Buc-ee’s is a Texas-based chain of travel centers renowned for their large size, extensive offerings, and commitment to cleanliness. Founded in 1982, Buc-ee’s has expanded beyond Texas, with locations in multiple states, including Florida, Alabama, and Georgia. Each store often spans over 50,000 square feet, featuring numerous fueling stations and a vast selection of merchandise. Buc-ee’s is particularly famous for its exceptionally clean restrooms, a hallmark feature that has garnered a loyal customer base.
Buc-ee’s offers a wide array of products, from freshly prepared foods like brisket sandwiches and kolaches to unique snacks such as Beaver Nuggets. Among its diverse product offerings, Buc-ee’s is celebrated for its extensive selection of beef jerky, referred to as the Wall of Flavors. The chain offers a variety of flavors and styles, catering to a wide range of tastes. This Buc-ee’s Beef Jerky brand is distributed under the name of Buc-ee’s Ltd., located in Lake Jackson, Texas. This jerky is manufactured by Junior’s Smokehouse, and is located in Highlands, Texas.
The first review on Buc-ee’s Ltd. will focus on a 4 ounce/113 gram bag of Bohemian Garlic flavored beef jerky. This bag was purchased at a Buc-ee’s travel center in New Braunfels, Texas.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Water, Brown Sugar, Salt, Natural Flavorings, Monosodium Glutamate, Sugar, Soy Sauce Powder (Wheat, Soybeans, Salt, Maltodextrin), Sodium Nitrite.. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat
The beef used is not guaranteed to be free of growth hormones or additional antibiotics. Also, the beef is not guaranteed to have at least partial free range access to graze on grass. As a result, the highest ingredient rating that can be awarded is a Good (8/10) rating.
The liquid marinade is comprised of just plain old water. The soy sauce is in powedered form.
The vague term natural flavorings is used, which can contain healthy and unhealthy ingredients.
The sugar level is acceptable at 2 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is a high at 580mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky to lose a rating. Our preference is 350mg of salt or less per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky does not qualify to have no sodium nitrite added as sodium nitrite is used outright as a preservative to lose a rating. This jerky does not qualify to have no MSG added because monosodium glutamate is used outright to lose another rating.
Average (5/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
BUC-EE’S BEEF JERKY – BOHEMIAN GARLIC BEEF JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell something, but I have no idea what it is. The jerky strips are small to medium in size, and they are sliced medium to thick. The jerky is dry and rather rigid, exactly as our forefathers intended. There is no oily residue.
When I bite into the jerky I immediately taste salt, mild sweet, pepper, at a decent level, and I am picking up on the garlic flavor, it is not intense, but it is definitely noticeable.
This jerky is quite tasty, actually, and I have noticed a few sesame seeds on the jerky. Not sure what the bohemian means, but a very favorable flavor nonetheless. I can, with confidence, rate this flavor of jerky a definitive 10/10.
Here is what Mark had to say about this Bohemian Garlic beef jerky flavor from Buc-ee’s Beef Jerky: “Thanks Paul for the positive taste review. I agree that this jerky possesses a certain addictive quality. Not for the taste of garlic though, which is light to mild tasting at best. The taste of natural beef is at a normal level with no hint of being processed tasting. The strongest flavors are salt and pepper, where this flavor could pass for a peppered flavor, which is a good thing in our books.”
“Another flavor that stands out is the smokiness in the background, which blends in very well. Add in a light soy flavor and sweetness, and that pretty much sums up this flavor. The overall taste profile works out well, with no deficiencies. I suspect what makes this jerky addictive is the MSG, which by definition, enhances the flavor. With Paul at a 10 and myself at an 8, a Very Good (9/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 4 ounce/113 gram bag of jerky sold for $8.99, which equates to $2.25 an ounce. That rates as a cheap price.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This plastic, resealable bag has everything imprinted on the front and back. The Buc-ee’s logo displays a beaver wearing a red baseball cap.
There are no slogans displayed on this bag. The only fact printed is “Made from Solid Strips of Beef”.
Some missing bag categories are soy and wheat allergen alerts, and the jerky brand name not being displayed on the front. A good blurb is printed on the back about this jerky.
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