Problems w/HEB store brand foods? (allergy, cost, food)

[SA Greed]

One thing I do miss is the Ramen Noodle soups at Kroger. For some reason they tasted way better than the ones you get at HEB. This was years ago and I was told that your taste buds change over time so I guess I won't taste it the same. Maybe that's why Water oops What-A-Burger doesn't taste the way I remember as a kid too.

[deedee61]

Originally Posted by TexasNick

You know that HEB brands are generic and generally taste "cheaper" than the brand names? An example is their milk....I thikn it's the worst tasting milk ever...I am willing to pay more for a brand name like Borden, but even the local Floresville brand Promised Land is still leagues better in taste with not much more in expense (sometimes the same price as HEB's).

Same thing for their breads, cheeses, etc....bleh. Bring back Albertsons and Kroger please!

just wanted to let u know that grocers bid 4 contracts 4 dairy items (like milk) the same milk that goes into a name brand container is the same that goes into the heb jug only at the bidding price ! yea! used 2 work 4 Borden.

[IonRedline08]

Having just moved here, it has been hit or miss with the HEB generics.

I like the Spicy Red Pepper HEB brand Spaghetti sauce.
As dumb as this sounds, I really like the Croutons!

The place that has awesome generics is Target. For example, their breakfast bars taste better to me than Nutrigrain bars.

[catriona]

After having bad experiences with canned green beans and corn (pieces of the stems in the GB and ??? in the corn), I steer away from them now. I will use "Name Brand" if I'm going to serve it at the table (by itself or in a casserole) and if it is a soup, the Hill Country Fair, but only if it's frozen. The kids had a major revolt against the HCF frozen waffles, said they tasted like cardboard. (Actually, they wanted to know if the Eggos had gone bad!)

I tried the Hill Country Fair version of Claritin, which did absolutely nothing...waste of $$. Also, same for the HCF version of Thermacare heating wraps. Hubby used one on his arm and it barely got warm and definitely didn't last eight hours.

I don't buy milk at HEB because Sam's is so much cheaper.

I do like their HCF vegies that you can steam in the microwave. Those have been good so far. The bakery items are pretty good, too. I especially like the Everything Bagels, but I think so does everyone else because I can't always find them! I haven't had a problem with the HEB beef or pork products. The chicken has too much fat left on it for my taste.
If I want to season something with sausage, I use the HEB, just because it has more spices in it. If we are having it for breakfast, I use the name brand because it's milder and kids like it better. The ice cream and frozen yogurt is pretty good, especially when it has lots of goodies in it like the Spurs choco-crunch or what ever it was called. That container would disappear over night sometimes....

I usually do the majority of my shopping at Walmart and Sams, with selected things from HEB, including some bakery items and fresh seafoods and fresh vegies/fruits. Or if there is a sale on something and/or I don't feel like driving too far, I'll go to HEB.

Try the sushi! It is Y-U-M-M-Y!

Bottom line, if it's going on the table as a dish or in a casserole, I buy what I perceive to be 'better quality'. If it really doesn't matter that much to me, I'll go with the HCF, but only the frozen vegies.

[wehotex]

Originally Posted by fierce_flawless

I have had two REALLY bad experiences now with HEB store brands (either HEB or Hill Country Fare)... anyone else?

First it was some frozen onion rings. I realize that I should not have high expectations for frozen onion rings regardless of the brand, but these were indedible. The kids wouldn't even eat them!

Today it was some HEB frozen breakfast tacos. I've had the Owen brand before, bacon and sausage, and they were ok. The store by me only carries the HEB brand so I figured what the hey.

Oh my goodnes. Blech, puke, blah! These are NASTY! They taste like sour milk! I bought 2 boxes, they are both going BACK!

I am not a picky eater and if something is "edible" I'll deal. These were just gross, as were the onion rings.

I have bought HEB brands forever, it's just recently that I've had these issues. I'm wondering if it's just me?

The HEB sliced wheat bread sometimes has something "grindy" in it. I keep meaning to call them to ask them what that it is all about, but too busy.

[perticusrex]

Originally Posted by wehotex

The HEB sliced wheat bread sometimes has something "grindy" in it. I keep meaning to call them to ask them what that it is all about, but too busy.

I am not a big fan of the bread either. It seems to usually be harder than Nature's Own. Though I do still buy it if my food budget doesnt allow for name brand that week. Overall HEB brand foods are pretty decent. I was always under the impression that vendors like Borden, Blue Bunny, Heinz competed for the store brand product and that they may slightly alter the taste. That is what I have been told before by HEB employees.

[davi78239]

the classic selection pizza's by H-E-B are pretty damn good and taste almost like Digornos at over a dollar cheaper. I need to try wal-mart's generics and compare them with H-E-B's. Also, the bake shop bread isn't bad either by H-E-B.

[TX_AGGIE13]

Man....I bought a dozen HEB eggs last night, and one of them had a Roster in it.....crazy!

[sxrckr]

You know, I've never noticed any of the bad things mentioned. Then again, I usually the the Central Market brand.

[KY Filly]

Originally Posted by deedee61

just wanted to let u know that grocers bid 4 contracts 4 dairy items (like milk) the same milk that goes into a name brand container is the same that goes into the heb jug only at the bidding price ! yea! used 2 work 4 Borden.

No matter where I've lived, I always buy the store brand of milk (cheaper). With only one exception (Kroger) I've never noticed a difference. The problem when I bought the Kroger brand (when I lived in KY) was not the taste...it was the fact that the milk soured very quickly. Never had that experience with any other brand of milk (unless it was in the fridge for weeks! LOL)

What I usually do w/store brands is to give them one chance to see if I can tell the difference....if I can't, then I'll continue to buy it. Heck, with money being tight these days I take advantage of as many opportunities as I can to save $$. There's only one exception I can think of that I absolutely will not compromise......I ONLY buy Heinz ketchup. I'm a ketchup snob.

I have a question though, I've seen people on tv talk about saving $$ using coupons. Anybody know the best place online to get these coupons? The coupons I get in the Sunday paper aren't all that great and I don't even use half of what they advertise.