If I’m buying something edible at BP, Sunoco, or Circle K, I must confess that it’s usually Slim Jims originals. If my son is with me he might ask for some gum or maybe a Three Musketeers bar. But that’s usually the extent of it. The only exception might be when I head to the nearest BP which also has Dunkin Donuts. (Kids can be pretty persuasive when they want to be.)

So it is especially intriguing to share with you what’s going on at ‘The Grille’ inside the Dodge City BP in Shallotte, NC.

Customers say the food quality is unbelievable. And they’re not just talking about subs and burgers, hot dogs and pizza (they have all that). How about smoked shrimp bisque or she crab soup… shrimp and crab quesadillas… or maybe some jambalaya?

Chef Sal Rubio leases The Grille from BP and his business has been up and running since August. And by all accounts, the food is phenomenal. Rubio knows his craft and he says it’s in the genes.

"My dad is Mexican and my mom is French, Italian and Hungarian, so we had tamales, pierogies, stuffed cabbage, breads – all kinds of foods…" he said. Rubio, 43, grew up in Chicago and New Jersey and has executive chef credentials from dining establishments including Carolina National Golf Club and Ocean Ridge Plantation. After he was laid off from Ocean Ridge, he saw an opportunity in a most unlikely place, and to his credit, he’s making it work. The Grille is open from 7 am to 3 pm these days and he’s thinking about adding dinner service too.

When I spoke with Sal by phone on Wednesday he gave me the day’s specials: prime rib sandwich with caramelized onions, provolone and a horse radish sauce on a sub roll and they also serve up hand-cut fries and chips to order. Another one was shrimp and grits with smoked gouda cream sauce topped with bacon; and don’t forget the crab cake sandwiches with Cajun remoulade!

If you’re in the area, I think you’ll want to see --and taste-- for yourself… (The station is at 20 Naber Drive, Shallotte, NC). And the customers are giving it great reviews. The Grille even has a couple of guys who travel from Southport (24 miles away) for his shrimp and grits! If you click on this link you can check out what customers are saying:
TripAdvisor.com

Smart move, BP! Good luck, Sal!