3 ms·

HEB is loved in Texas (suspiciously absent from NE Texas), but has a pretty great line of private label foods, competitive prices that are usually at or below W

HEB is loved in Texas (suspiciously absent from NE Texas), but has a pretty great line of private label foods, competitive prices that are usually at or below Walmart's prices. For example, when meat prices spiked because national meatpackers had problems, HEB's Texas meatpackers didn't have such high costs (less of a spike). They have to be doing well financially with a decent markup, but the quality is pretty great and other chain grocers usually don't have the same draw that HEB does in markets where they compete.

random-human 4y ago
HEB is sorely missed when I live in or visit other states and go grocery shopping. Beside national brands, they source from quality local small businesses, farms and ranches, and even make a wide range of their own "generic" brand food - including fresh foods like meal-simples (a complete meal for one, ready for the oven w/cooking directions), or even a full bbq joint in some stores. Their Central Market food brand found in HEB's is usually cheaper, fresher and healthier than national brands. But if you want higher end organics in majors cities, their Central Market stores in Austin put the original Whole Foods to shame, IMO. The few times I would go to Randells or Walmart would be during larger holidays when HEB was closed and those stores were generally more expensive, had questionable produce and a disappointing selection of just about everything else in comparison. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H-E-B https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H-E-B
- jen20 4y ago
  Central Market is also in Houston and maybe other places - definitely not just an Austin thing. My biggest complaint is that they don’t take Apple Pay, which I assume means they are doing something scummy with data collection.
- jkqwzsoo 4y ago
  I absolutely agree that Central Market far surpasses Whole Foods. I wanted to add that a major benefit of Central Market is their incredible bulk bin selection. I’m certain that it must be a loss leader, and I haven’t seen one so extensive in any other store. My girlfriend and I go there and pick up spices and tea for dirt cheap. 50¢ to refill a tin with “fancy cumin”, 30¢ to refill a tin with (very high quality, IMO) oregano. $2 to buy a cup (8 oz) of loose tea that lasts us three weeks (and the only other tea they have are expensive tea bags that cost >$6). $1 for some fancy finishing salt. You can shop for a recipe or shop for the pantry. From time to time, their self checkout flags the spices because we’re purchasing 7¢ of something got a recipe. They never complain, though. They have almost every spice, spice blend, dried chili, dried mushroom, rice, bean, grain, tea, coffee, and flour you could want, in addition to baking odds and ends like powdered cheese, chocolate feves, and xantham gum. Coming from New England, I find a lot of the dry goods at Central Market to be equivalent to a Big Y (not a Whole Foods competitor). This is because a lot of their “high end” product is just imported Italian food, which is very common in New England (particularly Connecticut). Their produce, meat, and cheese selection is great, albeit expensive. It can also be hard to find “normal” packaged stuff there. Also, HEB/Central Market in general has been better at weathering supply shortages. During peak COVID, it was the only place in Austin with stuff still in stock.
hunterb123 4y ago
> For example, when meat prices spiked because national meatpackers had problems, HEB's Texas meatpackers didn't have such high costs (less of a spike). Yes, according to a GM I know this is due to them sourcing most of their products within a 100 miles. HEB has the best produce, meats, and food quality overall. Generally the best prices as well. We go to Walmart only for the obscure brand name items or special edition things (as well as non groceries things that aren't practical for delivery) I believe HEB is the or at least one of the largest private companies in the US. They recently bought the Favor delivery app which is the best of them all. You can write in any store and alcohol delivery from HEB is free. Disclaimer: no affiliation with HEB, just one happy patron.
philwelch 4y ago
I’m in the process of moving to Texas from the West Coast and the first time I visited an H-E-B, I felt almost like Boris Yeltsin (cf https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/neighborhood/bayarea/news/article/When-Boris-Yeltsin-went-grocery-shopping-in-Clear-5759129.php https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/neighborhood/bayarea/news...)

random-human 4y ago

HEB is sorely missed when I live in or visit other states and go grocery shopping. Beside national brands, they source from quality local small businesses, farms and ranches, and even make a wide range of their own "generic" brand food - including fresh foods like meal-simples (a complete meal for one, ready for the oven w/cooking directions), or even a full bbq joint in some stores. Their Central Market food brand found in HEB's is usually cheaper, fresher and healthier than national brands. But if you want higher end organics in majors cities, their Central Market stores in Austin put the original Whole Foods to shame, IMO. The few times I would go to Randells or Walmart would be during larger holidays when HEB was closed and those stores were generally more expensive, had questionable produce and a disappointing selection of just about everything else in comparison. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H-E-B https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H-E-B

jen20 4y ago
Central Market is also in Houston and maybe other places - definitely not just an Austin thing. My biggest complaint is that they don’t take Apple Pay, which I assume means they are doing something scummy with data collection.
jkqwzsoo 4y ago
I absolutely agree that Central Market far surpasses Whole Foods. I wanted to add that a major benefit of Central Market is their incredible bulk bin selection. I’m certain that it must be a loss leader, and I haven’t seen one so extensive in any other store. My girlfriend and I go there and pick up spices and tea for dirt cheap. 50¢ to refill a tin with “fancy cumin”, 30¢ to refill a tin with (very high quality, IMO) oregano. $2 to buy a cup (8 oz) of loose tea that lasts us three weeks (and the only other tea they have are expensive tea bags that cost >$6). $1 for some fancy finishing salt. You can shop for a recipe or shop for the pantry. From time to time, their self checkout flags the spices because we’re purchasing 7¢ of something got a recipe. They never complain, though. They have almost every spice, spice blend, dried chili, dried mushroom, rice, bean, grain, tea, coffee, and flour you could want, in addition to baking odds and ends like powdered cheese, chocolate feves, and xantham gum. Coming from New England, I find a lot of the dry goods at Central Market to be equivalent to a Big Y (not a Whole Foods competitor). This is because a lot of their “high end” product is just imported Italian food, which is very common in New England (particularly Connecticut). Their produce, meat, and cheese selection is great, albeit expensive. It can also be hard to find “normal” packaged stuff there. Also, HEB/Central Market in general has been better at weathering supply shortages. During peak COVID, it was the only place in Austin with stuff still in stock.

hunterb123 4y ago

> For example, when meat prices spiked because national meatpackers had problems, HEB's Texas meatpackers didn't have such high costs (less of a spike). Yes, according to a GM I know this is due to them sourcing most of their products within a 100 miles. HEB has the best produce, meats, and food quality overall. Generally the best prices as well. We go to Walmart only for the obscure brand name items or special edition things (as well as non groceries things that aren't practical for delivery) I believe HEB is the or at least one of the largest private companies in the US. They recently bought the Favor delivery app which is the best of them all. You can write in any store and alcohol delivery from HEB is free. Disclaimer: no affiliation with HEB, just one happy patron.

philwelch 4y ago

I’m in the process of moving to Texas from the West Coast and the first time I visited an H-E-B, I felt almost like Boris Yeltsin (cf https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/neighborhood/bayarea/news/article/When-Boris-Yeltsin-went-grocery-shopping-in-Clear-5759129.php https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/neighborhood/bayarea/news...)