Do your best to avoid these social faux pas during your next trip to Buc-ee’s
As the Buc-ee’s brand is growing across the South, the Texas-based gas station has transformed road-tripping across the nation.
I used to evaluate road trips based solely on the time we made.
Now? We’re checking for Buc-ee’s stops along the route. If our 10-hour trip becomes an 11-hour trip with a Buc-ee’s stop in the middle, so be it.
Also, there’s a certain level of method to the madness. For example, the family is excited about a Buc-ee’s stop.
It gives them something to look forward to as the miles drag on. Like many, my family has become a Buc-ee’s family.
And as a veteran Buc-ee’s fan, while I’m not one to harsh anybody’s good time, I thought it might be prudent to get some pro-tips to make your, and everyone else’s next trip to the superstore just a bit better.
After all, within the bounds of any society, there is a proper way to comport yourself. Buc-ee’s is no different.
Buc-ee’s is a popular destination when you’re on a road trip. When you’re visiting, there may be a few things you want to avoid doing. For example, don’t skip on the popular snacks like Beaver Nuggets. Also, don’t worry about the stigma of gas station food. You’ll be in good hands at Buc-ee’s. Finally, be sure to take your time and don’t get into a rush.
1. Don’t forget the Beaver Nuggets
Let’s be honest, skipping on a bag of these is a rookie move.
That’s right – we’re talking about Buc-ee’s signature snack.
They’re puffy, crunchy corn nuggets with a brown sugar caramel coating.
They remind me slightly of Sugar Smacks but better. No trip to Buc-ee’s is complete without a bag of corn nuggets.
2. Don’t leave your cell phones in the car
Buc-ee’s is vast. It contains multitudes.
So, by the time you use the restroom, pick a snack and get your picture made with the Beaver, you will have inevitably lost contact with the other members of your party.
A couple of “I’m near the jerky wall, where are you” texts should clear things up a little better.
3. Don’t leave trash around the coffee bar
This is a good rule anywhere. But please think of the Buc-ee’s workers. Buc-ee’s pays well and has good benefits.
But it also seems like one of the most stressful jobs on the planet.
Whether that’s shouting about the fresh pulled pork every 45 seconds or putting on an extra chipper façade at the checkout line, Buc-ee’s work looks hard.
So, don’t make it harder by leaving your mess at the coffee bar, the snack bar or the soda drink bar.
4. Don’t abuse refills
You’ve seen the culprits.
The first thing they do is fill up a large drink at the soda fountain and then partake of their drink as they wander the store only to return to the soda fountain and refill before leaving to pay.
Is this illegal? Will it get you banned from Buc-ee’s? Maybe, maybe not. Is it bad Buc-ee’s karma and rude to the other paying patrons? Yes.
5. Don’t get political
Look, we all have beliefs. My guy. Your guy. Blah, blah, blah.
I’m not here to say you shouldn’t have your beliefs or stand proudly for them. But can’t we just agree that Buc-ee’s is the Switzerland of gas stations?
We came for the barbecue. We didn’t come to turn the Buc-ee’s into the marketplace of ideas. Buc-ee’s is a thing we can all agree on.
Let’s just keep our respective traps shut and enjoy the moment.
6. Don’t bring a semi-truck
Buc-ee’s is a gas station, not a truck stop. Big trucks and rigs are not welcome at Buc-ee’s.
7. Don’t hog a gas pump while shopping
This is a tough one for me. A lifetime of driving has taught me that unless there’s a line of cars at the pump, you can get your gas, go inside and handle business without having to move your car.
The Sevierville Buc-ee’s has 120 gas pumps.
You might think that’s enough for you to go inside for a minute. But you don’t go inside for a minute.
Buc-ee’s is a time warp, and it takes at least half an hour. Be a good sport and move that car to one of the many Buc-ee’s parking spots before heading inside.
8. Don’t feel weird about getting a gas station lunch
There are parts of the country that would be aghast at thinking of a gas station as a proper culinary outlet for anything other than snacks.
There are also parts of the country where the best eateries in town are gas stations. Buc-ee’s doesn’t have the best barbecue and isn’t the best food I’ve ever had.
But – in my experience – it’s better than almost all of the typical fast food places you find running up and down the interstate.
Personally, I like the deli sandwiches. Don’t worry about the stigma around gas station food. You’ll be fine.
9. Don’t order crazy food for the road
Some foods are not meant to be consumed in confined spaces with other people.
