Texas-sized travel center: Another "Buc-ee" is coming to Wisconsin

Channel3000 News ^ | November 12, 2023 | Eric Franke

[Diana in Wisconsin]

KATY, Texas -- It's really to Texas what Culver's and Kwik Trip are to Wisconsin. You run into any Lone Star State transplant in Wisconsin and they'll tell you they miss Buc-ee's more than anything else. But soon, they won't have to.

This spring, the Texas-based travel center announced for the first time that it would be venturing into the great north, setting up shop in along Interstate 39/90/94 in DeForest, WI.

It left many wondering: what's the big deal? Just another truck stop?

Others more familiar with Buc-ee's told us for Wisconsinites, this could be life-changing.

Interested in finding out for ourselves, we embarked on a 24-hour journey from Madison to Katy, Texas, and back to truly see what Buc-ee's was all about.

The Katy store is an eye-opener. Upon arrival, we were greeted by more than 120 gas pumps, and then we lost count at about 30 Tesla charging stations. In Katy, alongside the world's longest car wash -- which measures in at 85 yards -- are more than 30 vacuum stations.

When you go inside, you see what really sets Buc-ee's apart. The food offerings are not only extensive -- they're unique, freshly prepared, and truly give you a taste of Texas.

It's got all the typical road-side truck stop and convenience store offerings one one end, but also has many freshly cooked options. It offers basically every baked good imaginable, and you can also watch employees carefully handcraft fudge.

From a sweet treat for the road known as Beaver Nuggets to a Texas take on the Czech pastry the "kolache," there is pretty much something that everyone will find to eat at Buc-ee's.

But what Buc-ee's is really known for is its brisket.

"You know the same brisket you get here is low and slow brisket that's got that peppery smoky bite that is absolutely delicious," award-winning Buc-ee's barbecue pitmaster Randy Pauly explained.

"You can order whatever you want on a day's notice," he said, "or you can order a whole brisket and we'll wrap it up."

One end of the store is like going to a souvenir shop, loaded with gifts of the season. The other end looks like a larger than life convenience store. In between are the goodies and barbecue pit, where the crew behind the counter has become known for their chants alerting patrons that a fresh batch of brisket is nearly ready for their consumption.

During our visit to Buc-ee's in Katy, we met the Chocolek family, who have a home in Siren, Wisconsin, but often visit their daughter Jennifer in Katy. One of their first stops is usually Buc-ee's.

"When we moved here and they were building it," Jennifer said, "everyone was like crazy about this gas station, and I didn't understand what the big deal was, but now we do."

She calls it the "Disneyland of gas stations," and that's a pretty accurate description.

The Buc-ee's planned for the Madison are follows a pattern of recent store locations. Just off Exit 126 about 16 miles north of the Beltline interchange, Buc-ee's is set to sit on land recently annexed into DeForest from the town of Vienna. It also will be about 45 minutes south along the interstate from the Wisconsin Dells.

Buc-ee's has built other new stores recently a similar distance from tourist areas in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Branson, Missouri, and Williamsburg, Virginia.

"I would say the majority of people that we've heard from are thumbs up, go, excited," DeForest planning administrator Brandi Cooper said. "They've heard of it, you know, the word is spreading, I think the name is being branded by word of mouth at this point."

Still, there are concerns about what such a massive facility could do to local businesses.

"That's something we take into consideration when any proposal comes in," Cooper said, "how is it going to affect the village as a whole.

On the flip side, it will mean hundreds of jobs in the store, hundreds more during the construction phase, and even full hotels for up to 90 days while trainers settle into Wisconsin to get the DeForest Buc-ee's staff up to speed.

Ultimately, Cooper feels the net impact on the community figures to be a positive one.

"Other businesses that are around there could be affected maybe initially," she says, "the locals being curious about what's out there, but I would say that tourism may be driven to Buc-ee's, but local traffic and things like that will still support the smaller businesses."

Some hurdles remain, but it appears that construction could begin as early as spring of 2024. Company officials tell News 3 Now it takes about 16 months to complete a Buc-ee's travel center. That pegs a finish date potentially as early as fall of 2025.

Pauly can't wait to bring this taste of the Lone Star State north to Wisconsin.

"From clean restrooms, to a delicious, affordable meal, to gifts, to the swag, you blend that all together, and you got Buc-ee's, and I'll tell you -- it's coming," he said.

Bucky the Badger, meet Buc-ee the Beaver.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

"Good road trip food."

When Dad & Grandpa wanted to 'make a day of it' and we'd all cram into the station wagon for a seemingly ENDLESS ride to a BORING location like a Car Factory tour or a Fishing Museum they'd shut us 'women folk' up with a stop at Howard Johnson's for Ice Cream. Sis and I would spend most of the trip deciding what flavor cone we would have; they had SO MANY to choose from! Grandpa's choice never varied: Butter Brickle.

Now they're both gone and what I wouldn't GIVE to be trapped in the car with them both for the day, going anywhere. *LOVE*

[chuck allen]

Buc-ee’s has lost me after they recently discontinued their Buc-ee’s Overbites. That was the best Dark Chocolate covered Reese’s Cup ever. A hockey puck sized Dark Chocolate Resse’s Cup. $5 bucks each and I would get 10 when I stopped, it was the only reason in I stopped. The other food and stuff is ok but the Overbites were to die for.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

This will be Wisconsin’s 2nd Buc-ee’s. And, yes. There was a LOT of tooth-gnashing over building the first one. Kwik Trip, which is like 1/100th of the size and amazingly awesome has Total Customer Loyalty...and that’s been well-earned. These ‘Mega Stations’ are for people passing through.

The locations for these monstrosities (in any Midwest state) are usually farm land near the Interstate that’s owned by an Old Farmer that doesn’t want to farm anymore and is given Top Dollar for their land.

I can’t fault them for that. Living life next to an Interstate Highway must be Hell on Earth. They’ve served their penance. ;)

[dfwgator]

How many people drive through Wisconsin?

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“Which is basically grossly overweight and heavily tattooed.”

I know! You can just go to any Walmart for THAT, LOL!

[dfwgator]

My fear is eventually it will put The Czech Stop in West out of business, where I always go to pick up Kolaches when I drive back to DFW.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“How many people drive through Wisconsin?”

Tons! You’ve got your well-to-do Flatlanders coming up from Illinois to ‘recreate’ here; they won’t go any farther ‘Up Nort’ to Canada because...BEARS!

And you have the Chicago/Minneapolis run through Wisconsin, moving drugs, prostitutes, ammo, illegals, more drugs, more illegals, more prostitutes, more ammo and cigarettes.

What? You think Buc-ee’s Corporate Heads don’t do their RESEARCH before plunking down a store? LOL! ;)

Criminals appreciate a clean bathroom too, ya know! *SMIRK*

[dfwgator]

LOL.

Now you have to worry about those Lions from Michigan. ;)

(It was beautiful to see Lions fans taking over SoFi Stadium yesterday)

[Liz]

[chuck allen]

That’s the Overbite, the Dark Chocolate ones were just awesome and they discontinued. I think they had Milk, Dark and White Chocolate ones. You can only eat half of one.,

[Diana in Wisconsin]

It’s been easy to hate on the Lions all these years, but it ain’t braggin’ if you can FINALLY do it!

Both UW Badger football and the Packers are really stinking up the state this season. Ugh!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I was even willing to become a pseudo-NY Jets Fan this season to watch Rodgers play, but he screwed THAT up for me, too!

I might have to become a Pickle Ball Fan or something. College and NFL Teams are deserting me this season! Brewers, too - with Counsell leaving to coach DA CUBS of all teams!

*Rolleyes*