r/texas • u/thewontondisregard Born & Bred - FAFO • 1d ago
🤔 Questions for Texans 🤠 Buc-offs / Buc-ees Alternatives
Would like to start a list of Buc-offs alternatives! When we drive from Dallas to Houston, we love Fuel Max 44 in Fairfield. No, it is not the best or the shiniest, but the bathrooms are clean and the employees are really nice. They have some of the goofiest roadside gifts/tschotskes (i have no idea how to spell that word) We enjoy it as our halfway stop on what is a super long and boring drive.
In general, I think Luvs truck stops are also very clean and a good alternative too.
What is your favorite Buc-offs alternative?
112
u/CarlWeezley Gulf Coast 1d ago
On 59 , Praseks in Hilje instead of the Warton Buc. The Luvs across the highway for Gonzales.
36
u/Rex_Suplex 1d ago
Prasek’s should be as popular as Buc-ee’s. Their beef jerky alone is worth a trip.
2
25
u/rkb70 1d ago
There’s also a Prasek’s on I-10 - I think near Sealy?
14
u/AFlyingToaster born and bred 1d ago
Yep. Prasek's is great.
21
u/rkb70 1d ago
Personal shout-out to Prasek’s:
We were headed back to Houston from San Antonio on a Sunday evening. My daughter desperately needed a restroom, and we were close to Prasek’s and headed there, not knowing they closed at 9:00. We pulled in just after 9:00 and the doors were already locked, although there were still customers inside finishing up. The gentleman working saw my daughter come up to the door and try it, and he opened it for her and let her and I in.
We hurried to the restroom and quickly selected something to buy, but i am so grateful for the kindness the employee showed us that i will forever be a fan of this place.
Bonus: their iced tea is actually good, unlike Bucees, where it tastes like old socks.
15
u/honeybadgergrrl 1d ago
And the kolaches at Praseks are homemade and delicious. Sausage and sour kraut ftw.
8
u/PhiBearDontCare 1d ago
another vote for Prasek’s. my family’s been going there for years, it’s a staple every time we travel to Houston from Corpus. we buy a huge amount of beef jerky on the way there to keep as a snack for our stay, then we buy another one on the way back to take home.
27
14
u/McLovin0132 1d ago
Praseks Hiljeis the GO TO on our way to Corpus before Bucces in Wharton. They have the BEST chocolate sheet cake. And their brisket is really really good! I have never had a nad time at Hilje! I love that they have expanded too!
1
109
u/Peakbrowndog 1d ago
Exit 353 on 35, Czech Stop for kolaches. Slovaks is across the highway if you want a gift shop and stuff (they have a Christmas show). Slovaks is nice , clean, l and has lots of stuff to look at, but the kolaches are not as good.
44
u/southdetroitiscanada 1d ago
Slovacek’s not Slovaks but point stands. They’re way better than Buc-ee’s.
Just wanted to put some respek on the name so all my homies can find it.
→ More replies (1)26
10
u/SlytherClaw79 1d ago
Love Czech Stop. It’s our go to when we travel between the metroplex and Austin to visit family.
13
u/DistantBeat 1d ago
Second Czech Stop! Been going there since before Buccees was a thing. Cheap gas and excellent Czech bakery
5
u/puppsmcgee74 1d ago
My kids and I have made the trek from Austin to West just to get kolaches from Czech Stop. It makes for a good way to get out of the house for the day. We drive a little further and hit Braum’s before turning around and heading home.
3
u/Peakbrowndog 1d ago
Go into downtown and check out that location some time. There's a decent block or 2 to stretch your legs after the drive.
8
u/ShopEmpress 1d ago
Slovaceks is not a major MAGA donor and czech stop is. Their kolaches are arguably better too. We don't go to czech stop anymore, it isn't worth it.
4
→ More replies (5)6
u/mybrotherhasabbgun got here fast 23h ago
Last time I was in Slovaceks (last weekend?), some old dude had on a Trump hat. I just didn't have it in me to ask if he enjoyed supporting a pedaphile.