I’m looking at you, pickled quail eggs. Other foods aren’t packaged in such a way as to be conveniently consumed while bouncing down the interstate.
Order with a sense of responsibility and an understanding of purpose.
10. Don’t be in a hurry
I know the purpose of your road trip is to get from A to B so you can enjoy as much B as you can before you have to go back to A.
We were riding with some family recently – they are not Buc-ee’s people. But they decided to stop to let the kids enjoy Buc-ee’s.
As a result, about 10 minutes in, they were ready to get back on the road. I was aghast. 10 minutes? Sir, I have not yet begun to Buc-ee. It is a place where you take your time.
What is your don’t-do tip at Buc-ee’s? Let us know in the comments!
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10 Best Foods at Buc-ee’s: Snacks You Need to Try on Your Next Trip
A fanatic ranks his favorite things on the menu at the famous Texas chain, Buc-ee’s
After years of road trips and even witnessing one of the country’s largest Buc-ee’s being recently installed in our hometown, we’ve been able to soak in the Buc-ee’s travel center experience in multiple locations.
Famous for its size, its snacks and its clean restrooms, I can finally confirm that it is indeed one of the best places to stop on a trip.
It is with this extensive experience that I decided to create an ultimate list of the best foods at Buc-ee’s as a guide for your next stop at the Beaver Kingdom.
In my professional opinion, the best foods at Buc-ee’s are barbeque, beef jerky, breakfast tacos, banana pudding, trail mix, Beaver Nuggets (of course), chicken fajita tacos, caramel popcorn, fudge, and homemade chips.
| Rank | Food | Best for … |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BBQ Sandwiches | Pulled pork sandwiches are great if you’re looking for a filling meal. |
| 2 | Beef jerky | Great for snacky meat lovers on the go. |
| 3 | Breakfast tacos | Perfect for breakfast. We recommend The Hippo or the Rhino. |
| 4 | Banana pudding | Served in a car-friendly cup – this one is great for sweet tooths. |
| 5 | Trail mix | A convenient sharable snack in a variety of combinations. |
| 6 | Beaver Nuggets | A fan favorite that tastes like Honey Smacks. |
| 7 | Chicken fajita tacos | For TexMex cravings on the go. |
| 8 | Caramel popcorn | We love all Buc-ee’s popcorn, but caramel is the fan fav. |
| 9 | Fudge | Buc-ee’s makes their fudge on-site in a variety of flavors. |
| 10 | Homemade chips | The best homemade chips you’ll ever find in a gas station. |
1. BBQ pulled pork and brisket sandwiches
First we have Buc-ee’s barbecue – one of the more filling options for the culinary curious.
Previously, I’d tried the brisket and found it to be not bad. But at that point, I hadn’t tried the pulled pork.
I corrected that mistake recently. While the brisket sandwich is better than most fast food road trip options, it’s not as good as local mom-and-pop barbecue establishments.
The pulled pork, however, is a notch or two above the brisket.
I suspect it’s because the pulled pork survives slightly better under the production limitations that Buc-ee’s must overcome.
The calibrations don’t have to be quite as precise. And it’s one of the better quality dishes available as it’s all prepared on-site.
Certainly, I’m not here to tell you to drive past a local smoker or dedicated BBQ restaurant to go to Buc-ee’s, but I am willing to tell you it’s probably the best mass-produced road trip sandwich available.
2. Beef jerky
Belinda Carlisle once sang “Heaven is a Place on Earth.” I’m pretty sure she was singing about the jerky counter at Buc-ee’s.
It is like the meat case at a grocery store but instead of selections of steaks, chicken and ground beef, it’s just different flavors of dried meat piled high.
How committed am I to the beef jerky life? I can remember the first time I had it.
It was made by hand by a craftsperson who served it on a field trip at Historic Old Fort in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
So, I like to think the reenactor – a champion of jerky tradition and pride – is looking down from somewhere ethereal at the Buc-ee’s jerky counter and pleased that their life’s work wasn’t in vain.
3. Breakfast tacos
Buc-ee’s has a variety of breakfast tacos. However, I think drifts closer to the realm of burritos – but we’re not going to quibble over technicalities.
There are different varieties. The Hippo taco has bacon, egg, cheese, potatoes and beans. The Rhino substitutes sausage for bacon. And honestly, they are all flavorsome.
4. Banana pudding
As you can probably tell from the list, I prefer savory snacks to sweet snacks most of the time, but I’m a sucker for banana pudding.
