I went to Phoenicia Specialty foods for the first time ever and realized I have wasted the last 8…read moreyears since I moved to Houston having never been here before, because wow! I mean my pocket book is probably better for it because I want to buy the whole store but honestly I've been missing out. The place is cute and welcoming from the corner sign on the building to the moment you step in- bright, inviting, great displays so you know where to go. You can't get lost in here with the signage, but you can't definitely get lost in the aisles with all the great, unique choices. The ready food display has so many Mediterranean treats, some I've had before some I've never heard of and everything I tried was amazing. We got the cabbage rolls and Armenian veggie dolmas. Great flavor, both specific items I haven't had before. Nice citrus, spiced flavor to these. I'd say they're have to try items. Not only found jarred tomato paste, which I've been on the hunt for but they had choices in this category and that's another first for me. Will have to go back and try the others. Also got the cured Serrano ham -amazing. And I thought the prices were going to be insane having a spot right in the middle of the city and nope- pleasantly surprised for my goodies, great prices even less than some of the other stores I frequent in the suburbs. I'll be back again and again and again until I try the whole store lol. Definitely give them a try, you won't regret it

My niece and I checked out Phoenicia's for lunch, which was surprisingly delicious…read more My niece has simplistic tastes, so she opted for the chicken burger, which I tried of course. Perfectly seasoned, crispy exterior. The sweet potato fries were equally delicious. I got the Hill Country salad. Same tender but crispy chicken on a bed of greens with berries. So good. Definitely bookmarked as a return option.

My father and I were both a little confused when we walked in because we were expecting what would…read morebe a moderately sized grocery store, and this is nothing more than what you'd find at a convenience store at a gas station (which it isn't, it's a store in a strip mall). Nevertheless, it had most of what we were looking for, basically just drinks and snacks for our 2-day stay in Houston. My father wanted bakery items for breakfast and settled for the usual Hostess and Hostess-like choices you'd find at, again, a convenience store. However, the gentleman behind the register was pleasant and helpful. A customer came in and while checking out casually mentioned he had a close friend die the day before in a car crash. The cashier was very sympathetic and listened to the guy without interrupting or trying to hurry him along. In all, the store has the basics. But if you're looking for an actual grocery store like what you'd typically find in the downtown area of a large city, this is not it.

A nice little gem near downtown! They do have nice wine…read moreselections and some stock for essentials. Their wine selection is fantastic, which reflects the owner's good taste :) Have to say their daily essentials like mouthwash water saved my life! It's fantastic to find such convenience store near downtown with a few things, but everything seems to hit the point. Bravo for the owners for the great selection of just everything!

This is my Favorite store! Cashier manager Alisha is Thee Best! Sooo helpful and smart! And ALL the…read moreemployees at this store are Polite, and ready to assist. I'm going back!!!

At least take the stickers off the vegetables when making kabobs in the meat section. Thanks. Ugh.read more

H Mart is one of those places that hits you the second you walk in part grocery store, part…read morecultural crossroad, part late-night lifesaver. The produce is sharp, the seafood counter is alive, and the aisles stretch out with everything from Korean staples to snacks you didn't grow up with but suddenly need in your life. It's not just shopping it's wandering. You go in for a few things and somehow end up leaving with dumplings, instant noodles, kimchi you didn't plan on buying, and something sweet you'll try later just because it looked interesting.

Has a food court for the immediate Korean food cravings…read more Offers lots of Korean and other Asian products. A go to when for the Asian fixes. Clean and organized with friendly service.

Randall's is a great store, I've been going for years. Love their produce, salads, sales and…read morecustomer service.

The security is always rude with DoorDash and UberEats bicycle toward us he treat us as homeless…read moreand he doesn't watch bicycle outside one time a homeless touched my bag and the security was on his phone talking with his friend acting like a lazy not doing his job. This location is becoming worst of treating user bikers who do DoorDash/Uber in order to make a money living!!

