Buc-ee's Beaver Blog

we’ll be doing that from now on!

Buc-ee's Beaver — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:55:49 +0000

I’m a little shocked at how amazing a gas station can be. I mean, I’ve done the Houston to San Antonio drive more times than I can count, but I’d never stopped in the Buc-Ee’s until this weekend. Why? Oh, the intimidating parking lot for one. I mean, seriously, hundreds of cars and trucks completely surround the building. Plus, since I fill up before a big trip, I never actually need gas by the time I get to this part of Texas.

That being said, I just had to see what all the fuss was about. The billboards are cute and that stupid beaver is just too adorable.

The parking wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. Sure, it was crowded, but not overly so and it was definitely possible to find a spot anywhere. And considering how many cars were in the parking lot, the store itself was pleasantly uncrowded. That is mostly due to the fact that it is ENORMOUS! The left side is a bunch of touristy junk (and by junk I mean I wanted it all. . .and left with an Aggie pacifier. . . .umm, yeah, I don’t have a kid and I don’t know who I’m gonna give it to, but I just HAD to buy it). The center has a bunch of food, including great cuts of meat, jerky, premade food, cheese trays, etc. The right side was the obligatory snacks and other devilish temptations. The one downside for the hubby (and an upside in my opinion) was the lacking of books, magazines, and audio books. Those suckers are always overpriced at gas stations and I was glad to not have them around to tempt us.

The lines move quickly and the staff was pretty friendly. I can see why people make it a tradition to stop here on their road trips and I’m sure we’ll be doing that from now on!

hilarious beaver

Buc-ee's Beaver — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:50:43 +0000

I’m a fan of the beaver! If you are driving between San Antonio & Houston, or Houston & Dallas (they have more locations in Texas than these as well), you must stop at Buc-ee’s! Lots of gas pumps, clean restrooms, rows of road trip grub, quality deli items, and lots of souvenirs featuring their hilarious beaver logo.

I wish there were Buc-ees along every roadtrip route.

Buc-ee's Beaver — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:47:07 +0000

Love, love, LOVE their billboards all along the highway from Houston that say quirky things like, “”Only 136 Miles to Buc-ee’s. You can Hold It” or “”Jerky. One of the Five Major Food Groups.” Certainly made the 200 mile drive more fun. I couldn’t wait to spot the next billboard.

We still had no idea what exactly it was when we got there, but we knew we definitely had to go there. So good job, ad people. Turned out it’s a gas station/convenience store — make that SUPER store. It was crazy busy when we got there around lunch time (good thing they have a lot of parking!) We didn’t fight the crowds for too long, but did get a bbq beef sandwich, a sausage on a stick, and some cold drinks. Yes, a SAUSAGE ON A STICK!! It was a pretty good sausage actually – with mustard, of course.

Buc-ees has everything you’d ever need on a roadtrip, and then some. Plus an adorable beaver mascot (altho, honestly, we weren’t sure what type of animal it was until we saw the billboard that said “It’s a Beaver!!!”)

That drive is about to get more fun.

Buc-ee's Beaver — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:44:58 +0000

Except for a few weeks in spring when the blue bonnets are blooming, the drive along I-10 between San Antonio and Houston is one to be dreaded. Visually boring, deep vein thrombosis creating and three hours in length, one just wants to set the cruise control on the fastest setting that won’t result in a ticket, crank up the tunes and get it over with.

Buc-ees, a service station chain with unbelievable marketing prowess, understands this very well. Spaced every few miles along the route are self-deprecating billboards that promote their pristine bathrooms, show a picture of their beaver logo and make you laugh out loud. I would venture a guess that this ad campaign is only topped in originality by the annual Super Bowl commercials.

They’ve created a cult following and must be making a mint.

The convenience store, located two-thirds of the way from Houston to San Antonio if you’re driving west, is massive. Lured by their compelling billboards and good prices at the pumps, most motorists with a sense of humor and any curiosity at all are drawn here like moths to a flame. Then they have you. Inside, you’ll find a veritable treasure trove of marked-up knick-knacks, t-shirts, bumper stickers (all with that little beaver on them) as well as jam, jerky (really good jerky, I might add), air freshener, and hunting accessories. They’ve got good coffee too.

Kids love the place, adults feel compelled to spend heavily in it and it represents probably the best road stop experience in the United States. Still, I can’t bring myself to give it five stars because Buc-ees is so blatantly taking your money from you.

They soon will be opening a place which is supposed to be twice as large midway between Houston and Dallas on I-45. That drive is about to get more fun.

Long live the beaver.

Buc-ee's Beaver — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:42:09 +0000

This place is like the Oz of gas stations. A beacon of hope–one can only walk out a happier person after visiting the home of the beaver.

Any trip from Houston to San Antonio requires a stop here (the same goes for the return trip). I always plan a stop–so I always leave room for coffee, a snack and maybe a sandwich from their deli counter. At the least, it’s a stop at one the cleanest bathrooms this side of the Continental Divide.

