Have you ever heard of Buc-ees (https://buc-ees.com/) gas stations? If you haven't, you need to Google their locations and find one near you. They were originally a Texas thing, but have started to expand into other states. My husband and I had seen the construction for a Buc-ees off the interstate in Athens, Alabama on our way to visit family. When it finally opened, we knew we'd have to plan a trip around Christmas. My family had been and recommended giving ourselves a couple hours (yes, hours) inside.
The first thing I noticed upon entering was the efficiency of this place. There were employees everywhere, readily waiting to restock, answer questions, check out at the register, and continuously cook fresh foods. The place was packed with shoppers like me wanting to see what the hype was all about. We took about an hour and a half inside, walking slowly through the aisles and then went back through several areas again to make sure we hadn't missed anything. Buc-ees is filled with gas station staples such as chips, bottled drinks, etc. but it also consists of fresh foods like brisket and pulled pork sandwiches, various roasted nuts, and bakery items. The center of the building was definitely the "hub", filled with employees cooking meats and roasting nuts. I had to stop and take in all of the delicious smells! I decided to try several things to get a well-rounded idea of some of their most popular items. Below is a photo of the assortment I chose. They were: Lite Delites chocolate meringues, cinnamon sugar pecans, a praline, bbq pork rinds, beaver nuggets (their signature snack), and teriyaki beef jerky. My husband also tried their brisket sandwich and bought a bottle of their bbq sauce, both of which he loved.
Out of the items I bought, I will say that I liked the beef jerky the best. The beaver nuggets reminded me of Corn Pops cereal with its sugary, crunchy texture and flavor. The pecans were hot and ready to eat immediately, which I noticed many people doing. If you're looking for a snack that's low on calories, the Lite Delites are the snack for you. The praline was super sweet, but definitely a must if that's your thing. Almost every item I picked up in the store said "made in the U.S.A." which I loved. Many of the homemade preserves and candies were brought in from Texas. Buc-ees also offers a large selection of clothing, gifts, and really nice home decor. Overall, I'll say Buc-ees did not disappoint and we can't wait to go back and try another lineup of treats!
