I have a shocking announcement that may cause some loyal Buc-ee's customers to choke on their beaver nuggets:

They're just gas stations.

I realize what I'm saying is heresy to Buc-ee's backers, who'll be lining up to chew me out. I'm aware the Texas-based convenience store chain has 56 locations around the country, with more in the planning stages.

I'm aware that in my home state of Florida, the Buc-ee's location in Daytona Beach has been attracting more visitors than the famed Daytona International Speedway. I'm aware there are lots of sites on social media where people can go to rave about Buc-ee's plentiful gas pumps, clean restrooms, tasty brisket sandwiches and consumer goods, many bearing the likeness of the chain's Bucky Beaver mascot.

I'm even aware that during the World Cup, many foreign visitors went a little bonkers for Buc-ee's.

Buc-ee's hype is as excessive as the jerky selection

I'll concede the brisket is pretty good. For a barbecue snob who's lived much of his life in Memphis and Nashville, that's quite an admission. And some of the highway billboards are really clever.

As for the rest of it, the hype far exceeds the reality.

Having dozens and dozens of gas pumps at each........

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