Episode 78 Show Notes
Episode 78 Show notes Sat – Nov23
CDL-Llfe Published: November 8, 2024 By Wimberly Patton
Truckers are once again divided over their opinion on Buc-ees
Truck drivers are once again having the Buc-ee’s discussion: Worth the hassle or a shameful tourist trap?
Truckers on Reddit are divided, as always, about the popular, massive, notoriously clean and well-stocked gas station chain one driver called the “the Six Flags of gas stations.”Known for its plentiful, constantly attended restrooms, wide selection of food and beverage options, plethora of merchandise, and even decent wages, Buc-ee’s infamously does not allow semi trucks on their property, and has even been known to escort truck drivers out of the store if they see their rigs. Kwik Trip goes viral for calling out Buc-ee’s ‘no truckers allowed’ policy “My daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter went to a wedding in Tennessee over the weekend. They were thrilled about their experience at Buc-ees. My granddaughter (6) is in love with her new branded water bottle,” wrote the trucker who started the most recent conversation. “I’m a regional driver out of Boston, only driving in New England, so I’ve never actually seen one. So what’s the story? Am I missing out? Should I be happy for them? Or should I be ashamed to have their merchandise in my house?” m Drivers ‘thrown out like trash’ while shopping at Buc-ee’s storeCommenting truckers largely came at the question from one of two sides – Banning semi trucks makes sense due to logistics, profit, and the sloppy tendencies of some drivers, and banning semi trucks is disrespectful to the important job truckers do and the company should be ashamed. Some of the pro-Buc-ee’s arguments include!“Big ass gas station, BBQ, breakfast foods, jerky, shit tons of snack choices, clean restrooms with tons of stalls, no trucks allowed. truckers here will shit on it cause they aren’t allowed to park on their property, but its understandable once you see how much car traffic there is and how dirty some truck drivers are.”“Buc-ees is cool and all, sorta a touristy destination and not a truck stop. I can’t blame the company, keeping up with showers, drivers taking more than 30 at the pumps, piss bottles, garbage bags, constantly repairing concrete, they definitely don’t need the $$ from truckers. Yes I drive a truck daily and there are plenty of other truck stops out there. Trucker stopped at Bucee’s doors even after parking elsewhere “Exactly most truckers will mindlessly bitch about the no trucks policy but fail to realize it would be a nightmare getting in and out with all the cars and the fact a lot of truckers will trash a truck stop quickly.” “They don’t allow trucks, other than the ones that are delivering to their stores, to be on their property. It’s their corporate policy. If you look at the parking lot of most trucks stops, do you really disagree with their decision?”Some anti-Buc-ee’s points include: “It’s overrated. Nice selection of food and crafts, but wayyyy overrated. I only go to the local one when I need non-ethanol gas and I’m near that side of the county.” “If you knew how horrible a company they are, you’d be ashamed to have their branded products in your house.” “They hate truck drivers. They’ll run you off if you try to stop for five minutes to grab a drink/bite to eat. F**k em, I won’t stop there in my personal and give them any support.” “They don’t just not allow trucks to park on their property. They just straight up hate trucks and truck drivers. They don’t even respect the delivery drivers either from a couple of guys I’ve talked to. As soon as they finish offloading product, they have to leave before they get scolded. Not bathroom breaks, no snack acquisition, nothing.” So, the debate continues with no solid consensus reached. To stop or not to stop? That is the trucker’s eternal question.
DID YOU EVER WONDER
Where all the mom and pop truck stops went? Most are gone but, there are a few left if you know where to go.
1) The Americana, I55 Greater Chicago Truck Stop, Chicago
2) Woodys 1950s Diner, Le Roy Travel Plaza, Le Roy, IL
3) Jim’s Truck Plaza, Buffalo, NY
4)Sassys, Sassys Truck Stop, Limestone, NY
5)Used to be a good restaurant at Gilman, IL, K&H fuel stop.
6)Uncle Pete’s in Lebanon, TN
7)Nicks BBQ and Catfish Carlisle, AR
8)J&H Mobil Byron center, MI ( Grand Rapids area )
9)Compass Travel Plaza. Demotte, Indiana.
10)Bigg Boys t/s Kenly NC.
11)I-95 exit 105, just before the big guys. TA/ pilot
sit down restaurant, with good food.
Why would anyone want the hassle of the big truck stops when Big Boys has it all. Large free parking lot, sit down restaurant and the nicest people working there that you ever would want to meet.
12)Used to be a good restaurant at Gilman, IL, K&H fuel stop.
13)Uncle Pete’s in Lebanon, TN
Uncle Pete’s has got to be one of the last old world type of truck stop left. I have had the privilege of meeting Pete in person when the wife and I were travelling in the 5th wheel rv. He is one of the nicest guys you ever want to meet. Down to earth and no BS just there for the drivers. And those coffee cups lining the walls!
14)Southfork in Gurdon AR. i30 exit 63. always my go to stop on my to/from Dallas. Recently remodeled the c-store too.
15)A and A Travel Plaza on US 35 in Jackson OH.
16)All of mine have been named. Big boys, Scotty’s, uncle Pete’s I can add Midway diner although no fuel or services, new smithville diner at the bandit truck stop exit 45 I-78, AC&T Hagerstown,MD, Lisa’s Moriarty,NM I’m sure I’m forgetting some, those are some of my favorites though.
17)Betty’s Truck Stop. It’s like going back in time, in a good way. Exit 74, I-70 about halfway between KC and St Louis.
18)Clearwater Travel Plaza, I-94 x178 (MN 24) Clearwater, MN.
19)Nelson Brothers Restaurant and Bakery on site, good food and the biggest donuts and cinnamon rolls you’ve ever seen.
Good parking lot, #1 diesel available at the pumps year round.
(It was available last year, anyway)….
Anyway thats just a few I found on The Truckers Report .com that drivers were praising.
Shoot us a email or message and let us know your favorite mom and pop place to frequent.
Thanks for stopping by and be safe out there!
