East Memphis gas station known for its quality food
On any given morning, the parking lot at the Shell station at Poplar and Perkins Ext. is full of cars. For those in the know, this is a place to stop not just to fill up their tanks, but also their bellies.
Owner Rahim Umlani is changing the game when it comes to food on the go in Memphis.
“Our gas stations are a one-place stop for things fresh and healthy,” he said.
The One is not your average gas station convenience store. It’s a bright and light-filled store that is easy to shop. But it’s the food that makes it a destination.
Breakfast sandwiches made with freshly baked biscuits, over-stuffed breakfast burritos and even a full breakfast plate with light and fluffy scrambled eggs and crispy bacon are a few of the breakfast options that customers pick up for a quick, yet hot, breakfast on the go.
Made-in-house cold pressed juices, Memphis’ famous Beneva Mayweather cinnamon rolls and hard-boiled eggs are available pre-packaged in the grab-andgo cases for breakfast on the run.
Starting at 5 a.m., customers stop by on their way to work for a delicious and hearty meal.
At 10:30 a.m., the hot line switches from breakfast to lunch. The hot lunch offerings are served until 1:30 p.m.
Fried chicken, fried catfish, pork chops, pizza and fried rice are a handful of the offerings available each day.
“Everything is made fresh in house. We even bake our own cookies and juice our own juices,” employee Mac Musani said.
Cases at the front of the store are
filled with grab-and-go items for those in a rush. Sandwiches and wraps ranging from turkey to pimento cheese, fresh fruit cups, entree salads and even deviled eggs can be picked up while you fill your car’s tank with gas.
And if you need a sweet treat in the afternoon, The One also offers a large assortment of sweets. Cheesecake slices, cake slices, cookies and brownies are available in the grab-and-go section. And did I mention The One also has a small ice cream bar?
Don’t worry — it still offers all the convenience store options you would be looking for — beer, ice, lottery tickets — you name it, and The One probably has it.
Customer service is also a priority. The staff here is friendly and attentive.
Most days, Ingudaye Desta can be found behind the counter serving her customers with a smile. She goes out of her way to get to know her customers, asking about their day and offering suggestions.
Umlani also owns the Exxon station on Riverside Drive, which also offers a similar selection of meals and snacks. The Exxon at Poplar and Ridgeway — the one known for its in-house sushi — is his as well.
Opened in 2019, The One is the first location where Umlani built a brandnew building for his convenience store “restaurant,” but it won’t be the last. He recently bought the Amoco station on Poplar near Yates. He plans to create a similar convenience shop with fresh and tasty fare at that location, too.
Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com, and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.