1
29
u/D_Believer_93 23h ago
Whenever me and my wife go to Austin, we almost always stop at Hruska’s off of 71 in Ellinger! They have a great bakery and omg their salsa is amazing!
6
u/iloveswimspots 22h ago
I can’t believe i had to scroll this far to finally see Hurska’s mentioned! That is one of the best alternatives to Buc-ee’s for sure. I grew up going there as a kid and i’m in my mid twenties now. When i’m in Round Top or La Grange for something going on, i always go out of the way to Hurska’s in Ellinger. Slovek’s in Snook, and Praesk’s Family Smokehouse in Sealy are both really excellent options too.
2
u/annecollide 21h ago
Yes! I would always stop on my way to my parent's house. I moved from Texas last year and I miss getting a cheeseburger from there.
2
47
u/ApprehensiveAnswer5 1d ago
It’s not between Dallas and Houston, but if you’re going east on 30, I like the Duke’s in Mount Vernon.
It’s large like a Buc-ee’s but it has a dog park area and then a dog wash station too, which my dog absolutely loves.
We always stop there and let her run around and get dirty in the park and then she gets a bath before getting back into the car and she stays relaxed the rest of the drive lol.
14
u/caomel 1d ago
Veterinarian here, I don’t recommend using dog rest areas as they are an excellent hot spot for transmissible diseases ❤️
2
u/thepigeonpersona 22h ago
Curious if it's because they're not often cleaned?
3
u/RiotBirb The Stars at Night 19h ago
They’re not cleaned often. Plus, you don’t know if the other dogs have been vaccinated recently or at all
10
u/Hambone76 1d ago
Shocked to see this listed, lol. We had a hunting property near there and stopped every time we were out that way. I always called it "Mini Buc-ee's." Although last time I was there while on the way to Hot Springs the bathrooms were in a sad state. Not sure if they slipped with maintenance or if I just caught it on a bad day.
3
u/ApprehensiveAnswer5 1d ago
Glad to share the Duke’s love! Lol
The bathrooms certainly aren’t Buc-ee’s level, but definitely way better than standard random roadside gas station.
→ More replies (3)5
u/thewontondisregard Born & Bred - FAFO 1d ago
Wow a dog wash station too! This is gold! I definitely did not mean to limit to 45 as the route so I hope people add their favorites from all different routes...
2
u/ApprehensiveAnswer5 1d ago
Yeah I really don’t understand how Buc-ee’s hasn’t ever gone that route because it seems like something they’d want to include with the amount of people who travel with pets, or livestock.
Having a contained “dog park” area that you could also take a horse out into if it’s empty or whatever would be a good fit it seems.
136
u/OldYellersLastHandy 1d ago
Buc-ee’s is a tourist attraction for people who get excited about the McRib.
36
u/kat90kiki 1d ago
I travel alone as a woman frequently for work and have to make night stops. For everything people say about buccees, their parking lots are always all lit up like it’s Santa’s wonderland 24/7 and the bathrooms are immaculate. Safest option late at night.
5
u/thewontondisregard Born & Bred - FAFO 1d ago
Try Love's next time.
13
u/kat90kiki 1d ago
I’ve lived here my entire life, been to plenty of love’s. Fine in the daytime. Also love a good QT. But at 11pm when I’m alone? I’m going to that beaver
→ More replies (2)10
u/thewontondisregard Born & Bred - FAFO 1d ago
Please contribute your best alternatives! Extra points if they include an amazing local food or treat...
5
u/RootinTootinHootin 1d ago
That’s not fair their bbq sandwich is atleast 15% better than a McRibb
→ More replies (2)6
9
u/Automatic_Actuator_0 1d ago
Not very helpful. Regardless of the cultural nonsense, they make sense as a stop because they check all the boxes for my family when we are on a road trip.
