HOUSTON – Thousands of Houstonians packed grocery stores on the day before Thanksgiving, even despite some challenges with certain staple ingredients.
All it takes is a walk around any grocery store and you'll feel it -- the eve of Thanksgiving is here, and many people are out and about, getting what they need.
"Grocery shopping last-minute ... picking up a few things for the house," said Katy resident Asheley Gilbert.
At the H-E-B on Alabama Street, shoppers seem to be everywhere in a busy but efficient operation.
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Thanksgiving shopping! Today is the day. It's the last day before Thanksgiving and grocery stores are busy! KPRC2 / Click2Houston
Posted by KPRC2 Rose-Ann Aragon on Wednesday, November 21, 2018
"Foil and chicken stock," said shopper Jack Vercados.
"Wine, crackers and cheese," said shopper Carolyn Boone. "Getting stuff for when my daughter is coming to town."
Others saved perhaps the most important part.
"The turkey," laughed another shopper, who preferred to keep her last-minute tendencies and identity anonymous.
Meanwhile, others knew exactly what they didn't want.
"No lettuce," said Shaimaa Hassan who came from Oak Forest.
She was one of many who heeded the warning from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which recalled all romaine lettuce due to a potential E. coli contamination that may have made dozens in America sick.
"I told my husband this morning because he hadn't seen it, and I said, 'Make sure you look,'" said shopper Casey Fleming, who lives in the Third Ward.
"I immediately went back and threw out all the lettuce in my fridge," Hassan said.
Now, there was a rush for other greens. Once-prepared shoppers are now feeling the pressure of time.
"It looked like they were selling out of the baby spinach and arugula," said Gilbert.
As the H-E-B on Alabama quickly replenished the supply of greens, shoppers seemed delighted.
"We're going to go with the spinach," said shopper Sarah Lurry.
"There is plenty, but it is busy," said shopper Bill Sabin.
The parking lots were busy as well, but many shoppers were in good spirits.
"So far, so good! People are being really kind," Fleming said.
Fleming's husband even thought to share his advice to those trying to beat the rush.
"Do everything together and everything goes smoothly," Trip Galleher said.