Yo Yo Yo! What is up QTaholics? Yes! I am back like Jordan wearing the 45! If that reference doesn’t make sense, go read some NBA history, Rook. So anything new going on in the world? I hear 2020 was a great year! Sorry we missed it! It has been a LONG time since we had a good high quality post to the blog – and by a long time I mean never, but today seems like a grand day to reset the bar. Don’t worry the bar is still low.
I have visited the QT multiple times over the last 24 months. Each time I was prepared to write up an article on the food I had and the overall experience. I never did it though. Call me lazy, call me uncommitted to the craft, Call Me by Blondie, Call Me Maybe… well you get the idea. I know what you are thinking right now. “Rob, why write a post today? What changed?” Well I am glad you asked. I am still lazy, but my love for the QT has never waivered. What actually spurred me to write this? What rekindled my passion for sharing my QT love and sent a warm fuzzy feeling in my loins? Well it was a discussion at the bar yesterday. I just hope this post delivers better than that last season of Game of Thrones – ugh we all waited for so long for that garbage. Such a let down. Imagine investing years into something and then you see where it ends and you think wtf happened? At least here at the QTGG we never got your hopes up.
The Belfast Mill is one of my favorite spots in Charlotte, ok not one of, it is my favorite spot. In discussion there yesterday with my buddy Kyle and Jeremiah, the bartender, it dawned on me that during these pandemic times I had really failed you all. The QT is a beacon of joy in an increasingly dark world. I had been selected by the universe to carry this brightness to every corner of the globe and when the world needed me the most I disappeared. Kinda like Avatar Ang, I was frozen in a giant ice ball, except it wasn’t really an ice ball and I wasn’t frozen. Either way, I am back baby and have reaffirmed my devotion to the QT and to you my beloved reader. So LFG!
I taught a class in Dallas today, not the one in Texas but the one in NC. There are cowgirls at this Dallas too – but nothing like the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, don’t get your hopes up. On my way back home down 321 I saw the QT in the distance and the bar conversation echoed in my ears and I had to pull into store #1042.
The one avid reader we have knows that I love the rollers and by love I mean I consider the food on the rollers high eating. Basically you have like a Ruth’s Chris steak, then you have QT roller food and then everything else. If gas stations could get Michelin ratings the QT rollers get 4. What? Michelin ratings only go up to 3? Yeah I said what I said. 4 BABY! I walked in and immediately headed for the rollers, natch, but then I reminded myself that while I was here to quiet the growing pain in my stomach, I was also here for you the reader. Rather than go with the buffalo chicken stick or other roller items we have already reviewed I opted for something different.
The QT fresh kitchen, with their food engineers, always surprise me with my options. Over the last 2 years they have expanded at a high rate. The only thing growing faster is THIS LINE HAS BEEN REDACTED TO BE RESPECTFUL TO TENDER EYES AND EARS. I opted for a flatbread. While I had multiple options I went with the bacon chicken ranch. I also threw in Spicey Ranch 3D Doritios and a Milkyway. For beverage I went with an A&W.
Now, for the part you are all waiting for – no not the end of the article. Shut up Karen. I am talking about the food review!
The ordering process has been streamlined. If you all recall in the old days, you know before the empire Luke, you ordered the food and then went to check out with your food. Now you order, take your ticket and pay and then return to the counter to pick up your food. My wait was as shorter than Gamestop stock. The flatbread was really good. A surprising amount of chicken for $3.50. The Doritos were spicier than I expected and quite good. The A&W paired very well with the flatbread but not so hot with the Doritios. I would recommend a typical cola of a recent vintage over the rootbeer though. Better yet get some liquor. Overall, I give the flatbread 4.78 Chomps out of 5. My only complaint was the wrapping allowed the food to cool off quicker than expected. Maybe Yeti needs to make some overpriced food wrap to keep hot and cold items longer. Of course if Yeti offered that QT would need an F&I person to work out the 5 year payment terms on my lunch. Maybe a better plan is just should have eaten in the car vs bringing it home.
Now that we have the food out of the way I wanted to give a shout out to the QT for the checkout process. You know all the jokes about needing Chik Fil A to do vaccines because they move the drivethru so fast? Well check out the QT. One cashier and two lines. While card is being approved they take the next customer. Boom Boom Boom That’s what I am talking about Willis.
And with that, I shall close this first post of 2021. I know that without this blog during lockdown you were lost, wondering where you could go for food and gas during lockdown. I promise to never leave you guys again. We are soul mates wondering through this silly game of life together, looking, yearning and celebrating the most important moments in life, like staring into the rollers wondering not what is, but what could be. It’s a QT world – we just live in it.
QuikTrip Gourmet Guide 