Tag: HEB

Veterans Day Specials from Chef Nicola Blaque and H-E-B

On Tuesday November 11, H-E-B will distribute gift bags to veterans inside their stores. Photo: H-E-B, used with permission.

Honoring Veterans Day with Chef Nicola Blaque and H-E-B

Every year on November 11, we pause to honor Veterans Day, a time to recognize the brave men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. This day reminds us that freedom comes at a cost, and it’s an opportunity to express gratitude to those who have sacrificed to protect it. From community parades to acts of service and remembrance, Veterans Day is about acknowledging courage, resilience, and dedication that continue to inspire generations.

This year, in celebration of Veterans Day on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, James Beard-nominated chef and U.S. Army veteran Nicola Blaque invites veterans and community members to come together over good food and shared appreciation. (The Jerk Shack/Freight Fried Chicken, 2025)

Celebrate with Chef Nicola Blaque

At her award-winning San Antonio restaurants, The Jerk Shack and Freight Fried Chicken, Chef Blaque is offering a special way to honor veterans, with a comforting fried chicken plate for just $10.

The Jerk Shack will feature its island-style fried chicken paired with bold Caribbean sides like pineapple slaw and masala fries.

Freight Fried Chicken will serve its signature boneless fried chicken plate, highlighting classic Southern flavors with sides such as mac ’n cheese, seasoned fries, and fried corn.

📍 The Jerk Shack
10234 TX-151, Suite 103, San Antonio, TX 78251
🕚 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 11, 2025

📍 Freight Fried Chicken
312 Pearl Pkwy, Building 6, San Antonio, TX 78215
🕙 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Tuesday, November 11, 2025

About Chef Nicola Blaque

Lattoia Nicola Massey, known professionally as Chef Nicola Blaque, is a proud veteran, chef, and restaurateur based in San Antonio, Texas. Her Jamaican-inspired restaurant, The Jerk Shack, quickly became a local favorite after opening in 2018, earning a Bib Gourmand designation from the Michelin Guide in 2024.

In early 2024, she expanded her culinary footprint with Freight Fried Chicken, located in the Pearl district, a restaurant that pays homage to the formerly enslaved women who sold fried chicken in post-Civil War Virginia to support themselves and their families.

H-E-B’s Ongoing Commitment to Veterans

On Veterans Day and every day, H-E-B Partners across Texas honor the sacrifices of our nation’s veterans and their families through Operation Appreciation, a companywide initiative launched in 2013. (H-E-B, 2025)

This year, H-E-B stores across the state will distribute gift bags filled with H-E-B brand items and notes of gratitude to veterans both in stores and at local nonprofits such as VFW and American Legion posts.

Through Operation Appreciation, H-E-B has contributed over $17 million to military-based nonprofits in Texas, supported employment for more than 30,000 veterans and military spouses, and even provided mortgage-free homes to severely wounded veterans.

Customers can also give back by purchasing items from the Café Ole by H-E-B Commemorative Collection, with $0.35 from every purchase donated to military nonprofits across Texas.

A Shared Moment of Gratitude

Veterans Day is more than a holiday, it’s a moment to come together as a community to say thank you. Whether through a warm meal, a handwritten note, or a simple act of kindness, every gesture helps honor those who’ve served.

This Veterans Day, celebrate courage, community, and connection, one plate at a time.

Photo: Ann Compositions, used with permission.

San Antonio’s Turkey Trot 2020 to go virtual this year

This year’s San Antonio Food Bank’s Turkey Trot will be virtual. Photo: google

It is time for the race that puts the “turkey” in Turkey Trot: the 10th annual San Antonio Food Bank Turkey Trot, presented by H-E-B. This year, due to the pandemic, Turkey Trot has gone virtual, but this only means participants can run anywhere, anytime on Thanksgiving Day. (San Antonio Food Bank, 2020)

Walkers and runners can receive a Turkey Trot tech running shirt, finisher’s medal and more as part of their registration. They also can opt to provide more than the one turkey provided from their registration. Registration is live and walkers and runners are encouraged to sign up early. The 2020 event on Thanksgiving will be virtual. Walk/run your 5K from anywhere in the world. Every registration provides a turkey for someone in need in our community. Registration information is available online.

Walkers and racers can post their day-of photos in their social media platform of choice and tag the Food Bank (safoodbank) or hashtag the race (#turkeytrotsatx).

“While we truly miss the annual event from the H-E-B headquarters and Commander’s House, this virtual event means that so many more can participate. We would expect more than 5,000 in-person, but this virtual option to run or walk a 5K (3.2miles or so) means that anyone can participate from anywhere they happen to be on Thanksgiving Day. We hope to see families participate with multi-generations that have never come downtown for the race. It could be huge. And it all benefits those facing hunger.” – Eric Cooper, President/CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank.

The San Antonio Food Bank is a 501c3 non‐profit organization providing millions of pounds of food to over 530 charitable organizations in Southwest Texas serving those in need. In addition to food distribution, the San Antonio Food Bank provides numerous programs that not only solve the immediate problems of hunger, but help individuals and families gain long‐term food security.