Think About It

Mashed potato vending machine is only the beginning: 5 more bizarre fooddispensers for 7-Eleven

Yes, it's mashed potatoes in a vending machine. Welcome to 7-Eleven.
Zufelt Zoo
The 7-Eleven mashed potato vending machine in all its glory.
Zufelt Zoo
Looks ... delicious?
TheZigZagger.com

The Internet issued a collective "OMFG" this week when it discovered a surprising specialty inside certain 7-Eleven stores — an instant mashed potato and gravy vending machine. According to Tecca, the machines are particularly popular in Singapore and haven't really made a foothold in America, which, frankly, I find to be a travesty.

I mean, if America is giving up our top spot as the country that invents new and increasingly weird ways to eat carbs, then how can we claim to be the greatest country in the world? I'm pretty sure falling behind in mashed potato technology was the cause of the fall of Rome. That or the Visigoths.

If Singapore is going to monopolize the instant watery mashed potatoes and gravy machine market, than we will just have to come up with our own machines.

Here are five ideas, America. You're welcome.

5. Queso.

Technically, cheeses already come in a variety of dispensers, whether it's a pump at a baseball stadium or a spray can. But let's take a classic crock pot of Ro-Tel dip and Velveeta, turn it upside down and add a spigot.

4. Eggs

Push a button to choose between scrambled, over easy, fried or poached. I'm picturing that no matter what you choose, the egg comes out in a square shape.

Yum, square eggs. Frankly, I don't know why egg beaters hasn't already done this.

3. Lobster bisque

Just because you are buying an instant premade meal from a convenience store doesn't mean you can't be fancy. I'm not even going to explain this one. Just trust me, it'll work.

2. Banana pudding

Mmmm, bowl of banana pudding, straight out of the dispenser. They sell Nilla Wafers at 7-Eleven, right?

1. Kraft EasyMac

All jokes aside, there's no longer any reason that this shouldn't exist. It's a premade fake carb product that only requires the addition of water and heat, and it's the kind of thing that people who find themselves hungry at 7-Eleven at 4 a.m. might enjoy.

Call it "SuperEasyMac," add a Slurpee and you've got a quality meal.

unspecified

COMING ATTRACTIONS

San Antonio coffee shop brews up plans for third Houston café

Merit Coffee Co./ Facebook

Merit Coffee Co. will open three Houston locations by the end of 2026.

San Antonio’s acclaimed Merit Coffee is continuing its Houston expansion. After taking over a former Starbucks at 5115 Buffalo Speedway in July, the Texas chain will open two more Bayou City coffee shops in winter 2026.

One of those two cafés, in the historic Swift Building in the Heights, was previously announced, but the chain has newly revealed that it will also debut a third shop at Greenside in Memorial City. Both are being developed by Houston’s Radom Capitol.

Founded in 2009 as Local Coffee, the chain now has 14 locations in Austin, Dallas, and its San Antonio home base. The business has earned accolades in all of its markets, including a 2025 CultureMap Dallas Tastemaker Award for Best Coffee Shop.

Merit’s beans, sourced from growers in Central/South America and Africa and roasted locally, might already be familiar to Houstonians who shop at H-E-B, Central Market, or Whole Foods Market. But soon the city’s coffee lovers will have access to an in-person Merit Coffee experience.

"For years, we've dreamed about bringing Merit to Houston," said Bill Ellis, CEO of Merit Coffee, in a release. "Houston has one of the most exciting food and beverage cultures anywhere in the country, and we've been intentional about finding the right neighborhoods, partners, and opportunities to establish roots here."

Merit takes pride in making sure each physical location reflects its neighborhood. The website includes line drawings of each café, which range from a 1900 stone house in Austin to a sleek glass storefront in Dallas.

The menus are largely the same at each outpost. In addition to all the classic espresso drinks, Merit also serves matcha, hōjicha tea, refreshers, and playful creations like a latte made with raspberry purée and almond ricotta cold foam.

Each city’s shops also partner with locally owned bakeries. All upcoming Houston locations will feature sweet and savory pastries from Houston’s Cake & Bacon.

"Cake & Bacon embodies everything we love about Houston's culinary scene, and we're excited to showcase their incredible work,” said Ellis.

Merit Coffee has not revealed the exact opening dates for any of its Houston locations. More details will be announced via social media later in the summer.

houston coffee chains openings news-you-can-eat memorial-city