Everything You Need to Eat at Buc-ee’s, Texas’ Road Trip Wonderland

For many Texans, it’s totally indisputable that popular road trip destination Buc-ee’s is the greatest convenience store of all time. Founded in 1982, the chain has since expanded to 32 locations across the state, most of which are situated alongside Texas’ busiest highways.

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 so much more that awaits, it’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed. Especially when, as it always is, Buc-ee’s is a little overly 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/Eater

Packaged Snacks & Candy

At first, the massive aisles packed full of colorful snacks in clear plastic bags emblazoned with Buc-ee’s beaver logo can be a little overwhelming. Especially if you’ve made some questionable choices or accidentally grabbed the entirely wrong snack before. 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 tasting flavor.
• Buc-ee’s Nug-ees — A savory version of Beaver Nuggets, with a powdery cheese-flavored coating.
• Dried Fruit and Veggies — Ostensibly one of the healthiest options in the packaged snack department, 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 nuts, 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 vintage faves like wax bottles, Boston Baked Beans, and Chick-o-Sticks or just a big ol’ sack of malted milk balls, pretty much every popular candy on the planet (and some more obscure finds) is on offer.
• Chocolate Covered Pretzels — Tons of varieties are on offer here, ranging from pretzels enrobed in dark chocolate to salted caramel, cinnamon yogurt, and peanut butter flavors.
• 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/Eater

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

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

If a less-traditional flavor profile is what you seek, the funky, flavor-packed Bohemian Garlic flavor is the chain’s top seller, and for a good reason. Also on offer are more unique varieties like jerky spiced with fajita seasoning and Hatch green chiles, along with summer sausage, snack sticks, and pretty much else your meat-lovin’ heart could dream of. Pro-tip: don’t forget to grab a hunk of smoked cheddar to pair with your meats.

Courtney Pierce/Eater

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.
• Pastrami Reuben — A surprisingly great sandwich that has inspired quite the cult following. Served on a buttery pretzel bun and piled high with pastrami, crispy onion strings, and sauerkraut, it’s a stick-to-your-ribs sandwich is 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 to 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 sandwich in the midst of an hours-long road trip.

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 simply made (there are only three ingredients) and tastes good on everything, whether you’re slathering it on a piece of toast or serving 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.

Courtney Pierce/Eater

Fudge & Kolaches

There are more than 24 different varieties of fudge available every day at most Buc-ee’s locations, including traditional types like chocolate peanut butter and more ridiculous options like watermelon fudge.

You could grab a piece or two for the road, but be aware that it probably won’t hold up well in the summer heat. Scarf it immediately, or stick inside your 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.