Grocery Stores: What's up (Houston, San Antonio: apartment, house, to buy)

[mimimomx3]

Originally Posted by theloneranger

Don't get the Cali transplants started on this or they will start complaining about that Trader Joe's place.

....will ..... not...type......any....response.....:h amd:

[mimimomx3]

I buy hardly any 'convenience foods', so for me, I have no problem. The quality of fruits, vegetables and grains is wonderful at the farmers markets, WF, CM or even HEB/Randalls. I think they're similar in price on the 'perimeter foods', but you can't beat the local produce of the farmers' markets.

[calel]

I've shopped in Trader Joe's and was incredibly underwhelmed by it. Barely any selection, prices aren't all that cheap unless you're buying ready-made foods and Two Buck Chuck, produce is sparse... I can find just about everything they carry at my HEB Plus these days.

[oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots]

I really like farmers markets but can you tell me what the difference is from the fruits and veggies at the store? Do they do something special to them? I gotta tell ya, we've been eating more fruits and veggies than we ever have before because I cannot believe how fresh and wonderful they are here. And I vote for a Meijers in Hutto.

[mimimomx3]

The produce at the farmers' markets is locally grown. They are picked when they're ready to sell. Most produce is picked when still immature and put on a truck. You can really tell the difference, especially with things like tomatoes.

[mlassoff]

The OP makes a good point. This is something I haven't really paid attention to... Back home in Connecticut, it wasn't uncommon to have two or even three competing grocery stores in a town of 30 - 40K. I think the quality of produce varies quite a bit from store to store. I eat a lot of produce when I am in town and I think the quality of the produce at my neighborhood HEB-- 45th and Burnet-- is awful.

This is one more thing to look forward to when I get back home-- Super Stop n' Shop!

[love roses]

Originally Posted by oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots

I really like farmers markets but can you tell me what the difference is from the fruits and veggies at the store? Do they do something special to them? I gotta tell ya, we've been eating more fruits and veggies than we ever have before because I cannot believe how fresh and wonderful they are here. And I vote for a Meijers in Hutto.

I'd vote for ANY grocery store in Hutto. Don't care if it's HEB or not

[latikeriii]

I miss Sun Harvest, I used to shop there quite a bit when I lived in Austin. Small store but good prices and a decent selection. Super Wal-mart is HEB's biggest threat, they will probably take some of the market share but what may happen is Randall's will fall victim like Albertson's and exit the market all together leaving Super WM and HEB as the 2 main grocery chains. Target is not building anymore Super Target stores, the Greatland stores are more practical and profitable.

[capcat]

Originally Posted by mlassoff

The OP makes a good point. This is something I haven't really paid attention to... Back home in Connecticut, it wasn't uncommon to have two or even three competing grocery stores in a town of 30 - 40K. I think the quality of produce varies quite a bit from store to store. I eat a lot of produce when I am in town and I think the quality of the produce at my neighborhood HEB-- 45th and Burnet-- is awful.

This is one more thing to look forward to when I get back home-- Super Stop n' Shop!

There are better HEBs than the one at 45th and Burnet. That one was never very good. When we lived in that area, I could always count on them being out of some basic item, which changed all of my plans. I quit planning and just waited until I saw what they had.

I'm not a big HEB fan, though. For one thing, their steaks are tough. As far as chain groceries go, there is a world of difference in Randall's steaks. I do like HEB's prices and some of the HEB brand products, just not sure it's enough to make me go out of my way to go there.

Mostly, I dislike any chain's superstore versions. It adds about twice the time and aggravation to shopping.

[atxcio]

Well, there actually is no HEB at 45th and Burnet... I assume people are talking about the one at Burnet & Allandale Rd (2222). And I have always wondered why that one seemed so bad. The neighborhood to the west was always very good, and to the east of there gentrified long ago. I guess there are some older apartments in the area, especially towards Lamar. Still, though, that HEB is horribly dated and in need of a complete overhaul. What a contrast to the original Central Market just down the road.