Casey's — Restaurant in Waynesville

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

In the often-overlooked corners of Middle America, nestled between stretches of farmland and modest neighborhoods, lies a ubiquitous and strangely iconic institution: Casey’s General Store. Part gas station, part convenience store, part neighborhood pizzeria—and entirely its own cultural phenomenon—Casey’s occupies a peculiar but beloved place in the American Midwest. It was with this understanding, and a touch of nostalgic anticipation, that I recently visited a local Casey’s. What followed was an experience that defied simple categorization—equal parts excellent and inexplicably odd.

Let me begin where praise is most deserved: the service at this particular Casey’s was, without exaggeration, exceptional. From the moment I walked through the door, I was greeted warmly by a staff member who looked up from what appeared to be a frenetic stretch of activity behind the pizza counter to offer a genuine, unforced smile. Within moments, I was approached by another employee who offered assistance—not the perfunctory “Can I help you find something?” you often hear in retail settings, but something more sincere and attentive, as if they truly wanted to improve my experience. I felt seen. Heard. Guided, even.

The young woman at the register was quick, professional, and remarkably patient in the face of what can only be described as a bizarre parade of patrons cycling through the store during my brief visit. Her ability to remain composed amid such curious social chaos bordered on the heroic. One could imagine her profile carved into the marble frieze of some modern-day Pantheon of Service Workers.

Which brings me, of course, to the elephant in the fluorescent-lit room: the clientele.

Now, I say this with as much gentleness and objectivity as possible: something about the crowd inside this Casey’s was not quite of this world. I have frequented many convenience stores in my life—urban bodegas, sleepy roadside stops, upscale Whole Foods-adjacent gas stations with Wi-Fi and cold brew on tap—but never have I witnessed such a strange and eclectic cross-section of humanity as I did within the walls of this particular Casey’s.

There was a man in a full trench coat—on a humid July evening—methodically comparing two brands of beef jerky with the deliberation of a sommelier choosing a vintage for a Michelin-starred meal. Another customer, shoeless and singing softly to herself, wandered the soda aisle while cradling an unopened gallon of milk like it was a newborn child. Meanwhile, two teenage boys stood motionless in front of the pizza counter for at least five minutes, saying nothing, making no gestures, just… staring. Into space? Into time? Into some unknown philosophical abyss? I still don’t know.

To be clear, I don’t judge the strange. I welcome it. But this felt less like quirky local color and more like I had stumbled into a gas station that sat directly on a tear in the fabric of reality. A crossroads, perhaps, where the laws of social convention and linear time had broken down. The whole scene teetered on the edge of dreamlike absurdity, or maybe Lynchian horror, depending on your mood.

And yet, the staff never wavered.

In the face of all this, they remained focused, pleasant, and extraordinarily competent. Orders were taken accurately. The pizza—surprisingly good, even by Casey’s standards—was made fresh and handed over promptly. The store, though buzzing with low-level chaos, was clean and well-stocked. The bathrooms were in good condition, and the coffee station was not only tidy but actually inviting. These are not small things, especially considering the human theatre that was unfolding around them.

In the end, I walked out with my order, my receipt, and the creeping sensation that I had just lived through something quietly monumental. Was this simply a late-night visit to a rural gas station chain? Or was it a fleeting encounter with something stranger—some liminal place between the mundane and the mystic? I...

DO NOT ORDER A SANDWICH FROM THESE PEOPLE! Its a sandwich, how is this so hard? They took away the option to place your order to the actual person making the sandwich so theres 2 people there to mess up your order. I told them turkey and cheese and they tried to charge me for a turkey club which i didnt order. At noon they had no lettuce prepped and chopped to make orders so the lady pulls the top 2 layers off a new head and throws them onto the sandwich. Then leaves to the back to finish the order. I pay and go to my car to make sure it’s somewhat correct. I open it and there is little mayo like the tiniest strip so im thinking its going to be dry so back in i go to get more. Get to work eat and they put American cheese instead of cheddar. Wrong orange cheese. She had a ticket sitting in front of her so where did that get messed up in the line? And im the only person ordering from the deli at that time and it took me a half hour. Why soooo hard?!!! Just go to subway save the time and get the right order actually...

The place is always clean even bathro clean food is great staff is very great treat customers very generous and helpful I love my casey staff are all number 1 and 2nd to none always fresh coffee rewards points are easy to get with purchases bonus points and staff are truely concerns for thier customers know thier customers needs and habits of what you mostely buy .I am appreciate if thier not busy which not very much I buy cases of water there since my tripple by pass if a staff member free they help me and carry out my water to me the staff also have that smile which is great I am not just saying this if you have never eaten a casey pizza you have not had a pizza tell you eat thiers plenty ingredients on it not all saucy just the right amount I give my casey at 850 n jefferson a 10 plus a+++ rating thank you Casey keep it up you should be the number one casey in town and beat most out of town area casey hope...