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PODCAST

What"s Eric Eating

What"s Eric Eating

Every week, CultureMap Editor Eric Sandler examines the Houston culinary landscape, giving you the latest news, restaurant reviews, and interviews with some of the most interesting people in the scene. New episodes of the What"s Eric Eating? podcast drop every Tuesday and Thursday.

society & culture food

All Episodes

49:34

Episode 492 - Shawn Singh a.k.a. Shawn the Food Sheep

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/09/04

Today on the podcast, Eric is joined by Shawn Singh a.k.a. Shawn the Food Sheep! Shawn speaks with Eric about how he first got started down the influencer path, why the first 3 seconds of a video are so important, wanting to showcase his personality, building a good community, finding under the radar spots, staying positive with his content, coming around on sushi, older places around Houston that he'd like to try, his quest to try every Houston area restaurant in the Michelin Guide, what

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45:45

Episode 491 - Thomas Bille of Belly of the Beast

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/08/28

Thomas Bille of Belly of the Beast returns to the podcast after 5 long years and a James Beard Award win. Thomas shares with Eric why he decided to put a pause on the initial version of Belly of the Beast, what he took away from his experience of Chivos, why Spring was the right place for the new version of Belly of the Beast, looking at spaces in Houston initially, the vision for the new iteration, how it all came together, the menu this time around, taking time to get into a rhythm, what being

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31:18

Episode 490 - Yiayia’s Greek Kitchen

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/08/26

Eric is back again with another edition of the podcast. For this week's news and restaurants of the week, he is joined by Michael Fulmer, a co-founder of the Houston BBQ Festival. In the news, Eric and Michael discuss CASAEMA being named to Bon Appétit’s best new breakfast spots list, a 3rd location of Handies Douzo coming to Spring Branch, and the opening of a new Memorial City location of Katz's. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Yiayia’s Greek Kitchen is featured. Follow Eric on

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54:14

Episode 489 - Luis Robledo Richards of Mayahuel

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/08/21

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by chef Luis Robledo Richards of Mayahuel. Luis speaks with Eric about how his career got started, where his career has taken him, what drove him to pursue learning about being a pastry chef, working at Le Cirque, the creation of Tout Chocolat, how Tout Chocolat was unlike any other, being named the best pastry chef in Latin America, what brought him to Houston, restaurants he first visited in the city, Houston still being an underrated food destination, what went

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35:10

Episode 488 - Flora Mexican Kitchen, MAD, and Riel

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/08/19

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson of Heights Grocer to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The duo discuss the Michelin Guide's incoming announcement of Texas' second class of establishments selected for the guide and the 2nd location of The Woodlands area high profile restaurant The Audrey coming to the Galleria area. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Flora Mexican Kitchen, MAD, and Riel are featured. Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads

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49:50

Episode 487 - Chris Cusack of Betelgeuse Betelgeuse

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/08/14

On today's episode, Eric is joined by Chris Cusack of Betelgeuse Betelgeuse. Chris speaks with Eric about creating the first Betelgeuse Betelgeuse, their style of pizza, how they were able to open a 2nd location so quickly, why the Montrose area was appealing, how things are going with Betelgeuse Betelgeuse, how Soluna came together (and went), why restaurants are like rock bands, how the initial idea for Endless Bummer came about, entering the world of Tiki, working with artist Brian Dibala, how

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42:23

Episode 486 - Agnes and Sherman

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/08/12

A new cohost has entered the chat, as chef Raffi Nasr of Craft Pita joins Eric to go through some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. Raffi and Eric discuss the closure of Picos, the reopening of Savoir under new leadership, and chef Ryan Hildebrand's return to Houston. Plus, Raffi catches us up on the latest happenings with Craft Pita. In the Restaurants of the Week Agnes and Sherman is featured. Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by

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39:26

Episode 485 - Joseph Boudreaux of Boo's Burgers

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/08/07

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Joseph Boudreaux of Boo's Burgers. Joseph speaks with Eric about how he got into the culinary industry, why he decided to transition away from the corporate world, where his culinary journey took him before Boo's Burgers, what he learned from Jason Vaughn, starting Tipping Point Coffee, when word starting getting out about Boo's Burgers, why he decided to grind his own patties, how the burgers have evolved, doing things different with their toppings, why the

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38:21

Episode 484 - Kitchen Rumors and Alora

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/08/05

On today's episode Eric is joined by a newcomer to the podcast, as he's joined by CulutureMap contributor Brianna McClane. Brianna shares a bit about her background, then the pair dive into some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including the closure of Riel and Shipley Do-Nuts being acquired by a California based private equity firm. Plus, the duo give some picks for restaurants to check out during Houston Restaurants Weeks. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Kitchen

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28:40

Episode 483 - Nilesh Ranchod and Rajen Giga of 2 Phat...

