Wawa is giving away free coffee — we visited and discovered why it's the greatest convenience store chain in America

• Wawa is giving away free coffee to celebrate Wawa Day 2018. 
• The convenience-store chain with a cult following is celebrating its 54th anniversary. 
• We recently visited Wawa to see if it measures up to the hype. 

Any Pennsylvanian knows the magnetic allure of Wawa.

The convenience-store chain has recruited an army of steadfast shoppers; however, many Americans don't know much about Wawa, as its locations are limited to six states on the East Coast. On Thursday, it's giving away free, unlimited coffee to celebrate its 54th year in business.

Recently, we ventured into Wawa country to get an idea of what the fuss is all about at the convenience chain and its rival, Sheetz.

We came away with a new understanding of Wawa and its fiercely loyal fans.  

Here's how Wawa won us over:

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Our quest started off in the parking lot of a Wawa in south Phillipsburg, New Jersey, off Route 22. The gas pumps were plentiful and bustling with activity, but we were more interested in what waited within.

Wawa, with more than 720 locations in six states on the East Coast, is renowned for its high-quality, inexpensive food. The vibe is clean and professional, yet unassuming. Muted yellows and browns are the key colors, leading to a relaxed but often bland visual landscape.

It takes a few minutes to even comprehend the array of food options available at Wawa. The well-stocked prepackaged section is ambitious and diverse in scope. Even packaged food appears fresh — not as though it has been abandoned on the shelf for untold lengths.