This is the oddest review I think I can craft. Who in their right mind reviews a gas station, sorry convenience store? I moved here and started asking, what makes Texas, Texas? Where are the places, I should go that define it for me? Several people said, "have you gone to Buc-ee's?" No, I replied with giddiness as this was some gem that I've yet to experience. "Well, you got to go there, it's the biggest and nicest gas station here in Texas." Come again!? A gas station isn't exactly on my Mt Rushmore of places to try. They said to try the jerky, the BBQ beef sandwich, one of many Icee machines etc. The most interesting point was "you gotta go to the bathroom there, it's awesome!" Yes, this review consists of a gas station, their snacks and bathrooms.
As someone who's from Charleston SC and lived in Kansas City, on the interstate, I'm accustom to small gas stations like Quick Trip. Needless to say, pulling up to Buc-ee's I said "what on God's green earth....." I just couldn't get it through my non-Texas "everything in Texas is bigger" head why this is needed. I do appreciate the amount of gas stalls which are 4 rows deep and on all sides of the establishment. Walking in it's like a grocery store that's the runt of the liter. There is literally everything you could want at a grocery store, yet smaller versions of items with a bigger variety. Tons of coffee machines and their stations line the walls, Icee machines at the end of almost every isle, clothes, a mascot wondering around, and in the middle several food stations that are actually making the food. You read that right, they make food in a gas station. I thought to myself I'll need to eat one of their crafted sandwiches and craft a reason to hit the bathrooms everyone raves about. Enough of vulgarity, back to the show.
I sampled the homemade brown sugar and butter pecans. Reminds me of home, almost like a pecan pie without the pie. Delicious, but not overly crusty. The BBQ sandwich, while isn't earth shattering but probably the best homemade, gas station grub I've ever had. Then again, I've never experienced a gas station that takes this much effort in making their own food so I can't compare it to much. The beef wasn't dry and the sauce pretty good, not bad Buc-ee, not bad. The jerky was perfect. Not too ridged, having some pliability and loaded with flavor. The Beaver Nuggets were surprisingly tasty. Puffed corn nuggets with a sort of caramel flavor. The coffee wasn't Starbucks but very tasty and they had a lot of flavors to enhance it. As far as the Icee machines there were two broken down (apparently those were made by same people that make McDonalds ice cream machines) but the others had a plethora of flavors, perfect for my kids.
In summary, Buc-ee's is a very interesting and well executed idea. The traffic getting in and out is quick and the cashiers are friendly and fast. If you want to stop to stretch out the legs and experience Texas, Buc-ee's certainly fits the bill. Oh I forgot, bathrooms. They're spacious, clean and private. My little bottom felt secure with no sense of disgust as most rest stops or gas stations always have. So there you have it, I had a great experience at a gas station and approve of their food and applaud their bathrooms. Texans are weird..... read more