Austin, TX
Grocery store shoppers tell us what they think is the best H-E-B in the Austin area
H-E-B’s longest serving employee reflects on career, retirement
After a 50-year career at H-E-B, Ofelia Garcia retired in December 2021. She says what she misses most are her customers.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
Austin Answered really shines when you readers get involved.
On Jan. 3, I asked: “Barbecue to challah bread: What is the fanciest H-E-B in the Austin area?” In that column, I published early answers plucked from Reddit Austin that included maximal stores at Lake Austin and Exposition boulevards, South Congress Avenue at Slaughter Lane, Far West and Wood Hollow boulevards, Hancock Center and Mueller, as well as Central Market South.
You not only read the story in the tens of thousands and, thank you, shared it with your friends, some of you added your own two cents.
Tell us what you really think: What is the best H-E-B in the Austin area?
Round 2 of the debate adds some twists to the right stuff.
Darcie Jane Fromholz: “The new one on University in Georgetown is awesome! The BBQ place is two stories high and you can actually get a cocktail! And the produce section is excellent — not so much international, because Georgetown — but a lovely store!
Patrick Landrum: “Cart concierge service at Lake Austin is hard to beat! Carts even have their own escalator, plus there are elevators to the parking garage, coffee shop and barbecue!”
Dan Dodson: “The ‘Gucci-B’s’ are nice, e.g. Austin #32 on Exposition, and coming soon, the new Austin #8 store at West Oltorf Street and South Congress. However, if you need something less mainstream — (for instance) the industrial size Bolner’s Family Fiesta Spices paprika to make your own BBQ rub — you need to check out the larger stores in different neighborhoods. Austin #3 at Hancock Center’s student population gets a different marketing mix than Austin #11 on Slaughter Lane at Menchaca Road’s. Fortunately, they all carry 1905 Vanilla Ice Cream (still made with egg).”
I’m pleased Mr. Dodson knows the numbers for each H-E-B store in Austin. There’s history in those designations.
One last reader generously volunteered to expand our geographic reach to the Rio Grande Valley.
Scott Ballew: “Y’all need to come down to ‘Gucci-B’ in McAllen. That store is something else.”
More Austin Answered
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What’s the best recipe for Texas chili (no beans)? Here’s a spicy, streamlined version.
Send your questions — and answers — about Central Texas past and present to “Austin Answered” at mbarnes@statesman.
There was a significant reduction in the number of antisemitic incidents in Rhode Island in 2025, according to a national Jewish advocacy group.
According to the Anti-Defamation League’s latest Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, there were 26 antisemitic incidents in the state last year. That’s down from the 52 incidents counted by the group in 2024.
Samantha Joseph, New England regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, says a big reason for the reduction is a steep decline in antisemitism on college campuses.
“It shows that campus administrators are taking their responsibilities very seriously to provide a safe environment for all of their students,” said Joseph.
Brown University had over $500 million in federal funding frozen by the Trump administration last year following investigations into alleged antisemitism on campus. The funding was restored after Brown reached a settlement with the administration.
The reduction in antisemitic incidents in Rhode Island reflects a wider trend in New England as a whole. According to the ADL’s report, there were 400 antisemitic incidents in the region in 2025, compared to 638 the previous year.
While she’s pleased about the overall drop in antisemitic incidents in Rhode Island, Joseph says a number of concerning trends continue to persist. In particular, the state is still seeing more anti-Jewish incidents than it did prior to the October 7 attacks on Israel that launched the Gaza War in 2023.
Joseph is also concerned about the violent nature of local incidents of antisemitism.
“Even though overall incidents are down, assaults are up and assaults with a deadly weapon are up significantly,” said Joseph. “Our communities remain concerned for their safety, and our work is far from done.”
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Severe thunderstorms are possible Sunday evening as a cold front arrives in Central Texas. KXAN’s First Warning Weather Team will keep you updated on the weather coverage.
Risks to be aware of are damaging wind gusts that could reach as high as 60 to 75 mph and large hail up to quarter size.
Weather Resources:
Live Updates:
5:22 p.m.: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is issued for all counties except for Milam County.
3:51 p.m.: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Mason, San Saba, and Lampasas County until 9:00 p.m.
3:30 p.m.: The primary risk for Sunday’s severe weather is damaging wind gusts which could cause power outages.
3:26 p.m.: Storms will likely move toward the I-35 corridor around 6 p.m. Most of the storms will enter the Hill Country around 6 p.m. and the Austin metro counties after 8 p.m.
Video of new Texas Tech System chancellor home at historic Lubbock property
The Texas Tech System is acquiring the historic Tudor Revival ‘English Home’ in Lubbock to serve as the new chancellor’s residence.
Money and rankings don’t make a great university. Providing opportunities for disadvantaged students and protecting academic freedom, however, do.
Case in point: Michael and Susan Dell recently surpassed $1 billion in giving to the University of Texas at Austin, launching a plan to build a new medical center and advanced research campus in north Austin.
To be sure, this is a magnanimous gift that will fund important initiatives. While enormously grateful for this contribution, I am disappointed that this gift was not accompanied with a strong message from Michael Dell admonishing the University for gutting DEI and infringing upon academic freedom.
As a colleague of mine astutely observed: “Good luck recruiting doctors and med students. The attacks on DEI and political climates will mean a lot more than rankings and money long-term.”
UT System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife, referencing the Dell gift, is right: “We are transforming this site into a new campus the world has never seen before.” Yes, never seen, but in a very negative and dangerous way!
Last week, I received a message from the Texas Exes: “This is your last chance to show your support during 40 Hours for the Forty Acres, UT Austin’s Texas-sized fundraising event. Can we count on you?”
My answer: “No, absolutely not. I won’t give one dime to a university that no longer is committed to diversity and preserving academic freedom.”
Having proudly taught at UT for 41 years, I am sad to say this.
– Richard Cherwitz, Ph.D. is the Ernest A. Sharpe Centennial Professor Emeritus, Moody College of Communication and Founding Director, Intellectual Entrepreneurship Consortium (IE) at The University of Texas at Austin.
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