The Draw to Buc-ee’s

So, what’s the draw to the roadside mega convenience store with a buck-toothed Beaver in a red cap as its mascot?

I first experienced a Buc-ee’s when driving back home to Tuscaloosa, Alabama from Dallas, Texas in 2015. I had seen the billboards across Texas and decided that I needed to see what Bucee’s was about. I was intrigued by the buck-toothed Beaver in the red hat. As we were leaving Dallas, I nudged my husband to get off at the first exit with a Buc-ee’s so that I could take a gander at the massive gas station.

It was more than just a gas station with one hundred pumps. No, it was a mecca pit stop. I was so excited with anticipation as I stepped inside this colossal gas station, mini Walmart, and food court chain with clean restrooms all rolled into one building. I had never seen anything like it. The store was swarming with patrons. There was clothing, gifts, snacks, freshly roasted nuts, and a variety of food with the holy grail of BBQ… the brisket sandwich. I grabbed two so my husband and I could enjoy brisket before we left Texas. I wanted to buy one of everything—yes honey, we need this massive metal fire pit in the shape of Texas for our backyard back home. Buc-ee’s is a pit stop destination.

Fast forward to 2018 and Buc-ee’s announces that it’s opening its first store in Alabama. Residents were wondering what is this Bu-cee’s, but I knew. Yes, I knew and I was excited. However, the first Alabama Buc-ee’s opened in Loxley, Alabama off of I-20. That was too far to drive for a visit. Then in 2021, Buc-ee’s opened in Leeds, Alabama near Birmingham. That was close and I had family nearby. We visited several months after its grand opening and it was packed. Customers acted as if they had never seen a Buc-ee’s before. Wait, maybe they haven’t. Anyway, I wasn’t having anything to do with that mass crowd, but I had to have one of those BBQ brisket sandwiches. I grabbed two and contemplated my decision after seeing the long lines, then out of the corner of my eye I saw the cigarette checkout line and there wasn’t a soul in line. I dashed to the register and quickly paid for my delicious lunch. As I was leaving, I noticed other customers rushed to get in line behind me. Whew, I got out just in time. I swore that I would never go to another Buc-ee’s until the newness had worn off… that is until this year.

In December 2022, I saw that my neighbors had a blow-up Buc-ee’s Beaver on their porch for Christmas and I decided that I needed one too. So we were headed to the new Buc-ee’s in Athens, Alabama just shy of its one-month anniversary of opening. I guess I didn’t learn my lesson or I was so overcome with joy at the site of the blow-up beaver that I couldn’t help my urge to get one. My husband pulled off the interstate to get in a long line of cars waiting to enter the parking lot. I said, “we’re here now, so we might as well continue on our path.” We got lucky and found a spot just feet from the store. My husband decided to wait in the car as I braved the crowd. 

As I entered the store, yep, you guessed it— there was a massive crowd wandering through the store like rats (or beavers building a dam) in a maze, and I was one of them. You would think that they were selling tickets to a Taylor Swift concert!

Again, I found myself wanting to buy almost everything I saw. Who doesn’t want a Buc-ee’s glow-in-the-dark New Year t-shirt? What about the Buc-ee’s Christmas pajamas or blanket? I was trying to think of who on my Christmas list would appreciate these awesome gifts. I picked up a bag of Beaver Nuggets that everyone was talking about and posting pictures of on social media pages and decided I may not like them so I put the bag back.

Can anyone tell me what Beaver Nuggets taste like? They look sugary. Then, I came to my senses and put back the items one after another and thought, this is insane, what am I doing? I couldn’t let my emotions and love for Buc-ee’s take over my purchasing decisions. Then, I peered over my shoulder towards the food court and saw, you guessed it— the holy grail of BBQ — the brisket sandwiches. I grab two from under the heated lamps and darted for the check-out. Then I saw the blow-up beavers for $59.99 and decided, not this year Buc-ee’s, not this year. I got in the car and my husband asked me, what did you get? Well, I got us two BBQ brisket sandwiches for dinner.

What’s the draw to Buc-ee’s? Is it the variety, the cute mascot, the beef brisket sandwiches, the clean restrooms, or the plethora of gas pumps? I’m not sure, but I think I’m one of those who’s been drawn in by the thrill of something new, or maybe it’s the brisket sandwiches— just maybe.