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Initially, I thought it was just a rest stop for long-distance drivers, but the excitement in people's messages piqued my curiosity. Standing amidst the sea of people from all over the world at Buc-ee's in Fort Worth, Texas, I realized that it wasn't simply a gas station or a giant convenience store, but had become a cultural icon of Texas, a place anyone wanting to understand the region should visit at least once.
The unique history of a name
From afar, the image of the beaver wearing its distinctive red hat appeared on giant billboards, signaling that I was entering the world of Buc-ee's. Founded in 1982 in Lake Jackson, Texas, the brand started as a small shop but has grown into a cultural icon of the state, a "lone star."
Buc-ee's was founded by co-founders Don Wasek and Arch "Beaver" Aplin. The name "Buc-ee's" was created by Arch Aplin by combining his childhood nickname "Beaver," his pet dog's nickname "Buck," and the image of Bucky the beaver – the famous cartoon mascot of the Ipana toothpaste brand.
The souvenirs all feature the image of the beaver, Buc-ee's iconic symbol.
Texans pronounce this name by stretching out the final syllable to "Buc-eeeee's," a kind of local pride that tourists will quickly learn when chatting with locals—if you don't use Siri to search Google Maps without stretching out the final syllable, it will show you a different location.
The first thing that surprises visitors when they step into Buc-ee's isn't the size of the store, but the vibrant atmosphere inside. During the World Cup, it's like a miniature stadium where the colors of dozens of countries blend together. Fans in England jerseys stand alongside Mexican families, Dutch supporters in their bright orange shirts jostle with Japanese tourists looking for souvenirs with a distinctly Texas flavor.
Dutch fans dyed Buc-ee's orange.
The lively atmosphere is evident right from the center of the restaurant, where large signs advertising popular dishes like brisket, sausage, turkey, and pulled pork hang high above visitors' heads, while below, a long line of people patiently wait their turn to enjoy the freshly prepared BBQ.
If there's one place that truly embodies the famous saying, "Everything is bigger in Texas," it's Buc-ee's. Not only does it boast one of the world's largest gas station chains, but it's also famous for something seemingly ordinary: its restrooms. A sign proudly displaying "World-famous restroom" serves as the brand's official source of pride.
For many consecutive years, Buc-ee's has been voted the cleanest restroom in America, and after seeing the spacious, gleaming space and the constantly cleaning staff, I understand why many tourists take photos in front of this area as if they were standing in front of a famous landmark.
I've heard that people have analyzed consumer psychology, and when traveling long distances by car, the first thing people will definitely do is stop at the restroom, even though it's still a dreaded experience for many. Once they've relieved themselves and felt satisfied and refreshed, they'll be more likely to spend money there.
The toilets here are said to be the cleanest in the world.
But the real heart of Buc-ee's lies in the food court, where the aroma of BBQ and Texas-style smoked meats permeates the spacious area. Under the gleaming metal lights, a pretty young woman in a cowboy hat swiftly slices perfectly grilled brisket. Each slicing of the knife through the tender, juicy meat creates a distinctive sound, while the smoky oak wood aroma blends with the Texas BBQ sauce, making it hard for anyone passing by to resist the urge to admire the food, even if they don't buy anything.
Interestingly, whenever a new batch of meat comes out of the oven, the staff all shout out the name of the dish in unison to announce it to the customers. The shouts are full of energy, creating a feeling like a small, wild American West ritual. During the World Cup season, these cheers sometimes blend with the football cheers of international tourists, creating a very special atmosphere that is hard to find anywhere else.
In the adjacent area, tortillas are continuously handcrafted to serve Buc-ee's famous Tex-Mex-flavored burritos. The nimble hands folding, toasting, and transferring the tortillas to the counter demonstrate the incredible scale of operation of a place that was once simply called a "rest stop."
One of Buc-ee's most famous specialties is "beef jerky"—Texas-style beef jerky. Dozens of different flavors are available in endless rows of stalls, from traditional black pepper, teriyaki, and honey to spicy versions inspired by Mexican or Korean cuisine. For many Americans, a cross-state road trip wouldn't be complete without a few packs of Texas beef jerky to snack on or take home as a gift.
Where football brings people closer together.
What I remember most about Buc-ee's isn't just the food or its enormous size, but the unexpected encounters I had today. While taking photos, I was struck up in a conversation with Lee White, a young man from Europe.
It turned out he was an English fan from Bolton, a city near Manchester, home to my favorite team, the Red Devils. I mentioned Bolton Wanderers and a few other Premier League clubs, and his face immediately lit up. We talked about football, about the packed stadiums of England, about following the Three Lions at the World Cup, and about Lee's first time in Texas. For him, Buc-ee's was a stopover to learn about America; for me, it was a place where football connected strangers.
The author and Lee White, a World Cup fan from England.
The Castro family, Mexican-Americans, came to support the World Cup.
Another conversation took place with the Castro family, a Mexican-American couple from Oklahoma. Upon learning I was from Vietnam, the grandfather enthusiastically recounted his time working with many Vietnamese colleagues in the construction industry. His son even asked to take a commemorative photo with the "journalist from Vietnam." In that moment, geographical distance seemed to disappear, and the World Cup fulfilled its greatest mission: bringing people closer together.
Throughout the store, images of the adorable Buc-ee's beaver appear on every souvenir item. The red stuffed animals that children hug, the tiny keychains that international tourists buy as gifts, and the tote bags printed with the famous mascot are all traveling with tourists all over the world.
Alongside these are countless products imbued with the American spirit, from flag decorations to tea sets, gift boxes, and household items. During the World Cup season, these stalls display the Buc-ee's logo as a subtle introduction to American culture for millions of international visitors.
Buc-ee's owns one of the largest gas station networks in the world.
The 2026 World Cup also gave Buc-ee's a new role as the city of Fort Worth launched shuttle bus routes connecting the area to the Fort Worth Zoo, downtown, and major transportation hubs, making it easy for visitors to continue their journey to attractions or travel to Arlington or Dallas to watch the big games. Thanks to this, Buc-ee's has long transcended the concept of a gas station or convenience store and become a real destination on the Texas tourism map.
As I left Buc-ee's late in the afternoon, I looked back at the crowds still pouring in from various directions. Some had come for a BBQ sandwich, others to buy souvenirs, and some simply to see for themselves the place their friends had talked about so many times. And then they all left with the same feeling: they had touched a very vibrant part of Texan culture.
Perhaps that's why, amidst the most exciting World Cup season on the planet, Buc-ee's still manages to be a memorable destination, no less impressive than any other stadium…
