Go inside the new Buc-ee’s crowned the world’s largest gas station

AND A BATHING SUIT. FOLKS FROM ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY STOPPED TO CHECK THIS OUT. >> THIS MORNING THE LARGEST GAS STATION IN THE WORLD IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO THE GREAT SMOKEY MOUNTAINS, THE BUC-EE'S IS SUPER SIZED WITH 120 GAS PUMPS, MORE THAN 350 EMPLOYEES AND A LARGER THAN LIFE BEAVER MASCOT THAT CAN BE SEEN FOR MILES ON THE INTERSTATE. >> Y'ALL, BUC-EE'S IS THE MECCA OF THE SOUTH. >> BORN IN TEXAS IN 1982, THE CHAIN EXPANDED ACROSS THE SOUTH, BECOMING A FREEWAY PHENOMENAL, OFFERING TRAVELERS MORE THAN JUST A SPOT TO FUEL UP. >> LET'S SEE WHAT ALL THE FUSS IS ABOUT. >> WHAT IN THE WALMART GAS STATION? >> Y'ALL, I THINK I'M IN LOVE. >> WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE BUC-EE'S? >> A TRAVEL DESTINATION. >> Reporter: THESE DAYS PEOPLE ARE TAKING THEIR TIME TO ENJOY THE AMENITIES THAT GAS STATIONS HAVE TO OFFER, SPENDING 16 TO 24 MINUTES PER SPOT. SOME WILL DRIVE UP TO 24 MINUTES OUT OF THEIR WAY TO VISIT A STATION. >> LET'S GIVE IT UP FOR ANGELA! >> Reporter: ANGELA CALLS HERSELF A TRUE SOUTHERN GIRL AND IS BRINGING YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE KITCHEN TO BUC-EE'S. HER TO WORKER, MINDY, WORKED 16 YEARS AS A TEACHER, LEAVING THE CLASSROOM FOR A WHOLE NEW EXPERIENCE. >> I'M FROM ARIZONA. WHEN I HEARD IT WAS COMING IN, I WAS LIKE, WHAT IS A BUC-EE'S. >> WELCOME TO BUC-EE'S. >> Reporter: SCORING POINTS FOR THEIR FRIENDLY STAFF. >> EVERYBODY IS SO NICE. I LOVE IT. >> Reporter: BATHROOMS AND THEIR BARBECUE. >> CHOPS, BRISKET ON THE BOARD! >> WE SLOW SMOKE IT. WE SEASON IT UP. WE INJECT IT AND WE GET IT OUT TO THE STORE. AND WE SLICE IT UP FRESH FOR YOU RIGHT IN FRONT. >> Reporter: THE DIRECTOR OF BARBECUE OPERATIONS HANDED ME MY OWN BUC-EE'S BADGE. NOW I'M AN OFFICIAL. AN HONORARY PIT MASTER FOR THE DAY. AND PUT ME TO WORK MAKING THEIR SIGNATURE BRISKET SANDWICH. >> YOU GOT THIS. LOOK AT THAT SANDWICH! >> Reporter: AM I HIRED? >> YOU'RE IN. >> Reporter: SO, YOU GUYS, I THINK I FOUND A NEW SIDE HUSTLE. AND, LOOK, I FOUND A NEW FRIEND AS WELL. NOW THAT THE STORE IS OFFICIALLY OPENED, WE'RE TOLD IT WILL NEVER CLOSE. IT IS A 24/7 OPERATION. YES, I AM STANDING AT PERHAPS THE LARGEST GAS STATION IN THE WORLD. BUT THIS IS JUST TEMPORARY. I'M ALSO TOLD THERE IS ANOTHER BUC-EE'S STORE UNDER CONSTRUCTION NOW THAT'S OVER 75,000 SQUARE FEET. >> THAT LOOKS COOL. >> IN FACT, WE HAVE A LITTLE BUC-EE'S RIGHT HERE IN THE PLAZA. THIS GENTLEMAN RIGHT HERE. >> TENNESSEE WELLS. THIS IS MY WIFE MANDY. >> HI, GUYS. >> ONE OF MY FAVORITE T-SHIRTS I GOT FROM BUC-EE'S IS AN, ALL WHO WANDER ARE NOT LOST. >> THAT SOUNDS GREAT. >> THESE ARE OUR FAVORITE GAS STATION SNACKS. WHAT DID YOU PICK, AL? >> I PICKED THE PUFFY CHEETO. >> CRAIG? >> I PICKED THE BEEF JERKY. >> WHAT ABOUT YOU? >> I PICKED BOURBON. >> I PICKED DORITOS, BUT WHEN I SAW THIS CHEXMIX, I REGRETTED IT.

Channel: TODAY

Views: 1,302,244

Keywords: Al Roker, Entertainment, Food, Hoda Kotb, International News, Money, Natalie Morales, Savannah Gutherie, Sports, Style, Today, Today Show, breaking news, concerts, domestic news, health, home, interviews, media, parents, pets, politics, shopping, weather

Id: WksA55t6f9o

Length: 4min 13sec (253 seconds)

Published: Mon Jun 26 2023