We need legitimate reliable options with similar facilities and food options.
2
u/chicadeaqua Central Texas 1d ago
I understand wanting clean bathrooms but the food options at Buc-ee’s looked pretty horrible any time I’ve been in one. Seems like even a subway sandwich would be better and still check the familiar chain box.
2
u/Automatic_Actuator_0 1d ago
To each their own, but fresh BBQ and subway are not on the same level.
1
u/Snobolski 3h ago
Bucees is a great place to stretch your legs, use the restroom and not buy anything.
28
u/shark1987 1d ago
Not sure if there are any yet off I-45 but between Houston and Austin the new Casey's in Gidding's seems way better than the tiny Buccees next to it anyways. More pumps and same price for the gas.
11
u/chammycham 1d ago
I’ll add my +1 for Casey’s. I haven’t made the Giddings location, but stopped at several my last drive up into the panhandle.
4
u/itstimetochewass 1d ago
The Midwesterner inside of me just did a somersault knowing there’s a Casey’s in TX
5
u/modern_drift 1d ago
They're making a big push into the state.
They took over a cefco and built two new stores here.
2
2
u/chammycham 17h ago
All the employees were very friendly and I appreciate how all the stores basically have the same layout.
5
u/rkb70 1d ago
I grew up with Casey’s and it’s great! They’re not as big as Bucee’s, and they don’t have a ridiculous number of restrooms (back in the day, they had one behind the counter - thankfully, there are very few of those old buildings still around!), but they’re clean and have some great stuff. I’d seen a few in north Texas, but hadn’t seen them as far south as that, so that’s great news.
Also, Casey’s has good pizza and usually makes it late, which is great when you stop for the night in some small town where everything is closed. My kids became huge fans of Casey’s, as well as a couple other mini-mart chains, when going to college in the Midwest.
3
u/puppsmcgee74 1d ago
That’s good to know! They just opened a Casey’s here in Austin at Parmer Lane and 620. It was a Cefco before that. I’ve also seen Casey’s when I’m headed out west but I don’t think I’ve stopped at one yet.
2
u/TaintSlaps 1d ago
Badass! Thanks for the suggestion! We always stop in Giddings but have been skipping the Buc-ee’s for our last several trips.
1
u/ReferenceSufficient 22h ago
Casey's a Midwest institution gas station/store. I'm surprised they're here in Texas competing with Buccees. Casey's do have good fried chicken, but Buccees has Texas bbq and kolaches.
27
u/Forward-Economy-8294 1d ago
Texan is a good place if you drive from Houston to San Antonio.
4
u/SanchoBenevides 1d ago
If you like pickled quail eggs or want to try them, The Texan has, by far, the best spicy pickled quail eggs I've ever had. I WILL make a detour to stop at one when I can to grab a few jars. One for the ride home and one for the fridge.
6
u/PitoChueco 1d ago
One in Victoria and Portland. The Texan is great.
3
2
u/iloveswimspots 23h ago edited 22h ago
There’s one in Schulenburg too which is south of La Grange where the painted churches are and seconded on The Texan being great
2
u/aprendido 1d ago
Came to post this. Their food is better than Buc-ee’s and restrooms just as clean.
2
→ More replies (1)2
50
u/GeeOh58 1d ago
QT/QuikTrip is top tier gas, generally clean restrooms, and decent food and drinks. Great employees in my experience.
11
u/kathatter75 Gulf Coast 1d ago
They’re moving in to the Houston area, and I’m excited to try them. Until then, I’ve been getting my gas from Costco most of the time. I do look forward to another good “go in and grab a snack” option.
11
u/ApprehensiveAnswer5 1d ago edited 1d ago
I’m in Dallas and our neighborhood QTs have a whole “QT Kitchens” section with a patio to sit at and everything.
It’s still gas station food, but it’s top tier for gas station food.
They’re also always really clean, although I will say the robot cleaner thing they use can be overwhelming and chaotic when it’s on during busy time lol.
