The Ultimate Guide To Eating At Buc-Ee's

Buc-ee's isn't just a gas station. With its iconic mascot, it's a home goods, hunting and fishing, pet supply, and grocery store all in one, and the best place to stop for a snack on a road trip. It also has the world's cleanest restrooms — unofficially. Most branches of Buc-ee's are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Tired travelers can pull off the highway and never have to worry about waiting in line for gas (some locations have more than a hundred pumps!) or the toilet, as most locations have a stoplight system outside each stall so you always know when one is available.

Once you've used the restroom and filled up your gas tank, you can then focus on the real reason you're visiting the beaver headquarters: Food. If you want snacks, Buc-ee's has its own lines of peach rings, cherry sours, licorice, and saltwater taffy. You can get a breakfast burrito, a regular burrito, or even a brisket sandwich. Pick up a soda cup that's larger than your head for less than a dollar, or grab a jalapeño kolache, baked fresh in-house. The chain also has coffee options rivaling any local cafe. Whether you're a Buc-ee's pro or they don't have them in your state yet, this is the ultimate guide to eating at Buc-ee's.

[Featured image by Sarah Stierch via Flickr | Cropped and scaled | CC BY 2.0]

If you're a first-timer, chances are you'll be confused about the ordering process. Not to worry! We're here to break it all down for you to help you avoid making any mistakes ordering at Buc-ee's.

For those craving barbecue, brisket, sausage, or turkey sandwiches, you'll need to make your way over to the barbeque station. There, you'll see Buc-ee's employees dutifully cutting meat and preparing sandwiches for customers. Depending on the location, you'll also find some sort of heated stand where the sandwiches sit. You're free to grab these and go to the cash register to pay.

If you want a sandwich or hot item that isn't served at the barbeque station, head to an available kiosk (most of them will have an "order here" sign to point you in the right direction). Here, you can order your desired food using the touchscreen. Make sure to save the slip of paper the machine spits out, as it has your order number on it. Wait for an employee to call out your order number and voilá! You have a hot food item ready to be enjoyed. To order sweets like fudge or pastries, head to the glass cases showcasing the treats. Regardless of how you order, you'll receive a ticket to take to the register to check out.

Buc-ee's is known for its fantastic coffee and tea selection. In 2020, the chain was even rewarded with the title of "best gas station coffee" after a company combed through more than two million online reviews to find a winner. Like many gas stations, the coffee area allows guests to DIY their perfect brew. The coffee machines are typically along the back wall of the store. You choose your cup size, then let the machine know if you want a black coffee, cappuccino, etc. At some locations, there are different machines for the more popular types of coffee, as regular and decaf are pre-brewed. However, where Buc-ee's really hits its stride is the massive amounts of different mix-ins available for the hot drinks.

Turning away from the coffee and tea machine, you'll see a large table with many different syrups and creamers. Some are always available, like vanilla and hazelnut creamers, while others are more seasonal, like pumpkin spice. Most Buc-ee's locations also offer at least one dairy-free creamer, plus whipped cream to put on top. In addition to this, there's also sugar to add to your drink, plus alternative sweeteners like stevia. You can get hot tea at most Buc-ee's locations, but because the chain is southern, both sweet and unsweet iced tea are also available.

Buc-ee's makes tacos and burritos behind the counter for breakfast and lunch. If you're in the mood for a breakfast taco, make sure to get there early. Although most stores serve breakfast from 4 a.m. until around 11 a.m., many locations sell out long before then because the tacos are so popular. Inside your taco or burrito, you'll find breakfast specialties like fluffy eggs, melted cheese, sausage, spicy green sauce, and peppers, in addition to traditional chicken, beef brisket, or even a Texas Cheesesteak. 

Customers are impressed with the size of the burritos and feel that they're a good value for the price. One happy customer on TripAdvisor said, "Buc-ee's breakfast tacos are excellent [...] The portions are generous, and the tac is even better with the optional spicy salsa verde." If you miss breakfast, you can still grab a taco or burrito at lunch and dinner, which starts promptly at 11 am.

The creme de la creme of Buc-ee's treats may be the famed Beaver Nuggets. These crunchy, blob-like snacks are made of corn, baking soda, brown sugar, and corn syrup and are ideal for easy snacking. You can purchase a bag of your own at almost any Buc-ee's convenience store, or even grab them online at Amazon (who knew?). Curious about the flavor? Beaver Nuggets taste like a mix of corn puffs and caramel, yet they aren't overly sweet. These crunchy, bite-sized pieces make a great road trip snack. 

