Wednesday, July 4, 2018

We visited a convenience-store chain with a Texas cult following, and we were amazed by what we found

Buc-ee's is a sprawling roadside destination.
 Hollis Johnson/Business Insider
  • Buc-ee's is a convenience-store chain with a cult following across Texas.
  • The chain serves as a super-sized highway pit stop complete with "world-famous" bathrooms, branded t-shirts, a beef jerky bar, a wide-ranging home decor section, and fresh-made fudge.
  • We visited Texas to see if Buc-ee's could live up to the hype, and were shocked by what we found.

If you're on a road trip traveling through Texas, Buc-ee's looms large as a mythical highway oasis — and not just because of the endless signs along the road, telling travelers how many miles until the nearest location appears on the horizon.
Much like Pennsylvanians worship at the altar of Wawa, the gas-station chain Buc-ee's is answer to hungry road trippers' prayers across the Lone Star State.
Need gas? Buc-ee's apparently has it cheap! Food? Chefs say their breakfast tacos are some of the best! Clothing? Per sources, Buc-ee's t-shirts — featuring its iconic beaver mascot — are one of the trademarks of a cool Texas teen.
Despite the Texan obsession, most of the world has never even heard of Buc-ee's. The chain, founded in 1982, has almost 40 locations.
We visited Buc-ee's to see if it lived up to the hype. What we found was like nothing we'd ever seen before:

We rolled into the Buc-ee's parking lot well aware of the promise that "everything is bigger in Texas." But even the state's self-aggrandizing did not prepare us for what was waiting inside.

We rolled into the Buc-ee's parking lot well aware of the promise that Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

Walking into Buc-ee's was like wandering into a mix of a Walmart, a barbecue-centric deli, and the Texas tourism bureau, plus a dash of the Cracker Barrel general store.

Walking into Buc-ee's was like wandering into a mix of a Walmart, a barbecue-centric deli, and the Texas tourism bureau, plus a dash of the Cracker Barrel general store.Hollis Johnson/Business Insider
ADVERTISEMENT

The snack aisles carry the classic road trip rations, like trail mix, dried fruit, and candy — but on a scale unseen anywhere else in the country.

The snack aisles carry the classic road trip rations, like trail mix, dried fruit, and candy — but on a scale unseen anywhere else in the country.Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

There's even a fairly large wine selection, complete with tasting and pairing notes.

There's even a fairly large wine selection, complete with tasting and pairing notes.Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

Even Zima has a place on Buc-ee's sprawling shelves. This gas station has the range.

Even Zima has a place on Buc-ee's sprawling shelves. This gas station has the range.Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

Buc-ee's cult status in Texas is ripe for merch.

Buc-ee's cult status in Texas is ripe for merch.Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

Buc-ee's branded food is just the start. The store also has t-shirts, stuffed animals, coolers, and even a Buc-ee's-branded grill.

Buc-ee's branded food is just the start. The store also has t-shirts, stuffed animals, coolers, and even a Buc-ee's-branded grill.Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

And, the home decor selection goes far beyond Buc-ee's magnets. You want a Texas proverb wall hanging? A cowhide rug? A dozen scented candles? They're all at Buc-ee's.

And, the home decor selection goes far beyond Buc-ee's magnets. You want a Texas proverb wall hanging? A cowhide rug? A dozen scented candles? They're all at Buc-ee's.Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

While the food and merch is a draw, Buc-ee's realized what people who have been on the road for hours really want: a high-quality bathroom. And Buc-ee's earns its "world famous" moniker. The chain won an award for having the "cleanest restrooms" in 2012, and we can vouch that the judges weren't lying: the bathrooms are private, immaculate, and remarkably spacious.

While the food and merch is a draw, Buc-ee's realized what people who have been on the road for hours really want: a high-quality bathroom. And Buc-ee's earns its Hollis Johnson/Business Insider
Source: Cinta

On top of all of this, Buc-ee's has some of the best worker compensation in the industry. Every location proudly displays signs revealing employees' pay and benefits — something that the chain uses to attract top talent.

