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    Joe V's Smart Shop

    3.4 (39 reviews)
    InexpensiveGrocery
    Closed 7:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

    Joe V's Smart Shop Photos

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    Bad Water sitting in Houston Texas heat.
    Diane B.

    HEB/JoeV's Smart Shop is trying to poison certain community when they store Bottle Water on the sidewalk in Houston Texas Heat...HEB really does not care when they allow Employees, like Luis to walk and speak with so much unnecessary sarcasm, resentment and hostility toward customers who ask questions. I just finished shopping and here is HEB customer service for $13.18. HEB does not have an Express line, it just look like one, so you still must check yourself out. It is new to this location and I could tell the lady in front of me felt the same because Luis with such arrogance said, "You gotta do it Yourself and she said, "O". I did not noticed there were two and Luis did not borther to do his job, so another customer asked if I wanted to go first when he came up and noticed. I asked Luis why did he not tell me? LUIS said You got eyes. When the Customer, in front of me try to pay with her credit card, it was clear she did not know where, I said to Luis, you don't see she need help. LUIS Refused to do his job, so I help. When I finished my purchase Luis stood like some Fake A?$ King and said nothing. HEB does not give a damn about Customer Service or Cancerous water in Certain Area. Happy Sunday. HEB is killing customers.

    Be prepared to bag your own groceries.
    Rita N.

    This is another one of my go-to spots for menudo ingredients. They've got bargains throughout the store. In fact, there are HEB brands displayed here, at cheaper prices. Win, win! Just be careful, I would not recommend frequenting this location at night. There is security on premises, just stay safe.

    Grand opening
    Alexander W.

    Have you ever been to a grand opening of a grocery store? It is pandemonium personified! If you have been keeping up with my reviews, you would already know that I'm a huge fan of the Joe V's franchises. If you have not been keeping up with my reviews, then let me give you a quick rundown of why I like this place: First, this is essentially HEB that allows overstocked items and other HEB brand items to be sold at a discounted rate. Second, the fruit and produce available here are normally really fresh and also inexpensive. Thirdly, not not truly lastly of why I like this place, sometimes you will find an item that they really want to clear out of the store at a extremely discounted rate. Joe V himself was in the store surprising people with gift cards while they waited in the check out line. Come here and experience the phenomenon of buying 3 pounds of bananas for $1! That's an always price here. Come check them out. ONE NOTE: They do not, currently, accept credit cards. Have cash or that debit card ready!

    Getting ready for the game
    Lupe M.

    Stopped here on my way home to pick up some steaks to grill while watching the Astros game tonight. There is a very large parking lot that seemed to be more than half full. Before walking into the store make sure to grab a basket from outside. This franchise doesn't employee people to retrieve the baskets from the parking lot. It was explained this is how they are able to keep prices low. As I walked thru the store I couldn't help but noticed how clean the store was. Floors looked as if they were just mopped, shelves appeared to be fully stocked. The prices on the produce were amazing. I didn't plan to buy produce but couldn't pass on some of these prices. There was also a sushi station were you can watch it being prepared, talk about fresh! With the parking lot being as full as it was, I was expecting long lines to check out. Surprisingly there were no long lines. Just about every other register was open keeping people steady moving. The cashier was very friendly and asked how I was, did I find everything I needed, and even asked if I was going to watch the game later. It's great when you are able to walk in and out of a store quickly and feeling like you got the most for your money. I will be coming back here for sure!

    This is suppose to be 5.49lbs but it is not!

    check your weight for the meat they are adding over an extra pound on your meat. i called to bring attention to this and they hung up on me. tried to call back and no one answered my call!! they are getting over on customers.

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    6 months ago

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    6 days ago

    Nice store but the reason for my one star is because I had to go fishing in the parking lot for a cart and they have no baskets.

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    Review Highlights - Joe V's Smart Shop

    . Most items they carry are HEB brands like HEB and Hill Country Fair as well as some name brands

    Mentioned in 9 reviews

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    Phoenicia Specialty Foods

    Phoenicia Specialty Foods

    4.4(879 reviews)
    18.6 miDowntown
    $$

    I was just passing through downtown Houston when I was looking for a quick snack, and I stumbled…read moreupon this supermarket. what a surprise! The parking was a bit of a challenge, but it was easy enough because it was a calm Tuesday morning. To get from the parking area to the store, you just take the elevator one level down, and then you're right inside. This place is surprisingly big, filled with all kinds of snacks, cookies, and coffee. The highlight for me was their shawarma breakfast wrap. It was top-notch and exactly what I needed. You choose between whole wheat or white pita, and it's filled with scrambled eggs, your choice of fresh or sautéed spinach, and they add potatoes as well. Then they top it with shawarma chicken, tomato, and a delicious sauce. For $8.5 it was worth every bite. Hands down, a five out of five. I also tried their coffee, which was just a standard brew sitting in ice for hours and nothing special. At $2.50, it was fine, but nothing to write home about. The real stars were the cookies. I got a coconut pecan cookie and an almond crunch cookie, and both were absolutely delicious. I didn't have time to explore the whole store, but there was a great selection of fresh produce, chocolates, and all sorts of small treats. Overall, the staff were really friendly, and the entire visit was smooth. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in the area. Five out of five stars!