"If you're anything like me and consider a serving size "the bag it comes in," no matter how big, you will be sad after devouring an entire bag of these magical, crispy nuggets of goodness in one sitting," noted an Amazon reviewer. "I highly recommend buying 2 bags and then hiding the second bag from yourself." Another happy customer stated, "Once I tried it I couldn't stop eating it. I ate the entire bag in one sitting." Perhaps you should play it safe and go ahead and grab a few bags of Beaver Nuggets next time you're at Buc-ee's. You won't be disappointed. 

Buc-ee's doesn't just sell traditional Reese's cups and Hershey bars — the famed store also has its own packaged candy to peruse. Regardless of what you're into, you can probably find it at Buc-ee's as there is a wall full of mouth-watering sweets from which to choose. Be on the lookout for things like cherry sours, taffy, sour power strawberry candies, peach rings, gummy butterflies, cinnamon bears, and more, all packed with the signature Buc-ee's logo emblazoned on the front. While the selection and variety of candy are vast, we're particularly fond of how organized the section is — each row has a plaque spelling out exactly what you'll find below it, such as Gummies and Old Faves.

"I love these peach rings," said one customer who was referring to the popular packaged sweet from Buc-ee's. "The sugar coating is very fine and the flavor peachy, which I love." The saltwater taffy is also a popular candy with numerous flavors. One reviewer noted, "I love Buc-ee's taffy! It is soft and flavorful."

In the mood for something a little (and we do mean just a little) healthier? Don't sweat it, because Buc-ee's has something for you, too! The smell of roasting nuts will surely lure you to the counter where you can pick up a paper cone filled with the tasty treats. If you're looking for a larger bag, peruse the aisles, which are filled with burnt peanuts, roasted cashews, and toasted pecans that are all packaged in handy, resealable bags. Some individuals swear by the fresh nuts, but the pre-bagged options are nothing to turn your nose up at either.

"Delicious, crunchy, flavorful, honey glazed pecan snack," noted one happy customer when reviewing the honey-toasted pecans. We're partial to these honey-glazed pecans, which have a thick layer of honey securing the sugar to the nut, and we love every single bite. In particular, we're impressed by the sheer size of the pecans. You certainly won't find any puny pieces!

Jack Link's may be your go-to snack at the regular gas station, but Buc-ee's kicks their jerky up a notch with delectable seasonings and tasty flavor combinations. You can purchase jerky by the pound behind the counter, or grab a pre-packaged, resealable option from one of the aisles. And you won't just find beef jerky at Buc-ee's — you can also choose varieties made of turkey.

"They have the best beef jerky I've ever had," one Redditor wrote. "It's expensive, but the Bohemian Garlic by the pound is worth a stop on its own!" This customer has the right idea, as the Bohemian Garlic jerky is one of Buc-ee's best-selling varieties. 

Buc-ee's has an abundance of options to choose from such as Korean BBQ, garlic, hot and spicy, steakhouse, teriyaki, cherry maple, peppered, and sweet and spicy jerky. The jerky is on the softer side (you won't have to gnaw on a piece for 15 minutes to get through it) and is broken up into easy-to-eat chunks. 

Going on a weekend adventure? Pick up some delicious snacks for your getaway from Buc-ee's. The store carries trail mixes, honey peanut butter, White Cheddar Nug-ees, Habanero Nug-ees, caramel popcorn, triple mix popcorn, and more. All of these options are grab-and-go, so there's no need to wait in line for assistance.

If you want something on the spicier side, go with Buc-ee's Bold and Sorta Spicy Cheese Puffs. One reviewer said, "I think of these as a gourmet cheesy poof with much better, less cheap flavor. Very cheesy with some garlic, onion, and spice. Probably too spicy for those who are really sensitive, but I wouldn't put them in the super hot category." We might not put them in the super hot category either, but we would definitely put them in the super delicious category.

We're particularly fond of Buc-ee's many varieties of popcorn, especially the white cheddar jalapeño. This popcorn provides mild heat alongside heavy white cheddar seasoning. Each piece is crunchy and the powdery cheese coats your fingers as Cheetos or Doritos would. 

