Buc-ee's in Texas: A Love Story (with Gas Pumps)
Ah, Buc-ee's. The name alone conjures up images of towering restrooms, walls of jerky, and enough kolaches to feed a small army. But for Texans, Buc-ee's is more than just a convenience store, it's a pilgrimage site, a beacon of road trip salvation, and a never-ending source of debate. The most burning question? Just how many Buc-ee's are there in the great state of Texas?
Hold onto your cowboy hats, folks, because this is a number that will astound you! There are, wait for it... a whopping 37 (and counting!) Buc-ee's scattered across the Texas landscape. That's more Buc-ee's than there are Whataburger locations bordering Oklahoma (and that's saying something).
Now, some folks might scoff and say, "37? That ain't enough Buc-ee's for all the kolache cravings in Texas!" But fear not, Buc-ee's disciples! The Buc-ee' empire is ever-expanding, with new locations popping up faster than you can say "beaver nuggets" (yes, those are a real thing at Buc-ee's).
Here's the thing about Buc-ee's in Texas: they're not just gas stations, they're experiences. You can spend hours wandering the aisles, marveling at the sheer variety of BBQ sauces, trying on novelty Texas-shaped hats, and contemplating the existential questions posed by the 500-gallon jug of sweet tea.
But here's the real kicker: Texans have a strange Buc-ee's-based form of one-upmanship. It goes something like this:
- You: "Man, I had to wait in line for 20 minutes just for the bathroom at Buc-ee's!"
- Texan friend (with a smug grin): "Amateur. I waited 30 minutes at the Buc-ee's on I-35, and it was during a blue norther!"
See? It's a competition. A glorious, slightly deranged competition fueled by brisket breakfast tacos and the ever-present threat of a long drive with a full bladder.
So, the next time you're road-tripping through Texas, keep your eyes peeled for the giant Buc-ee's beaver mascot. It's a sign that you're about to embark on a journey of clean restrooms, questionable fashion choices, and enough snacks to keep you going for miles. Just remember, Buc-ee's in Texas are more than just a number, they're a way of life.
