# Buc-ee's - world's largest service plaza **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 29, 2023, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309 "2023-06-29T19:36:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2025, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/141 "2025-06-11T16:19:50Z")
When Ikea opened in Phoenix-metro it was the same thing, big crowds for a while so my sister-in-law, **DesertRoomie** , and I waited about six months before visiting to see what all the fuss was about. DR and I started laughing and had to explain to SIL why. We both played _The Sims_ and with its simple graphics and – unintended – open-source software literally thousands of fans were making content for the game including a lot of furniture. We were recognizing a lot of Ikea’s offerings from the game. On reflection it made sense. Most of the modders were young and had more time than money. They were merely making the furniture surrounding them. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2026, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/142 "2026-03-29T15:47:59Z")
Bumped. [_The Hill_: Newest Buc-ee’s to open soon: Where are other locations planned?](https://thehill.com/homenews/nexstar_media_wire/5806367-newest-buc-ees-to-open-soon-where-are-other-locations-planned/) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/143 "2026-03-30T02:59:25Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I’ll be dead before the one in Arkansas opens… So… how are you feeling? > **[Buc-ee's construction making progress in Benton, local leaders get firsthand...](https://katv.com/news/local/buc-ees-construction-making-progress-in-benton-local-leaders-get-firsthand-look)** > > The first Buc-ee’s in Arkansas is getting closer to opening in Benton, and local leaders recently got an inside look at the progress.On Wednesday, Saline County ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/144 "2026-03-30T03:06:47Z")
I went to a Buc-ee’s not too far outside of Houston when I unexpectedly visited Texas last December. I found it was largely a positive experience. The place was clean, including the restrooms, there was plenty of decent food and junk to purchase (I bought an ugly Christmas sweater), and the staff was friendly and efficient. I bought a ton of crap including some beef jerky that’s still sitting in my pantry. Going to Buc-ee’s won’t change your life or anything, but if you’re going to stop for fuel and snacks anyway it’s a great place to stop. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/145 "2026-03-30T03:19:27Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Bumped. That article notes that there will be one opening in Wisconsin (just south of Milwaukee) next year, which would be, AIUI, by far their northernmost one. It’s right on the route I take to go up to visit my parents, so it may well become a typical stop for me. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/146 "2026-03-30T03:51:34Z")
> [@Ponderoid](#): > > I mostly stopped driving long distances in the early oughts. Are they newer than that? I’d never heard of them either until I read about how [they sued another travel plaza chain for daring to have an animal mascot too… and won.](https://www.loweringthebar.net/category/legal-system/jury-system) The good ol’ alligator. My wife and I stop there every time when we’re on our way home from San Antonio. Their mascot is now a cowboy, but we still call it the alligator store. It doesn’t compare to Buc-ee’s, but it’s in a really good location for those on I-37 south heading to Corpus Christi, and of course location is everything. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/147 "2026-03-30T04:24:51Z")
> [@FlikTheBlue](#): > > Their mascot is now a cowboy, but we still call it the alligator store. Buc-ee is a beaver. The cowboy is a Texas thing where they dress in cowboy attire and chop up the brisket. Not sure if that is going to happen in Wisconsin. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/148 "2026-03-30T05:32:03Z")
They have new lawsuit with a Moose logo. Who do they think they are? An alligator now a moose? They can’t copyright the whole animal kingdom. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/150 "2026-03-30T06:37:07Z")
Welcome to The Dope but… huh? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/151 "2026-03-30T10:39:41Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > They can’t copyright the whole animal kingdom. If you have enough more money than the other guy you can wield lawsuits as if you own the whole animal kingdom. And that’s usually good enough. That’s exactly how McDonald’s has managed to control substantially all commercial use of the “Mc” prefix. Which they didn’t even coin. Might(y dollars) makes right. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/152 "2026-03-30T10:59:57Z")
Problem is that there is no other mascot than the beaver, never has been. Not sure why people are confused about that, it was taken from the founder and present owners nickname. Buc-ee’s - Wikipedia [Buc-ee's - Wikipedia](https://share.google/Ic1GNdSSlX8Jq7pEK) ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/153 "2026-03-30T11:02:31Z")
So you’re saying “All your beavers are belong to us?” ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/154 "2026-03-30T11:05:16Z")
No, but I could love about a million beavers. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/155 "2026-03-30T11:08:40Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > Buc-ee is a beaver. The cowboy is a Texas thing where they dress in cowboy attire and chop up the brisket. Not sure if that is going to happen in Wisconsin. I meant the store that got sued. It’s a regular stop for me. They had to ditch the alligator in favor of a cowboy. They do have barbecue, but usually it’s being chopped up by someone who looks and dresses like a stereotypical “lunch lady”, not someone dressed like a cowboy. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/156 "2026-03-30T13:22:29Z")
Eat a beaver and save a tree. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/157 "2026-03-30T13:27:48Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > Problem is that there is no other mascot than the beaver, never has been. Not sure why people are confused about that, it was taken from the founder and present owners nickname. I’m not sure what point you’re making, nor whether it’s a sneaking joke going over my head or you’re serious. Yes, Buc-ee’s has a beaver as their mascot and always has. For reasons legitimately related to the founder’s life. And yes, Buc-ee’s has been suing other truck stops with non-beaver mascots for daring to use a cute-ified cartoon non-beaver animal as a mascot. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/158 "2026-03-30T13:29:43Z")
**Moderator Note** > [@DesertDog](#): > > Welcome to The Dope but… huh? Spam. He’s been wished away to the cornfield. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/159 "2026-03-30T13:42:33Z")
[![](https://i.imgur.com/BZLkAXV.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/BZLkAXV.jpeg) … ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/160 "2026-03-30T13:48:54Z")
It’s a good life. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/161 "2026-03-30T14:02:28Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > So you’re saying “All your beavers are belong to us?” [![](https://i.sstatic.net/nGMrD.gif) ](https://i.sstatic.net/nGMrD.gif) The Buck-ee’s is a good place to get cheap gas (or a cheap charge), use the facilities and grab some lunch. My only complaint\[1\] is that they don’t have any slaw for the barbecue sandwiches. That’s just wrong. * * * 1. Other than the crush of humanity, who just need to get the hell out of my way - I’ve got to pee! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309.md?page=9)