Canal Shell

Two words: car wash. Enough said!

The pumps are always out of order. I try to use my Winn Dixie card and then the machine malfunctions so I lose the discount or have to go to another pump entirely. Convenient location, but they need to update their broken stations.

This Shell self-​service gas station is a good place to get your gas. You can also get powerball & scratch-​off tickets, random snacks, bottle of liquid refreshments or a soda. They tend to have a better price than other Shell stations in this zip code.

We happened upon this Shell Station after after trying to compensate after missing our turn to get back on I-​10, and realizing that we were almost out of gasoline. We grabbed this fill up opportunity and after a quick self-​service fill-​up, we were back on our way.

The Canal Shell is not my usual «go to» gas station, but I go just enough to consider myself a semi-​regular customer. Perhaps because I check in every time I frequent a business is the reason I’m the Duke here; but it’s only once every few weeks.
The gas station is well lit so I consider it a relatively safe location. Besides, it’s less than a mile from my house, and if I opt to take Canal Street home instaed of I-​10, I drive right past this place. The convenience store is stocked with the usual gas station sundries and there’s even a car wash. However, there’s no way I’d ever let some gas station car wash with hard plastic bristles «beat» my car clean.
All in all this is an ok gas station; albeit a little expensive. Just 2 weeks ago, I paid nearly $ 4.05 for 93 octane. :-(

Gas prices are always higher than anywhere else in the city, so even though this is literally right by my house, I rarely buy gas there.
That said, the clerks are generally always very friendly. My daughter loves walking there and grabbing a snack, and they always dote on her. She calls it «my store» to just about anyone who will listen.
I also like that they check your credit card to your drivers license in an effort to prevent using stolen cards. It can be a hassle if you don’t always have your ID on you, but it is a great process to have in place.

I was only going to give this gas station my standard 3 stars because y’know it has gas & is brightly lit. But seriously, these were the fastest pumps ever. So yay for that. The store seemed really busy on Friday night, but I didn’t need any stuff.
Only negative (or was it… since it was talking to me) was that the TV screen on my pump was stuck/​broken. Telling me that it was 40 degrees on Friday night just made me laugh.

OMG they have delicious, magical Mardi Gras Bagels! Commonly known as Hubig’s Mini-​King Cakes, these elusive treats can be found (evidently) at your local service station and (I assume) other fine establishments around town. This, in itself, is reason to review this particular gas station. It’s the first time I actually laid eyes on the edible unicorn that is Hubig’s Mini King Cakes. (Henceforth «Mardi Gras Bagels.»)
It goes without saying that I was SUPER EXCITED to finally see, in person, the rumored Mardi Gras Bagel. You can imagine HOW EXCITED I was when I got home with my treasure, took my first bite, and discovered that not only are they adorable and enigmatic, but the Mardi Gras Bagel is also the BEST FREAKING KING CAKE I’ve had so far this year.
Granted, my other King Cakes have been from the airport, Walgreens and… other random places not well known for their King Cakes. However, it is now my mission to 1) find a reliable source of the Mardi Gras Bagel and 2) see if I can find a King Cake more delicious. Would you care to join me on this adventure? Here are the rules: Mardi Gras Bagels can only be compared to non-​filled King Cakes. Because it wouldn’t be fair to make them compete with, say, a cream cheese filled, crab shaped King Cake from Hi-​Do Bakery. (Yes, a crab. Not a crawfish. A crab. No, I don’t know why.)
Hm. I guess there’s only one rule.*
Anyway, this gas station rocks because it’s clean, well-​lit, has a passable selection of Vitamin Water (XXX, Energy (the Yellow kind) and Multi-​V (Lemonade flavor) — i.e. the basics — and it appears to be open 24 hours. As the previous reviewer, Damon B the checkout is fast, the shop is small, and he gets a gold star for checking in, FTR**, and making a point to take notes on the food offerings and automatic carwash. Great reviewing, Damon B!
They don’t seem to have Luna Bars, Cliff Bars or anything of the sort, nor are they the Everything You Could Ever Possibly Need Ever wonderland that is the Ideal Mart Number … 4 I think? I can never remember the number. But you know the one I’m talking about. On Bayou St. John. That said, this gas station is definitely one that should be on the Avoid At All Costs list, and anywhere that sells Mardi Gras Bagels, Vitamin Water, Diet Coke and is open 24 hours (I think) is a win in my book.
—-Begin Footnotes — -
*Rules are subject to my whims, and therefore may be added or subtracted at the sole discretion of Jess, without advance notice or notification, because this is my game, dammit, and I’m not sure how it’s going to work yet. But I do know it shall be fun and fattening.
**I will admit to being a bit disappointed that I wasn’t the first to review (FTR) this place, but then I remembered that I’m excited that John L H and I are not the only wackos who review gas stations, and that it’s testament to the excellence of this establishment if two Elite ’10 Unilocalers felt compelled to review it. Go Canal Shell! You rule.

I am giving this place 4 stars because the checkout is always fast. The shop is small but has lots of the usual pre-​packaged snack goodies. Hubigs pies ftw! The shop does not have a full food offering such as those hotdogs on the rollers or other gas station staples. I never eat that stuff anyway so I deserve a gold star just for checking in order to write a better review! ;)
They have an automatic carwash.