This Southern Grocery Store Has Been Crowned the Best in the Country, and It's No Shock to Us!

Texans have let us in on a few (dozen) secrets. brisket, Dr Pepper, Whataburger, ranch water, and Blue Bell top this list, of course, as classic representations of Texas innovation and long-standing hospitality. There’s Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Big Bend National Park, and the pecan groves of San Saba to consider, as well.

The Lone Star State is one of endless possibilities—in food and adventure—with a healthy dash of down-home kindness. Exemplifying some of the best that Texas has to offer is one famous grocery store with hometown pride: H-E-B.

In the South, we call H-E-B an “if you know, you know” type of establishment. If you’ve had a chance to browse the grocery store’s many aisles, you'll see local Texas brands plus many beloved in-house products. Take H-E-B’s freshly made tortillas and perfectly zingy guacamole, for instance. (One editor considers the guacamole her best hosting shortcut.) These store products rival the best brand names. It’s no wonder that, in a national survey, H-E-B took first place for the best grocery store in the country.

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As reported by KHOU-11 in Houston, H-E-B is no stranger to this best-of-the-best award. The grocery chain has actually topped the list four times in eight years. It’s quite a remarkable achievement for a company that was founded 120 years ago in Kerrville, Texas—a testament to the brand’s century-old commitment to service, community, and customer service. As their slogan says, “Here, everything’s better.”

The ranking, which comes from dunnhumby's Annual Retailer Preference Index (RPI), focused on price, promotion, and rewards, with a pool of over 11,000 consumers and 72 of the country’s largest grocers. Customers acknowledged H-E-B’s savings, quality, shopping experience, and product selection.

The survey results indicated that shoppers prioritized savings when making grocery decisions, highlighting the significance of reward programs and pricing. Additionally, quality, operational efficiency, and convenience emerged as important considerations influencing their shopping locations.

“According to Matt O’Grady, President of the Americas at dunnhumby, this year’s RPI reinforces the importance of core principles that H-E-B has consistently demonstrated. 'The initial step is to grasp your customer base and their perception of your brand. Next, focus on initiatives that help your customers save money in alignment with your brand identity. Lastly, utilize the RPI as a guideline to identify areas for investment and where compromises may be necessary.' It appears that H-E-B is on the right track!”

Whether you’re swinging by H-E-B during your usual grocery shopping or making a special journey from out of state to grab that must-have green sauce (a delicious blend of creamy jalapeño, poblano, and green tomato that you simply can't overlook), take a moment to appreciate this acclaimed grocery store that embodies the spirit of Texas.