Everything You Need to Eat at Bucee’s, Texas’s Road Trip Wonderland

There’s so much more than Beaver Nuggets

For many Texans, it’s totally indisputable that the popular road trip destination Buc-ee’s is the greatest convenience store of all time. Founded in 1982, the chain has since expanded to more than 30 locations across the state, most of which are situated alongside Texas’s busiest highways, and a total of nine states across the country.

As such, it’s always a reliable and convenient option for eating when you’re out on the road. But once you walk inside those doors and see the sheer variety of snacks, prepared foods, drinks, and merchandise, it’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed (especially when Buc-ee’s can often be crowded).

Whether you’re a Buc-ee’s newcomer or a seasoned vet looking to break out of your Beaver Nuggets rut, let this be your guide to the gigantic gas station wonderland’s best meal and snack options.

Courtney Pierce

Packaged Snacks & Candy

At first, the massive aisles packed full of colorful snacks in clear plastic bags emblazoned with the Buc-ee’s beaver logo can be intimidating. But these picks, which are also some of Buc-ee’s most iconic offerings, hit the spot every damn time.

• Beaver Nuggets — These crunchy, sweet puffed corn nuggets are Buc-ee’s most iconic snack. For the unfamiliar, imagine a slightly crunchier, puffy Cheeto with a sweet, vaguely caramel flavor.
• Buc-ee’s Nug-ees — This savory version of Beaver Nuggets features a powdery cheese-flavored coating.
• Rice crispy treats — Buc-ee’s does most childhood favorite snack foods justice, and this marshmallow-laden treat is no different. Spring for a handful of bars for the whole car to snack on.
• Dried fruit and veggies — Ostensibly one of the healthiest options in the packaged snack department, hungry road-trippers can find a wide array of dried fruits and veggies, ranging from sweet options like pineapple and mango to crunchy, salty dried okra and green beans.
• Literally every kind of gummy candy — Just go wild, seriously. You’re unlikely to see a selection of gummies as impressive as this anywhere else on your trip, so fill a cart with as many peach rings, gummy worms, and rainbow-striped sour belts as your sugar-loving heart sees fit.
• Even more candy — Whether it’s a combination of vintage favorites like wax bottles, Boston Baked Beans, Chick-o-Sticks, or just a big ol’ sack of malted milk balls, pretty much every popular candy on the planet and even some more obscure finds are on offer. Buc-ee’s also has its own line of chocolate bars, Buc-ee Bars, and salted caramels.
• For something crunchy and salty — Sometimes you’re just in that kind of mood. Fortunately, there’s an abundance of chips, crackers, and other snacks that can fulfill that craving for something savory and crispy. Along with tons of other name-brand snack companies, Buc-ee’s offers its own line of kettle chips, coming in compelling flavors like Sorta Spicy Dill and Cajun, chili cheese and ranch crackers, and Buc-ee’s Chees-ee Puffs in Hot ‘N Spicy Limón, jalapeño cheddar, and more.
• Chocolate-covered pretzels — Find pretzels enrobed in flavors like dark chocolate, salted caramel, cinnamon yogurt, peanut butter, and so much more.
• Trail mix — Alongside the standard nut-and-dried-fruit mix, look out for specialty flavors of trail mix at Buc-ee’s, like a slightly spicy Southwestern blend and a decadent chocolate-spiked mix.

Courtney Pierce

Meat Wonderland (a.k.a the jerky counter)

What shoppers order here will largely depend on their jerky preferences, but there’s no shortage of varieties and flavors. The traditional peppered jerky (either turkey or beef — both are solid) is among Buc-ee’s most popular.

If a less-traditional flavor profile is what you seek, the funky, flavor-packed Bohemian Garlic is the chain’s top seller, but don’t be afraid to venture into some of its other options, like jerky spiced with fajita seasoning and Hatch green chiles. There’s also summer sausage, snack sticks, and pretty much everything your meat-loving heart could dream of. Pro-tip: don’t forget to grab a hunk of smoked cheddar to pair with your meats.

Courtney Pierce

Sandwiches & Prepared Foods

• Breakfast tacos — Always a solid breakfast option on or off the road, the breakfast tacos at Buc-ee’s are perfectly serviceable and generously portioned. The Hippo taco, made up of bacon, egg, beans, potatoes, and cheese, is a favorite and a filling option to boot.
• Pastrami Reuben — This sandwich has a cult following and for good reason. Served on a buttery pretzel bun and piled high with pastrami, crispy onion strings, and sauerkraut, it’s a stick-to-your-ribs sandwich and one of the most flavorful prepped options Buc-ee’s has to offer. Pair with a bag of Buc-ee’s Cajun Boil chips.
• Meat & cheese — If the jerky counter is too crowded or there’s just too much variety, score a vacuum-sealed pack of summer sausage, cheese, and more instead.
• Barbecue — It’s not going to be as great as some of Texas’s finest barbecue joints, but there’s no denying the appeal of a chopped beef or sliced brisket and sausage sandwich in the midst of an hours-long road trip. Dress it up with pickles, onions, and barbecue sauce, if you choose.

Jams, Jellies, Pickles & Preserves

• Picked quail eggs — Whether or not you consider yourself a pickled egg aficionado, these diminutive eggs in a spicy brine spiked with plenty of peppers are a little smelly as a car snack, but don’t be surprised if you’ve polished off the whole jar by the time you have to start driving back home.
• Mayhaw jelly — Made from a fruit common in the South, this pretty pink jelly is made with simple ingredients, with sugar cane and mayhaw flesh juice being the stars. It tastes good on everything, whether you’re slathering it on a piece of toast or serving it alongside a fancy selection of cheese.
• Cinnamon honey butter — A perfect post-road trip souvenir, this jar of buttery goodness is spiked with just enough cinnamon and sugar to make any biscuit or toast taste much, much better.
• Candied jalapenos — Excellent on a cheese board, grilled burger, or just eaten straight out of the jar, these spicy-sweet peppers are definitely worth picking up a few extra jars for when a random craving strikes out of nowhere.

Note: the jarred offerings at Buc-ee’s are a little awkward to eat in the car, and many should be refrigerated after opening. Stash your haul in the suitcase for tasty memories that can be enjoyed after the trip, or store opened jars in a cooler. Then, refrigerate when you reach your destination.

Courtney Pierce

Fudge

Expect more than two dozen different varieties of fudge available daily at most Buc-ee’s locations, including traditional types like chocolate-peanut butter and more ridiculous options like watermelon fudge.

Be sure to grab a piece or two for the road, but be aware that it probably won’t hold up well in the summer heat. Scarf your fudge down immediately, or stick it inside a cooler to make sure that your fudge haul is still intact at the end of the drive.

Local Favorites

Looking to bring a taste of Houston to someone on the other side of the state? Grab bottles of ancho masala and garlic and arbol hot sauces from Houston’s own Bravado Spice Company, or score a jar of barbecue rub created by beloved local pitmaster Ronnie Killen.