The Coolest & Most Unique HEB Grocery Stores Worth Road Tripping To

I decided to embark on an adventure to find the most interesting HEB stores in Texas (and beyond, but we'll get to that). I hear rumors of these fascinating new stores popping up with their restaurants, home sections and yes, even jewelry stores, but I've never sat down to map out exactly where they are. Until now.

While there are many HEBs with expansive layouts, cool features and local charm, this list has the most unique stores, worthy of a road trip.

#1

HEB Kerrville - The Original

300 Main St, Kerrville, TX 78028

HEB Kerrville is the original HEB. The store opened in 1905 and was named C.C. Butt Grocery Store. The new Kerrville store pays homage to the original storefront with this cute entry and a red vintage ford you can take photos next to.

They also had golf carts modeled like Fords to shuttle you and your groceries to and from the store when I visited in 2020 shortly after the new store opened. It's a really lovely touch.

#2

HEB + Whataburger Combo in Hutto

5008 Gattis School Rd, Hutto, TX 78634

In Hutto, TX there stands an HEB convenience store with a 24 hour Whataburger attached. It's a Texan dream come true. Hutto is a small (but growing) town 22 miles northeast of Austin. The convenience store/fast food combo lives in front of an HEB Plus.

If you're in the San Antonio area, you can visit a similar one in Lytle, TX.

#3

HEB Plus San Antonio for the Largest HEB Ever

9238 N Loop 1604 W Acc Rd, San Antonio, TX 78249

The largest HEB ever is an immense, 182,000 square foot store. It has vaulted ceilings with wood beams. There are two restaurants, a Flaming Bird and South Flo Pizza and it also has an entire electronics section, a Mia's Mirror boutique, and a KODI shop.

I recently visited a Mia's Mirror in the Hutto store. Here's what it's like.

#4

HEB Mueller for the Food Court

1801 E 51st St, Austin, TX 78723

Mueller is an Austin neighborhood just North of downtown. HEB Mueller is unique because not only does it have this huge, impressive awning over the entrance, it also has a food court alley. The food court is called Main Streat and it boasts five restaurants and a bar.

The restaurants include a quesadilla joint called Calle Taqueria, Roots Chicken Shak, a grilled cheese place called The Meltery, HEB staple True Texas BBQ, and Yumai Japanese Grill. At the end of the hall is a full service bar that serves drinks and bar bites.

#5

Mi Tienda in Houston

3800 Little York Rd, Houston, TX 77093

You may recognize Mi Tienda as HEB's in-house brand that's stamped all over Mexican food products, but you may not know that there are also two Mi Tienda stores in the Houston area. HEB works specifically with Mexican distributors to provide the products sold at this store.

This store has a fun atmosphere. Piñatas and streamers adorn the ceiling, the bakery is lined with colorful cakes and the smell of fresh tortillas lingers in the air.

There's an agua fresca bar and a food counter where you can order combo plates, tamales, tortas, and gorditas with bench seats to sit and eat. There's also a Mexican cheese counter, a tortilla section with every kind of fresh tortilla you could imagine and some home items including Mexican pottery.

#6

HEB Plus New Braunfels for the Home Section

651 S Walnut Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130

The newly opened HEB in New Braunfels is two story with a giant True Texas BBQ, a home section, and a massive red shopping cart on wheels out front. The home section features both products from HEB's Haven & Key brand and products from artisans around the state listed under the brand Texas Proud.

HEB has stated they will be adding home sections to other stores as well.

#7

HEB Downtown San Antonio for the Smallest Store Ever

516 S Flores St, San Antonio, TX 78204

We already went over the biggest store ever, now meet the smallest. At just 12,000 square feet, the South Flores store in downtown San Antonio is the smallest HEB store. It's so adorably tiny, and has such a fun aesthetic, you just have to visit it for yourself. It also happens to be right by HEB headquarters.

This cute store has a mini version of most common HEB departments. A few flowers, a little produce section, beer and wine, etc. And lots of to-go meal options. It's also one of 10 locations that has a South Flo Pizza, which serves NY-style, made-to-order pizzas. Menu and list of other store locations listed here.

#8

HEB Mexico

Aguascalientes, Ags., Mexico

HEB has expanded around Mexico but the store in Aguascalientes is a big one. Mexico stores look a lot like US stores with a few unique features. You can purchase tortillas by the kilo, buy fresh gelato, and there's a surprising amount of interesting donut flavors.

#9

Every Central Market

Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Plano, San Antonio, Southlake

It would be a shame to exclude HEB-owned Central Market from this list. It's one of my favorite stores of all time. From the open-air produce section with some of the best fruits and veggies you've ever had, to the truly unique specialty products they stock to the cooking classes where I learned to make kolaches.

Every Central Market is worth a road trip in my opinion.

Special Mention - Stores with James Avery Boutiques

League City - 2755 E League City Pkwy

San Antonio - 14325 Potranco Rd

Corpus Christi/Portland - 1600 Wildcat Dr

HEB opened James Avery boutiques in three HEB stores last year. They have a good selection of jewelry and a few HEB-related items you can purchase. These are food and kitchen charms such as: an avocado, margarita, pepper, taco, pizza, and wine bottle.

What did I miss? Let me know in the comments.