I Visited the World’s First and Only Cheez-It Pit Stop

Ni'Kesia Pannell
Ni'Kesia PannellNews & Culture Editor.
Ni'Kesia Pannell is the News & Culture Editor at Kitchn. Known as a self-proclaimed Slurpee connoisseur and the Queen of Nostalgic Things, Ni'Kesia spends her spare time running her all-natural beverage business — Peach State Drinks — and binging all the old shows you can name.
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published Jun 9, 2023
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Cheez-it Stop gas station in Joshua Tree.
Credit: Katie Gardner for Cheez-It

When it comes to a good snack, there aren’t too many nostalgic treats that I’ll turn down. From Pop-Tarts to Oreos, I still get excited to throw them in my grocery cart when I stroll down the aisle the same way I did when I would as a child with my mom. While I truly am a sucker for a sweet treat, whenever I’m on the hunt for something more on the savory side, there’s only one thing I’m heading for: a box of Cheez-It.

As a kid, the original variation of the salty snack was a constant go-to for me. But as I got older and the brand began to expand its line of flavors, my palate took to one flavor in particular — the Hot & Spicy. Truth be told, that flavor got me through some of my toughest nights in college. Whether I didn’t have any money for food or I just needed a cheap yet craveable snack to keep me up while studying, a fresh box of Hot & Spicy Cheez-Its became my holy grail. And even though they’re a little more difficult to find where I live now, I’m always going to pick up a box or two to have every time I spot them. So, imagine how excited I was to discover that Cheez-It had plans to open the first (and only!) Cheez-It Pit Stop right in the heart of Palm Springs, California. 

Credit: Katie Gardner for Cheez-It

Pegged to be “an absurdly delicious desert destination designed for road-trippers and adventure-seeking Cheez-It superfans,” the attraction is reminiscent of an old-school gas station and has all the vibes you need to have a good time while hitting the road with your pals this summer. The best part? The stop has an actual Cheez-It pump that shoots out bags of the snack right into your car. I knew I needed to see this for myself.

Decked out with its own desert cowboy mascot, the Cheez-It Stop delivers what true Cheez-It fans would be amazed to see. From branded shirts to an array of Cheez-It flavors that you may not be able to find anywhere else, it’s easy to get lost in all things cheesy when you pop by. And, of course, there are plenty of spaces for you to flick it up for social media, too. My favorite spot? The Cheez-It room stocked with flavors upon flavors, including plenty of Hot & Spicy boxes.

Credit: Ni'Kesia Pannell

For those who like to try before you buy, the brand even has a taste test area so that you can find your new favorite variation of the snack before stocking up to finish off your road trip. If you’re expecting there to be a lot of cheesy activities to keep you occupied during your stop though, you’ll want to shift your thoughts a bit. While there are plenty of amazing photo ops there for you, this roadside gift shop is more of a nostalgic moment meant to be savored for a lifetime. 

If you’re hoping to check out the once-in-a-lifetime Cheez-It Stop, the attraction is open until Sunday, June 11 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT, and is located at 61943 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, California. It’s also conveniently located for road trippers looking to make the 128-mile drive from Los Angeles or the 168-miles from San Diego. Here’s to a cheesy time!