I just wanted to start a stupid little thread because I think the HEB at Westheimer/Fountainview is the best grocery store in the city. No, I don't work for HEB, one of their subsidiaries or any of their suppliers. I work in an unrelated business a block away and do my shopping there. The produce is good and fairly cheap. Likewise, the meat is also good. The butcher, fish-monger and deli have good quality stuff. Their bakery, unfortunately, is not good. They have a good variety of stuff with competitive prices all around. I usually get depressed shopping at other stores ("$1.69!? It costs $1.29 at HEB!"). And, they often have some interesting exotic foods as well. Too bad every other HEB I've been to sucks. In second would be the Fiesta on Old Katy Rd. Cheap and good produce and a good butcher, but trails my HEB in other regards (also excepting the bakery). Central Market earns some special mention because they have some good quality stuff, but they price themselves out of the competition. The same, to some extent, goes for Whole Foods (though their prices are a bit more understandable given their lefty approach). No one else I've been to ranks because they are either ordinary or just plain bad. My problem now is that I live on the near southeast side of town and all the grocery stores near my house are terrible. I wish HEB would build another good store on my side of town.
Best Prices - HEB Best Employees/Customer Service - Randalls Best Place to use coupons - Kroger If I am in a bad mood, i tend to go to Randalls so I don't get pissed off as easy. If I am in a good mood, I go to Kroger. Overall, Kroger's employees pretty much stink. This is coming from someone whose mother is an executive with them. If Kroger could take a lesson from Randalls on presentation and customer service, they would be the overall best.
I setup the computer's in that HEB's pharmacy before they actually opened last year. Next time you're in there walk by and admire my work
I am a CSM at Kroger. I also double up, and work in the dairy. I hate Kroger employees, especially the checkers and the Sackers, and I hate the managers. The Managers suck ass. Especially mine. If you think I hate the employees, I hate the customers the most. b**** and whine, b**** and whine. Especially the old people. I swear at the grocery store, the adults act like f'ning children. I thought the price was this and that. Look you dumbass, you didn't look at the right shelf. I have to be at work in 20 minutes now.
My favorite is easily Central Market. After that, I like Whole Foods, that fiesta on old Katy Road, and the big new HEB in Friendswood. I'm also partial to Hong Kong Market....even though the place can be somewhat funky smelling. That, and the fact that the rats are brave enough to roam the main floor instead of staying back in the storeroom like at most respectable stores.
Central Market, if you've got cash to spend. I personally can't walk out of there without spending at least $60. My office is very close to it so that makes it very tempting. Each time I go, I always spend an extra $25 on coffee, wine and cut flowers. HEB, on the whole, for produce. Freshest and best prices. Belden's at Chimney Rock & South Braeswood for meat and kosher/Jewish stuff. And, last but not least, my backyard for the best damn tomatoes and eggplant this side of the Mississippi!! 3 kinds of peppers, cucumbers, Basil, Rosemary and Italian Parsley as well. Just call me FarmerMan Tex!!!!!
Man, I forgot about the Chinese grocery stores. Now, because of my own peculiarities, I can't really do my shopping at Hong Kong Market or that Welcome grocery store. But, they are fun as hell to browse through. Harrisment, I'll check it out. I have to say I've never much even looked at the counter of their pharmacy. I had to wrack my brain to remember they had one.
Those stores can't touch the prices of Wal-Mart Supersenter (or at least that is what my wife tells me!)
That one is near me. What do you like about that store, because it doesn't do anything for me. Actually, my biggest complaint about it is that they slice their meat too thin. I've been told this is very common in Mexican diet so I guess they're staying true to their profile. But, it drives me crazy. Walmart is on my boycott list. They've been driving grocery stores out of business, mostly in small towns but also up in north Houston near my folks. And while obviously their prices are cheap, they often sell meat and dairy of a lower grade than customary.
Kroger employees might be a-holes but it's still my favorite now that Albertsons is gone. Albertsons had everything. I'm all about the Kroger self checkout line. Everyone is afraid to use it at the Heights location on 11th. I'm in and out of there in a matter of minutes!
From what I experienced before the Smeg World Tour: HeyPee Cookout, the Rice Epicurean on Westheimer was pretty simple and efficient. Though, any business that stocks a variety of the planet's most perfect water has my vote.
When I am in Kroger, I like to walk by the self serve checkout line and give the people a glare to make them feel like they are stealing.