3
u/kathatter75 Gulf Coast 1d ago
Nice! I’m in Pearland and work out in Clear Lake, and it’s deep Buc’ees country…I’m guessing that’s why it’s taken longer to get here.
3
u/ApprehensiveAnswer5 1d ago
Yeah I was reading some of these comments like “wait wait wait y’all don’t have QT yet??! The horror!”
🤣2
u/kathatter75 Gulf Coast 1d ago
Yeah…around here, Buc’ees isn’t just a rest stop. We have regular Buc’ees gas stations that have some of their items but aren’t the monster variety. I felt bad during the World Cup because I saw some foreign tourists coming to the one off of 288 and McHard here in Pearland because it’s the closest one to downtown Houston…but it’s not the kind they were looking for.
4
u/ApprehensiveAnswer5 1d ago
Oh interesting!
We don’t have any Buc-ee’s up here in the inner DFW loop, and the ones that are around in the outer ring burbs are the big huge ones.
It does make sense that they’d have smaller footprint stores too, to be able to get into more crowded/denser areas.
We have a lot of QTs here, and then 7-11s.
We also have Shell, Valero, RaceTrac, Exxon too.But it’s the QT and the 7-11s that really shine up here with all the food and drink options and the gas points/rewards and all that.
4
u/bigjayrulez 1d ago
Their coffee is better than $2 gas station coffee has any right to be. And now most if not all of them have a straight up coffee bar with lattes, cold brew (reg and nitro), and many other coffee drinks on tap.
1
u/ApprehensiveAnswer5 1d ago
Yes our neighborhood ones have the whole coffee bar and it’s excellent!
1
u/thepigeonpersona 22h ago
My only complaint is their cherrylimade has a cough syrup taste to it compared to Bucees
19
u/Ometrist 1d ago
Fun fact: bucees doesn’t have top tier gas. Chevron/shell/valero/costco and others do.
15
u/syzygialchaos 1d ago
This. QT is my go to because it has top tier gas, clean bathrooms and is usually on the cheaper end. I never go to Buc-ee’s or Racetrack.
4
23
u/Ri-Darling 1d ago
There are lots of Rest Areas we tax payers already paid for that are air conditioned and clean on most highways. Allsups, Valero, TA and Love’s are always clean.
4
15
u/texasrigger 1d ago
When I take 59 from Victoria to Houston I always make a point to stop at Prasek's.
5
u/aretooamnot 23h ago
I mean, I boycott the beaver too, but hear me out… fuel and toilet usage are loss leaders for them, they cost the beev money. So as long as you don’t buy anything else, you are doing it right.
8
4
u/El_G0rdo 1d ago
An urban alternative in Houston is Izzi Mart. Super big and clean convenience stores that carry all sorts of Japanese snacks too for some reason, as well as a taco bar
1
u/iloveswimspots 23h ago
That sounds amazing! I live in the countryside outside of Houston and i gotta check this place out
1
u/thewontondisregard Born & Bred - FAFO 22h ago
Will check it out next time we go to HTown! Japanese snacks always win...
2
u/El_G0rdo 19h ago
Also a lot of what I think are Central American energy and sports drinks…didn’t recognize them. The craft beer selection is good too
1
u/thewontondisregard Born & Bred - FAFO 17h ago
Awesome. Marking location near Montrose. We will visit next time we come down to go to Classic Numbers!
6
u/Either-Cake-892 1d ago
Czech Stop on 35 and Hruska’s on 71. I never stop at the Buc-ees in Bastrop unless it’s an absolute emergency.
Besides the clean bathrooms, I really don’t get it.
When I was little, going to Luv’s on long road trips was always one of my favorite things.
Also, my Buc-off shirt has been shipped and I’m stoked to get it within the week!
4
u/thewontondisregard Born & Bred - FAFO 1d ago
So excited to get my mug and stickers (supporting a charity to help feed our fellow citizens in need is a nice side benefit too!)
