One of the things we love about visiting Texas? The supermarket.
Every region has its beloved grocery chain. Here in Florida, it’s Publix—and if you know, you know. People will fight for their beloved Pub Subs. In the Carolinas, it’s Harris Teeter. The Midwest has Meijer and Kroger. New Jersey shoppers swear by ShopRite. Californians are loyal to Trader Joe’s and Ralphs, while in the Pacific Northwest, folks love New Seasons and PCC. Each one has its quirks, fan favorites and cult followings.
But in Texas? It’s all about H-E-B. Ask anyone from the Lone Star State and you’ll get the same answer: it’s not just a grocery store, it’s a way of life.
We’ve even been known to bring home a stash of Cowboy or Twisters cookies—H-E-B’s brand, respectively, of chocolate chip and crème-filled specialties. But one TikToker went above and beyond by bringing home a whopping 200 fresh H-E-B tortillas from her trip… and it went viral:
@annathecolossaltitan goodmorning austin #happyinternationalbaggettersday
The video caught the attention of H-E-B itself, and the company responded in the most Texas way possible: they handed out 5,000 warm tortillas at the San Antonio airport, just before travelers boarded their flights. All five thousand came from a local store’s first batch of the morning. The H-E-B “Tortilla Crew” even went through regular TSA screening—with an unusual quantity of tortillas—before setting up shop at an empty gate in the terminal.
Travelers were surprised with warm tortillas, branded tortilla-print blankets, and stickers reading, “Does my suitcase smell like butter tortillas?” The whole batch was gone in just two hours.
Here’s more on the story from local and national coverage:
- Texas Monthly: H-E-B Tortillas Handed Out at Airport Security
- KSAT: H-E-B Surprises Travelers With 5,000 Warm Tortillas
We’ve written before about how to bring must-stay-cold food or medicine in your carry-on. But bringing H-E-B tortillas? Easy peasy. They’re not even refrigerated.
The original TikToker says she sailed through airport security without any side-eyeing from TSA. Still, a spokesperson reminded travelers that airport and airline policies can vary. It’s smart to give officers a heads-up when you’ve packed a carry-on full of tortillas. Fortunately, Austin-Bergstrom’s TSA federal security director Kieran Flynn says, “TSA officers are chipper about taking good care of precious tortillas when they roll through additional screening.”
However, don’t forget that if you plan to pack salsa or queso, you’ll need to keep them under 3.4 ounces. TSA may love your tortillas, but they still have rules.
If this isn’t the most Texas thing ever, we don’t know what is. Bravo, H-E-B.
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1 comment
At SJU, they confiscate chicharrones. (Probably to eat themselves!)