Kroger Adds Dishes From Beloved Houston Restaurants to Its Shelves

On the heels of news that HEB would partner with local restaurants to bring their most popular dishes to grocery store shelves, Kroger is piloting a similar initiative with two beloved Houston eateries.

Houstonians can now score single-serving dishes from dim sum favorite Kim Son at two of the grocery giant’s stores in Houston, according to KHOU. Burns Original BBQ, which was featured on the Houston episode of Anthony Bourdain’s TV show Parts Unknown in 2016, will also participate in the program, selling its pre-smoked brisket, sausage, and ribs at Kroger. Following the launch of the program, Kroger also added meals from South African restaurant Peli Peli, and beloved Houston fried chicken spot Frenchy’s.

“This is a pilot program spearheaded by Kroger to help support community businesses during this unique time, with all sales going directly to the local business,” a post to Kim Son’s Facebook page reads.

As reported previously by Eater, chef Chris Shepherd teamed up with HEB to bring “take and bake” meals like bacon sausage tater tot casserole to grocery store shelves, touting it as a way for independent restaurants to stay alive while their dining rooms are closed during the coronavirus pandemic. Cherry Block Craft Butcher and Kitchen is also selling some of its dishes via HEB, as is Brennan’s of Houston.

These dishes will be available at two Houston-area Kroger locations for now, including the River Oaks outpost at 1938 West Gray Street and the location at 5150 Buffalo Speedway in Houston. The Frenchy’s meals will be available at the Kroger at 1140 Studemont and 1035 N. Shepherd starting on April 17, and the Peli Peli meals will be available at the 15803 Champion Forest Drive outpost starting on April 17.

• Some of Chris Shepherd’s Most Iconic Dishes Are Now at the Grocery Store [EHOU]
• Kroger partnering with local minority-owned restaurants during coronavirus pandemic [KHOU]