If you’ve ever pulled off the highway into a Buc‑ee’s, you know what to expect: ultra-clean restrooms, giant selection of snacks, the legendary Buc-ee Beaver mascot, and a hot-food counter that momentarily makes you forget you’re in a convenience store (massive though it is). Now, that hot-food counter just got a meaningful upgrade. The Texas-born chain has quietly introduced two new mac-and-cheese bowls: one stacked with smoked brisket, the other with pulled pork—and they’re already turning heads.
At a store in Sevierville, Tennessee, a small red “NEW” sign flagged the arrival of the two dishes: Brisket Mac & Cheese and Pulled Pork Mac & Cheese. According to “Southern Living,” the brisket version is the standout: “The smoky-sweet sauce on the tender pulled brisket beautifully balances the creamy, savory macaroni and cheese.” The pulled-pork version reportedly gets high marks too: “The meat is tender and juicy with a great smoky quality that is hard to get without…artificial smoke flavor.”
Price-wise, each bowl comes in around $7.99 at the Sevierville location. Portion size is reportedly fairly generous, as this is a “stick-to-your-ribs” type meal that will fill you up quickly. Splitting one might be a good call if you’re planning to eat it as side with plans to put away a sandwich or burrito too. One caveat noted by “Southern Living” reviewer, Kimberly Holland was the lack of a crunchy topping. The author mentions wishing for a breadcrumb topping to add a little “textural contrast,” but notes the practicality at a convenience-store hot-tray counter means steam-bath conditions that would likely limit that option.
If this new Brisket Mac & Cheese from Buc-ee’s in Sevierville, TN tastes half as good as it looks, I think I’m in for a very big treat. pic.twitter.com/RTLgKBSeOq
— Don Helbig (@DonHelbig) October 14, 2025
Why Stopping at Buc-ee’s Is Worth It
So what makes this moment worth a road-trip detour? For starters: It’s proof that Buc-ee’s isn’t resting on its laurels. The chain is known for its vast snack racks, outrageous souvenir selection, and as Holland points out, is “open 24/7 like the jolliest amusement-park without a single ride.” But hot-food innovation in the convenience space is rare. The introduction of a lavish mac-and-cheese entrée with premium smoked meat shifts expectations of what you’ll find as grab-and-go options at most highway stops. This is no lonely mystery sausage, rolling under a heat lamp for an undisclosed period of time.
Second: for the road-tripper, Buc-ee’s new Mac & Cheese options deliver satisfying, indulgent comfort-food without needing to stop at a sit-down restaurant. “Love it, we [tried it] when passing through Hillsboro, TX. The cheese was very creamy and flavorful, and goes extremely well with the brisket,” a Facebook reviewer stated. When you’ve been behind the wheel a while, it’s a nice step up from the usual cold sandwich or hours-old microwaved burger. The brisket and pulled pork mac get enthusiastic thumbs up.
So far, availability remains somewhat limited. The “Southern Living” suggests that only a few locations in Texas and Tennessee currently have the new offerings. So if you spot them, it’s worth trying. If not, keep your eyes peeled for them to land at your nearest Buc-ee’s.
If you’re planning a road trip and you pass by a Buc-ee’s, consider making a deliberate stop—not just for gas and restrooms, but for a seriously satisfying mac-and-cheese upgrade. The brisket version alone is a strong argument for exiting the highway. For BBQ lovers, it might even be worth rerouting.
