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14 Reasons People No Longer Love Buc-ee's, According to Reddit

Buc-ee’s customers even have complaints about the chain’s famous bathrooms and brisket.

A Buc-ee's convenience store.
Updated Nov. 14, 2024
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Buc-ee’s may be one of your favorite places to stop for gas and so much more.

After all, the place is known for its brisket, wide variety of fudge, and clean bathrooms, among other things.

But not everyone is in love with the retailer, and there may be some good reasons to be less than enamored with Buc-ee’s and save money in other ways. Here are a few that have been pointed out by Reddit users.

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People leave their cars at the pumps for too long

Chad Robertson/Adobe convenience store and gas station

There are plenty of pumps at Buc-ee’s for drivers to stop by and fill up, but then they may not move their cars from the spot next to the pump while they go in and shop.

“It’s barely a gas station,” one Reddit user lamented. “People put their pump in and go inside and shop for an hour blocking the pump for the entire duration.”

It’s too crowded

rospoint/Adobe crowd near the store entrance

Buc-ee’s has become more popular over the years, but perhaps it’s too popular as the stores are getting more and more crowded.

One Reddit user even posted a picture of a long line at their local Buc-ee’s with way too many people waiting to get the store’s famous barbecue, fudge, and merchandise.

Buc-ee’s stores are causing traffic issues

disq/stock.adobe.com Two lines of cars stopped in traffic, seen from eye level.

It can also be a hassle to just get to the crowded Buc-ee’s parking lot before you get inside a crowded Buc-ee’s.

Several Reddit users noted that traffic is backing up onto highways with Buc-ee’s fans trying to take the exit to get to their favorite convenience store.

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Lines for restrooms are too long

nadl2022/Adobe bathroom sign

Buc-ee’s is well-known for its big restrooms, which even have lights above the doors so you know if they’re occupied.

But some people have noticed that the Buc-ee’s restrooms aren’t as enormous as the retailer touts them to be, and on busy days and times, you may have to wait in line.

At least you can admire how clean the restrooms are while you wait.

The barbecue just isn’t that good

EWY Media/Adobe Inside a Buc-ees

Buc-ee’s is known for its barbecue, especially its brisket. The store even announces when a fresh brisket is on the board and getting sliced up for customers.

But some Buc-ee’s customers haven’t been that impressed with the barbecue, which may be surprising considering the retailer’s Texas roots. “BBQ sandwiches smelled good, but not much flavor and were expensive,” one Reddit user lamented.

It’s quicker to make a stop at another gas station

New Africa/Adobe woman refueling car

Buc-ee’s may sound amazing for a one-time visit, but what if you just need some gas?

Over-crowded parking lots and congestion just to get into a local Buc-ee’s may be pushing out gas customers, who just want to fill up and head out.

It’s hyped up too much

EWY Media/Adobe Buc-ee's convenience store

There are Buc-ee’s super fans out there who wear Buc-ee’s merchandise, eat Buc-ee’s food, and talk about shopping at Buc-ee’s all the time.

It’s a little much for some former fans to deal with when they see way too much of the Buc-ee’s beaver. “I definitely don’t get the hype,” said one Reddit user.

There are no squeegees

Felix Mizioznikov/Adobe buc-ees st augustine florida

Buc-ee’s might seem like a great place to stop on a road trip to fill up and get all those bugs off your windshield — and then you find out there are no squeegees for your windshield at the gas pumps.

“I don’t stop by there on trips by myself because of the squeegees,” said one Reddit post. “People who drive long distances know how clutch being able to see through your windshield is.”

Buc-ee’s is overpriced

scandamerican/Adobe bags of candy

Buc-ee’s may have plenty of food and merchandise to choose from, but it may not be as cheap as you think.

One Reddit user described their experience with the Buc-ee’s price tag, saying, “Gas is a little cheaper than the surrounding gas stations, but I rarely bought snacks there.”

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Big rigs aren’t allowed

Bob Orsillo/Adobe Big red semi tractor trailer

Buc-ee’s tries to keep the flow of traffic moving through its gas stations, but that also means the stores have banned semi-trucks from getting gas or purchasing items from its locations.

A spokesperson for the retailer told My San Antonio, a daily newspaper, that the parking lots and driveways of Buc-ee’s are just not designed for semi-trucks, and Buc-ee’s has signs warning truck drivers that there’s no space for them.

The parking lots are dangerous

diy13/Adobe lines of parked-cars

Crowded parking lots can lead to plenty of traffic issues. It can be difficult to navigate with your car and then navigate your way on foot to the store.

“It’s a nightmare to walk around Buc-ee’s lots as there are no stop signs, very few walkways, and way too many cars,” said one Reddit user.

Stores are too big

Chad Robertson/Adobe buc-ee's popular chain of stores

Buc-ee’s has been expanding with new locations in recent years, and you may be surprised at just how big some of them are. In fact, the Buc-ee’s location in Sevierville, Tennessee, holds the world record for the largest convenience store.

But some visitors have found it to be too big with one Reddit user saying they just want snacks and gas and then go. “I don't what to have to keep trackers on my friends so we don't wind up spending an hour at a gas station.”

Some Reddit users don’t like the Buc-ee’s spectacle

Rosemarie/Adobe buc-ee's ad on billboard

Buc-ee’s is definitely an experience more than just a stop with employees hollering about brisket on the board, the beaver statue out front you can take a picture with, and everything else to see at a Buc-ee’s store.

But one Reddit user was not impressed with seeing a beaver walking around the store when they went in. “Taking selfies with the guy in the beaver costume is like a child at Chuck E. Cheese,” they said.

It doesn’t treat workers well

dusanpetkovic1/Adobe leaning on box in warehouse

Buc-ee’s has signs advertising good wages to work in its stores, but the benefits may not outweigh the work you have to do to get paid.

“I worked at a Buc-ee’s for four months and I’ve never worked anywhere that was so actively hostile to their own workforce,” one Reddit user wrote. “Probably the worst job I’ve ever had.”

Bottom line

Mikhail/Adobe buc-ee's website on smartphone

Buc-ee’s can be a great place to stop for gas or a unique experience if you want to get some Buc-ee’s merchandise and sweet treats.

It’s also a good idea to compare the prices at Buc-ee’s with other retailers to see if stretch your paycheck further by going to another station like Costco.

You can also check on the Buc-ee’s reward credit card to see if it can help you earn extra cash back for your purchases, like when you fill up at its gas stations.

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Author Details

Jenny Cohen

Jenny Cohen is a freelance writer who has covered a bit of everything, from finance to sports to her favorite TV shows. Her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and FoxSports.com.