The Best Buc-ee’s Snacks for Your Next Road Trip
I’ll let you in on a secret many Texans already know. No road trip is complete without a stop at Buc-ee’s. This mega gas station planted its roots in Texas in the early 1980s and has been branching out ever since. With locations across the Lone Star state, the popular store is now popping up across the south. Read on to find out what makes this roadside stop so popular and the best Buc-ee’s snacks to buy for your next Texas road trip.
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What is Buc-ee’s?
Buc-ee’s is a 24-hour gas station, convenience store, and specialty boutique all rolled into one store. The store’s mascot is the Beaver, a cute red-capped giant animal.
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If you are lucky, Buc-ee will be roaming the store on the day of your visit, and you can snap a photo with him. If not, there is a statue outside the entrance.
Everyone who visits a Buc-ee’s snaps at least one of these pics.
Of course, if you need gas or a car wash, Buc-ee’s is your place with competitive prices and over 100 gas pumps. They even have electric car stations.
Buc-ee’s is the ultimate place to stop to fill up on all your road trip snacks, get your car washed, let your pet run around, and go to the bathroom.
And, what I like most about Buc-ee’s is the shopping!
Warn your passengers now; this will not be a quick stop.
Let’s jump in so I can show you the good stuff.
What Makes Buc-ee’s So Special?
You may be asking yourself what is so special about a gas station.
This isn’t your ordinary gas station.
In fact, the Buc-ee’s closest to my house in San Antonio holds the World Record for the largest convenience store at just over 66,000 square feet!
But, what drivers especially appreciate about Buc-ee’s are the cleanest bathrooms you will ever find at a roadside stop.
Plus, I’m not talking about one or two bathrooms, ladies. Buc-ee’s has over fifty in one location.
What are the Best Buc-ee’s Snacks?
The question shouldn’t be what snacks can you buy but what snacks can’t you buy at Buc-ee’s?
Be prepared to spend some money when you stop here. The prices aren’t super outrageous, but there are so many choices.
The rows are filled with typical pre-packaged food like chips and trail mix, but what makes Buc-ee’s unique are the kiosks of special snacks, including sweet, salty, and healthy choices.
Buc-ee’s signature snack is beaver nuggets. These little puffed corn nuggets are like giant corn puff cereal bites with caramel coating.
Try the newest flavors, Cinnamon Sweet Snack Puffs and Sea Salted Caramel.
Best Savory Buc-ee’s Snacks
The guys in our group always head to either the barbecue station or the jerky wall.
The jerky selection is extensive. There is something to appeal to all palates.
Of course, Buc-ee’s carries traditional peppered jerky and turkey jerky flavors. But customers can also find unusual flavors such as bohemian garlic beef jerky and spicy ghost pepper jerky.
Grab your favorite pre-packaged jerky from the World Famous Jerky Wall, or select a mixture of fresh jerky from the jerky counter.
For something a bit heartier, head to the barbecue station. You can’t miss it; it’s smack dab in the middle of the store.
Loaded barbecue and fried sandwiches are made fresh constantly. The sandwiches are wrapped and ready for you to grab and go. When a new batch is placed under the warmers, you’ll know when the employees ring a bell and yell something similar to “Barbecue is ready!”
Next to the sandwiches, grab a serving of freshly made potato chips. Actually, grab two.
These things are so addictive, and you know someone will want yours when you get back in the car.
By now, you must be smelling the roasted nuts’ enticing aroma. The smell gets me every time.
Batches of almonds, cashews, and pecans are heated with a perfect, sugary cinnamon glaze and served warm.
I always say I will not eat the whole bag, and then it happens!
Buy a Buc-ee’s Breakfast
Because Buc-ee’s is open 24 hours a day, they serve a variety of breakfast items and coffee.
Let’s start with the coffee. If you are a coffee lover, forget a stop at Starbucks. Every flavor pump, sweetener, and creamer you can imagine is available at Buc-ee’s for your coffee.
Partner your coffee choice with other items from Buc-ee’s breakfast menu, including the best breakfast tacos, for a great start to your day.
