Gourmet & Healthy in San Marcos

Beverly Crock and her daughters, Lauren and Shannon, are the family behind For Goodness Sake Natural Food Store. They stock familiar items such as bacon, as well as lesser-known products such as bioflavonoids—plant compounds believed to improve the skin's appearance. But if visitors aren't familiar with such items, it's not a problem. “We educate people,” Shannon explained to The NB Scene. “That comes naturally to me because I grew up this way and it is my lifestyle as well.”

Although the store's representatives happily guide patrons through their inventory, many of the store's products need no introduction. Rainbow-hued carrots and crisp sugar-snap peas beckon from their perches, and organic eggs come from Vital Farms, where chickens roam in pastures and take European vacations whenever they want. Additionally, at the juice bar patrons sip on nectars squeezed from the store’s organic produce.

The drumroll of corn being popped or devoured constantly resounds through air scented with butter, cinnamon, caramel, and curry at Cornucopia. The crew embellishes popcorn with more than 30 unique flavors, which are divided into four basic categories: candied, chocolate, seasoned, and vegan. The list includes everything from basic butter or cheese popcorn to snacks reminiscent of Red Hots or s’mores as well as dill-pickle popcorn that the Austin Chronicle called “amazing.” Like the spark plugs of your rival’s car, the creative munchies can be packed into decorative bags and tins to make an ideal gift.

Make a healthy switch from deep-fried, ranch-smothered, game-watching grub and start a new tomato tradition by serving fans savory scoops of salsa. You won't miss precious touchdown time slaving away in the kitchen—there's no prep work, cooking time, or serious clean-up. You'll also appreciate the barbecue sauce's magical ability to transform your random groceries (tortilla shells, green beans, frozen dinners) into savory snackables.

Before lining the shelves of Con' Olio Oils & Vinegars, the shop's more then 50 olive oils and vinegars undergo careful taste-testing by owners Jeff and Tabatha Conarko. The husband-and-wife team import their stock from artisans and small-batch producers from around the world, including California, Chile, Greece, and Italy. Ensuring their patrons take home the perfect olive oil or vinegar for their pasta sauces or salad dressings, the Conarkos boast a sip-then-buy policy. They allow customers to sample any of the products directly from the taps of their stainless steel Fusti containers or right from the plump, greasy udders of an olive.

Hoping to revive the culture of the neighborhood butcher shop, with its personalized service, attention to detail, and artful products, restaurant-industry veterans Justin Rosberg and Jason Parent took a gamble on their first New Hampshire butcher shop in 2003. Dubbed The Meat House, their store quickly earned a foodie following, spawning additional franchise locations across the country. Today, The Meat House stocks fine cheeses, prepared side dishes, other gourmet grocery items, and hundreds of wines alongside the usual selection of traditional and exotic meats. Butchers also explain how to prepare each hand-carved cut of meat, sharing recipes, best slicing practices, and cooking techniques for giving pork chops the flavor of justice.

Spicely Organic Spices’ long, narrow boutique, outfitted with hardwood floors, wood paneling, and a vintage-style chest, resembles an apothecary except for its glittering chandeliers. Within the chest, square cubbies display spices and herbs that fit four certifications: organic, vegan, kosher, and gluten-free. These seasonings, which include cumin, oregano, and sage, originated in exotic kitchen pantries all over the world. The boutique strives to give back to the global and local community, working with fair trade–certified farmers when possible and donating a portion of its profits to the Red Cross.