The Top 5 HEB Food Items You Need In Your Fridge Or Pantry

In San Antonio, HEB is the dominant force in grocery.  They have a reputation for producing some of the most innovative food products in the country.  Consumers from all over the country order some of these unique items from heb.com to get their HEB fix.  Some of these items are gold.  Here are the TOP 5 HEB FOOD ITEMS YOU NEED IN YOUR FRIDGE OR PANTRY.

#5  Fresh In-Store Made Guacamole

HEB has the best store bought guacamole on the planet.  It is delicious, and is about fresh as you can get.  The ingredients come from in store, and made by an HEB employee.  It tastes amazing!  It looks and tastes like homemade guac.  You can even get it spicy in a variety of sizes.  An easy pick up for parties, get togethers, the big game, or if you are jonesing for guacamole.  The quality is always consistent, and guaranteed by HEB. It has fantastic flavor, and won't break the bank.  Go get you a tub of this avocado delight.

#4     MIXLA TORTILLAS

Let's talk innovation.  There are certain Mexican dishes that people have to have corn tortillas with.  Others prefer flour tortillas.  HEB has a tortilla that can give you both.  HEB MIXLA Tortillas is the ultimate corn/flour hybrid.  I have tried this tortilla with barbacoa, enchiladas, fajitas, pork carnitas, and ground beef.  And.......they were dynamite.  They have the flavor of corn tortillas, and are strong as flour tortillas.  You like breakfast tacos?  This is your tortilla.  They are the perfect size, and don't take long to heat up.  Corn and flour in perfect harmony.  Who knew?

#3     HEB THAT GREEN SAUCE

Made from a variety of green peppers,  HEB THAT GREEN SAUCE might just be the most versatile condiment ever made.  First impressions are that it looks a little lumpy and not too thick, but it packs phenomenal flavor.  Tastes great with all kinds meat, vegetables, chips, and of course tacos.  In my house during a get together, That Green Sauce does not last more than an hour.  It's not too spicy, so everyone can enjoy it.  Perfect for any occasion, especially TACO TUESDAY.  

#2     WHATABURGER ORIGINAL AND SPICY KETCHUP

When WHATABUGER Fancy Ketchup hit the shelves at HEB, customers went nuts.  I mean it was selling out on a regular basis.  It's the king of ketchups.  For over 50 years, this ketchup has become legendary.  Now you can bring a large bottle of this iconic condiment home.  You can also get it in the spicy variety.  This ketchup has a taste that is second to none.  I have a cousin that lived in California who would come down and visit, and he would stock up on WHATABURGER FANCY KETCHUP.  He would bring home a case.  People in this state love this ketchup.  And HEB is the only place where you can get a bottle of this amazing condiment.  Take home this legend.  

#1     MOOTOPIA CHOCOLATE MILK

MOOTOPIA CHOCOLATE MILK is the only HEB exclusive item that left me speechless.  It is amazing.  Super healthy and delicious, MOOTOPIA needs to be tried to be believed.  Anyone can drink it.  Those who are athletes, lactose intolerant, looking to get healthy, or just love chocolate milk should go down to HEB and grab them some of this incredible drink.  I have tried many different types of chocolate milk, but MOOTOPIA is by far the best.  It is unique in the fact that its formula is one of a kind.  In fact, HEB has a patent on the recipe for MOOTOPIA.  It's MOOTOPIA'S flavor that gives it the #1 spot.  It's healthy yet packs a wallop of flavor.  You owe it to yourself to bring home a half gallon home of MOOTOPIA.  If you have kids, buy two half gallons.  Not before I buy my two cartons.  You can thank me then.  lol 

The News In Food

Though food news is considered novelty by many, it is news to me.  Some stories are odd, some are sad, and some are informative.  It is all news none the less.  So here is the recent news in food.

IHOP Unveils It's Own Beer

After a name change that seemed to go nowhere, IHOP  has surprised many consumers by introducing their own named IHops.  IHOP teamed with the KEEGAN ALES Brewing Company to bring the flavor of the restaurants pumpkin pancakes to a stout beer.  Stout beer, made famous by Guinness, is thick in body and has a selection of fruity and sweet flavors.  Curious to try it?  Hop on to ihop.com to check out where you can pick it up.  IHops Pumpkin Pancake Stout is not available at your local IHOP.

Emergency Room Visits Due to Spicy Snacks On The Rise

Spicy snacks such as Hot Cheetos, Takis, and LUCAS have grown in popularity among the 8-18 year old demographic over the last decade.  These same snacks are also responsible for a rise in emergency room hospital visits.  Patients diagnosed with gastritis are becoming more common due to the consumption of spicy snacks.  Some patients end up with ulcers after not seeking medical attention in time.  The spike in ER visits have become more prevalent in California and Texas where sales of Takis and Hot Cheetos post high sales.

