6 Things Not to Miss at Buc-ee’s

If you’ve done much road tripping across the southern US, then you’re likely familiar with the chain of gas stations called Buc-ee’s. If you’re like many Coloradans, however, when Buc-ee’s debuted in Johnstown this past March, it was unfamiliar and you had a lot of questions!

What’s the deal with this place called Buc-ee’s?!

Well, to start, I use the term gas station very loosely. It certainly has gas (with dozens and dozens of pumps!) but it is so much more than that. I would even go so far as to say that many people who stop there don’t even need gas. Whether you’re in the area and just want to check it out, or you’re heading out on a Thanksgiving road trip (let’s face it – after sitting through Denver traffic, you might already need a stop by Buc-ee’s Johnstown!), you’ll want to make sure you catch these six things!

Things Not to Miss at Buc-ee’s

1. The World’s Cleanest Restrooms

OK, so maybe I haven’t tried every restroom in the entire world, but I have done a LOT of traveling and I will pick a Buc-ee’s over literally anything else if I’m anywhere close when my kids or I have to make a potty stop! This is their biggest claim to fame and given their popularity with road trippers, I think this goes to show just how important a clean bathroom is to people. They have staff devoted to continually keeping the bathrooms tidy and stocked, and they have so many stalls that I have never waited in line (a very important factor when you have children near-emergency!).

2. Barbecue, Kolaches, Sweets…

Every gas station has snacks, of course, but sometimes I get a stomachache just looking at the day-old hot dogs rotating under a heat lamp. If you like to make your stops efficient, and you’d like more than a bag of chips, Buc-ee’s is definitely your kind of rest stop! While you can get your gas and use the restroom, you can have a meal, too! They have hot, fresh barbecue sandwiches (regular or XXL) – pork, brisket (chopped or sliced) and turkey, a variety of cold sandwiches and other meal items, breakfast tacos, a wide variety of baked goods, fudge, banana pudding and a breakfast item called a kolache. They have hot, meat-and-cheese kolaches as well as cold sweet ones (an insanely good version of a cherry or strawberry danish).

In addition to all of this fresh, cooked food, they also have a huge stock of your typical gas station snacks and drinks as well as a wide variety of coffee. Don’t be afraid to grab a basket to stock your cooler!

Mom Tip: If you’re familiar with kolaches and are craving one up here in the north, go early. They stop selling them at 11 a.m.

3. Merchandise

If you have time to stretch your legs, you don’t want to miss their merchandise section. In addition to all things Buc-ee’s like shirts, PJs, neck pillows and souvenirs, they have games, toys, home décor and all manner of gifts (perfect if you’re headed to a family Thanksgiving where you’re going to exchange early Christmas gifts and you still need a thing or two!). You might even get lucky and spot Buc-ee himself walking around for photo ops.

4. Gas

Of course, gas had to make this list at some point! While there is a lot to stop for besides gas, you might as well fill up while you’re there. I had wondered if they might have high gas prices to capitalize on the amount of traffic that comes through, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that their gas price was very competitive. And you won’t get stuck in line waiting for a pump – the Johnstown location has 116 pumps!

5. Speedy Service

If you’re the type that likes to get in and get out, don’t be fooled by Buc-ee’s size and popularity thinking it’ll take forever. Just like they have tons of gas pumps, they have multiple registers at every entrance. After you’ve gathered all of your purchases, chances are high that you will walk right up to a cashier to pay and be on your way!

6. Amazing Customer Service

One thing Buc-ee’s certainly does right is customer service. Every cashier has a smile on their face, the food stations are manned by people working very hard but still managing to be so friendly, and there are managers visible and ready to help with any issue. If, for example, you were flustered by your children who were tired from driving (not that this would ever happen) and you throw your credit card away in the trash can by your gas pump, after you momentarily panic, a manager would get a gas pump attendant to help you. They are so friendly and serious about doing a good job that they will throw on some gloves, open your pump’s trash can, fish it out for you and personally sanitize it before giving it back. (Not that I would know this from personal experience.) But yes, their customer service blows me away!

As the holidays approach and it gets to be time for more road trips, or you just want a fun outing during a school break or weekend, Buc-ee’s is definitely worth the hype, so stop and check it out!