Road trips, pit stops and junk-food runs in North Alabama should get a lot more interesting this week, when Buc-ee’s opens its long-awaited location in Athens.
The Texas-based chain — known for its giant, colorful, chock-full-of-goodies travel centers — will welcome visitors starting at 6 a.m. CT on Monday, Nov. 21, at at the southeast corner of Interstate 65 and Huntsville Brownsferry Road.
The new Buc-ee’s convenience store will span about 53,470-square-feet, the company says. Outside, the gas station will boast 120 fueling spots, along with a car wash, parking lot, dog walking areas and a statue of the Buc-ee’s mascot. (It’s a beaver, in case you’re wondering, and you’ll see his cartoonish, buck-toothed image adorning many products at the store.)
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People like to take photos and selfies with the Buc-ee’s statue — at least, they do at the location in Leeds — and if newbies at Buc-ee’s see a logjam forming near one of the doors in Athens, that’s probably what’s happening. (A ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for 10:30 a.m. on Monday with local officials, and that’s also likely to draw a crowd.)
The Athens Buc-ee’s is the company’s third location in Alabama, following popular travel centers built in Leeds, near Birmingham, and Robertsdale, in Baldwin County. A fourth location is in the works in Auburn, the company says.
If you’re wondering what all the fuss is about (why so much hoopla over gas pumps and snack food?) we’re here to explain.
Buc-ee’s is much more than a place to fill the tank and feed the munchies. It’s a big ol’ experience. And that can be overwhelming for first-timers who aren’t sure how to navigate the store (especially if it’s packed) and find the things that have made Buc-ee’s famous.
Not to worry, however; we’ve got you covered. Here’s what to expect if you make a Buc-ee’s run — in Athens or any of the other locations in Alabama.
MEGA-SIZE
Did we mention that Buc-ee’s is big? At 53,470-square-feet, the convenience store in Athens is almost as large as a football field (standard size 57,600-square-feet). OK, so it’d be dwarfed by a big-box super center, but compared to the typical snack shop at a convenience store, Buc-ee’s is massive.
PEOPLE, PEOPLE, EVERYWHERE
If you’re allergic to crowds, Buc-ee’s isn’t the place for you, especially during its opening week. The Athens location is likely to be extremely busy until the novelty wears off — which could take some time — and you’ll rarely visit a Buc-ee’s that’s empty of people. On the plus side, Buc-ee’s locations are well staffed and have an efficient system in place. Things move along briskly, in our experience, but a dose of patience is required during peak hours.
Buc-ee’s is open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. With that schedule, there are bound to be slow periods. Staffers have told us that weekends are busiest, as a rule, and lunchtime can get a little crazy. Pick your time wisely.
CLEAN SCENE
Buc-ee’s prides itself on being sparkling clean and supremely organized. We’ve seen several staffers roving the store during our visits in Leeds, wiping up small spills in the coffee area, straightening displays and keeping everything shipshape.
Buc-ee’s boasts about the quality of its restrooms, and with good reason. The women’s restroom in Leeds, for example, is large, brightly lit and as close to immaculate as possible. There are lots of stalls, mirrors without streaks, clean floors, faucets that work and all the paper goods you need.
Caveat: We haven’t visited a Buc-ee’s at, say, 2 a.m., but assume the cleanliness factor holds even during the wee hours.
BRISKET BONANZA
The single most talked-about area at Buc-ee’s? The Texas Round Up station. That’s where you’ll find the chopped brisket barbecue sandwiches — a marquee item for the chain — along with sliced brisket, pulled pork, fried chicken and other grab-and-go sandwiches. Customers flock to this station, which is centrally located and easy to find. We’ve seen folks waiting for the next batch of brisket sandwiches to hit an empty bin, and heard staffers announce the arrival of more sandwiches, sparking a rush their way.
Some sandwiches at Buc-ee’s are made to order, and you won’t find them in bins at the Texas Round Up station. If you want to try one of these, head to one of the computer terminals near the fudge station. (Look for the “Order Here” sign.) Use the touchscreen to order, grab the paper slip with your order number and pick up your sandwich at the counter between the jerky station and the bakery. The same goes for tacos, hot dogs and other made-to-order items. Fries with chili and cheese, anyone?
