A trip to a Buc-ee’s store requires some pre-planning

Before “adventuring off” on a first-time visit to a sprawling Buc-ee’s convenience store, it might be good to do a bit more research ahead of time.

First, know that Buc-ee’s, which is famous for its “pristine potties” never closes. Stores are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

 

Buc-ee’s “famously clean, spacious, and well-stocked restrooms form a cornerstone of the brand,” and industry sources say that Buc-ee’s has “transformed the gas station restroom experience from a necessary evil into a celebrated part of any road trip.”

 

You will notice the absence of big trucks (18-wheelers) in the Buc-ee’s parking lots. By design, large commercial vehicles are prohibited on the property to reduce congestion.

Experts say that “the best time” to visit Buc-ee’s in order to avoid major crowds are weekdays, especially early mornings (before 7 a.m.) or late nights (after 10 p.m.), as weekends and midday hours are always busy.

But if meeting the Buc-ee’s mascot is a goal, plan to visit between 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday.

 

Terri Peters is a food writer from Indialantic, a small town in Brevard County, Fla., near Melbourne on Florida’s east coast.

 

“Sadly for me,” she says, “the closest Buc-ee’s to my home is a 90-minute drive away (north to Daytona Beach off I-95), “but that doesn’t stop me from making the three-hour, round-trip drive a few times a year to stock up on my favorite Buc-ee’s items.”

“There’s nothing quite like the anticipation I feel when pulling into a Buc-ee’s parking lot. The convenience store chain is known for its food and snacks,” especially “melt-in-your-mouth brisket,” Peters said.

“Here are seven ‘food-writer-approved’ snacks I think you should look for when you visit,” she said.

1. Crunchy snacks. “While Buc-ee’s is full of crunchy snacks, there are two I can’t leave the store without,” Peters said. “First is ‘Beaver Nuggets.’ The snack is simple – puffed corn tossed in a buttery brown sugar coating – and the blend of salty and sweet can’t be beat.” 

“My other favorite is the potato chips, made fresh in-house.”

 

2. Fresh salads. “Two of my favorites are the chicken Caesar salad and the Southwest salad with a tangy lime dressing spiked with ancho chiles,” Peters said. She also loads up on Buc-ee’s chicken salad studded with cranberries and pecans and the plain chicken salad.

 

3. Brisket. Peters said she always snags a sandwich but also buys “the tasty smoked meat by the pound to take home.”

4. Beef jerky. Peters buys it in bulk at the meat counter, where I can also taste-test the 20 or so different varieties, which is how I’ve found some of my favorite flavors like ‘Bohemian Garlic’ and ‘Korean BBQ.’”

5. Snack cups. “I fill my cart with Buc-ee’s snack cups. Packed with fruits, pretzels, cheese cubes and delights like venison sausage or peppered turkey, they’re a great protein-rich snack,” Peters said.

 

6. Dried fruit. “I love snacking on dried fruit, and Buc-ee’s is a great place to stock up on every type, from banana chips to dehydrated mango slices,” she said. “You’ll also find treats like chocolate-covered raisins and wasabi peas.”

 

7. Cinnamon-glazed cashews. “I always grab some cinnamon-glazed cashews, which are roasted in-house and served up fresh and hot every day,” Peters said. “These delicious nuts are not only a source of protein, but they’re also a little bit sweet, so they are one of my favorite things to snack on while making the return trip home.”

That ought to get you started on making a Buc-ee’s shopping list for an efficient visit.