time.

It's really just a huge convenience store with all sorts of alien-related merchandise.  

They do serve snacks and drinks, but there is also a diner in the back, as well as restrooms.

We didn't see anything peculiar on the drive, but I can imagine how eerie it is if you were to drive around the area at night!  

Area 51 Alien Center
5388 US-95

Amargosa Valley, NV, 89020

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Visit Japan: Konbini Hauls

We literally went to a konbini every single day during our recent trip to Japan.  Family Mart, 7-Eleven, Lawson . . . we would go for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert!  Sometimes we'd go even multiple times a day.

I'm always game for convenience store ice cream, and I usually get a sandwich and some kind of chips.

What are your must-haves from the konbini?  

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Visit Salt Lake City: Maverik

Maverik is a chain of gas stations / convenience stores throughout 12 Western states.  We came across many of them in Utah.

They are similar to a Buc-ees, but on a much smaller scale.

They have a variety of snacks, drinks, as well as food made to go (wraps, sandwiches, pizza, salads, etc.).

The one we stopped at had a very clean restroom, and a Maverik's near SLC has actually won "America's Best Restroom!"

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Waialua Fresh

Waialua Fresh is a convenience store that offers an impressive selection of snacks and drinks.

We stopped in for the first time ever and I was surprised with the variety of treats they offered, including imported international drinks and snacks, local fruits and meats, and even refrigerated foods.  

We picked up some Uncle's Ice Cream Sandwiches since my kids wanted a cool treat, as well as a "Marble Soda."

If you're headed to the beach or a picnic on the North Share, or just want a snack for the drive, be sure to check out Waialua Fresh!

Waialua Fresh
67-071 Nauahi St

Waialua, HI 96791

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Kaya's Store

While driving around the island, we drove past Kaya's Store in Hauula.  I've driven past numerous times before, but for the first time, we stopped in.

This convenience store, which has been around for more than 75 years, offers general goods, as well as lots of snacks.  It even has an in-store kitchen offering plate lunches.

The kids each got a drink, and after seeing so many people come in and buy SPAM Musubis, we encouraged the kids to get musubis as well.  

I couldn't resist getting some banana bread made by Traci's Sweet Treats.  It was so moist and fluffy!

The staff members at Kaya's Store were so friendly.

We'd definitely stop by again if we are in the area.

Kaya's Store
53-534 Kamehameha Hwy
Hauula, HI 96717

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Visit Seoul: GS25

After a long 10-hour flight and entry process into South Korea, we went to GS25 for some quick and cheap eats.

GS25 is a convenience store chain in South Korea, where you can get everything from umbrellas to ice cream.  You find them just about everywhere you look - in neighborhoods, at the train stations, in underground malls . . . 

It was close to 10pm by the time we went into GS25 (nearly 3am Hawai`i time), but some convenience store eats were the perfect late-night dinner.

We got gimbap, ramen bowls, Korean drinks and snacks, and of course - ice cream!

There is limited seating inside if you want to eat, and there are also hot water dispensers and microwaves for you to heat up your noodle bowls.

It was the perfect way to start our Korea visit!

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Visit Rome: Autogrill

From Rome to Bossi is about a 2.5 hour drive, so we made sure to stop at the Autogrill for a snack and restroom break!

We got all sorts of snacks (including Italy-made ones), as well as freshly made sandwiches and pastries.

I'm not much of a pastry person, but this Nutella-filled croissant was heavenly!

There a number of Autogrill locations throughout Italy.

Whether you need to get gas, buy souvenirs, or simply need a bite or drink for the road, Autogrill is a convenient stop.

Autogrill Flamini Est.

Autostrada del Sole

1 Est, 02046 Magliano Sabina RI, Italy

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Visit Iowa: Casey's General Store

One of our must-stops in Iowa was Casey's General Store, a gas station convenience store chain known for their pizzas!

Bacon Breakfast Pizza

Pepperoni Pizza

Sausage Breakfast Pizza

Potato Wedges

The pizzas were good!  I had the Bacon Breakfast Pizza, and I could've eaten a slice of that pizza every day for breakfast!

We ended up making multiple stops at multiple Casey's to pick up snacks and drinks for the long drives.

Frozen Treats

Sweet & Salty Mix

If you find yourself at Casey's General Store, try the pizza!

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