On top of all of this, Buc-ee's has some of the best worker compensation in the industry. Every location proudly displays signs revealing employees' pay and benefits — something that the chain uses to attract top talent.Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

Perhaps the most remarkable thing, however, is the prepared food selections.

Perhaps the most remarkable thing, however, is the prepared food selections.Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

Not only is there an entire jerky bar, there is also a deli, a fudge station, and a hot food prep kiosk.

Not only is there an entire jerky bar, there is also a deli, a fudge station, and a hot food prep kiosk.Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

Instead of being limited to stale gummy bears, at Buc-ee's, you can have an employee cut you a fresh block of fudge, handmade on the premises.

Instead of being limited to stale gummy bears, at Buc-ee's, you can have an employee cut you a fresh block of fudge, handmade on the premises.Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

The stunning breadth of fudge flavors are a sight for sore eyes. And, upon taste test, the fudge is as tasty as it looks — moist, high-quality sugary goodness.

The stunning breadth of fudge flavors are a sight for sore eyes. And, upon taste test, the fudge is as tasty as it looks — moist, high-quality sugary goodness.Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

Buc-ee's sells pre-prepared hot sandwiches and tacos wrapped in foil, which customers can grab to-go.

Buc-ee's sells pre-prepared hot sandwiches and tacos wrapped in foil, which customers can grab to-go.Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

It also features a full-service deli that has everything from sandwiches to burgers to fish.

It also features a full-service deli that has everything from sandwiches to burgers to fish.Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

We paid for our food — more than enough for two hungry reporters' breakfasts — and headed outside into the sweltering heat to wolf down our haul.

We paid for our food — more than enough for two hungry reporters' breakfasts — and headed outside into the sweltering heat to wolf down our haul.Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

The breakfast tacos were a perfectly packaged amalgamation of cheese, potato, eggs, bacon, and beans. The foil wrapping sealed in the heat, creating a well-melded breakfast begging to be devoured — not a delicacy, but a delight.

The breakfast tacos were a perfectly packaged amalgamation of cheese, potato, eggs, bacon, and beans. The foil wrapping sealed in the heat, creating a well-melded breakfast begging to be devoured — not a delicacy, but a delight.Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

The sliced brisket sandwich is a barbecue classic that you won't find at many gas stations.

The sliced brisket sandwich is a barbecue classic that you won't find at many gas stations.Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

The brisket is tender and smokey, creating the base for a simple yet strong sandwich.

The brisket is tender and smokey, creating the base for a simple yet strong sandwich.Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

On a more decadent note is the Pastrami Reuben, a Buc-ee's fan favorite. It's not a natural fit for a road trip, as the overflowing sauerkraut and pastrami make it a two-hand kind of meal.

On a more decadent note is the Pastrami Reuben, a Buc-ee's fan favorite. It's not a natural fit for a road trip, as the overflowing sauerkraut and pastrami make it a two-hand kind of meal.Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

However, it's worth the extra attention. The pretzel bun, onion strings, and bacon make for a hearty sandwich that delivers on the promise of a satisfying Reuben.

However, it's worth the extra attention. The pretzel bun, onion strings, and bacon make for a hearty sandwich that delivers on the promise of a satisfying Reuben.Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

The handmade chips aren't your average kettle chip. Despite being unsalted, they draw you in and keep you crunching until the bag is suddenly ... empty.

The handmade chips aren't your average kettle chip. Despite being unsalted, they draw you in and keep you crunching until the bag is suddenly ... empty.Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

Our appetites satiated, we decided to partake in Buc-ee's final major draw: cheap gas. The gas pumps were plentiful — we counted at least 40 — and the gas was at least 10 cents cheaper than at the station down the street.

Our appetites satiated, we decided to partake in Buc-ee's final major draw: cheap gas. The gas pumps were plentiful — we counted at least 40 — and the gas was at least 10 cents cheaper than at the station down the street.Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

We hit the road after visiting Buc-ee's with full stomachs and a full tank of gas. While the road trip continued, Buc-ee's is no pit stop. It's a destination in its own right.

We hit the road after visiting Buc-ee's with full stomachs and a full tank of gas. While the road trip continued, Buc-ee's is no pit stop. It's a destination in its own right.

No comments:

Post a Comment