In the South, Front Porch Sittin' is as much science as it is art. We gather with neighbors, family, and friends to discuss the finer points of life, like the weather, whatever shenanigans the young folks are up to, and upcoming community events. PJ Media's front porch is a VIP community, and we'd love to have you pull up a chair and a cold beverage. If you aren't a member, consider this your personal invitation! Click this link and use promo code FIGHT for 60% off a whole year across all of our sites.
Gas prices have been painfully high, but that thought wasn't nearly as gut-wrenching as searching for airline tickets for my kids and me to go from eastern North Carolina to Dallas-Fort Worth. $1,800 and a layover in Charlotte? No, thank you. Throw in the issue of delays and, apparently, airline employees interfering with ICE arresting people? I'd rather spend two days in the car, please and thank you.
Number 10: Cookies & Cream Cookie Bites
I'm starting with my son's favorite Buc-ee's sweet treat, the odd mash-up of Whoppers and Oreos. The first time I tried these poppable bites, I expected the crunchy cookie to be on the outside with a cream center, but Buc-ee's pulled a fast one on me and put the chocolate Oreo cookie in the middle and the creamy layer on the outside. No malted milk, thankfully, but a delightful inside-out sandwich cookie. Sold in a movie candy-style box, it's easy to contain the mess, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Number 9: Ranch'n Crackers
It's interesting that my daughter, who loves all things sugar, opted for this zip-top bag of mini crackers. Ranch'n Crackers are humble oyster crackers blasted with ranch powder, and I mean blasted. I thought the bites were too salt-garlic forward, but I would have no problem crumbing them down to coat chicken or pork. Even putting them in tomato soup or on a wedge salad would be dynamite. Straight out of the bag, though? That's a struggle for me.
Number 8: Sour Power Candy Belts, Assorted Flavors
Sour Punch Straws were a staple in my high school days; I loved that they were truly sour and delightfully chewy. These long, thin strips of candy have an even better texture because they retain the chew without the goo. I am addicted to this treat so much so that I have to exercise extreme restraint to not finish the entire pouch in one go. If sour candy is your jam, you owe yourself to try this Candy Wall item.
Editor's note: Sour Power Candy Belts now have a special place in college baseball history.
Number 7: Buc-ee's Nug-ees, Bold & Spicy
Beaver Nuggets get a lot of hype, but they're too sweet for me. I prefer the orange and yellow bag of corn puffs that are the crunchy version of pimento cheese. Cheddar, paprika, cayenne, and just enough salt to make you dip into the bag again and again, Nug-ees scratch the chip itch but with more bang for the buck. There's a new cheddar-habanero flavor that is dominantly cheese with a kick at the end; side-by-side, I still prefer the Bold & Spicy variety.
Number 6: Rice Crispy Treat—Fruity
Imagine half Rice Krispies and half Fruity Pebbles, bound in holy cereal matrimony with marshmallows and butter. The fake fruit flavor is not strong enough to leave a film in your mouth thanks to the puffed rice, but there is also enough new flavor to elevate the usual rice cereal treat. I've had the salted caramel combination, and it's a bit too decadent for me; the confetti-colored bar, though, strikes the right levels of nostalgia and indulgence.
Number 5: Peach-Jalapeño Jelly
This isn't exactly a road trip snack, per se, but I cannot go into and out of a Buc-ee's without one jar of this sweet and spicy condiment. If I can find a box of graham or club crackers, I'll dip right into the jar. At home, there are two sure-fire ways you'll see me using it: one, poured over cream cheese and served with crackers, or two, thinned out with a little apple cider vinegar and chicken stock and used to baste pork chops or chicken thighs. It is a lovely balance of sweet and savory that I cannot imagine having in my personal stores.
When I was on the 2013/2014 campaign trail, I did all of my Christmas shopping at Buc-ee's. I was driving all over Texas for work, out the door before 6 a.m. and back well after midnight, so the 24-hour "truck stop" was necessary. It should be noted that Buc-ee's has prohibited 18-wheelers from its properties entirely. My mother loved her countrycore aesthetic serving platter; my father was pleased with the array of grilling spices; my siblings were gifted cheeky travel mugs with personality-driven snacks stuffed inside. Buc-ee's has been around for a long time, and I am glad the rest of the country is getting to enjoy it.
Number 4: Brisket Taco
Watching tortillas be rolled, pressed, baked, and flipped in an all-in-one machine behind plexiglass is a joy I've had since I was a child. If I were limited to just one kind of bread for the rest of my life, it'd be a flour tortilla. When Buc-ee's decided to stuff a house-made flour tortilla with their smoked, lightly sauced brisket, I knew I was going to make a habit of it. Yes, there are options for eggs and cheese, but all of that unnecessary. Honestly, the only thing I wish they'd offer is onions and pickled jalapeños, but I get why they don't: limited space, limited time, and catering to every single whim is not ideal.
Number 3: Korean BBQ Beef Jerky
Are you as particular about beef jerky as I am? I don't want it so dry it hurts to chew, nor do I want it so flavored that I forget the fact it's beef. Buc-ee's Korean BBQ jerky is consistently tender and delicious. If you've never had this flavor profile, it's soy sauce and ginger with a hint of garlic and maybe a smidge of brown sugar; it is not spicy. The Steakhouse option, personally, is at the bottom of the list. It tastes like a steak that came out of the kitchen well-done and was sent back for being too raw. Try the Korean BBQ and let me know what you think.
Number 2: Pecan Brittle
Pecan (puh-CON, not PEE-can) is both the official tree and nut of Texas, so it's only fitting that our state mascot supply a pecan brittle. I love pecans for their buttery, sweet flavor, and toasted sugar is one of my favorite flavors of all time. If for some reason you've never had brittle before, it's sugar, corn starch, salt, and a little water boiled until it's a rich caramel color, poured out, and studded with nuts (usually peanuts); when it cools, it hardens into a crunchy candy. Peanut brittle is a little saltier, but pecan brittle has a deeper flavor.
Number 1: Sausage and Cheese Kolache
Say it with me: koh-lah-chee. This sausage and cheddar item is popular for breakfast but is suitable any time of day. I love the sharpness of the cheese against the juicy, seasoned sausage link, and when it's all wrapped in a sweet dough, it's perfection. Not only is it easy to eat with one hand, but it's also not bad at room (car?) temperature. If you want a little heat, go for the jalapeño option; the pepper is in the sausage, not the cheese, and only one slice on the bread to indicate its contents. In the spirit of honesty, I've never had the boudin filling because I've never seen the need to try it. The sausage and cheese kolache is a hug straight out of central Texas.
Czech and German influences in the Texas Hill Country are stout; when immigrants came over after the Civil War, they brought their traditions and recipes with them. Thank goodness they came through the port at Galveston and moved north into the state. Because of these folks, we have chicken fried steak, a rich legacy of smoked meat, and entire debates about potato salad.
Next week, no, we won't be debating potato salad (I have that — and a recipe — saved for another day), but I will take you off the beaten path in Texas to a destination you really should have on your list of places to visit. My kids start 1st and 3rd grade next week, so I'll need a pick-me-up reminiscing about our two-week adventure in my beloved Lone Star State. Who do you know that needs to chime in on a Texas experience? Get them signed up for a VIP membership, and let's reconvene here next week on The Front Porch.
