The battle for Pennsylvania gas station supremacy is neck and neck.

The big picture: The Altoona-based Sheetz and Delaware County-based Wawa have been duking it out in the Keystone State for decades, but their rivalry is now spilling into other states, and signs point to a nearly even matchup.

Driving the news: Sheetz and Wawa are tied for the second-highest rated convenience store chain in the country, according to this year's American Customer Satisfaction Index Convenience Store Study.

• Both received customer satisfaction scores of 82 out of 100.

🏪 By the numbers: Wawa has a bigger presence than Sheetz, for now.

• Wawa has over 1,100 stores across 13 states and Washington, D.C., according to data from ScrapeHero.
• Sheetz has over 800 stores across seven states.

Zoom in: Wawa was named the top convenience store in the nation last year, and Sheetz was tied for fifth then.

• Sheetz's made-to-order menu was recently voted "the coolest thing made in Pennsylvania" in the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry's bracket.

What they're saying: "As Sheetz grows its presence in new markets, we're excited to raise the bar and redefine the convenience experience," Sheetz public affairs manager Nick Ruffner told Axios.

• The chain is eyeing 1,000 stores by 2028.
• Wawa did not return a request for comment.

🗺️ Friction point: The battle lines are being drawn across the map.

• Sheetz recently announced plans to move into Downingtown in Chester County, less than 20 miles from Wawa's headquarters.
• Wawa announced plans last month to open several stores in Centre County, just 30 miles from Sheetz's headquarters.

Between the lines: Duquesne University marketing professor Audrey Guskey acknowledged the rivalry is "close to being tied."

• "Obviously, one is going to win eventually. … Especially when they are starting to infringe on each other's territory."

The bottom line: Guskey said her students debate the issue with the intensity usually saved for sports.

• "It is fun as a marketer to look at it, but the rivalry, it is a bit shocking how strong people feel."

🗣️ What do you think of the rivalry?

• Hit reply to this email to weigh in.

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The former home of an iconic eatery has a sleek new look as Camino Coctelería & Cocina.

The big picture: The team behind Totopo Cocina & Cantina in Mt. Lebanon and Tocayo in Shadyside opened Camino earlier this month in the old Del's Bar & Ristorante space along a busy stretch of Liberty Avenue near the Bloomfield Bridge.

The vibe: Guests can grab a seat at the bar or settle into the laid back, airy dining room, framed by vivid Mexico City-inspired murals and desert greenery.

Dig in: Camino serves contemporary Mexican dishes with a broad, build-your-own bent — from customizable burritos, fajitas, bowls and tacos to entrées like the ribeye carne asada ($22).

• Finish with caramel-drizzled churros ($10) or homemade Mexican custard ($8).

The intrigue: The bar leans into tequila and mezcal with specialty cocktails like the Picosa — a smoky, spicy mix of Jose Cuervo Devil's Reserve, mezcal, homemade syrup and hibiscus, tamarind or pineapple ($13).

Flashback: Camino is the third restaurant to occupy the 4,000-square-foot building since Del's — a neighborhood mainstay for more than 60 years — closed in 2015.

If you go: 4428 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield.

• Monday-Thursday 11am–10pm, Friday-Saturday 11am–11pm, Sunday 11am–9pm.

🏛️ Pittsburgh City Council passed an amendment to Mayor Ed Gainey's inclusionary zoning proposal that would make the program opt-in rather than mandatory citywide. Proponents worried the mandate would slow down development. (PublicSource)

🏗️ Developers of a proposed data center in Springdale presented their case to the local council. (TribLive)

🪧 The ongoing Pittsburgh Post-Gazette strike began three years ago this week. (WESA)

📝 Abridge, a Pittsburgh-based AI medical documentation platform, is now partnering with UPMC. The company is one of Pittsburgh's tech unicorns and now operates within 200 different health systems. (Press release)

Southwestern Pennsylvania has been building housing to outpace population growth, but rising prices persist.

Why it matters: Housing is emerging as a key topic politically and was likely a deciding factor in Pittsburgh's Democratic mayoral race.

By the numbers: The Pittsburgh metro area increased its number of housing units by 7.1% between 2014 and 2024.

• Its population grew 3.1% in that time, per U.S. Census Bureau data

Zoom out: The number of housing units across the U.S. increased by 9.5% between the same time period, while the population grew by 6.7%.

State of play: Home prices in Pittsburgh are still among the lowest in the nation ($255,000 for a median home as of September), according to data from REMAX, but they are getting higher.

• Median home prices in Pittsburgh rose 8.5% between September 2024 and September 2025.

Between the lines: High mortgage rates over the last few years have depressed supply in many markets.

• If you're a homeowner with an older mortgage locked in at 3% or so, the idea of moving into a new home at double that rate or more isn't exactly attractive.

What's next?

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The ever-curious pierogi pioneer Nebby has paused mid-journey to take in this surreal, serene scene.

• Any idea where our carb-packed friend has landed this time?

Reply to this email with your guesses!