Boerne, August 27, 2025
News Summary
Klein Smokehaus from Boerne has advanced as one of ten finalists in H-E-B’s Quest for Texas Best contest, out of 370 entries from 150 Texas cities. The competition highlights small food entrepreneurs, offering $100,000 in cash prizes and retail opportunities at H-E-B. With a focus on handcrafted bacon inspired by German heritage, Klein Smokehaus will compete for significant awards at the final event scheduled in San Antonio. This annual contest has recognized numerous local products, promoting exposure and distribution for Texas businesses.
Boerne — Klein Smokehaus of Boerne has been named one of 10 finalists in H-E-B’s annual Quest for Texas Best competition, advancing from a field of 370 entries representing 150 Texas cities. The 12th edition of the contest will conclude at H-E-B’s headquarters in San Antonio on September 25, 2025, where cash awards and statewide grocery placement will be decided.
Top-line details
Klein Smokehaus, known for handcrafted bacon made using traditional techniques inspired by German heritage, joins nine other small businesses competing for a combined $100,000 in cash prizes and the opportunity to place their product on H-E-B shelves across Texas. The Grand Prize winner will receive $50,000 and the Texas Best designation with guaranteed placement in H-E-B stores. Other cash prizes include $25,000 for first place, $15,000 for second place, and $10,000 for third place.
Why this matters
The Quest for Texas Best competition is designed to give small food and beverage entrepreneurs exposure, mentorship, and a pathway to retail distribution. Since the competition began, more than 1,000 unique products have been discovered and evaluated, with many later becoming household staples for Texans. Since 2014, the program has awarded a total of $2.75 million in prize money, and 55 Texas small businesses have reached $1 million in sales and been recognized with an H-E-B Million Dollar Club belt buckle.
What to expect at the final event
The final pitch and judging session is scheduled for September 25 at H-E-B’s San Antonio headquarters. Finalists will be evaluated by a panel and winners will be selected to receive cash prizes and product placement opportunities. Selection as a finalist already provides participating businesses with statewide visibility and access to H-E-B mentorship resources.
Local culinary scene: upcoming Fajita Lounge Showdown
Separately in San Antonio, the Fajita Lounge Showdown will take place on August 31 at Gimme Gimme in Southtown. Now in its third year, the event began as a casual element of a crawfish boil and has grown into a culinary competition featuring celebrated local chefs and restaurants. The event will run from 5:00 PM to 2:00 AM and will include specialty cocktails and live music. One of the judges, Texas Monthly’s Taco Editor, will help award a $500 prize. The Fajita Lounge Showdown is positioned as a community event celebrating San Antonio’s taco culture and local restaurant talent.
Supporting context
The Quest for Texas Best contest has become an annual pipeline for product discovery within the state’s food economy, helping small producers move from local markets to regional and statewide retail shelves. The combined cash pool of $100,000 serves both as direct support to winners and as a signal to buyers and consumers. In past years, products that started in this competition have gone on to broaden their distribution, increase production, and scale sales to significant levels.
What Klein Smokehaus brings to the table
Klein Smokehaus’s entry highlights a focus on handcrafted bacon made with traditional methods tied to German heritage. The company’s inclusion among 10 finalists indicates the product met the competition’s standards for taste, branding, packaging, and scalability. Final judging will consider those factors alongside business readiness for retail distribution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Klein Smokehaus’s status in the Quest for Texas Best competition?
Klein Smokehaus is one of ten finalists selected from 370 entries representing 150 Texas cities and will compete in the final round on September 25, 2025, at H-E-B’s headquarters in San Antonio.
What prizes are available in the competition?
The competition offers a combined $100,000 in cash prizes. The Grand Prize winner receives $50,000 and the Texas Best title with guaranteed product placement in H-E-B stores. Additional prizes include $25,000 for first place, $15,000 for second place, and $10,000 for third place.
How many entries and cities participated this year?
This year’s contest included 370 entries from 150 cities across Texas.
When and where is the final competition?
The final competition is scheduled for September 25, 2025, at H-E-B’s headquarters in San Antonio.
What is the Fajita Lounge Showdown and when is it?
The Fajita Lounge Showdown is a culinary competition in San Antonio taking place on August 31 at Gimme Gimme in Southtown, running from 5:00 PM to 2:00 AM, featuring local chefs, specialty cocktails, music, and a $500 prize awarded by a guest judge.
Key features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Finalist | Klein Smokehaus (Boerne) |
| Entries | 370 entries from 150 cities |
| Competition year | 12th annual Quest for Texas Best |
| Total cash prizes | $100,000 combined |
| Grand Prize | $50,000 + Texas Best title + guaranteed H-E-B placement |
| Other awards | $25,000 (first), $15,000 (second), $10,000 (third) |
| Final event | September 25, 2025 — H-E-B headquarters, San Antonio |
| Local event | Fajita Lounge Showdown — August 31, Gimme Gimme, Southtown |
Timeline
| Date/Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| August 27, 2025 | Announcement of finalists including Klein Smokehaus | Finalist list released (current announcement) |
| August 31, 2025, 5:00 PM–2:00 AM | Fajita Lounge Showdown at Gimme Gimme in Southtown | Event scheduled; community culinary competition |
| September 25, 2025 | Quest for Texas Best final competition at H-E-B headquarters | Final judging and prize awards |
| 2014–2025 | Program history and cumulative awards | Since 2014, $2.75M awarded; 55 businesses reached $1M |
Statistics and visual summary
Comparative snapshot of entries, finalists, and cities in this year’s contest:
Program totals since inception:
- Total prize money awarded since 2014: $2,750,000
- Unique products discovered: 1,000+
- Businesses reaching $1M in sales: 55
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Community Impact
- Wikipedia: Klein Smokehaus
- Express News
- Google Search: H-E-B Quest for Texas Best
- CultureMap San Antonio
- Google Scholar: Klein Smokehaus
- Express News Project
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Boerne Restaurants
- Austin Chronicle
- Google News: Klein Smokehaus
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
