Friday, May 29, 2009

Ode to the Nugget

We've discussed the ways in which my new job has increased my vocabulary. But words are not the only way my job has expanded my horizons. No, my friends. Today I had the experience of a lifetime. I ate lunch at Buc-cee's.

As in the gas station.

My friend Gardale sent an email saying he was going to run to the Buc-cee's in Madisonville and get a graduation present for his nephew. I know what you're thinking - "Wow. Lucky kid to have an uncle like that . . ." - but Buc-cee's t-shirts are pretty cool and Gardale wanted to get him one. And he was going to grab a bite to eat at the deli there so my trial partner, Christina, and I decided to go along for the ride. Look, we've exhausted all the other lunch options in Huntsville so we were up for the change, ok? Don't judge us . . .

Have you ever been to a Buc-cee's? It's a pretty unique place. It's basically a gas station but it's really big and REALLY clean. Their stores are really bright, happy places and their bathrooms are legendary. They have lots of home decor items. Yes, I said home decor items. And they have a gazillion bags of goodies like chile lime peanuts, chocolate covered pretzels, honey roasted almonds, etc. As my snack drawer has been a little bare lately, I decided to load up. I found a bag of honey roasted sesame sticks and a bag of honey roasted almonds. I saw a bag of "Beaver Nuggets" and was mildly curious but didn't pick them up. Instead, I went over to the deli and ordered my panini.

We got to the register and were informed that they were unable to process credit or debit cards at this time. Since we didn't have cash, a manager directed us to a "debit machine" a/k/a ATM machine. We went and stood in the line of the "debit machine" and found ourselves behind a young girl who was wearing a criss-cross bra under a shirt with an open back. I thought "how classless." And then remembered I was holding a panini from Buc-cee's . . .

We got back to the register and I was about to pay when suddenly I found myself face-to-face with another bag of Beaver Nuggets. I asked the lady what they were and she said "They are hard to describe. They're like little balls of goodness." Christina overheard this from the next register and laughed to herself. She knew that "little balls of goodness" was all I needed to hear. I was sold.

We got back in Gardale's truck and, as we were all curious about these little balls of goodness, I opened up the bag. The glorious smell of butter and sugar wafted through the air before we tasted our first nugget. We each popped one in . . .

I never thought these words would ever be uttered from my lips . . . I love Beaver Nuggets.

They are like a heavenly mix of so many different flavors. It's as if Captain Crunch, caramel popcorn, and a syrup-soaked pancake had a baby. Gardale contemplated turning the truck around to go hug the lady who recommended them to us but we didn't want to stop eating them long enough to hug anyone. That's what Beaver Nuggets do - they command all your love and devotion. I'm not kidding.

So this lunch trip definitely expanded my horizons. I mean, I've eaten gas station food when I'm on a road trip but I've never gone to one as the actual lunchtime destination. It was a first for me and I'm glad I did it. And in case you're wondering . . . The panini was ok but I'd probably get something else next time. The sesame sticks actually tasted like a gas station - like if you could actually bite into a gas station. So that was a disappointment. And the honey roasted almonds? You know, a big bag of almonds might SEEM like a good idea but, really, it's not. But the Beaver Nuggets?

They have changed my life.

8 comments:

Alana said...

Now there's a winner!!

"Beaver Nuggets: The Balls That Changed My Mouth Forever"

Emma said...

I LOVE Buc-cee's!!! I'm cracking up.....so many parts of that story. First, the part about that being the actual lunch destination....that someone thought to themselves, 'it's lunchtime, think I'll hit Buc-cee's'!!!! Too funny, one of my favorites, Catchy!

Unknown said...

One of the funniest!

Jill said...

Ok, so last night Gardale, me, G's mom Betty, Derek and Tam were all sitting around the dining room table and Gardale was telling us about the Beaver Nuggets. At which point we all started giggling (or tittering) like sixth grade girls. Well after talking about the nuggets for a while and laughing, Betty asked, "What are they called again? Beaver nuts?" OH...MY...GOSH...We laughed so hard we were wiping tears away. Good stuff. Great post!!!

Unknown said...

Next time I stop at Buc-cees on my way to San Antonio I will have to have a bag of little balls of goodnes with my sweet nectar of life. (This is DP sometimes and MT Dew at other times)

steph said...

You're killing me! Too funny :).

Joley said...

Catherine! I truly believe we're soul sisters. We go through Madisonville on the way to Crockett (like 45 miles out of the way) to go to Buc-cees specifically for the Beaver Nuggets. We like to think of them as Corn Pops on crack!

Catherine said...

They ARE Corn Pops on crack!! That's a great way to describe them. Aaaaaaaaaaand I think you'll pass a Buccee's in Luling on the way to Kerrville . . . is that the Hallelujah Chorus I'm hearing?