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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 G++ZAYaddhacw3ae3QNsPZAZeWKo198FDuVek73Jfi+p7ZdvQN19WXoLD2C1uiUO
 t8Y0C0FOkqEHQG69Dpb4tA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-04-059016.txt : 20041215
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-04-059016.hdr.sgml : 20041215
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041215171603
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-04-059016
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041215
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041215
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041215

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Monkhouse Bryan E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001310401

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-25813
		FILM NUMBER:		041205619

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2508614056

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 1228
		STREET 2:		FRIGATE BAY
		CITY:			BASSETERRE
		STATE:			U7
		ZIP:			0000

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PANTRY INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000915862
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-AUTO DEALERS & GASOLINE STATIONS [5500]
		IRS NUMBER:				561574463
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1801 DOUGLAS DR
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 1410
		CITY:			SANFORD
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27330
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9197746700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1801 DOUGLAS DR
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 1410
		CITY:			SANFORD
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27330
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd61554.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-12-15</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000915862</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PANTRY INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PTRY</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001310401</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Monkhouse Bryan E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>PO BOX 1228</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>FRIGATE BAY</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BASSETERRE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>U7</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>000000</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>27.89</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-12-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-12-15</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2011-12-15</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Option vests and becomes exercisable in three equal, annual installments beginning December 15, 2005.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Bryan E Monkhouse</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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