Here Everything's Bigger

Austin suburb rings up plans for new H-E-B with expanded amenities

Leander's new store should be open in 2021. Rendering courtesy of H-E-B

H-E-B is continuing to grow its presence around Austin. On October 9, the San Antonio-based grocery chain announced its second location in Leander at 19348 Ronald W. Reagan Blvd.

A bigger store means bigger departments, including expanded produce, dairy, deli, and organic sections. A full-service bakery will offer scratch-made artisan breads, desserts, pastries, and custom cakes and include an H-E-B Tortilleria, which will churn out the store's much-loved (and much written about) tortillas.

The new Leander store will also boast a host of amenities, including a Texas Backyard, which sells products for grilling, gardening, and outdoor entertaining. And, in keeping with current trends, it will also have expanded curbside and home delivery departments and self-checkout areas to make buying groceries even easier.

Other amenities at the Leander store:

A pharmacy drive-thru
A wine and beer department with expanded "variety of local, national and international labels"
A floral area where customers can order custom arrangements online and pick them up in store
Sushiya offering handmade sushi selections
Business Center for financial services, licenses and permits, tickets to local attractions, and lottery tickets
Meal Simple section with pre-prepared, grab-and-go options

“Each H-E-B is special, and this store will be no exception, offering an exciting and complete shopping experience,” said Leslie Sweet, H-E-B's director of public affairs, in a release. “We have served Leander for more than a decade and are thrilled to grow with this community.”

And the community is indeed growing. Last year, the Urban Land Institute identified Leander as a “hipsturbia," aka a suburb where young professionals often move after being priced out of nearby cities, and where live-work-play environments thrive. Last week, it was announced that Northline, a mixed-use development underway between U.S. Highway 183 and the 183A toll road, has secured its first tenant.

Construction on the new Leander store will begin in early 2021, with a grand opening celebration scheduled for later that fall.

supermarkets

From picnic to dish

Farm-to-table cafe replacing Picnik in South Austin is open now

Dish Society is known for its refreshing menu. Photo courtesy of Dish Society

When Picnik left its space on South First Street, some locals were disappointed to lose the holistic menu. However, the Houston-based Dish Society swooped in to fill the gap; it's now open at 1600 South First St., Ste. 110.

This is the second Austin location for Dish Society, which also has local ties through its founder, Aaron Lyons, who was born in Austin and went to the University of Texas at Austin. It also fits right in with the local farm-to-table ethos while remaining casual —a balance treasured by many in Austin dining.

The first location arrived in the Mueller neighborhood in 2023. A press release calls it an "overwhelming success."

“Our reception in Austin has been phenomenal, and we’re thrilled to introduce Dish Society to the vibrant South First community,” said Lyons in the release. "South Austin is buzzing with energy and growth. The area is full of amazing restaurants, shops, and plenty of walkable and bike-friendly streets—perfect for the kind of people who love what we do. As always, our goal is to be that go-to neighborhood spot where you can drop in multiple times a week."

Dish Society culinary director Brandi Key, COO Trent Patterson, founder Aaron Lyons From left to right: culinary director Brandi Key, COO Trent Patterson, founder Aaron LyonsPhoto courtesy of Dish Society

The new Dish Society is located within the Willa mixed-use development, which also includes the shoe boutique Blue Suede right across the patio. Another perk is complimentary parking.

The space has been redesigned by Chioco Design, whose work Austinites might recognize from Paperboy on South Lamar Boulevard, Bambino on Springdale Road, and the famous Torchy's Tacos on South Congress Avenue.

The new interior isn't majorly different, with more earthy, neutral colors and a similar seating arrangement. The restaurant still has seating on the covered patio: 60 seats outdoors in addition to 80 indoors. The bar offers full service and TVs for watching sports, plus, there's a walk-up window for takeaway and coffee.

According to the release, Dish Society gets more than three-quarters of its ingredients from suppliers in Texas. While ingredients do the heavy lifting in the restaurant's healthy image, the menu gets to have some fun with comfort foods and "American classics." That's all thanks to the work of culinary director Brandi Key.

Existing fans of Dish Society can enjoy favorites like brisket-loaded sweet potato, a shaved Brussels sprout salad, and fried chicken and biscuits. There are also plenty of new additions: ranch-style eggs, a granola yogurt bowl, and kale-mushroom bucatini.

Grain bowls, salads, sandwiches, and signature sides fill out the menu, plus an option to make your own plate with a protein and two sides. The beverage program also offers cocktails, mocktails, Texas craft beers and wines, coffee, fresh-pressed juices, and more local beverages.

Dish Society South 1st Street interior The new interior of Dish Society.Photo courtesy of Dish Society

Finally, Dish Society is conscious about worker wellness with perks like cross-training opportunities, educational incentives, PTO for hourly staff, paid volunteer hours, and more.

Dish Society maintains the same hours for both locations. They're open from 7 am to 9 pm Sundays through Thursdays, and 7 am to 10 pm Fridays and Saturdays. Social hour is weekdays from 7-9 am and 2-6 pm, and weekends from 4-7 pm. The restaurant will also offer online orders and catering.

openings sandwiches cocktails mocktails