Texans Must Read This Love Letter to H-E-B
You may love Trader Joe's. Or think you're a Publix Superfan. But have you met a H-E-B enthusiast? Better yet, are you one of the many proud Texans who live, breathe, and 'cue H-E-B? Lone Star State friends, you are not alone.
In a recent article published on Eater, writer Priya Krishna pens a lengthy essay devoted to her obsession with the San Antonio-based grocery chain, which has locations all throughout Texas, and also in parts of Mexico. So what makes H-E-B so special? Above all, Krishna argues, is its Texas pride and roots.
"The story of H-E-B seems unoriginal, as far as cult grocers go: A family launches a store in a small town a long time ago (in this case, the Butt family, in Kerrville, Texas, in 1905). That store earns a loyal following and expands throughout the region (Texas). It becomes known among its fans for its wildly dedicated employees (many have worked there for 30-plus years), top-notch customer service (only at H-E-B will someone hand you a freshly baked tortilla to snack on while you shop), and unique food products (hatch chile cookies!)," Krishna's eloquent composition begins.
Later, she points to the distinct sense of Texas pride that permeates all of H-E-B's outposts. "An employee at a San Antonio location tried to convince me that the Texas-shaped tortilla chips are superior because the unique silhouette, with its handle and curved ridges, was practically made for scooping up salsa. A shopper from Schulenburg, who regularly drives 25 miles to visit her nearest H-E-B, told me that she fills her grandchildren’s Christmas stockings exclusively with Texas-shaped novelty items purchased at H-E-B stores." Amen!
Perosnally, we're big fans of this amazing Southern woman who has worked at H-E-B for 53 years and the company's plan to add several hundred new jobs in the Austin area.
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If you're still not sure what the H-E-B craze is all about after reading Krishna's fine ballad, we can only assume you're yet to visit — or all your exes live in Texas.