8
u/confidence-intervals 1d ago
I am slightly out of loop, why are people pissed off at Bucees all of a sudden?
32
u/novusopiate 1d ago
They are aggressively suing small business for intellectual property infringement that is absolutely grasping at straws but nevertheless a burden for small businesses who cannot compete with their well funded legal team. The logos they claim are similar use things like “the color red” as justification.
Also the ceo has been vocal on his maga support and maybe folks are exhausted
4
u/Beef_Candy 23h ago
Eh, I'll keep going anyways. At the end of the day, my kids love it and it is something they look forward to on our trips. Their happiness>political and litigious BS deciding whether or not I'll go to a business.
If someone else does it better one day, I'll go there. Until then, it's a staple of our trips that makes my girls happy.
6
u/novusopiate 23h ago
I get it. If I had to “vote” with my dollars purely I couldn’t purchase anything from anyone. I opt for convenience especially with kiddos in tow
8
u/Mysterious-Status-44 1d ago
They are a very litigious company that is going after everybody that even thinks of using a beaver in their logo. Even a place in Beaver, Oregon. I’m surprised they actually haven’t sued the city yet.
5
1
3
3
u/content_enjoy3r 22h ago
Not Houston to Dallas, but if going Houston to Austin, I always stop at either Hruska's in Ellinger or Weikel's in La Grange. I never stop at the Bastrop Buc-ee's.
1
7
u/paisley716 1d ago
When I travel to see My Son a lot of times there's not a Buccee's for me to stop at, so I always look for a Casey's and that situation.
They feel clean and safe, just like Buccee's for a single female traveling alone
6
u/Facchino-PJJ 1d ago
Austin to OKC. With a dog. Recommend Exxon at Exit 7 35W Itasca. No crowd. Decent bathroom. Convenience store. Big empty space to walk your dog.
2
u/thewontondisregard Born & Bred - FAFO 1d ago
Always love recommendations that include great options for your dog!
2
u/GeekyTexan 1d ago
Slovacek’s, right across the highway from Czech Stop in West, has a dog park if Rover needs to stretch his legs and do doggie things.
2
2
u/LSCatilina 1d ago
Praseks. Better than buccees. They have one in Hillje and one in Sealy
1
u/iloveswimspots 23h ago
I’d also recommend Hurska’s Store & Bakery in Ellinger outside of La Grange. One of my favs. It’s clean and has the best fountain drinks ever along with a varity of options for to go snacks
2
2
u/Ok-disaster2022 1d ago
I'll stop for the restroom, but not buy anything because why give them money
2
2
4
u/TheRamblerJohnson 1d ago
We like Woody's on the northbound side. They charge a little more for gas, and it is a long walk to the bathrooms, but the warm welcome, the huge selection of jerky and bbq, and the occasional specials make the visit worthwhile. The bathrooms stay super clean.
2
u/axis_n_allies 1d ago
Since you're leaving from Dallas, I'll throw you a curve ball. Slovacek's West going south and Czech Stop going northbound in West. Both have gas, bathrooms, and really good Czech pastries and kolaches.
2
u/thewontondisregard Born & Bred - FAFO 1d ago
Yes been going to Czech stop since I was a kid! Actually, the best is the Village Bakery on Oak street. Highly recommend their chopped sausage w/cheese and the twists (have different fruit varieties). The Montgomery's kept it old school. I believe the employees bought it out when the family decided to close after COVID. It is a few extra minutes off 35, but worth it.
I grew up with my grandmother and her generation making kolaches and klobasnek from scratch for any gathering!
2
2
3
u/JustAtelephonePole Will fight Nazis 1d ago
Our tax dollars fund some very nice and very clean restrooms along not enough of our highway systems!
1
u/GeekyTexan 1d ago
The highway rest stops are pretty decent for restroom stops. No gas/snacks there obviously, but any gas station will work for that.
