WaWa or RoFo

What? 

I don’t feel the need to choose between these minor league teams.

I have 1 word for you.

Buc-ee’s

Never heard of it?   – oh my.

Heard of it, but never been to one?

Get in your car and get there.

The destination is worth the journey.

Picture Wawa meets Walmart meets Dick’s

Yes – seriously.

You see the signs on the highway announcing how close they are.  120 miles, 68 miles 18 miles….. and you immediately look at your gas gauge to see if you can make it there.  The last thing you want to do is pull over somewhere else for gas because you don’t have enough to get to a Buc-ee’s.  Trust me, even if you get gas somewhere else, you are still going to want to stop at Buc-ee’s.

At Buc-ee’s you can buy pretty much anything.  They have hand baskets and also shopping carts.

What?  A shopping cart at a gas station?

Yup.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. 

You start with the gas.  100 pumps.  Yes – 100 pumps – I’ve never waited for a pump.

               *Side Note 1 – some might have a few less than 100 pumps

And the price for gas isn’t jacked up.  It’s priced actually a bit lower than the prices you see on the other signs along the highway.

Then, after gassing up, you go into the store itself. 

WOW.  The first time we walked in one it was the middle of the day and it was just “WOW”.

Want a snack on your road side stop – you name it – they carry it.

But not just name brand snacks, they make their own too.

Want a vintage Coca-Cola cooler? – got ‘em

Oh – how about a “Friends” T-Shirt or other “Friends” Merchandise/Swag?  Yup – we’ve bought that there.

Bathing Suits, beach towels, blankets, books, cell-phone accessories, board games? Yup / Yes / Absolutely / Sure / Certainly and Affirmative.

They seem to cater to the road trip enthusiast.  They have all types of gear and supplies for the camping and RV community: grills, fire pits, camp fire wood and I once counted 13 ice boxes to buy ice.

But suppose after getting gas, you just have to go to the bathroom.

The bathrooms are like a palace – spacious and super clean.  I have no idea about the ladies’ bathroom, only the glowing reviews from my crew.  But I can tell you the men’s room is next-level.  An entire wall of urinals and sinks and more stalls than I could count.  I’ve not had to wait in line to use, but were you stuck in line, no worries, they have paintings lining the walls that you can both look at and purchase.

               *Side Note 2 – How cool if someone were to ask you where you bought that painting, you could reply, “Oh, a Buc-ee’s bathroom”.

So let’s see, what have I forgotten?

OH YEAH !!!  THE FOOD!!!

Again – NEXT LEVEL!!!

Their brisket is FANTASTIC!!! They pull it out of their smokers and make the announcement “HOT BRISKET ON THE BOARD” and then they chop it right there and pile it on their sandwiches, wrap ‘em up and serve em!!!  They also have many other food items, but the brisket …. oh the brisket…..

And to go along with what ever meat sandwich you choose, the home made chips, still served warm – BITE YOU IN THE ASS FANTASTIC!!!

They also have a fully manned fudge making station.  Now, I’ve never tried it – but I hear it’s good.

               *Side Note 3 – I once counted the workers in just the brisket and fudge stations – 14 workers!!!

I’ve also not tried the beef jerky served at the counter.  I’ve only had the pre-packaged.  Some day I will.  I can tell you  they have an entire counter of beef jerky with every type of jerky you can imagine.  They have MANY bags already pre-packaged for you to buy, but you can also buy it by the ¼ pound (or any weight) at the counter.

My only complaint is the coffee.  It’s kind of plain.  Now, I don’t consider myself a coffee snob.  I do have a great love affair with my Keurig

               *Side Note 4 – perhaps you’ve read my very first post ?

And my Keurig along with my Swell Joe Coffee – a great small roast local roastery, I enjoy a nice flavorful cup of coffee.

But the coffee at Buc-ee’s does leave a lot to be desired.  I have described it as hot black water.

However, when you add a bit of cream to it, then it does become hot brown water.

Don’t drink coffee? No worries– they have every beverage available.  I have seen beer and wine, but not spirits.

Coffee aside – a trip to Buc-ee’s is just what you need.

Sometimes we fly to Florida, sometimes we drive.  And when we drive – there are 3 Buc-ee’s between here and there – that’s 6 possible Buc-ee’s stops, and because they are spaced a distance apart, we will usually stop at one every time; the vehicle does need gas.

They are strategically placed along major highways so on a long road trip – make sure you stop. 

Plan ahead – you’ll not be disappointed.

Word of advice – take your cell phone.

See, If you go in with a another person or two, you will get separated and lost.  And with the size and the 100s of people, it’s hard to find someone.

Even if you don’t have a place to go, if you have a weekend and you want to take a trip, just head to a Buc-ee’s.

Buc-ee’s – go there.

• Seriously