Megan Engelhardt

I really love Sheetz.

It was started localish to where I grew up, so there’s some hometown pride going on. My dad really liked the cheap hotdogs there, and my family still enjoys getting food from there. They have really good bathrooms. Despite their frankly incomprehensible slogans — “Why the Sheetz not?”?? That makes no sense!! — I am very much a Sheetz fan.

All that to say, I get gas station enthusiasm. But boy, I was *not* prepared for Bucc-ee’s.

You know that store part of Cracker Barrell? With all the seasonal decor and old toys and stuff? Well, that’s part of what Bucc-ee’s is like.

(I was particularly taken by the pig theming. I’m not sure why.)

So you know those beef jerky outlets that have tons of flavors all lined up? Well, part of Bucc-ee’s is kind of like that.

You know how Chuck E. Cheese has someone in a rodent costume come out and greet kids and get pictures taken with them and stuff?

Well, Bucc-ee’s does that too.

There is also SO MUCH branded merchandise. The Cracker Barrel side is pretty standard kitschy decor, but then there’s the BUCC-EE’s stuff. If you want something with the beaver face on it, you can get it. Do you want a warm hoodie/jacket/blanket combo that I cannot believe it ever gets cold enough in Alabama to wear? Here you go!

A little kids’ bikini? Yup.

Or swim trunks, maybe?

…ok, not going to lie, I almost bought one of these shirts. I’ve decided I like the “Hawaiian shirt over tank top” look for the summer and I was kind of into this pattern. I didn’t buy it, but it was a close thing.

Maybe you or your kid want to have a Bucc-ee’s themed birthday part! They’ve got you covered!

Obviously there are stuffies.

I bought some stuff.

We were reuniting with the rest of our family a few days after this trip so most of my purchases were to share. I did buy a sandwich, though, which admittedly was pretty good. And I got this hockey puck of a chocolate treat.

Dark chocolate with melty peanut butter inside. Literally the size of a hockey puck. Super messy because I don’t know if you know, Alabama in the summer is *hot*.

My husband often despairs because I’m driven by curiosity. I get curious about different stores or sites or places that are clearly tourist traps. Bucc-ee’s was incredibly busy and crowded, the gas prices weren’t all that much lower, but the food was ok and the bathroom was actually pretty good, too. I won’t go out of my way to visit another one by myself, I don’t think, but if we’re on the road and see a sign for one and we need a break…I’d buy more jerky.