BURGER BOY EARNS HONORS AS BEST BURGER IN THE COUNTRY

Since opening their second location in February of this year,  BURGER BOY has given WHATABURGER a run for its money.  It has picked up honors for its popular burgers and fries by San Antonio media.  Inside Coup, an online coupon and service reviewing website, has named BURGER BOY as having the best burgers in the country.  Whataburger earned the same honor in 2016.  This honor is huge for BURGER BOY considering they only have two locations with a third and possible food truck on the way.  

BUD JONES PASSES AWAY

On a sad note, Raymond Bud Jones has passed away October 7th.  Jones opened the legendary Southside San Antonio restaurant BUD JONES in 1958 selling fish and chips.  Over the years, Jones added dishes such as chicken fried steak and other comfort foods that have given the eatery a loyal following.  He will be remembered as a kind man and the owner of the legendary restaurant that bears his name.  

HAVE YOU BEEN TO THE AY PAPI'S FOOD TRUCK?  What Are You Waiting For?

Last Saturday, after putting off going for far too long, I visited a food truck owned by a friend of mine.  His wife who I have known for 27 years mentioned to me that her husband had a Puerto Rican food truck I had to try. Yes, San Antonio has a Puerto Rican Food Truck.  I ordered the Tripleta sandwich which has beef, chicken and ham as well as lettuce and tomatoes.  It was amazingly delicious.  For $10, you get a generous amount of meat on a buttered grilled roll.  I ask myself why I waited so long to come to AY PAPI'S.  After all, being a food blogger takes alot of planning when it comes to visiting eateries.  AY PAPI'S is a must for those who appreciate Latin food. AY PAPI'S Puerto Rican Cuisine is owned and operated by Hector Faberlle.  AY PAPI'S can be found in the PEP BOYS AUTO PARTS parking lot Friday through Saturday from 6 PM to 11 PM.  Great food with great customer service.  The Cuban sandwich is excellent too.

The Top 5 Foreign Sodas

In the last five years, Foreign drinks have become more popular among American consumers.  Sodas from abroad in particular are reporting record sales in due part thanks to food trucks.  Consumers are discovering that other countries have great tasting sodas.  I have tried quite a bit of them, and they have been amazing.  So, I present to you the top 5 foreign sodas.

#5  GOOMBAY PUNCH (BAHAMAS)

Named after a style of Bahamian music, Goombay Punch is a street party in a can.  It is the perfect marriage of pineapple and lemon.  It has a very high sugar content, but is delicious.  It comes in 12 oz. cans, 20 oz. bottles, and six packs of 12 oz. cans.  This soda is guaranteed to give you a smile.  The can already does.

#4   INCA KOLA  (PERU)

"The Golden Cola" is South America's best selling cream soda.   It's blend of citrus and vanilla flavors have been tantalizing taste buds since 1935.  In fact, it was developed by a British immigrant by the name of Joseph Robinson Lindley. Lindley found a way to use lemon verbena as a main ingredient into a soft drink, and the rest is history.  INCA KOLA can now be found in the U.S.  You can probably find it in your local specialty grocery store.

#3   PINK TING (JAMAICA)

Considered by many to be the world's best grapefruit soda;  Pink Ting has to be tried to be believed.  Described by many to taste like the popular candy SKITTLES, Pink Ting has a taste that is out of this world.  Pink Ting hit the Jamaican market in 1976 to a huge fanfare.  It is so popular that a Pepsi bottling plant now has the job of being the top producer of Pink Ting.  It's a great POP for all ages.  Absolutely worth a try.

#2     FENTIMANS CURIOSITY COLA (Britain)

Organic and Herbal, Fentimans Curiosity Cola is a must have for any cola lover.  Described as a botanical cola, Curiosity Cola is brewed differently than other colas.  It is brewed alot like root beer, only with alot of more natural ingredients like ginger and pear juice extract.  

  It does contain a tiny bit of alcohol, but it is sold as a soft drink.  It tastes great, and it is amazing in a frosty mug.  It is sure to have you saying WOW several times.  

#1  MEXICAN COCA-COLA (MEXICO/NORTH AMERICA)

Did you know that Mexico is the number one consumer of Coca-Cola in the world?  It's true.  Maybe because they have the most popular soda in the world at the moment.  Mexican Coca-Cola has become a worldwide phenomenon.  It is a staple at taco trucks and taquerias everywhere.  The Coke we have in the U.S. has high fructose corn syrup, which alot of people try to avoid.  Mexican Coke has sugar cane, which gives it a richer taste.  It is bottled at the FEMSA Bottling Plant in Monterrey, Mexico, the largest bottling company in that country.  Mexican Coke is also very popular in New Zealand ans Japan.  It is the superstar of sodas at this moment.

If you are looking to try any of these great sodas, look no further than World Market.  World Market has a great selection of foreign beverages for everyone.  I go there all the time to see what is new.  You should too.