Best Made-In-Texas Products

H-E-B contest picks a winner: The best made-in-Texas product is.......

The 25 finalists at grocery giant H-E-B's quest to find the best made-in-Texas products for its Primo Picks contest gathered at the Houston Food Bank Wednesday afternoon to learn their fate. They'd spent the past two days giving presentations to a panel of judges that included H-E-B executives, media members and San Antonio chef Jason Dady.

At stake, the grand prize winner would take home a $25,000 cash prize, a spot on grocery store shelves statewide and the title of Texas Best Primo Pick.

"H-E-B has been very sweet. They'll grow with us," Watson said. "I want an even, steady pace."

The winner, Nanette Watson's Frio Farm, represents the best of what Texas has to offer. Frio Farm's all natural extracts are made by a family of sixth-generation Texans in the tiny town of Concan (pop. 175) on the banks of the iconic Frio river. Watson bounded to the stage to accept her prize, hugging sons Justin and Austin before the family posed for pictures with a trophy and a giant check.

"From a chef's perspective, it's all about flavor and taste," Dady told CultureMap. Calling Watson's products "mind-blowing," he added that the flavors like vanilla, bourbon and cane sugar and coconut are "kind of a revelation in a way."

Watson attributed her success to her cold infusion process, which takes a minimum of three months and uses high quality liquors like Jack Daniel's whiskey and Tito's Texas vodka. "We take our time," Watson said. "We go for flavor."

Watson affirmed that she's ready to be in stores across Texas. "H-E-B has been very sweet. They'll grow with us," she said. "I want an even, steady pace."

All natural, gluten-free, 70-calorie fruit bars by MaxFrut of Arlington took home the first runner-up prize and $20,000. A $15,000 second runner-up prize went to Habibi Gourmet's line of dips (cilantro, jalapeno, green olive) from Mission and the $10,000 third runner-up prize went to the sweet tea jam from Vela Farms in Victoria.

Even the finalists who didn't win one of the cash prizes had good things to say about the experience. "H-E-B is an incredible company," says Michael Briggs, whose Briggs True line of sauces and seasonings was one of six finalists from the Houston area.

Despite spending two days tasting every contestants' products, the judges and assembled finalists still found room to snack on a MaxFrut bar after the event ended. Eating when you should be full, or, in the case of Texas Monthly editor Pat Sharpe, on the way to try a newly opened Houston restaurant?

That's when you know something's good.

Hector Alba's MaxFrut took first prize.

Photo by Michelle Watson CatchlightGroup

Hector Alba's MaxFrut took first prize.

unspecified

Bari on the move

River Oaks Italian spot claims shuttered Woodlands steakhouse for new location

Courtesy of Bari Ristorante

Bari will serve dishes such as pappardelle bolognese.

Another inner loop dining favorite has set its sights on The Woodlands. Bari Ristorante will open its second location in the booming suburb’s popular Waterway section.

More specifically, Bari has claimed the former Tris space at 24 Waterway Avenue for a new location that will open in early 2026. Work is already underway to transform the space in line with Bari’s original location in River Oaks District. Think Bari’s signature salt walls and a similar color palette.

“Residents of The Woodlands have long enjoyed a reputation for being wine and food lovers,” Bari owners Pedro Teyuca and Tommy Nally tell CultureMap in an email. “You can see that by attendance in their many culinary events and support of the local food culture. Many of our longtime customers live in The Woodlands and have been after us to open Bari closer to home.”

Just as diners can expect a similar design between the two locations, so too will they find a nearly identical menu. That means fan favorites such as truffle pasta that’s finished in a parmigiano reggiano cheese wheel, branzino baked in a salt crust, and a chateaubriand steak that’s cooked in the pizza oven and flambéed table-side. A press release notes that all dishes are made in-house.

“Diners can experience respect for Italian food in a setting that evokes the stylish glamour of Milan and Rome. Serving classic dishes found from the mountains to the sea,” Teyuca and Nally write. “The menu will include dishes that represent the “Best of Bari” as well as the addition of premium cuts of meat.”

Bari opened in May 2023 under the direction of Teyuca, Nally, and chef Renato De Pirro. It quickly drew crowds for it classic italian fare and lively, see-and-be-seen atmosphere.

The trio acquired Georgia James steakhouse from Underbelly Hospitality in the summer of 2024. Tris, a fine dining steakhouse, closed in January after the departure of executive chef Austin Simmons. In early 2026, Simmons will open Charolais by Chef Austin Simmons, an ambitious new concept in The Woodlands’ Hughes Landing district that will include both a restaurant and a butcher shop.

news-you-can-eat openings the woodlands