In case you’re wondering, the best banana pudding in the world is at Dreamland Barbecue in Tuscaloosa.
Buc-ee’s isn’t that good but when you’re on the road, you have to take what you can get. And this banana pudding is worth taking. It’s scrumptious.
5. Trail mix
Buc-ee’s specializes in walls of various treats. There’s a beef jerky wall, a dried fruit wall and a wall of gummy treats.
There is also a large section dedicated to a variety of trail mixes.
It goes far beyond the typical trail mix with a variety for everyone. In particular, it’s a good energy snack for the road.
6. Buc-ee’s Beaver Nuggets
A controversial selection here ranking at just number six as the Beaver Nuggets are probably Buc-ee’s most recognizable and blogged-about snack.
Most Buc-ee’s fans will say these nuggets are the primary reason for visiting the establishment. To me, they’re a cousin of the cereal Honey Smacks.
But with more caramel flavor. It’s not my favorite thing but many people swear by the puffed corn nuggets.
7. Chicken fajita tacos
I like Buc-ee’s tacos very much. They are delectable. Quite frankly, I haven’t met a Buc-ees fajita taco I didn’t like.
Plus, as only someone with three kids can appreciate, I give it bonus points for being easy to eat in a car. If only all road fajitas were served a mess-free, heat-insulated, recyclable aluminum foil.
8. Caramel corn
It’s a high-floor, low-ceiling kind of snack.
Is it possible to mess up popcorn? I suppose, theoretically, it is, but more often than not you know what you’re getting.
Good. Satisfying. Sweet. Crunchy. Not life-changing.
But it’s a good road trip snack. Buc-ee’s popcorn comes in a variety of flavors, but for my money, caramel is the best.
9. Fudge
Even if you don’t have a sweet tooth, Buc-ee’s fudge counter is a sight to behold.
You can get a sugar rush just from walking by.
They have flavors ranging from traditional, like the chocolate, and peanut butter, to the curious, like a blueberry cobbler, to the downright reckless – I’m looking at you, key lime pie – and also birthday cake.
It’s all tasty. You can’t go wrong.
10. Buc-ee’s homemade chips
They’re chips. They don’t reinvent the art form or anything. But they are homemade, so there is that.
Try asking for homemade chips at the local 7-Eleven convenience store and see what happens.
Plus, these chips are served in a cup, making them a road trip-friendly, sharable snack that really hits the spot.
Other honorable mentions include beaver tails, pre-packaged cold sandwiches, mixed-nuts, pre-packaged meats and cheese, cinnamon rolls (with cream cheese coating), peach rings (a classic road trip candy), fruit cups, Buc-ee’s famous pickled quail eggs, kolaches and the sausage on a stick.
What is Buc-ee’s famous for?
Buc-ee’s is a chain of gas stations famous for their massive size, clean restrooms, quality snacks and beaver-themed merchandise.
What is the best-selling sandwich at Buc-ee’s?
The famous brisket sandwich, from what we can tell, is among the, if not THE best-selling sandwich in store.
What do beaver nuggets taste like?
I think beaver nuggets taste like the cereal honey smacks, but some compare the taste to waffles with syrup.
Why are truckers not allowed at Buc-ee’s?
Buc-ee’s has never gone on the record about why they do not allow large trucks on their premises.
However, it likely has something to do with crowd control and atmosphere. Buc-ee’s is a famously family-friendly brand.
Do you enjoy dining at Buc-ee’s? What items do you think are the best? Let us know in the comments!
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3 Surprising Facts About Buc-ee’s That Will Make You Love It Even More
Lesser-known fun facts about the world’s most beloved travel center: Buc-ee’s
As the self-proclaimed preeminent Buc-ee’s journalist East of the Mississippi, I’ve certainly learned a lot about the cathedral to convenience.
And frankly, I’m also happy to spread the gospel of the greatest gas station ever conceived by man. Just ask the folks at the paper of record in Ft. Worth Texas.
In this article, we will talk about some of the lesser-known fun facts of Buc-ee’s. The massive South Texas-based convenience store chain is sweeping across the South one interstate location at a time. Among the fun facts we will discuss are Buc-ee’s shoppers, Buc-ee’s has big expansion plans and also why there are no semi-trucks.
IN THIS ARTICLE
1. You can now purchase Buc-ee’s merch and snacks online – for a fee
A big part of the Buc-ee’s experience is the merch.
The unique items that are available only at Buc-ee’s. Branded cups, blankets and so much more are part of the larger Buc-ee’s experience.