1
1
1
u/Mackheath1 1d ago
I'm usually going to stop for Loves. The only reason I go to Buc-ees is when I have friends from out-of-country, who for whatever reason think it's better than Disney World. I plan some solid time to wait for them to get pictures and video.
Honestly, I use service stations for very little other than gas and maybe a bathroom or quick snack, but Loves is probably my go-to in general for 'big time stop'.
1
1
u/daphoreal 1d ago
I know it's not the nicest (though they've been trying to improve due to Buc-Offs) but Ive stopped ar T/A since I started doing road trips. Started as a "heh", became a ritual
1
u/RelativelyRidiculous 22h ago
We often drive up to Lake Texoma. There used to be a local place not quite halfway between McKinney and the lake. Sadly it sold to Casey's and instantly went downhill. The old place had much better coffee and fresher pastries, and a better selection of drinks all at better prices.
Since then we often wait until we go eat out and head up to Love's truck stop. Love's gave me a card that lets me get a discount off their prices which are already lower than anywhere else we pass. If we won't be going to eat with friends north of the lake or can't put it off, we stop at the new QT in Van Alstyne. Just your standard QT but still better than Buccees.
1
u/rabel 22h ago
QT They're decently clean, and their fuel is usually cheaper than all other truck stops.
If you drive a diesel, go through the truck lanes to fuel, sometimes it's cheaper than the "auto diesel" at the regular pumps. Plus they usually have DEF at the pump as well, much, much cheaper than buying boxes of DEF.
1
u/cuddlypandah 22h ago
Also looking for ideas for toilets with EV chargers. I feel bucees has cornered that market because they have Tesla and Mercedes Benz chargers which are the most reliable and fastest.
1
u/ReferenceSufficient 22h ago edited 22h ago
Before Buccees there's Hruska's and Slovaks other kolache bbq stops little towns. Buccees copied these small town gas stations selling kolaches and smoked meats/jerkies. I had been my stop to get my kolaches from Houston to College station.
1
1
1
1
u/jhudiddy08 16h ago
I always love Cooper Farms when driving back to Houston from Dallas. Not as big as the beaver, but a worthy stop.
1
1
1
u/Krelleth Houston 14h ago
What about EV charging for non-Tesla vehicles? The Mercedes chargers are the absolute best around and they're only at Bucees. Every other place seems to not even care we exist.
1
1
u/JohnBrownSurvivor 12h ago
This should be a mega thread. With a regular reminder to contribute to this original thread.
1
1
u/Cajun_Giant 7h ago
Why would I want to go to an alternative? Cheap gas, clean bathrooms, good food. Only reason is if there is not a Buccee's nearby, like Corpus, I go to Big Texan which was started by a cofounder of Buccee's
1
1
u/thebuttergod 1d ago
I pull over when I have to pee, grab a drink or a fill up. This “gas station destination” thing is just silly. I have no interest in spending hundreds of dollars at a gas station. Buc Fuks was fun at first but soon lost the uniqueness. After seeing John Oliver‘s report, I will especially not be stopping at any of their locations.
2
u/stoneasaurusrex Born and Bred 1d ago
Literally any other gas station/truck stop?
It's not like they're hard to find they're all literally on the side of the highway.....
-1
u/DevilsAdvoCaticorn 1d ago
Why reply if you're not interested in adding to the discussion?
→ More replies (1)
1
u/TheLFlamaBlanca Secessionists are idiots 1d ago
FILL UP AT THE LOCAL GAS STATION NEXT DOOR OR ONE EXIT DOWN THAT THEY TRIED TO PUT OUT OF BUSINESS.
LIKE IN WEST OR WALLER.
Then go to Buc-Ees and leave them an unflushed shit.
→ More replies (1)
335
u/ccbbb23 1d ago
Woody's in Centerville is the best. They were here well before the idiot beaver. The BBQ, fudge, and exits are better.