Not originally being from Texas, I was surprised at the amount of “Texicana” going on here. Need a Texas flag cutting board? Check! Need an Aggie t-shirt or Longhorn hat? Check! I always find myself spending at least 15 minutes in the gift section. Lots of Texan pride here, and that’s not a bad thing at all. Don’t forget to pick up some locally grown goods!

But like when I was a kid and found out that there was a “Santa” at every mall during the holidays, I learned that there’s more than one Buc-Ee’s. But it’s this one–the only one for which I always plan a stop.

After Hurricane Ike, with gas prices soaring and bags of ice being a prized resource, this place in some way brought a sense of normalcy during a time of uncertainty.

Most places use miles of signs promising good things are awaiting. This place however, does not disappoint.
Long live the beaver.

an Icon when you travel IH 10 or IH 59

Buc-ee's Beaver — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:40:42 +0000

A must stop between Houston and San Antonio. Big clean restrooms 20 stalls so no waiting. They have an attendent to keep it that way. Food to fit every taste. Variety of drinks. Things only made in Texas or USA. Plenty of gas pumps too. Right next store is a feed store with outdoor items for sale. We stop everytime we pass thru. Great beef jerky and they have various other meats as well. It’s

Wow.

Buc-ee's Beaver — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:40:05 +0000

Wow. Neither having a full tank of gas nor having eaten just before are good excuses for passing this iconic gas station. The store reminded me of trippy dream I once had as a child, except at Buc-ee’s you can order food, sandwiches, meat, and pastries on a set of touch screen computer ordering systems.

I can personally recommend the venison jerky and the unimaginable cinnamon rolls.

BUC-EEEEEEEEE’S!!!!!!!

Buc-ee's Beaver — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:39:03 +0000

I can’t help but shout that out loud each and every time I see their billboards, exit sign reminders and alas, the messiah of all convenience stores–or Texas road trips and travel as we know it.

Stop in for fudge, fried goodies, peanut brittle, clothing, salsa, bow and arrows, beer, coffee, … “Everything you ever needed. You just didn’t know it.” I think next to being a CM for Houston Yelp, Buc-Ee’s would be the best job ever.

Though I adore this place, their beverages aren’t as cold as they could be, but I’d blame it on the constant influx of people opening and closing those dang cooler doors. And don’t get overwhelmed by the swarms of people. With plenty of checkouts, you’ll be in and out and on the road before ya know it. But don’t forget to pick up your Buc-Ee’s t-shirt!

I am officially a Bucee’s FAN.

Buc-ee's Beaver — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:36:40 +0000

But this location from Houston to San Antonio is a MUST STOP.

So driving in I was in a small pack of cars speeding and passing together. I had already planned to stop here but apparently our whole pack had the same plans. That must have been a good sign that everyone with similar driving styles would know which gas station to stop at.

So when you pull in it’s packed solid but you know what? There are still vacant fill stations. There are about 20? And they are operated by shell so it’s not junk gas either. I went ahead and started pumping gas and went inside for the restrooms. Wow was I happy to hold it for that extra 20 miles. These bathrooms are nice, on the same level as some nicer hotels.

As far as the store they offer everything. Generic “Texas” type souvenirs of course, Bucee’s tshirts (which I got one), and FOOD. I got their homemade fudge. They give out free samples and the lady is super nice about giving you pretty decent sized chunks of whatever you want to try. I ended up taking her up on her special of buy a lb get half a lb free. It ends up being 6 big chunks of 1/4 lb pieces. I got 6 different flavors, my favorite being the cookies and cream.

I will be making another stop here on the way back to Houston. I am officially a Bucee’s FAN.

the shots are rich,

Buc-ee's Beaver — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:33:17 +0000

feel I should just write Buc-ee’s and not say anymore. I find that this is one of the best larger size Buc-ee’s in Texas, after having three other comparisons.
The restrooms are clean, nice sized and always stocked unless there is a huge rush that prevents the cleaning crew from cleaning up behind a person.
The selections are that of a discount warehouse sized place. If you decide you want granola then the next chore is decide which one of the granola do you want, and I am not meaning you pick between two to five, it is probably more like ten to fifteen to choose from.
The fudge is incredible and not to rich at all. While I do like the peanut butter and chocolate it is my favorite, the vanilla fudge is a close second.
The cream cheese kolaches are a bit more fluffy than I care for but still taste delicious. They always taste fresh out of the oven and are slightly, lightly warmed, not to be mistaken with hot. Just warmed.
The soda fountain area has plenty of drinks to choose from and there are double everything. So there are no long lines to get drinks. Also, the soda fountain has the flavor shots at no extra cost which is a great for that vanilla root-beer, might I add is really good. But remember to go easy, sweet, and can become overpowering.
The checkout lines usually move very swiftly due to 80% of the registers being open during peak times.
Parking is a but cumbersome since there are only two driveways to get in and out of the place. My recommendation is to always park on an end somewhere and walk. If you park towards the front it is likely you will be blocked in by a person waiting to get gas or pulling in for gas.