Eat it up
H-E-B carts out to-go meals from Austin restaurants closed due to COVID-19
Grocery chain H-E-B is serving up a way for restaurants in Austin to fire up business during the economically crippling coronavirus pandemic.
As part of a pilot program, certain H-E-B stores are selling prepared meals from restaurants in the Austin, San Antonio, and Houston areas, including Austin-based Fresa’s. All proceeds from the sale of these meals will be handed over to the restaurants, H-E-B said April 3.
For now, the pilot program has filled all of its restaurant allotments, H-E-B spokeswoman Dya Campos says. “We might be looking for more opportunities for partnerships in the future,” she tells CultureMap.
In the Austin area, the only restaurant participating in the program as of April 6 is Fresa’s. Austin restaurants Ramen Tatsu-Ya and Picnik are going to be added to the program, Campos says. But details aren't available yet.
Fresa's meals are available at six H-E-B stores:
- 2400 S. Congress Ave. in South Austin
- 1801 E. 51st St. in North Central Austin
- 1000 E. 41st St. in North Central Austin
- 5800 W. Slaughter Ln. in Southwest Austin
- 12400 State Highway 71 West in Bee Cave
- 7015 Village Center Dr. in Northwest Austin
Margaret Vera, co-owner of Fresa’s, says the three meal options being supplied to H-E-B are specially made for the San Antonio-based grocery chain. Each offers a twist on a popular menu item, she says.
“We are incredibly grateful for the team at H-E-B and how they have rallied to support their fellow Texans and local restaurants,” Vera tells CultureMap. “We are honored to be part of their pilot program.”
Pickup and driver-thru services are available at the Fresa’s location at 915 N. Lamar Blvd., while delivery is available through the H-E-B-owned Favor app. The Fresa’s location at 1703 S. First St. is temporarily closed.
In San Antonio, meals from Max and Louie’s New York Diner and Rosario’s Mexican Cafe Y Cantina are available at H-E-B stores across the area.
H-E-B stores in the Houston area also are participating in the restaurant meal program.
