There's a Marathon gas station in Lynchburg, Ohio, about an hour east of Cincinnati on US-50. From the outside it looks like every other rural gas station you've blown past a hundred times. Pull in anyway. Terry's Grocery and Pizza is one of the most unexpectedly great food stops in the state, and the 2,293 reviews with a 4.8 rating are not an accident.
Terry's has been family-owned since 1978. It started small and grew into something hard to categorize — part gas station, part grocery, part deli, part pizza counter, part ice cream bar. The back patio is where most of the action happens, and on a summer weekend it's packed. People drive from Cincinnati specifically for this place. They make the trip, eat too much, and come back.
The Ice Cream
This is the main event. Terry's runs a full soft-serve ice cream bar with a rotating lineup of flavors that goes well beyond vanilla and chocolate. Seasonal flavors show up throughout the year — pumpkin ice cream in the fall, dragon fruit pitaya Dole bowls in the summer. But the real draw is the Crazy Shakes.
These things are an experience. The Dirt Road shake, the Candy Bar shake, the Peanut Butter Lovers shake, the Turtle Cheesecake — each one is massive, loaded with toppings and add-ons that take it from milkshake to event. Reviewers consistently mention watching other people carry them back to their tables as part of the entertainment. If you're coming with kids, budget time for the ice cream line on busy days — it moves, but the place gets packed.
For something more traditional, the sundaes are outstanding too. Simple, generous, and made with the same soft-serve that anchors everything else on the menu.
The Pizza
Don't skip it. Terry's makes their dough from scratch daily and the pizzas come out fresh and fast — usually within 15 minutes. Standout options include the Buffalo chicken pizza, the bacon chicken ranch, and the ranch pickle pizza, which has developed its own following. Portions are generous and prices are low. The macaroni salad from the deli counter has its own fans too, for what it's worth.
The Road Trip
Lynchburg sits in Highland County on a stretch of US-50 that takes you through genuinely pretty Ohio countryside. The drive from Cincinnati runs about an hour on back roads that make the trip feel intentional rather than just functional. A handful of reviewers mention heading out to explore the area after eating and then doubling back for ice cream — which is actually a solid plan given the lines.
Seating is limited. There are indoor tables and outdoor picnic tables, and they fill up at peak times. The suggestion from regulars: throw some lawn chairs in your trunk. There's plenty of grassy area around the property.
Visit
Terry's Grocery and Pizza 1505 US-50, Lynchburg, OH 45142 (937) 364-2156 Open daily 8 AM–9 PM