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/07/31

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Nilesh Ranchod and Rajen Giga of 2 Phat Bastard Pies. Nilesh and Rajen speak with Eric about how they first became friends, coming to Houston from Zimbabwe, moving from environmental company work to the food industry, their fusion approach with their savory pies, how they're pies are different, flavors that were inspired by Houston, transitioning from catering to an everyday business model, opening inside The Post, the spicy options they offer, dishes they're

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34:00

Episode 482 - Latuli

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/07/29

The Swanky Maven Felice Sloan makes triumphant return to the podcast! Eric and Felice discuss some of the latest happenings in the Houston restaurant and bar scene including the opening of the new permanent location of the cult-favorite burger concept Boo's Burgers, the debut of a new limited time pop-up cocktail bar Navi's at The Post Oak Hotel, and the reopening of the Colorado Club. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Latuli is featured. Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You

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40:54

Episode 481 - Randy Hines and Michael Horne of...

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/07/24

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Randy Hines and Michael Horne of Kolache Shoppe. The pair catch Eric up on what's been happening with the brand over the past few years, getting ready to open the new Memorial location, how the new location compares to the others, why Memorial was the right area, Randy's experience with franchising the concept, lessons learned from the Kingwood store closure, how Michael got started with the Kolache Shoppe, doing collaborations, future plans, and much more!

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29:44

Episode 480 - Succulent Fine Dining

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/07/22

Monica Danna is back! She joins Eric to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including FM Kitchen + Bar being folded into PKL Social and the new ghost kitchen concept Kaisen Sushi Houston making a big splash. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Succulent Fine Dining is featured. Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Inner Loop

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23:15

Episode 479 - The Ultimate Houston Dessert Draft...

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/07/17

Time to announce the winner of The Ultimate Houston Dessert Draft, who's picking the winner you ask? Michelle Wallace of b'tween Sandwich Co.! Michelle joins Eric on the podcast today to not only pick the winner of the draft but also let us know how things are going at b'tween Sandwich Co., the advice she gave to Greg Gatlin before he began competing on Food Network's BBQ Brawl, and whether a brick + mortar of b'tween Sandwich Co. is in the works. Plus, Michelle shares her thoughts on how the

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54:01

Episode 478 - The Ultimate Houston Dessert Draft

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/07/15

On today's episode of the podcast, you're in for something a lot sweeter than normal... because well it's The Ultimate Houston Dessert Draft! Listen as Eric, alongside Local Foods Group's Chelsea Thomas, the Hangry Houstonian Danielle Dubois, Fluff Bake Bar's Becky Masson, Underground Creamery's Josh Deleon, and Heights Grocer's Mary Clarkson attempt to craft the best dessert lineup. The drafters will be selecting a lineup of 6 desserts in total withe each drafter making one selection in each of

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46:29

Episode 477 - The Bear Season 4 Recap with Justin Yu

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/07/10

Season 4 of The Bear premiered on Hulu a couple of weeks ago so it's time to get our into our now yearly discussion with the Ultimate Date Night Draft winner himself, Justin Yu. Eric and Justin dive into a full spoiler conversation all about season 4 including the financial challenges that the restaurant faced this season, the difficulty of changing the menu so much, how that frequency can also speak to a level of selfishness (looking at you Carmy), how tough it is for a restaurant to find the right

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26:37

Episode 476 - Good God, Nadine's and Ichijiku...

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/07/08

On today's podcast Eric is joined by Michael Fulmer to discuss Bobby Heugel and Jackie Stromm uniting for a new cocktail bar concept and Michael's beef with an overused word in food media. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Good God, Nadine's and Ichijiku Neighborhood Sushi are featured. Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Exclusive: New Cocktail Bar from Houston

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38:45

Episode 475 - Bryan Caswell and Allison Knight of Latuli

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/07/03

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Bryan Caswell and Allison Knight of Latuli. The pair discuss with Eric why the Memorial area was the right place for Latuli, the scale of it, developing the menu, the nods to previous concepts of Bryan's, the staff, what the opening process has been like for Allison, the unusual design of Latuli, making it kid friendly, how things are going so far, adding lunch service, the vision for the concept, and more. Plus, Allison shares about her background and what led

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52:17

Episode 474 - King Steak

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/07/01

Eric's back! Today he's joined by Chelsea Thomas to go through the latest happenings in the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The duo discuss chef Thomas Bille winning Best Chef Texas at this year's James Beard Awards, Tristen Epps winning Top Chef, and Austin based Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group coming to Houston after claiming a space in Autry Park. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, King Steak is featured. Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by

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62:55

Episode 473 - Bobby Heugel of Thorough Fare Hospitality

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/06/12

Bobby Heugel is back for an in-depth conversation with Eric about the current state of the restaurant/bar scene in Houston. Bobby speaks with Eric about a plethora of topics including the current state of Thorough Fare Hospitality, whether there's oversaturation in the Houston food scene, why Michelin benefits the winners more than the city, the challenges with tariffs, why fresh build aspirations are decreasing, negotiating with landlords, the gen z customer/worker, and much more! Eric is taking

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518 results

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