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Arts & Entertainment

5 of Texas' craziest gas stations (complete with longhorns, a Laundromat and lots of beavers)

In Texas, where everything is bigger, we've got plenty of abnormally large and odd gas stations.

Editor's note: This story was updated Feb. 21, 2018 with Fuel City openings in Haltom City and Saginaw.

In most states, gas stations are not really a destination (or bucket list item) unless you're really low on gas. In Texas, however, where everything is bigger, there are several abnormally large or unusual gas stations. Many Dallasites are familiar with Fuel City, but that's just one of a number of far-from-traditional gas stations in Texas.

Blanca Ponce checks out customers at Fuel City.  Behind her is a stuffed brown bear, one of...
Blanca Ponce checks out customers at Fuel City. Behind her is a stuffed brown bear, one of the many unusual features at the gas station.(Rex C. Curry / Special Contributor)
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Fuel City

Just because a lot of us already know about it doesn't mean it shouldn't make the list. A nearly $4.5 million investment, it's famous for its tacos (some even say they're the best they've ever had). But the 24/7 Dallas location also offers karaoke opportunities, a car wash, a swimming pool and even live animals. What's more Texas than eating tacos while looking at live longhorns? Plus, the gas is always cheap and there are locations in Mesquite, Haltom City and Saginaw.

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801 S. Riverfront Blvd, Dallas; 2175 S. Town E. Blvd., Mesquite; 1715 Haltom Road, Haltom City; and 1080 S. Blue Mound Road, Saginaw.

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Fox Fuels

Fox Fuels is not only a gas station, but also a laundromat and much more.
Fox Fuels is not only a gas station, but also a laundromat and much more. (Sarah Chavey)

Fox Fuels' most unusual feature may be its 24-hour Laundromat,  but that's far from the only attraction. Fox Fuels has TVs, cheap tacos and gas, and a bizarrely large number of fancy chandeliers. Did we mention the doughnut and ice cream shop? It makes sense to let people do laundry at the same place they can fill up their gas tanks, grab meals and watch a bit of television. And, like Fuel City, there are two Fox Fuels locations.

3603 Marvin D. Love Freeway, Dallas and 10110 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas. 

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Beaver Nuggets are one of the biggest sellers at Buc-ee's stores.
Beaver Nuggets are one of the biggest sellers at Buc-ee's stores.

Buc-ee's

Almost the size of a Wal-Mart, Buc-ee's sells snacks,  real food (note the brisket sandwich and the fudge) and a version of just about everything with its grinning beaver mascot on it. As GuideLive's Brentney Hamilton wrote about some of the popular snacks, "In this crazy mixed-up world, Beaver Bites and Beaver Nuggets are things you actually want to encounter." It's not uncommon to see customers walking around with a shopping cart filled with unusual items, such as a Texas-shaped waffle iron, Texas-themed purses, and more.

There are 25 different Buc-ee's locations. The closest ones to Dallas are at 506 Interstate 20, Terrell, and 15901 Interstate 35W, Fort Worth.

Czech Stop

If you stop at Czech Stop, you have to get kolaches, pastries with a variety of filling options. Good service makes the long lines move quickly, and there are other Czech cuisine and sandwich offerings beyond the kolaches. In a city named "Czech Heritage Capital of Texas" and "home of the official kolache of the Texas Legislature," Czech Stop promotes the Czech heritage and spirit.

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104 S. George Kacir St., West. 

Slovacek's Food

Just a five-minute walk away from Czech Stop, Slovacek's also boasts delicious kolaches. Arguably cleaner and typically less crowded, Slovacek's is much newer than Czech Stop. It  has frozen yogurt and fudge stations, a Beer Cave with a unique selection of pivo (beer in Czech), whole baby dill pickles and a meat market with renowned sausage. Have your best four-legged friend along for the ride? There's a dog park, too.

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214 Melodie Drive, West. 

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