Carl's Shell

This is a nice area to stop at if you're ever in this area! The bathrooms were spotless and everything was neatly organized. There's a large variety of snacks and drinks including a bunch of beer selections! There were plenty of pumps outside and even that area was well kept.

The best part about this gas station is that it's connected to a Dunkin Donuts! So I guess this review is about both! The employee at Dunkin was surprisingly cheerful for a late Friday night. We were hoping our stop would be quick so we could get on the road again and it was! Took about 5 minutes for us to order and get our drinks. I got a medium chai team and my husband got a black coffee. He ended up making too much of my drink and instead of throwing it out he just gave me a large- woohoo! I appreciate the no waste. It's the little things :)

I understand that tensions and regulations because of COVID-19 is at an all-time high, So I can't say I blame the attendant 100%.

However, after I got gas, I don't like eating refrigerated gas station foods as much as the next person, but given the current epidemic, I have no choice... Especially since almost all restaurants (including the attached Taco John's) are closed at this hour (10PM) and even the hot dog rollers are shut off. I didn't see any microwavable burgers or burritos, so I settled on heating up a ham sandwich.

Since refrigerated bread tastes nasty to me, I wanted to microwave it a bit. As I was tearing open a small hole just so the bag doesn't explode, the attendant curtly tells me that I can't open it and I would have to prep it outside. I politely and even lightheartedly tell her that I want to warm it up a little, and then she gives an almost scowling tone saying "whatever" and runs into the back room.

Instead of ringing me up first, she is borderline stomping her feet and hastily cleaning the microwave in a somewhat angry manner, and was still angrily rushing through the checkout process as if I just punched her grandma, slamming things and pounding on the register keys/screen.

I was a bit put off by this experience so I didn't catch her name, but she was in her 40's, wears glasses and has a blonde/brown mid-length hairstyle.

So not use this station. Your credit information will be compromised. Credit skimmers are aware that they can get away with stealing your information at the pump. Go somewhere else more secure.

Carl's Shell is a very unique gas station/pit stop. Where else can you fuel up you car, get your Dunkin Donuts on, Baskin Robbins too.... Taco John's when you're hungry, beer from their largely stocked cooler, snacks from the C-Store and live minnows for fishing too?
Getting there is interesting too.... or even an adventure......when exiting from 39, there are no stop signs, you must navigate through a series of roundabouts. For the uninitiated , it can be rather nerve racking.... heck, even for the initiated too! This might even be the reason for the expansive beer selection at Carl's, as you might need a drink or two to steady your nerves too celebrate arriving safely after negotiating said roundabouts.
Carl's is also a good place to stock up on Spotted Cow, a locally produced microbrew as they have a large selection of New Glarus Brewing Beers. In fact the brewery has tours seven days a week and is a short drive from Carl's Shell. Use Yelp for directions from here, it's worth the trip!

husband filled up late one night next day my car shook violently when I tried to start it, went back to the shell and told them that we must have gotten water in the tank shell called husband a liar. We
had the car towed and we have almost $6000 worth of damage due to rust thanks to the water in the tank. Husband went back with the 2 draws that they took from vehicle shell and called him IN SO MANY WORDS a liar to his face. Anyone else get water in their gas tanks and had to dish out thousands of dollars? WE ARE DONE WITH Karl SHELL ..20 YEARS OF BUSINESS WE GAVE YOU!!! NOW NO MORE.

First off, this review is for the DUNKIN DONUTS that is attached to the Shell. Five stars.

Listen, I am a fat bearded guy. Basically a walking stereotype as to what a DUNKIN donuts customer is. Trust me I have been in some DUNKIN donuts. And the DUNKIN experience that I had here today is the best experience that has ever happened.

Now I don't really remember what two guys were working but they both had "shift lead" titles on their name tags. And I am fairly positive they love their job. Which made the entire experience just perfect. I went in and was like, "can I get some blueberry donut holes." Trust me. They can.

It was a great time, quick, fun, casual, and all around perfect. If you're looking to stop on your way from MPLS to Chicago - get some actually good gas (Shell is undoubtedly the best gas) and some blueberry munchkins.

I used to come here when I lived in the area. Upon a return visit, I've found it is now located off a stupid roundabout. No fault of Carl's, but it does make it challenging to enter and exit. I liked the stop light idea better. I always fill up before leaving town and sometimes get a doughnut and coffee at Dunkin or a taco and soda at Taco Johns whichever time of day it is. I can load up with traveling goodies from the well stocked convenience store. This place is a nice beginning to a long trip.

It would have been impossible to find a cleaner, friendlier or more well stocked gas station in Wisconsin. I was amazed at the supremely clean bathroom and store floors. When I asked, they said it was family owned and run. That level of service really showed. I will make this Shell a must on all my trips through the area!! Amazing.

Great pee break and as a bonus they're selling Girl Scout cookies - for the love of all that's holy what a stop!!
Easy on/easy off

A couple miles after my gas light went on I found this lone gas station. Dunkin Donuts is attached to the convenience store...which was a nice surprise. Taco John's is attached on the opposite side. It looked like a nice clean place, but I wasn't desperate enough to have gas station tacos for dinner.