And the original Buc-ee’s only foodstuffs like Beaver Nuggets, beef jerky and salsa are in high demand as well.
But, Buc-ee’s isn’t Walmart. Specifically, there’s no online shop where you can buy your family a matching set of Beaver pajamas.
Therefore, if you want Buc-ee’s stuff, you have to get to a Buc-ee’s, which was tough for a large part of the country where there’s no Buc-ee’s anywhere nearby.
But, to paraphrase Dr. Ian Malcom in “Jurassic Park” capitalism finds a way. Thus, Buc-ee’s shoppers started popping up.
My wife found hers through Facebook. These are people who live near a Buc’ees and – for a small mark-up – will do your Buc-ee’s shopping.
They will then ship. at your expense, the beaver goods right to your front door. NOTE: Utilize this strategy at your own risk. Scammers are prolific in Facebook Buc-ee’s groups.
However, remember when I said Buc-ee’s wasn’t Walmart?
That remains true but it’s changing. Buc-ee’s merch and packaged food are now available online through Walmart and Amazon.
The massive retailers essentially serve as the delivery system for a website called TexasSnax.com.
The problem? Each time it passes through a reseller the markup is bigger. For instance?
One 13-ounce bag of Beaver Nuggets is selling on Walmart’s website for nearly $16 at the time of this writing.
But they retail for under $5. So you’re better off finding a reliable Buc-ee’s shopper than going through the massive markup at Walmart or Amazon.
2. Buc-ee’s is (probably) coming to a city near you
Jenny Rudolph, the author of the Ft. Worth Telegram article mentioned above that extensively quoted me, said Buc-ee’s leadership rarely shares its business plans.
Rudolph couldn’t even get Buc-ee’s leadership to respond to her requests for comment.
But she cited a March 2019 Texas Monthly profile of founder Arch “Beaver” Aplin III.
That article – Buc-ee’s: The Path to World Domination – noted a map of the country with dozens of thumbtacks identifying possible locations.
Buc-ee’s – which didn’t open its first store outside the state of Texas until 2019 – is on the march.
By my count, in five years there have been 13 Buc-ee’s opened outside of Texas with more on the way.
The one in Sevierville is the biggest convenience store in the world, until the one under construction in Luling, Texas is finished.
In five years, Buc-ee’s has opened four Alabama locations, two in Georgia, two in Tennessee and one each in South Carolina, Missouri and also Kentucky.
More are under construction or planned in Florida, Louisiana, Kentucky, Colorado, North Carolina, Virginia and maybe Wisconsin.
Somewhere I picture old Arch Aplin III – lord of the Buc-ee’s empire – speaking with the six-foot Buc-ee Beaver he keeps in his house.
“Gee Arch, what are we going to do tonight?” the beaver asks. “The same thing we do every night, Beaver. Try to take over the world.”
“Somewhere I picture old Arch Aplin III – lord of the Buc-ee’s empire – speaking with the six-foot Buc-ee Beaver he keeps in his house. ‘“’Gee Arch, what are we going to do tonight?’”’ the beaver asks. ‘“’The same thing we do every night, Beaver. Try to take over the world.'”
– John Gullion, Contributor, TheSmokies.com
3. Buc-ee’s disallows trucks to keep the focus on family travel
I may be a little obtuse, but it took me more than a few visits to Buc-ee’s to realize there were no semi-trucks or tractor-trailers around.
Why? Buc-ee’s forbids them. In the Buc-ee’s world, 18-wheelers are verboten. Why? Director of Operations Josh Smith told the Knoxville News Sentinel Buc-ee’s is set up for the family traveler.
As a result, Buc-ee’s doesn’t have the space or capacity to hold 18-wheelers in the lot.
“We respect them,” he said. “We thank them for what they do. Unfortunately, we’re not designed to have 18-wheeler traffic in the parking lot.”
That “unfortunately” is doing a lot of work, right? Sorry truckers. Just unlucky. I think what Smith told the Sentinel is probably accurate.
The question, however, becomes why. I think it’s pretty easy. Would you rather have a truck with one or two people taking up all that space?
From a financial perspective, Buc-ees should park six or eight carloads with families rather than one truck. Is a truck driver buying merch?
Are they sticking around and checking out the impulse buys? Also, where allowable by law Buc-ee’s sells gas at a decent mark down.
Gas is a loss leader for Buc-ee’s. Let tractor-trailers gas up and there’s a lot more loss and a lot less leader.
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