Autogrill Villoresi Est

The Allure of Italian Gas Station Food

"A ubiquitous European highway-rest-stop chain known for surprisingly high-quality, ready-to-eat offerings: display cases filled with fresh sandwiches and a wide assortment of pastries (cornetti plain or filled with cream, Nutella, jam, or pistachio; doughnuts; regional sweets like sfogliatella and pasticciotti), plus at least half a dozen types of panini (mozzarella and tomato on a mini baguette, pizza bianca with prosciutto and mozzarella, grilled vegetables on whole wheat, mortadella with stracciatella, and piadina). Many locations also serve salads, pizza or pasta, and operate like mini supermarkets selling pasta, cheese, salami, wine and even toys. The counter routine is straightforward—pick from the case, ask to have it warmed when prompted, and save the receipt to order an espresso after your meal—and warm, pressed sandwiches plus a post-meal shot of coffee are reliably good. While quality varies across individual stops, offerings are a far cry from typical U.S. gas-station fare, and they're now a draw for visitors who want decent food without reservations." - Laura Itzkowitz