RELATED: What’s the best sandwich at Buc-ee’s? (Spoiler alert: It’s not BBQ brisket)
SUGAR RUSH
In the mood for sweet instead of savory? Buc-ee’s has a station for nuts (served warm and doused in sugar, cinnamon and the like) and another for fudge (chocolate, vanilla and flavors in-between). Like many items at the store, fudge is available in grab-and-go packages, if you don’t feel like ordering from a staffer at the counter.
JERKY GALORE
Attention, jerky aficionados: You’ll find a ton of dehydrated meat snacks at Buc-ee’s, pre-packaged or sold by weight at the jerky station. Varieties include mild beef jerky, lemon pepper jerky, ghost pepper jerky, steakhouse jerky, Bohemian garlic jerky, cherry maple jerky, turkey jerky...take your pick.
LET’S ROLL
Buc-ee’s also is known for its kolaches. Never heard of ‘em? These are pastry rolls stuffed with meat, cheese or fruit. Kolaches are a favorite with customers at Buc-ee’s locations in Texas, but from what we’ve seen, not quite as popular in Alabama. You can buy kolaches at Buc-ee’s from a bakery case, near the jerky, fudge and Texas Round Up stations at the store.
Good to know: “Pronounced ‘koh-lah-shee,’ the word kolache is derived from the Czech word, kola, meaning ‘wheels’ or ‘rounds,’ referring to the shape of the pastry,” says the Feeling Foodish website. “A staple of Czech culture, kolaches gained popularity in the United States in the 1880s when thousands of Czech people immigrated to Texas.”
SNACK ATTACK
Folks on the road want snacks, and Buc-ee’s stocks a cornucopia of munchables. The store offers chocolate bars, cookies, chips, trail mix, popcorn, cotton candy, nut clusters, gummies, pork rinds, salt water taffy, pecan pralines, sunflower seeds, candy corn, sour bites, pecan logs, dried fruit, cheese curls, licorice, pretzels, rock candy, cheese cubes, cinnamon rolls, banana pudding, ice pops...the list goes on and on.
Beaver nuggets, or sweet and salty corn puffs, can be found throughout the store. Buc-ee’s is famous for this snack, which comes in a basic version or coated with chocolate, cheese, caramel and sea salt, and more. Aficionados say Beaver Nuggets are addictive, for the taste, the crunch and the relative lack of mess in your car.
If you’re looking for food in a healthier mode, Buc-ee’s also has grab-and-go salads, sandwich wraps, hardboiled eggs and other items.
JAVA JONES
Need caffeine? Buc-ee’s has earned raves for its coffee, and the self-serve coffee station is a busy spot at the store. You’ll find hot, fresh java there, brewed in several Bunn machines. An area near the coffee station is devoted to creamers and sweeteners. It’s surprisingly tidy, too.
BOTTOM’S UP
You won’t go thirsty at Buc-ee’s. which has an array of soft-drink dispensers, several Icee machines and a wealth of beverages displayed in refrigerator cases and on store shelves. You’ll find everything from bottled water to energy drinks to BuzzBallz (little wine chillers in flavors such as Peach, Lime Rita, Pineapple Colada and Choco). No hard liquor at Buc-ee’s, but the store sells beer and wine to folks age 21 and older.
BUC-EE’S BRAND
As you might expect, merchandise that bears the Buc-ee’s logo is everywhere. That includes T-shirts, swimsuits, hoodies, baby clothes, backpacks, stuffed animals, can huggers, toothbrushes, bandannas, key chains, buttons, coolers, plastic bandages, nail clippers, dog collars, travel cups, sunglasses, refrigerator bags...you name it.
One eye-catching display: An old-school red pickup truck filled with stuffed animals depicting the Buc-ee’s beaver. It’s a kid magnet, and we’ve seen several families taking photos there. We’ve also spotted kids wailing for stuffed animals as they gaze longingly at the truck. Bear in mind: Impulse purchases at Buc-ee’s are rampant among folks of all ages.
STUFF AND MORE STUFF
Buc-ee’s stocks a wide variety of household goods, from the practical to the decorative. We’ve seen backyard grills, folding chairs, tents, dishes, wall art, wooden signs, coffee mugs, drinking glasses, knickknacks, pet supplies, books, Alabama and Auburn commemorative gear, and much more. It’s like the gifts area of Cracker Barrel on steroids.
OH, DEER
As you’re walking up to Buc-ee’s, or leaving the convenience store, you might see 50-pound bags of deer corn displayed near the entrance. Deer corn is much in demand at the chain; Buc-ee’s even lists locations where deer corn is available in its website FAQs. (The Leeds store has it; no word yet on Athens.)
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