A Trip to Buc-ee's Isn't Complete Without These 10 Snacks and Bites
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You could say I love food. As someone who attended culinary school in New York City and spent 20+ years working in the food departments of brands including Martha Stewart Living, Real Simple, and (now) Country Living, I can tell you all you need to know about selecting and storing fresh produce, preparing crowd-pleasing party apps, or properly boiling chicken. And while I am by no means a food elitist—I love a good cheese ball or sausage ball, after all—I'll admit I was a bit skeptical when I was tasked with finding the best eats at the (mostly) Southern gas station chain known as Buc-ee's. This is not my kind of gastronomy.
If you're not familiar with Buc-ee's, think of it as the Disney World of travel centers, except you're greeted by a buck-toothed beaver as opposed to a cartoon mouse. The Texas-based chain, which is taking over the country like convenience store kudzu, has a bit of a cult following—enthusiasts espouse its pristine bathrooms, quirky merchandise (there's a whole Yellowstone collection, for the record), occasional celebrity sightings, and, yes, the food.
Within the store's massive footprint—the one we visited in Leeds, Alabama, spans 55,000 square feet, which is just a smidge smaller than a football field—you'll find an overwhelming array of savory fresh food (brisket sandwiches, breakfast tacos, kolaches) alongside pre-packaged snacks (devotees swear by the jerky) and sweets of all sorts (fudge! banana pudding!). It's hard to know where to start, which is why we taste-tested our way through some of the more notable offerings to steer you in the right direction, keeping the focus on road trip-friendly food. Debating beaver nuggets? Stick to the classic flavor. Grabbing lunch in transit? Go with the chopped brisket and a side of fried-on-site potato chips. It's also worth noting many of the pre-packaged snacks cited below make for fun stocking stuffers (jerky!) or hostess gifts (apple butter), which means you can fill up in more ways than one.
The Best Foods to Try at Buc-ee's
Beaver Nuggets
Sure, there's a whole world beyond the beaver nuggets, but a trip to Buc-ee's requires at least sampling this beloved staple. A company signature, this caramel-coated puffed corn snack—which you can also snag on Amazon—is sold in 13-ounce bags and has a salty-sweetness akin to kettle corn. Country Living Lifestyle Director Sarah Zlotnick says they remind her of Waffle Crisp cereal. You'll find a variety of flavors—Cinnamon Sweet, White Cheddar—but we're partial to the original.
Insider Tip: Some Texans say they like to enjoy Beaver Nuggets with milk, as you would cereal.
Bohemian Garlic Jerky
I'll admit I'm not a jerky enthusiast so I enlisted the help of the staffers who do have strong opinions on the subject. Most agreed that this not-too-garlicky jerky topped their list, which comes as no surprise seeing that it's also reportedly the store's most popular flavor.
Insider Tip: Can't make up your mind? Mosey over to the Jerky Bar where you can sample a variety of flavors before committing.
Paddle Tail
If you're a sweets-for-breakfast sort, this super-flaky croissant-like pastry filled with brown sugar and cinnamon and topped with glaze is just the thing to pair with a cup of the Buc-ee's house blend. For a less flaky but equally indulgent experience, the Cinnamon Roll is also a consistent crowdpleaser.
Insider Tip: Ask nicely and they'll heat the tail up for you at the pastry counter.
Beaver Chips
These light-and-crispy fresh-fried chips are the Buc-ee's equivalent of McDonalds' iconic French fries, although full disclosure: I think they could use a little more salt.
Insider Tip: Country Living Digital Director Katie Bowlby prefers the early morning potato alternative, aka Tater Coins.
Dill Pickle Kettle Chips
If you're on the hunt for more traditional chips (think pre-bagged, not fresh-fried), these are my hands-down winner. They beat out the store's other kettle-cooked flavors including my usual go-to, Salt and Vinegar.
Insider Tip: Crumble the chips and use them to add crunch to a sandwich.
Glazed Pecans
Pecans are the state nut of Texas, after all, and those Texans seem to know what they're doing given the super crunchy candied shell.
Insider Tip: Skip the prepackaged versions and head straight to the stand where they're sold fresh by the cone. (Just follow the smell!)
Sausage Cheese Jalapeño Kolache
Served savory or sweet, this Czech pastry is beloved throughout Texas and Buc-ee's and its easy to see why. We prefer the heartier route, but the Strawberry Cream Cheese Kolache has a devoted following.
Insider Tip: For guaranteed kolache enjoyment, you'll need to get there in the morning, as the kolache cutoff at some locations is at 11:00 A.M.
Chees-ee Puffs, Crunchy Chees-ee Curls
I really, really love a good cheese puff and these did not disappoint. In fact, they're even cheesier than many, and this is a good thing.
Insider Tip: Maybe grab a few extra paper towels from the pristine Buc-ee's bathroom. Your car interior will thank you.
Chopped Brisket BBQ Sandwich
At the famed Buc-ee's barbecue counter—known as the Texas Round Up—people tend to prefer Buc-ee's chopped brisket to the pulled pork, and we have to agree although it's a tad on the sweet side if that's a bbq dealbreaker for you.
Insider Tip: For the freshest sandwich, wait around 'til you hear the denim-aproned employees yelling “fresh, hot brisket on the board!”
Apple Pie
Country Living's Deputy Art Director Emma Gray Pitt insists the "soft but not too crispy" dessert is a non-negotiable. (For what it's worth, most of the staff agrees the pie trumps both the fudge and the banana pudding when it comes to a sweet fix.) Besides, nothing says "road trip" quite like a fried hand pie.
Insider Tip: Apple enthusiasts may also want to check out the popular Apple Butter offering that sits among the jars of jams and marmalades.
Honorable Mentions
With literally hundreds of items to choose from, the list above is by no means exhaustive. Other items that passed muster include the heavy-on-the-beans Vegetarian Burrito, the Jalapeño Sausage Cheddar Biscuit Roll, the Bold 'N Hot Flavored Pickle Chips (think real-deal pickles, not potato chips), and Salt and Lime Peanuts, which deliver a serious kick and pair well with a Dr. Pepper Icee from the store's massive soda section.
Less Honorable Mentions:
The Chipimiento Spread (chipotle + pimiento) was nothing to write home about, the ranch-flavored Tip Top Pop Popcorn left a slightly weird aftertaste, and the famous Fudge couldn't quite complete with the other sweet offerings (namely the Paddle Tail and Apple Pie).
My work here is done. I will now be taking a very long nap.
Special thanks to the roomy Kia Carnival, the Official Road Trip Vehicle of Country Living, for helping us sample our weight in beaver nuggets. (Stay tuned for the Kia Carnival hybrid coming in 2025!)
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