A First-Timer's Guide to Buc-ee's: The 15 Must-Buy Items

If you plan a road trip this summer, no matter how long or short, you must find out if your route will take you by a Buc-ee's gas station and convenience store.

Buc-ee's comes with its own cult-like following, and there is a good reason why. These stores are AMAZING! Unlike any other travel plaza you have ever been to, Buc-ee's just isn't just a pit stop on the way to your destination, it is a complete experience!

Read on to learn about my first time shopping at Buc-ee's and the top 15 things you simply can't leave the store without.

Related: 50 Best Road Trip Snacks

What is Buc-ee's?

In a nutshell, Buc-ee's is so much more than a gas station. From its beginning in 1982, the chain has strived to provide a clean, friendly and stocked experience for their customers.

When you walk through the doors, you are immediately greeted with "Welcome To Buc-ee's" by multiple employees who go out of their way to make you feel valued.

Most gas stations aren't known for their food choices, but Buc-ee's knocks it out of the park. They've got a little bit of everything: freshly made baked goods, traditional Texas barbecue, sandwiches, fudge that's made on-site, salads, burritos, snacks, fresh fruit and oh-so much more.

Buc-ee's doesn't stop at food though. You can pick up gas grills, apparel, home decor, toys and more at this one-stop shop. It truly is no wonder Buc-ee's fans will go out of their way to find an exit with the big beaver sign.

Want to see a gas station bathroom your mom would be proud of? Buc-ee's take pride in the fact they have the cleanest ones in America!

Oh, and of course you can fuel up while you shop too since Buc-ee's have 100+ gas pumps at many locations!

Related: 35 Best Gas Station Snacks

Where can I find a Buc-ee's near me?

As of May 2023, there are 45 Buc-ee's locations in Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Even though a 74,000 square foot Buc-ee's location just opened in Sevierville, Tennessee (aka Dolly Parton's hometown) there has already been an announcement of an even bigger one that will be built near Ocala, Florida. That location is planned to be 80,000 square feet, with 120 gas pumps and 750 parking spots.

Looking for a Buc-ee's? Whether you're at home or on the road, you can check the chain's location finder to see if there's one nearby.

Related: 50 Best Kid-Approved Snacks

What's Up With the Beaver?

The Buc-ee's beaver logo is memorable (and everywhere in the store), but where did it come from? According to Texas Monthly, the mascot comes from founder Arch Aplin III's nickname, Beaver. And the name? That was inspired by one of Aplin's favorite dogs, Buck, and the fact that one of his dad's friends called him Bucky Beaver.

My First Experience At Buc-ee's

I have heard so much about Buc-ee's that I just had to see what all the fuss was about. Unfortunately we don't have any here in Indiana, but on our recent vacation to Florida we were thrilled to find one in Daytona Beach and knew we just had to check it out for ourselves.

Well, let me tell you, going to Buc-ee's isn't just a quick trip in and out. It is an event! We went four different times during our vacation and still found new things on every visit.

Was there a crowd? Definitely, but even for someone like me who doesn't enjoy being around lots of people, it was manageable because the place is huge and everyone can spread out.

I was so excited to browse and see some of the food items I have heard so much about, but I was shocked when I saw all the cute home decor items. If our SUV were bigger I would have come home with a lot more!

My boys were thrilled to see Buc-ee himself out greeting guests during one of our visits and had to stop for a photo op.

After personally indulging in the Buc-ee's craze, I can tell you a few things. First off, the bathrooms truly are the cleanest gas station facilities I've ever seen! Second, if you are on the road and starving, Buc-ee's has something for everyone! And finally, it was very difficult to narrow down my top 15 must-haves, but I accepted the challenge. Here are the 15 things no trip to Buc-ee's is complete without.

Related: 31 Best Healthy Road Trip Snacks

The 15 Best Things To Buy At Buc-ee's

1. Banana Pudding

Traditional Southern banana pudding to go? Yes! These cute cups are filled with layers of Nilla wafer cookies, banana pudding and pieces of sliced banana. All you need is a spoon! They also have a key lime version that was delicious and tasted like the pie in every bite.

