Opened in the mid-’90s by John Ayers, the Hanover Fuel Stop in Martins Ferry has grown into a one-stop shop for residents and travelers alike.
As anyone who has walked through the doors will rave, there’s far more at HFS than gas and normal gas-station fare. In fact, the gas has almost grown into an afterthought.
But why do people keep coming back? It’s the food.
First started by Ayers to sell gas, he soon began selling his trademark Hoggies—larger than your garden variety hoagie—out of the store. He did well too, until the steel mills up and down Route 7 began closing.
He also owns Ayers Limestone Quarry up on the hill, and he admitted at one point he needed more people up on the hill than down below.
“The quarry needed more personnel than I did down here, so we kind of gave up for a while and waited it out,” Ayers said. “But it started picking back up when oil and gas picked up.”
It’s continued to grow ever since, so much so that Ayers has expanded into the area formerly occupied by Liberty Auto.
His total square footage increased from 1,500 to 5,000. What that means for customers is more items, larger variety, longer hours, and even more signatures dishes to add to the Fuel Stop’s already growing menu.
“We’re tripled in size,” Ayers said. “We’re looking into doing different things, too. Once we get the new side established, we may look into an ice cream place.”
Ayers is also looking to start marketing their meals as a viable to-go option. He noted that there are a number of great restaurants in the area, but their food is designed to be enjoyed in-house and as soon as it’s ready to be served.
“It’s just not as good as when you take it home,” Ayers said. “It’s nowhere near as good as it is in the (restaurant) because it’s designed to be eaten there.
“We’re thinking about lasagnas, spaghettis, different items we can package into a container that will feed say 4-5 people. You take it home, put it in the oven and in 15 minutes, you have a great meal.”
Back when the thin-crust pizza was still in its testing phase. It will be on the menu come March 1. 
HFS supports local businesses like American Pie in Moundsville. John Ayers noted he buys his meats at Jacob & Sons in Martins Ferry and what he can’t source from there, he purchases locally.
Not Just Gas Station Food
The “cuisine” offered at most gas stations falls slightly above edible and generally has that “this-will-do” type of taste. It works in a pinch or when there are no other options in the vicinity.
Naturally, there are exceptions. The Fuel Stop is certainly one of them.
But it’s not just the Hoggies that bring people across the railroad tracks to the Eastern side of Ohio 7. A quick poll of Ohio Valley wing connoisseurs will likely have the flats and drummies from HFS near the top of their favorites list. There are six flavors of wings, thus far, and soon, they too will be available far more frequently.
March 1, a new feature will highlight the menu at the Fuel Stop, and that’s pizza.
Ayers and his staff have painstakingly created in the kitchen through trial and error what they feel is an incredibly tasty thin crust round pizza. This will be offered in addition to the award-winning deep-dish pizza.
“You go to most places in the Valley, and everybody does the old DiCarlo’s recipe, or they put their own little twist on it. But it’s all square,” Ayers said. “We’re having a cracker-thin crust pizza. It’ll be crunchy all the way through and no one else offers it.”
Ayers also noted the potential for a fluffy-like crust and Detroit style, but the big demand will be that deep dish. The problem? It takes 3-4 hours to make.
“It’s our biggest headache because everyone wants it, but it takes a while. It’s not made like regular pizza,” Ayers said. “We could probably make 40-60 per day, but we will have to do preorders.”
All the tasty food at Hanover Fuel Stop is available for delivery. The facility uses its own employees for delivery, but soon it will be offering third-party delivery utilizing Door Dash as a backup for times when it gets really busy.
Grand Re-Opening Coming
Ayers noted May is the target for a grand reopening. A number of new features are already available while others are on the way.
HFS is open six days a week presently and closed on Sundays, although the fuel pumps themselves are available 24-7 for anyone paying with a credit or debit card.
Another feature coming will be a large grab-and-go section fill with lunch meats, pre-made salads, hoagies, and even hot products.
The food at Hanover Fuel Stop is a major draw, but Ayers knows not everyone stopping by has the time to wait to allow it to be prepared or cooked. This way, there will be tasty options for those who are in a hurry or literally gassing up and getting back out on the road.
“There will be a hot side and a cold side,” Ayers said. “If someone comes in and doesn’t want to wait, they don’t have to.
“We’ve added 3-4 new hoagies, protein bowls, and we’re trying to offer even more.”
Hanover Fuel Stop currently offers meat and cheese trays but also can, and does, function as a full-service catering business, handling a number of events from birthdays and wedding receptions, to retirement parties, and large work picnics. If you need plenty of quality food for an event, Ayers has you covered.
For more information, visit Hanover Fuel Stop on the web or on Facebook, or simply stop by. It’s located at the corner of Hanover Street and Ohio 7.
