Whole Foods

Founded in 1980 in Austin, this peddler of all-natural and organic produce and products features a wide range of Texas-grown foods, but if imported French butter is your thing, Whole Foods has that too. Each department's staff is knowledgeable, chipper and willing to hold your hand when indecision strikes. For example, the cheesemongers will take all the time you need when putting together a cheese plate for a dinner party with your boss. Most departments also offer prepared items, so when you've spent an hour wandering the aisles in search of dinner's ingredients and come up empty, grab a dinner-for-two package.