Getting fudge from Buc-ee's is a gourmet experience. Large piles of fudge are positioned behind a glass counter, which makes this feel a lot fancier than just a convenience store/gas station combo. Each store seems to differ in how it handles the fudge behind the counter. At some stores, it is pre-cut into chunks, while others leave the fudge in one massive block in order to chop off just the right amount for the customer. Unfortunately, the fudge behind the counter is given in a non-resealable bag. If you prefer something resealable, you can also purchase fudge twists, which are available on the snack aisle (not behind the counter).

Buc-ee's has more fudge than we've ever seen in our lives, and it isn't just normal flavors like plain vanilla and chocolate. You can choose from varieties like orange creme, red velvet, cookies and creme, key lime pie, tiger butter, rocky road, Butterfinger, and much more. Regardless of the type you choose, each piece is rich and creamy and seems to almost melt in your mouth. The flavors change frequently (seemingly without rhyme or reason), so check back often for new combinations.

Buc-ee's certainly has no shortage of smoked meats. As soon as you walk into the store, you're greeted by the intense, delicious smell of slow-cooked barbecue. Buc-ee's turns out barbecue sandwiches faster than you can say the word. Luckily, most locations have a grab-and-go spot for you to quickly pick up your preferred sandwich. 

The store offers everything from tender, chopped brisket to juicy, pulled-pork sandwiches, which are topped with fluffy hamburger buns. You can also find turkey and sausage sandwiches. Buc-ee's makes its barbecue with a ketchup base, which adds tang to the slow-cooked meat. Although the brisket at Buc-ee's isn't cooked in-store, it is cooked for half of a day before it is brought to the premises, making it fresh and tasty. We love the small charred pieces of brisket tucked in between the tender strips of meat, as it adds diversity in texture in each bite. One whiff of Buc-ee's BBQ and you won't be able to resist grabbing a sandwich.

Beaver chips are potato chips, but they aren't just potato chips. They are likely some of the best potato chips you'll ever have because they're made fresh on-site. You typically find the bags of Beaver chips available from the staff at the fresh food kiosk in the middle of the store. Look for the brisket sandwiches and other savory items, not the fresh fudge and nuts counter, and you'll have found the correct spot. It's fun to stand and watch the Beaver chips come to life. The employees lightly peel and slice massive spuds. From there, the slices go into the deep fryer, and voila, out comes the closest thing to homemade potato chips you can get (at least when you're not at home). The chips are crunchy, but they won't cut your mouth like some brands.

If you can time things right, it's best to get the chips that have just come out of the fryer when they're nice and warm. We think this really adds to the flavor. The warm paper bag (sometimes paper cup!) they come in is also a nice touch. It's filled to the brim, as well — so you don't get that disappointing "this bag is half air" feeling like when you pull other brands off the shelf.

Buc-ee's makes a variety of delicious pastries and desserts that are tucked behind a glass case. Mouthwatering rows of chocolate chip cookies, cinnamon rolls, and muffins are Buc-ee's staples. We're partial to the cinnamon rolls, which are pillowy and coated with plenty of thin, sweet icing. Pro tip: Heat yours in the microwave for 10 seconds for that warm, fresh-out-of-the-oven taste.

The store serves both kolaches and klobasniky, and although both varieties are wrapped in dough, they each have different fillings. Kolaches are pastries with Czech origins, which traditionally have sweet fillings, like fruit and jam, while klobasniky have meats and other savory fillings. Our favorite klobasniky offered by Buc-ee's is the jalapeño cheddar flavor, which also includes a generous helping of sausage. Buc-ee's offers a variety of fruit- and nut-based kolaches including apple, cherry, prune, and pecan flavors. Whether you're looking for a breakfast bite or an afternoon snack, the pastry case has something to cure all cravings.

If you need a sweet treat while stopping in at Buc-ee's, you should reach for one of the popular dessert cups. You can find them in the pre-packed food kiosk, near the sandwiches and vegetables. The dessert cups come in many different flavors, including banana pudding, chocolate pie, key lime pie, and even a fruit salad for those looking for a light option. While we've sampled all these cups and they are all tasty, the banana pudding certainly comes out as the winner. The banana flavoring is tangy and sweet, but not artificial and overwhelming as sometimes happens in banana treats. It comes with slices of fresh banana inside, with vanilla wafers that are never soggy. At the same time, the chocolate pie is creamy and rich, while the key lime pie is perfectly tart.

All the dessert cups are made on-site, which is why they taste so good. They're assembled in parfait style, which is how we think the ingredients stay so fresh. These tasty cups come in small or large, depending on what you are in the mood for. The small cup is more like a mini option, and is about half the size.