Corpus Christi’s Saratoga Boulevard H‑E‑B plus! is getting a full smoky upgrade, complete with pit‑smoked brisket on the way. H‑E‑B is adding a True Texas BBQ restaurant to the store at 5313 Saratoga Blvd. as part of a roughly $32.3 million renovation.
Company officials confirmed the plan to MySA, which reports this Saratoga Boulevard location will be the first True Texas BBQ in both the Coastal Bend and the company’s Gulf Coast region. The outlet adds that, once work is done, the H‑E‑B plus! will span nearly 179,000 square feet.
What Is True Texas BBQ?
True Texas BBQ is H‑E‑B’s in‑house barbecue concept, a counter‑service spot tucked inside select stores that serves smoked meats, loaded baked potatoes and classic sides. The brand notes that the operation is run by trained pitmasters and highlights smoking meats over Texas oak as a calling card.
The Renovation And Timeline
Records filed with the state describe the work as a major remodel that will add about 4,700 square feet and bring the store’s footprint to roughly 179,000 square feet, with an estimated construction cost of $32,283,747, according to local broadcaster KRIS 6. KRIS reports the filing lists a May 2026 construction start and an estimated April 2027 completion.
Local Reaction And Next Steps
Shoppers in local Facebook groups are already talking about the move, with fans shouting out True Texas BBQ’s brisket beans and loaded baked potatoes, MySA found. A company spokesperson told MySA that construction work began in June 2026 and that the full overhaul is expected to last about a year.
Where This Fits In H‑E‑B’s Rollout
Bringing True Texas BBQ to the Saratoga H‑E‑B plus! lines up with the company’s pattern of dropping the concept into larger, renovated stores. The company’s newsroom recently highlighted a Bastrop reopening that added a full True Texas BBQ restaurant. For Corpus Christi shoppers, that likely translates into an expanded grab‑and‑go selection along with an in‑store dining counter where customers can order by the plate or by the pound, H‑E‑B Newsroom reports.
