Goodbye Super S

Changes are inevitable. They happen all the time. Laredo is quickly headed into the 21st century and along the way some things will be lost. For example The Play-more, gone forever, Narvaez on Saunders, just a memory, Cotulla Restaurant, faded like a presidential mandate.

New colors, new name

 

 

Setting up new sign

 

Now, my favorite store on Santa Maria has changed names and it feels like I've been backstabbed. While I had not been inside this particular Super S store since my 2009 blog post, I have passed by it countless times and the large Super S Store sign hanging out front of the store always brought me the type of comfort that only 1988 could bring.

Now that the store has changed its name, it seems as if the entire world is being ushered into a new era. And here I go kicking and screaming into the 2000s. But, it seems to be more than just a name change that makes me ponder of those days gone by. Maybe its my old age or maybe its my lack of Shlitz these days, but things just aren't what they used to be.

Vote for the Worst HEB in Laredo

It never fails that each time I need to run to the grocery store and pick up a few items, our local big-box store, HEB, is always jam-packed with so many people that I have to pop an Excedrin before I dare to venture into that food-filled jungle. It is truly impossible to just go in and out of an HEB. There are always so many customers and so few opened lanes, that each time I shop there, I always promise myself it will be the very last time I go walk through those doors.

"Stampede on aisle 3"

But in Laredo, HEB is pretty much the only grocery in town.

I have no other options. HEB is the only grocery store in this city. With no competitors, HEB can just gouge our eyes and we have to take it up the can because we have no alternatives. There is no Tom Thumb, Fiesta, Kroger's, Minyard's, or any of the countless other national, big-box grocery chains.

What are my options? Super S Foods and Narvaez. Please! Narvaez should not even count because they have closed down several of their locations. As for Super S, well, unless you are paying with the state-assisted Lonestar Card, a hard-working person has no business even wondering unto their parking lot to score pirated DVD's, much less shop for food.

By the way, I know what you're thinking. What about Wal-mart? They don't count for they aren't a true grocery store. Unfortunately, HEB is the only game in town. As has been pointed out before by many others, they have an unhealthy local monopoly on the grocery store industry and I think it's time we all pushed our HEB-carts in unison, make some noise and clamor for at least a Fiesta!

HEB Bumper Carts

While some local competition will be a thorn on the side of HEB, it will be a godsend to the denizens of this county.

This is not Laredo circa 1989. We are definitely ready for a new regional food chain.

Every HEB is always crowded. It does not matter the day or the time, there is always 10,000 people at any given moment. Some HEB's are worse than others (I'm looking at you HEB Zapata Hwy.) Others are mostly filled with families buying 2,000 lbs. of Cheetos and 100 gallons of Pepsi and all on their Lonestar Card.

But what do you think Laredo? What is the worst HEB to shop in Laredo? Which local HEB is the most crowded, loudest, chook-filled with Lonestar Card, buying- in our city?

(HEB Downtown, HEB Guadalupe, HEB San Dario, HEB Del Mar, HEB Saunders, HEB Zapata Hwy,  HEB McPherson aka Gucci-b, HEB Plus)

The Hand does Super S Foods

I was driving down Clark St. and was passing by Super S Foods when I realized that I had never been inside that particular location since like 1988. I stopped by just to check it out (and I was having a private HEB boycott) and I realized that pretty much nothing had changed since my last visit during the Reagan era. I think they even still had the same produce on display.

 One more thing I can cross off on my list of things to do before the year ends. Yeay for me.

Random whatever of the week

she "had to sneak into my room, just to read my diary..."

My favorite Morissey song is "SuedeHead". I've got no idea what the lyrics are about, but its an infectious beat I rather enjoy. The song reminds me of "Elena", this one person I used to date back in the day. I ran into her at the Super S today and it was rather odd. The scene itself was surreal. Awkward really. I spoke briefly to her. Nothing major, just about the weather. As she spoke all I could think about was the lyrics of "SuedeHead". I can't stand her. It's a great little song, though.

Please remind me not to walk into Super S again. Live and learn.

Super S Foods on Santa Maria

Very few stores are as fun as Super S Foods. Here, you can find the total "Laredo experience", especially on Sunday afternoons, when it seems as if the entire west side congregates here to snatch up the required essentials for the obligatory Sunday carne asada reverent feast.

I ventured out to this supermarket, not so long ago, and took some snapshots, just for you my eager and faithful audience. What I found, and what I suspect that half the west side projects are already aware of, is the vast superiority of Super S over other chains such as HEB and Narvaez. Before you begin to throw tomatoes at me and spit out your Bud Light in a bitter rage, take a peek at the evidence below.

Super S has it all: (picture above)
1) Obligatory west side residents giving you hard stares: Check
2) Obligatory Mexican Cd's for sale outside store: Check
3) Obligatory pirated DVD's for sale outside store: Check

Great store, ample parking. Friendly locals. Fast checkouts. Looks like I will be dumping HEB soon.

Guy with big onions (above)

Another great point about Super S Foods is their fresh produce section. This store has no peers when it comes to fruits and vegetables. Consumers from all over the county are well aware that this store is unparalleled in its freshness and authentic selection of exotic fruits and veggies. Just look at the customer above. He has two gi-normous onions found only at the Super S.

Cotton Candy in a Bag (above)

Super S Rocks. They have all the essential groceries. Cotton Candy in a bag. Genius. Fluffy stuff on the go.



Awesome beer selection (picture above)

Super S has all your favorite beer. Their variety is so extensive it's almost scary. Bud Light for everyone. As well all know, Bud is Laredo's favorite and official beer, and Super S is eager to comply to our great thirsts for the good stuff. Some people love to drink piss water. To each their own, I guess.

Awesome beer selection part 2 (picture above)

Besides Bud Light, Super S also carries an extensive amount of the other 'official' Laredo beer, Natural Light. God forbid they run out of this beer; they have a complete refrigerator well-stocked and bursting at the seems, with this drink from the Gods themselves. For your next carne asada, Super S Foods is the place to go to gather the essentials. Don't believe me? Head down there yourself this weekend. But hurry, before they run out of Natural Light!!