Yes, it’s a giant gas station, so why are we writing about Buc-ee’s even though it’s opening a couple of hours away from NoVA in Rockingham County? Because it’s the best darn gas station ever! That, and this first Virginia location will be a preview for the one that’s planned for much-closer Stafford County.
When the Rockingham location — which is slated to open on June 30 — broke ground early last year, no less than Gov. Glenn Youngkin showed up and posted about it on his social media.
“Today’s groundbreaking represents 200 jobs and an investment of more than 60 million dollars in Rockingham County. I look forward to stopping by for some Beaver Nuggets soon!” Youngkin said.
Although Beaver Nuggets may not sound appealing, they’re actually one of the many foodstuffs that draw dyed-in-the-wool fans to Buc-ee’s. The Buc-ee’s in Rockingham will be 74,000 square feet, plenty of room for racks of the corn puff snacks, but so very much more.
I first visited a Buc-ee’s nearly a decade ago when I lived in Houston. It took me a while to get out of the confines of the city because the service centers take up so much real estate that they simply can’t fit anywhere but on gigantic lots of off highways. Think of it as Sheetz or Wawa on HGH injections.
The best things about Buc-ee’s for a food writer like me are the barbecue sandwiches and kolaches. The ‘cue is legitimately high-quality, with just a hint of smoke. Kolaches? They’re fluffy, lightly sweet Texas-Czech pastries that may be filled with anything from cherries to smoky sausages and cheese. Also among my favorites: What writer Joanna O’Leary called an “Overpriced Fudge Omakase” for an article I edited for Houstonia Magazine. Trust me, it’s better than it sounds, despite the gas station markup.
But there are reasons to stop at Buc-ee’s even if you already have meal plans. The expansive bathrooms are decorated in local art and are reliably spotless. According to FOX5DC, the Rockingham location will also be home to 120 fueling stations, 600 parking spaces, and 20 electric vehicle charging stations.
Is it worth a trip on its own? Probably not. But if you’re passing through Rockingham County on Interstate 81, it’s definitely the place to stop for a kolache, one of myriad varieties of jerky, and a clean restroom.
Feature image, JHVEPhoto/stock.adobe.com