So, I usually do curbside at the HEB on Alabama in Montrose, but ever since their construction…read moreproject turned the whole process into a slow-motion nightmare, I decided to give Buffalo Speedway a try. Big mistake. First off, I get that Houston was bracing for a snowstorm (crazy, I know), so I wasn't shocked that a lot of my requested items were out of stock. Fine, not their fault. But what was their fault? Not actually giving me half of the things I did manage to order! I got home, excited for my stash of groceries, only to realize I had basically made a charitable donation to HEB. No cheese. No sour cream. No coffee. NO MAPLE SYRUP. The donuts? Trash. Stale, lifeless, and the long john with "cream" filling? A cruel joke. Either it never got filled or the cream evaporated from old age. Tried calling the store--no answer. Couldn't go back because the entire city was frozen over for two days. At this point, I just accepted my fate. Maybe they were overwhelmed that day. Maybe it was just bad timing. But I won't be back to find out. Until Montrose finishes its never-ending construction, I'll be looking for another HEB--or honestly, another grocery store altogether. Buffalo Speedway, double-check your curbside orders and throw away the old donuts. You saved me some calories, at least.

Want to thank Ben. Who, while on his way to his break, recommended this awesome snack! He…read morerecommended another canapé recipe I can't wait to try out at Thanksgiving this year! H-E-B, you've got a Gem in Ben!

1lb of force of nature beef is typically $9.99. heb, how sad…read morethat you placed a big yellow 25% off sticker on this meat, but increased the cost to $14.00 per lb. watch out for this snarky trickery you guys. c'mon heb, you are better than that. wish i took a pic.

I have to say I absolutely loved HEB and thats why the 3 stars. This location on West Alabama is my…read morefavorite store too. The beautiful trees in the parking area makes shopping here feel like such an outing. But my most recent visit let me down supremely, while trying to shop for a surprise. I asked for help from several folks for the flower shop and was told they would find someone about 3 times. The last time a woman came by and seemed as if she worked there, relieved I approached her and she stopped abruptly and asked if I needed help. I told her yes if she could help me with some balloons, I remarked I had been waiting over 20 minutes and she rolled her eyes at me and in a strong tone said" I am trying to help you " I reinforced that I was not trying to be disrespectful. I just needed assistance. Still proceeded to wait, then a gentleman named Chris came to the flower area and assisted me with the balloons finally. By then it was almost 40 minute mark. His interaction with me at first seemed as if he was upset, then he lightened the mood, and actually sang while blowing the balloons up. I love HEB but this interaction left a sour taste in my mouth. If they would have just communicated that no one was going to be able to help I would have left. I had yet to have had a negative experience here till this time around. Idk if I want to visit my favorite HEB anymore. I thought I had left the poor customer service back in another state. But who am I kidding I do enjoy HEB!

Which grocery store in Houston is the best of the best? You guessed it - HEB's wealthy relative -…read moreCentral Market! Unfortunately there's only one in the city, but it's "centrally" located (get the pun?) off Westheimer and 610 near the Galleria. We frequent this grocery store a few times a month, and though the products are more expensive overall than your normal Kroger or HEB, the selection is amazing and worth the visit. Here's what I love about Central Market: the produce, salads, sandwiches, meats, seafood, wine, cereal, yogurts, bread, coffee, ice cream, spices - actually pretty much everything. Even their flowers are incredible. Now here are some pro tips; listen carefully: - if you want the real, full CM experience, go on a Saturday or Sunday. You'll feel like you're at Costco waiting in line for samples and trying to push your cart without running someone over. But if you want a quiet, peaceful experience, go on a weekday during the day. You have to work, you say? Take a few hours of vacation or personal time off and head to Central Market. It'll be better than your last few vacations. - they have an app and it's amazing! You can save 20-30% each shopping trip with their offers and coupons. Make sure you add the deals in your app before you go to check out. (This part is a little annoying.) - ice cream section: buy the Hellenika Ube coconut. Just do it. Taste it and you can thank me later. It will change your life. If you want to overpay for it, fly to Seattle and find it at Pike Place Market. - stop buying spices like peppercorn and coriander seeds in bulk that are stored in bottles and jars. Go to Central Market and just buy exactly what you need for your recipe. You'll spend 24 cents for this and 58 cents for that, etc. Not $5 for a jar of spices that will lose its flavor or expire after a year. And the big question everyone asks: Central Market or Whole Foods? Whole Foods has way more locations, but CM takes the cake. It's just amazing. Trust me.

Old carrots and beat up celery for $9.95 a pound. C'mon Central Market…read more And the pizza, sauce and cheese deal advertised was out of cheese. The air chilled chicken was spoiled! Many good things to say and will be back but c'mon- spoiled chicken the same day purchased? Not okay.