Buc-ee’s Leeds, Alabama — Our Home Away from Home

On Saturday, July 19, 2025, just days after the grand opening of the Brunswick, GA store, Karla and I found ourselves back at one of our favorite Buc-ee’s stops — Leeds, Alabama. While we may visit Leeds every month, each trip feels like coming home to family. This store holds a special place in our hearts, and this visit was no different.

Sharing Stories and Smiles
We were eager to share our Brunswick adventure, complete with photos, with Windy and Matthew, the general manager at Leeds. Their smiles and excitement made us feel like we were reliving that grand opening all over again. Matthew and his team run a store they can truly be proud of — spotless, friendly, and filled with the kind of hospitality that makes Buc-ee’s famous.

A Breakfast Tradition
No visit to Leeds is complete without my traditional Buc-ee’s

breakfast, and this one hit all the right notes:

• Brisket taco — smoky, savory, and generously packed
• Beaver tots — perfectly fried, perfectly salted
• Buc-ee’s House Blend coffee — rich, hot, and deeply satisfying
• Texas Squeeze orange juice — my favorite way to toast the morning

It’s the kind of breakfast that doesn’t just fill you up — it fuels your day.

Taking a Taste of Buc-ee’s Home
Before heading out, we made sure dinner was taken care of Buc-ee’s style:

• Sliced brisket — tender, juicy, and packed with flavor
• Loaded potato salad — creamy, hearty, and full of bite
• Coconut cream pudding — the sweet finish every BBQ meal deserves
• Half-pound of dried peppered beef from the jerky bar — my go-to road trip snack

That’s the beauty of Buc-ee’s: you can have a legendary meal right there or take it with you and make the magic last a little longer.

The Warmest Hugs in the Buc-ee’s Family

We’ve met incredible people at every Buc-ee’s we’ve visited, but Leeds holds the crown for the biggest and best hugs. It’s more than customer service — it’s genuine friendship. Walking into Leeds feels less like stepping into a convenience store and more like dropping by to visit old friends.

Buc-ee’s Leeds will always be a touchstone for us. It’s where road trips begin, where stories are shared, and where Texas hospitality is alive and well in the heart of Alabama.

Keep snackin’. Keep smilin’. Keep travelin’.

Brunswick, Georgia Buc-ee’s Grand Opening — A Taste of Texas on the Georgia Coast

July 1, 2025 marked a milestone for Buc-ee’s fans across the Southeast — the grand opening of the brand-new Brunswick, Georgia Buc-ee’s! Karla and I made the trip to be part of the celebration, and what a day it turned out to be.

The air was filled with excitement (and the mouthwatering aroma of BBQ) as guests poured in to explore the massive new store. From the moment we stepped through the doors, we were greeted by that unmistakable Buc-ee’s blend of energy, friendliness, and Texas pride.

Meeting Buc-ee’s Legends

One of the biggest highlights of the day was meeting Arch Aplin III, the founder of Buc-ee’s. We had been looking forward to this for years, and the moment didn’t disappoint. Arch graciously signed my treasured March 2019 issue of Texas Monthly and posed for a photo with us — courtesy of our new friend Randy Pauly, Director of BBQ, who, by the way, takes a fantastic selfie. Arch’s daughter, Katherine, also signed our copy of Buc-ee Goes to School, instantly turning it into a family heirloom.

We also had the pleasure of meeting Randy Pauly himself — the legend of BBQ — and Jim Mills, Director of Culinary Services. Randy’s warm personality and quick humor matched his reputation, and Jim and I had a wonderful conversation about Buc-ee’s food philosophy, the bakery, and the art of the perfect jerky recommendation.

The People Who Make Buc-ee’s Special
Buc-ee’s is famous for its spotless stores, delicious food, and endless merchandise, but it’s the people who truly make the experience. On opening day in Brunswick, we met:

• Alicia & Serena — friendly and efficient at the registers
• Haley, Becky, & Karen — merchandising pros who keep the shelves stocked and inviting
• Michael & Jess G — jerky bar experts who know their flavors inside and out
• Rhonda, Tara, & Maria — baking up fresh, irresistible treats
• Charlotte — serving up fudge that could melt anyone’s resolve
• Kelly — keeping the coffee flowing for early-morning and road-weary guests

Every single one of them radiated the kind of hospitality that turns a simple store visit into a memory.

Food Highlights — and a Bakery Favorite
If you know us, you know we never leave Buc-ee’s without sampling something delicious. Brunswick delivered in spades — from smoky, tender BBQ to the addictive treats at the bakery. Karla fell head over heels for the blueberry scones — soft, buttery, and bursting with fruit. Add in fresh fudge, a perfectly brewed cup of coffee, and a jerky bar that could convert even the pickiest eater, and you’ve got a recipe for pure happiness.

Buc-ee’s: More Than a Pit Stop
As we told Arch that day, Buc-ee’s is more than just a road trip stop for us. It’s a taste of Texas — a reminder of home that we carry with us wherever we go. Every location we visit feels like a small reunion with the Lone Star State, and Brunswick was no exception.

We left that day with our arms full of goodies, our hearts full of joy, and our travel plans already pointing toward the next Buc-ee’s adventure — Mississippi, Virginia, and Amarillo are all on our radar.

Until then, Brunswick will hold a special place in our Buc-ee’s story — the day we met legends, made friends, and experienced Texas hospitality deep in the heart of Georgia.

Keep snackin'. Keep smilin'. Keep travelin'.