    A great find with a great location downtown! I found myself wandering back here multiple times…read morewhile in town for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Plenty of healthy and not so healthy but delicious options, the breakfast chicken shawarma wrap was a great way to start the day with fresh squeezed orange juice. They have a great selection of salads and some sandwiches which were a quick and easy lunch. The MKT Bar had a warm bowl of chili on a cold day which was just what I needed. A great one stop shop with groceries as well!

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    Phoenicia Specialty Foods
    Phoenicia Specialty Foods
    Phoenicia Specialty Foods

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    Super K Food Mart

    Super K Food Mart

    4.2(13 reviews)
    18.8 miDowntown, EaDo

    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!

    Randalls

    Randalls

    2.5(134 reviews)
    18.9 miMidtown, Fourth Ward
    $$

    This Randall's is always giving "sketchy-but-convenient" energy…read more Pro tip: if you're driving, park in the garage. I know it seems backwards, but you're way less likely to get approached by someone asking you to buy them something. For the record, the store doesn't feel unsafe--homeless unsafe--but sometimes, you just want to grab your groceries in peace. Now, something that never fails to annoy me: one of the entrance doors is always locked. Every time. So you're forced to walk around to the main entrance. Minor, but annoying. Thankfully, the elevators from the garage always work, so silver lining there if you park downstairs. Today I was reminded of another classic Randall's feature: the smell. I stopped in on my bike to grab some veggies and, like clockwork, was hit with that signature aroma, somewhere between a porta-potty and a city park at noon in July. I think it was coming from outside this time... but I've definitely caught a whiff inside before too. Is it overpriced? Yes. Is it so conveniently located that I keep coming back anyway? Also yes. To be fair, the prepared food section and the bread game are on point. If carbs are a love language, this place is fluent. Bonus points: they've added EV charging for our green-driving friends. But I think they shrank some of the parking spots. I watched a jacked-up truck on stilts struggle to park in a handicap space. Waiting for the driver to hop out onto the hood of the next car over.

    I stayed at a hotel nearby and found Randalls in downtown Houston to be the most convenient…read moresupermarket for me. It's just an ordinary grocery store, but it's clearly in a neighborhood that needs extra safety, as there's a security guard with a gun posted right at the entrance. It was something that really stood out, especially at night. The cleanliness was also a letdown; there was a lot of trash and food debris, especially in the fresh produce section. I grabbed some drinks and snacks, and the variety was just okay but not great either. Maybe it was just because I went at night, but the warm food didn't look very fresh or appealing. So, it was fine for a quick stop, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it. Cashier was nice.

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    Randalls
    Randalls
    Randalls - Receipt with cashier's name.

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    Receipt with cashier's name.

    H-E-B - Sushi Rolls

    H-E-B

    4.0(275 reviews)
    20.6 miWest University
    $$

    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!

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    H-E-B - Sushi

    Sushi

    H-E-B - Late night grocery shopping

    Late night grocery shopping

    H-E-B - Croissants

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    Croissants

    Central Market - An Amazing Place!

    Central Market

    4.3(931 reviews)
    19.8 miHighland Village
    $$

    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.

    Let me introduce you to HEB's bougie cousin!! lol we love love love central market. There are so…read moremany gems here from the hot bar and many specialty good quality drinks like the guava and mango juices. They have fresh breads, bagels and countless pastries. The meat and seafood selections are endless. From lamb and king crab to all those meat cuts you see on food network! I haven't tried the sandwich bar yet but I heard it's amazing. Definitely check them out if you haven't yet!

    Photos
    Central Market - Citrus family here

    Citrus family here

    Central Market - Texas Watermelons

    Texas Watermelons

    Central Market - Green salads here

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    Green salads here

    Henderson & Kane - We'll handle all the setup for you, keep the line stocked, and clean up when you're done.

    Henderson & Kane

    4.6(362 reviews)
    17.7 miSixth Ward
    $$
    Family-owned & operated
    Women-owned & operated

    This place is great and it has a small neighborhood vibe! Raw Steaks for sale along with a bunch of…read moregoodies, but I came here for the barbecue. Atmosphere was perfect for Texas BBQ. I ordered the ribs in the jalapeño cheddar sausage, but got the brisket with sausage.. very happy they mixed that one up because the brisket was extremely juicy tender and had a great flavor on that bark. They did it perfect! The jalapeño sausage was a little dryer that I like it to be especially for having cheese in there. Still ate it and it was great.! So good I forgot to take a picture We'll definitely be going back to this place!

    Came here on our last day here in Houston and I must say it was one of the best BBQ spot I have…read moreever tried here. We ordered sliced brisket with mac n cheese, coleslaw, chopped brisket sandwich, and a pecan pie. The sliced brisket was so juicy and tender with so much charred flavor. The meat was cooked to perfection and got me wanting more! The mac and cheese wasn't too overwhelming and actually complemented the meat. As for the brisket sandwich, I thought it was good in terms of the meat, however, I must say it reminded me of sloppy joes too much. If I had to choose, I prefer getting the brisket sliced over chopped. As for the coleslaw, it was fresh and not too overwhelming with the mayo, which I love. The ratio of cabbages and carrots were evenly distributed. Lastly, the pecan pie was not too sweet and really soft yet crunchy. Overall, I would love to come here again, it was honestly one of the best!

    Photos
    Henderson & Kane - We can provide specialty set ups to fit your catering package.

    We can provide specialty set ups to fit your catering package.

    Henderson & Kane
    Henderson & Kane - Order for pick up

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    Order for pick up

    Joe V's Smart Shop - grocery - Updated May 2026

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