For those unfamiliar with a breakfast taco, it is usually a flour tortilla wrapped around your choice of eggs, meat, potatoes, and/or beans. Breakfast tacos are super hearty and delicious.
Even if you don’t stop in the morning, consider visiting the pastry counter. Pick up biscuits, cream cheese, fruit-filled kolaches, or their giant cinnamon rolls for the next morning.
If you can’t wait to eat them, they will heat them up.
Best Snacks at Buc-ee’s for a Sweet Tooth
Buc-ee’s serves up fantastic homemade sweets. Head over to the fudge counter for a huge variety of flavors like chocolate peanut butter and blueberry cobbler.
Check out the dippin’ dots, ice cream flash-frozen into small dots that melt in your mouth.
Finally, for a true sugar rush, head to the Gummies Wall. Every shape and size of gummy candies can be found here, including my favorites, the sour gummi worms, and peach rings.
Find Healthy Food at Buc-ee’s
Road trips aren’t typically synonymous with eating healthy. Buc-ee’s has changed that notion with its selection of healthy on-the-go options.
An entire refrigerated section is dedicated to healthy food choices. Ready-made salads, sandwiches, wraps, hard-boiled eggs, fresh fruit cups, vegetable sticks, and meat and cheese trays line the shelves.
Other healthy food in the refrigerated section at Buc ees includes Keto kits, dried meat and cheese packs with pretzels, berry yogurt parfaits, and banana pudding.
At Buc-ee’s, you will also find dried fruit, nuts, and numerous granola bites and trail mix flavors.
Order Your Food Freshly Made
I’ll be honest; I hate the idea of food sitting out that others can touch before I get it. So, if you think like me, Buc-ee’s has you covered.
Walk up to a self-serve kiosk. The entire Buc-ee food menu is at your fingertips. Place your order, and then listen for your number. Pick up your food at the counter when it is ready, and it’s handed directly to you.
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Grab Something for Later
In addition to great grab-and-go snacks, Buc-ee’s also offers convenience store food items such as canned goods, milk, and eggs.
As an addition to your snacks now, you might consider picking up a bottle of wine, a Buc-ee’s salsa, or a jar of pickled quail eggs for when you reach your destination.
What to Buy at Buc-ee’s Other Than Food
Of course, the main reasons to stop at Buc-ee’s are for the clean bathrooms and tasty snacks; however, there are so many other great Buc-ee’s merchandise to check out.
For the kids…
Warning! Give your kids a spending limit before you let them out at Buc-ee’s. With toys like frisbees, footballs, and stuffed animals, the kids will find something they want.
For the guys…
Now, this next part is very important. Ladies, if you want time to look at the most unique and adorable items at Buc-ee’s boutique, read this next part carefully.
Before you do anything, especially before going to the bathroom, casually walk through the back of the store with your guy, and head towards the fishing, hunting, and all things guys’ section.
While your husband is enthralled with checking out ice chests, reading the backs of fishing lure packages, or buying a Dallas Cowboy’s shirt, tell him you are going to the bathroom. He’ll expect you to be gone for a long time because guys always expect to wait for the women’s bathroom line.
However, Buc-ee’s must have been planned by a woman who knows this. Because with 50 stalls, you won’t have to wait. When you are quickly finished, run to the gift shop side of the store.
I just bought you at least ten minutes of uninterrupted shopping time. You can thank me later.
For the gals…
Again, I think a woman designs Buc-ee’s because almost half the store is a boutique-style shop.
Ladies’ clothing, jewelry, candles, home decor, outdoor decor, and fun kitchen items fill the space. Make sure if you find something you like, buy it.
The store is unavailable online, and there is a great chance that the item won’t be there if you return. The selections change that often.
Buc-ee’s for the Holidays
If you are lucky enough to take a road trip in Texas during the holidays, stop at Buc-ee’s. They have the best selection of holiday gifts, including fun holiday t-shirts for the family.
The next time you take a road trip through Texas and travel from Austin to Waco to Dallas, San Antonio to Houston, or all the small roads in between, keep an eye open for the best convenience store in Texas.
You’ll be glad you stopped at Buc-ee’s!
