12 Things You Might Not Know About Buc-ee’s, Texas’ Favorite Gas Station

This mega-convenience store is full of surprises.

A visit to Buc-ee’s is unlike any other road trip stop. The chain of mega-convenience stores is known for offering unrivaled, “hilariously Southern” snack options, including fudge, barbecue, tacos, and kolaches, as well as many only-at-Buc-ee’s specialty items and sprawling rows of gas pumps. While for decades you could only find Buc-ee’s in Texas, it’s since expanded throughout the South, giving even more people the chance to explore its Texas-sized offerings. Just make sure to give a wave to the jolly cartoon beaver mascot, Buc-ee.

Whether you’re a regular at your local Buc-ee’s or have never stepped foot in the Beaver palace, here are 12 things you might not know about Buc-ee’s, the South’s favorite gas station.

The founder’s childhood nickname was “Beaver.”

A Texas native, founder Arch "Beaver" Aplin opened his first store in 1982. The name “Buc-ee's” was formed by combining his childhood nickname, Beaver, and the name of his Labrador Retriever, Buck.

It holds the record for “world’s largest convenience store.”

Buc-ee’s location in Sevierville, Tennessee, is currently the largest convenience store in the world at 74,707 square feet. Upon opening, it replaced the New Braunfels location, which was just shy of 68,000 square feet.

Buc-ee’s never closes. Really.

Every store is open 24 hours, 365 days a year.

The first Buc-ee’s location outside of Texas wasn’t opened until 2019.

There are currently 34 Buc-ee’s stores based in Texas, however the chain branched out in 2019 with a first non-Texas location in Leeds, Alabama. Since, locations have opened in many states throughout the South, including Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, and South Carolina.

It holds the record for “world’s longest car wash.”

Find a 255-foot-long carwash at the Buc-ee’s location in Katy, Texas, just west of Houston. It was recognized by Guinness World Records in 2017 and  takes about 5 minutes to get through.

Each Buc-ee’s location averages around 100 gas pumps.

Even so, you can have a hard time finding a spot if you’re there during busy hours. While most stores sport some version of a 100-pump layout, Buc-ee’s largest store in Sevierville, Tennessee, has 120 gas pumps to choose from.

The barbecue is made in-house daily.

You can watch Texas brisket getting sliced fresh by Buc-ee’s barbecue employees all day long to make the beloved chopped brisket sandwiches and breakfast tacos. Whenever a new brisket is brought out to the BBQ counter, known as the Texas Round Up, the team even yells out in a chant: “Fresh, hot brisket on board!” There are also pulled pork and smoked sausage sandwiches available.

The drink fountains offer both Coca-Cola and Pepsi products.

While most gas stations are only lucky enough to carry one or the other, these two soda behemoths coexist together on the massive line of pour-it-yourself fountain drinks.

Buc-ee’s most popular snack food is the Beaver Nuggets.

You’ll see bags upon bags of these caramel, sugar, and butter-coated corn puffs on shelves all over each store. Try other varieties such as White Cheddar and Cinnamon Sugar. You can’t go wrong.

Buc-ee’s was originally known for clean bathrooms and cheap ice.

It unofficially remains known as the convenience store with the largest and cleanest bathrooms, making it a road trip favorite. Bags of ice also remain some of the cheapest out there, costing around one dollar for a small bag and two dollars for a large bag.

There’s much more than just gas, food, and drinks.

Half of each store is dedicated to items that you won’t find at the usual convenience store. Shop tchotchkes, Buc-ee the Beaver souvenirs, clothing, home décor, fishing gear, and even a trademarked surfboard named the Buc-ee Board. You can even purchase buckets of bacon grease!

The fudge is made in-house daily.

You can ask for a sample of any of the dozen fudge flavors—from classic to pecan to birthday cake—at the vintage-feeling fudge counter. Get your fill before heading back on the road!

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Read the original article on Southern Living.