Citgo

No, not owned by a «Middle Eastern family,» owned by Indian immigrants. In spite of the shameless geographic ignorance, they’re right otherwise, this gas station should be avoided. There’s lots of good restaurant reasons to be in this area, but fill up for gas a little east of here on second avenue. I used to come here a lot because I live nearby but there’s a world of socio-​economic difference between this block and just a couple of blocks over where my house is. You can’t leave your car unlocked when you leave the pump to come inside at any hour of the day. Inside the workers are often tied up with a lengthy exchange with one of the local denizens who is a dime or nickel short (on a couple of levels), so there’s no way to rush in and out. Still, that’s par for gas stations around here, so I continued to stop by until a couple of months ago I tried to vacuum up a mess I had made in the car with their one dollar car vac, and even though I asked the clerk for change in quarters he didn’t warn me that the vacuum was out of order and there was no sign. When I came in to get a refund I was refused and told to call the number on the machine. I did call the number later, and they pretended to take down my name and address and I never did get a refund. I made a mental note not to come back but I didn’t do due dilligence and write it up on Unilocal so I ended up coming back in a couple of weeks, I had a low tire. This time when I got change I specifially asked the clerk if the air machine was working, he asserted it was, and of course it wasn’t. Again, no refund.
A few days ago the Chief of Staff was riding by herself, and her bicycle rear tire was low, so she pulled in here for air. I know I warned her about this gas station a number of times, but we’re married. She pays about as much attention to my lectures as my students. So the air machine is still not working, still with no sign, still with no warning from the worker behind the glass, and still no refund. This was not forgiveable, Maria was now with a complete flat, and had to walk her bike out, and as observed earlier, this is not the safest of locations. Fortunately this was in the middle of the day so she was able to walk over to Rowell’s where they filled up her bicycle tire with air for free.
The other two gas stations on National by here are not much better. Make it over to the Mobil at 602 South 2^nd, it’s not far and it’s a big improvement in safety, service, and a little better in price.

Owned by a Middle-​Eastern family. It’s a plain-​Jane gas station with one male/​female bathroom — key-​entrance only. There were non-​customers hanging out by the gas pump with pants hanging to their knees, shouting, and talking to themselves.
The bathroom is not clean. I was desperate so I put on my big girl pants, laid toilet paper around the rim and did my business.
While that was going on, an older gentleman in his 60’s — probably the father or grandfather of the family that owned this place — was hitting on my sister-​in-​law. He even proposed for her to be his 2^nd wife. Not kidding.
I just had phở at Phan’s Garden, next door. No more will I visit the area. Dude, stay away. This is a warning.