GOOD STOCK
H-E-B sweeps Food & Wine list of best supermarkets in U.S.
H-E-B is no stranger to celebrations.
If one were to cast a Hollywood film based on grocery chains (hey, 20 years ago, a Barbie movie would have seemed farfetched, too), surely Nick Offerman could stand in for the ever-practical Hy-Vee. The more patrician Erewhon might be the juicy role that forces Gwyneth Paltrow out of retirement.
But the character of H-E-B could only be played by Meryl Streep — feigning surprise at the camera as her name is read. The homegrown grocer is practically buried in plaudits but can’t help but smile when it gets recognized one more time.
The latest comes from Food & Wine. Earlier this year, the long-running magazine named H-E-B at the top of its list of the Best Supermarkets in America. The locally based business bested regional giants like Publix and Wegman’s and cult faves like Trader Joe’s.
For those already converted, the editors didn’t offer much new insight to chew on. Texans buy the in-store tortillas in bulk and squeeze limes via turquoise Cocinaware. For those who still think Publix’s Havana Bold sub is equal to that excellence, however, it was a comeuppance.
Only two other chains operating in Texas made the Food & Wine list — the aforementioned Trader Joe’s and bulk cheese puff depot Costco. Neither H-E-B-owned Central Market nor Austin-based Whole Foods Market made the list, though it’s unclear whether those more upscale stores met the “supermarket” qualification.
For those keeping score, H-E-B is sweeping awards season. Also in February, the grocery snatched Amazon’s spot atop dunnhumby’s Top U.S. Grocery Retailers list and dominated Newsweek’s Most Trusted Grocery Retailers in America rankings. It might be time for H-E-Buddy to start working with a stylist.
Leche de Tigre came out on top for Restaurant of the Year.Photo courtesy of Leche de Tigre
Jefferson Bodega closed after five years.
Jefferson Bodega/ Facebook