Related: 19 Recipes For Ripe Bananas That Aren't Banana Bread

2. Beef Jerky

If you're a beef jerky fan, then Buc-ee's is a must-stop for you. Not only do they have an entire wall dedicated to prepackaged varieties, but they also have a deli counter where you can sample different jerky and then buy it by the pound. My husband loved the Korean barbecue and cherry maple jerky and raved about their number-one seller, Bohemian Garlic.

3. Beaver Nuggets

It's easy to see why these are Buc-ee's #1 seller. The puffy, crunchy corn nuggets coated in brown sugar and caramel are the perfect road trip snack.

4. Buc-ee's Nug-ees

Nug-ees are the savory cousin to Beaver Nuggets and come in flavors like white cheddar and bold and spicy. Can't decide between Nuggets and Nug-ees? Buy a couple of bags of each. I guarantee you they won't last long.

5. BBQ Brisket Sandwich

"Fresh brisket on the board!!" Step into any Buc-ee's location and you are sure to hear this throughout your visit. They are doing authentic Texas barbecue and doing it right! You can get brisket sliced or chopped, pulled pork, sausage and more.

Related: 33 Best BBQ Menu Ideas

6. Homemade Fudge

Your sweet tooth just got a lot happier. Buc-ee's fudge comes in scrumptious flavors like red velvet, birthday cake, chocolate pecan, chewy praline and more. They cut the candy to order and you can buy it by the pound or grab a sampler box so you can get a little taste of everything.

7. Hot Sauce

My husband and oldest son are hot sauce connoisseurs—the hotter the better and boy were they impressed by the selection at Buc-ee's. With flavors like Carolina Reaper and Ghost Pepper, any hot sauce fan will get a kick out of these. Grab a few bottles home as souvenirs or gifts for the folks back home.

8. Tacos and Burritos

When you're craving Mexican food on the road, skip the drive-thru and stop at Buc-ee's instead. Beef, chicken and veggie burritos are just a few of the choices. They're wrapped and ready so you can just grab and go.

9. Coffee

Buc-ee's is known for its coffee. You can you have it iced or hot, flavored or black on-site, and you can also grab a bag of coffee to take home with you. Not a coffee drinker? Buc-ee's also has sweet or unsweet tea.

10. Beaver Buddies

Looking for a snack for the kids? We all know if it's cute animal shapes and has baked-in sprinkles, the kids will love it. Grab a couple of boxes for those road trip snacking emergencies.

Related: 60 Kid-Friendly Football Snacks

11. Jelly

A gas station with its own line of jarred jellies? Yep! With unique flavors like pepper jelly and peach jalapeño, this is another great gift idea. Sure, they would be tasty on toast, but imagine the marinades and sauces you could create with these. Better buy a few jars, just in case.

12. Bakery Items

Cinnamon rolls the size of your head, cookies warm from the oven, muffins, scones, cake balls and both sweet and savory kolaches (Czech pastries brought to Texas in the 1800s) at a gas station? Oh yes, and they're all very good.

13. Beaver Chips

As much as I love a giant ooey gooey cinnamon roll, I'm more of a savory snack person when I'm on a road trip. Buc-ee's read my mind with their homemade kettle chips. I could eat bag after bag of these crunchy snacks.

14. Gummy Candy

My little guy's eyes about popped out of his head when he saw the wall of gummies! There are so many flavors and fun shapes for little ones to enjoy. Oh, who are we kidding? Adults love grabbing a big bag of candy nostalgia too.

15. Bagged Ice

Where else can you buy a large bag of ice for a couple of bucks? This is one of the best bargains you will find at Buc-ee's. Perfect for camping, picnics, or a trip to the beach. And when they say a "large" bag...it is HUGE!

Related: 60 Best Camping Recipes