Have a Blast at Buc-ee’s

Do you need a job in a fast-paced, fun-filled travel treasure? Well, come work at Buc-ee’s. If you need some details, I’ve got them. You might have heard the hype from other travelers, but, I assure you, nothing really compares to seeing a Buc-ee’s in person.

Tracy and I left Nashville and prepared to drive until we reached Asheville, North Carolina, but then we saw the sign…93 miles until Buc-ee’s bliss. Tracy asked if I had ever been before, and when I said no, we set our sights on Crossville, Tennessee. My gas tank had enough juice to take us the distance, so off we went.

As I prepared for my first visit to this traveler’s treat, Tracy set the groundwork. We will have to try the beef brisket and the beaver nuggets. Oh, and if you want a drink, the options are endless. Be prepared for over-the-top service…at a gas station.

To begin, let’s set the stage. In the early 80’s, a man named Arch Aplin III started his first “normal-sized” gas station. Nicknamed “Beaver” in his youth, Aplin coupled that with the name of his dog, Buck. Together these concepts formed the name Buc-ee’s. His first store succeeded, so he and a partner expanded this idea into a gigantic gas station that sells more than you can imagine. Of course, these stores began in Texas where everything is, well, bigger.

We started our visit at the pump. It’s hard to imagine that 150+ fueling islands could be completely filled with cars, but they were. We had no trouble finding our island, but the abundant fueling options amazed and slowed our progress. Diesel at every pump and recharging stations provided just a few of the options. We chose regular gas in an oversized, over-the-top store.

Eventually, we finished filling our car and moved to the parking lot. Just prior to walking in the door, we met the bronze statue, Buc-ee, himself. His hands were worn from all the handshakes and handholding, and his nose had received some extra attention too. However, his smile never faltered.

“Welcome to Buc-ee’s!” was shouted from every angle once we walked through the door, and it felt as if there were as many staff members as there were customers. Each one of them wore the same smile as the next employee and worked to facilitate a slick experience.

With almost 54,000 square feet of shopping pleasure, it’s easy to lose yourself to all the merchandise. Buc-ee pants, shoes, dolls, and snacks filled the heavily trafficked areas, but if you needed a non-Buc-ee brand gift for someone, Buc-ee’s probably had exactly what you’d need down one of the quieter aisles.

Speaking of needs…let’s talk about the “World Famous” Restrooms. I mean, if the sign states it, who am I to disagree? In all honesty, Buc-ee’s wins awards for the cleanest bathrooms of any gas station. There are traffic supervisors within the space who call for the next customer to enter a fully sealed (no side cracks) stall with a green light overhead. Once occupied, the light turns red and the bathroom crew moves to calling another stall that’s waiting for a customer. In the picture below, you can see how crowded it looks. I was in and out in less than three minutes. It was amazing.

Upon exiting, we were greeted with walls of beverages hoping to refill and refuel us. One wall offered the finest coffee options. Another offered brand named sodas, and yet another provided Buc-ee’s best self-named sodas. (I preferred my strawberry lemonade, so Buc-ee’s never quenched my thirst.)

In the center of the store, employees were lovingly creating fudge, brisket sandwiches, homemade tortillas and more. If you wait long enough, you’ll hear the next chant in a lovely Texas drawl, “Fresh brisket on the board!” Don’t be afraid to join in the response, “Hooray, Fresh brisket on the board.” And then, take your sandwich and prepare for mouthwatering goodness.

There’s no place to sit, yet no one seems to mind returning to their cars. On our visit, we grabbed a bag of sugar filled Beaver Nuggets (crunchy corn starch snack), paid for our sandwiches, waltzed out the door, and devoured our brisket. Yum! While we spent less time than most strolling through the store, I know soon the KC area will be welcoming the call, “Welcome to Buc-ee’s”, and I am sure I’ll be returning to relive Buc-ee’s once more.