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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

36:55

Episode 552 - Alba Huerta & Vanessa Alba of Julep and...

What"s Eric Eating ·

2026/04/23

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Alba Huerta and Vanessa Alba of Julep as well as Robin Wong of Blood Bros. BBQ. Alba shares her insights on the creation of The Parlor at Julep, why the multi-use space at Julep was the perfect vehicle for The Parlor, trying different things with The Parlor that they wouldn't do at Julep, the modern cocktail movement, the new techniques they're using, creating gastro-cocktails, finding a unique way to work with/see others in the industry with Chef's Cut,

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28:26

Episode 551 - Johnny Ritas Cocina y Cantina, Pho...

What"s Eric Eating ·

2026/04/21

On today's edition of the podcast, Eric is joined by Houston BBQ Festival co-founder Michael Fulmer. Eric and Michael cover some of the latest news from the Houston culinary scene including giving a recap of the 2026 Tastemaker Awards, Captain Fred's upcoming affordable seafood concept opening near Third Ward, and the great quest for a Topo Chico replacement. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Johnny Ritas Cocina y Cantina and the new combination of Pho Prime and Crawfish Cafe are featured

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45:28

Episode 550 - Paige and Andrew Alvis and German...

What"s Eric Eating ·

2026/04/16

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Paige and Andrew Alvis and German Mosquera of Long Weekend. The trio speak Eric about the creation of Long Weekend, where the idea came about, balancing being family friendly with higher end adult offerings, the former King's Bierhaus space being the right location for the concept, the renovations they made, how they utilize the space for the best experience, developing the menu, the baking program, the idea for the playground, the discourse regarding the

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29:11

Episode 549 - Loves Dumpling House and Shredders Pizza

What"s Eric Eating ·

2026/04/14

On today's edition of the show Eric is joined by Raffi Nasr of Craft Pita. First Raffi catches Eric up on his own personal news, the birth of the pita prince! Then the guys dive into the latest news from the Houston culinary scene including the 2 planned concepts that may arrive to a Houston area golf course from Michelin starred chef/owner Michael Fojtasek and Houston's ranking in Food & Wine Magazine's top 10 food cities of America list. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Loves Dumpling

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37:13

Episode 548 - David Anderson III and Dominick Lee of...

What"s Eric Eating ·

2026/04/09

On today's edition of the podcast Eric is joined by David Anderson III and Dominick Lee of Fancy's. The pair speak with Eric about how they started working together, their work on Augustine's, how the opportunity for Fancy's came about, the difference between Fancy's and Augustine's, why the River Oaks area was the right spot, bringing people together from all walks of life, the food, the amount of caviar, how they'd like the concept to evolve, being a destination spot, and much more! Plus, David

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21:38

Episode 547 - Latuli

What"s Eric Eating ·

2026/04/07

On today's edition of the podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson of Heights Grocer and Montrose Grocer. The pair dive into some of the latest news from Houston restaurant and bar scene including the 6 James Beard Award finalist nominations from Houston, Be More Pacific shuttering, and Julep's ranking on North America's Best Bars of 2026 list. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Latuli is featured. Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler

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36:43

Episode 546 - Jabril Riddick of Southern Jerks

What"s Eric Eating ·

2026/04/02

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Jabril Riddick of Southern Jerks. Jabril speaks with Eric about his decision to go on his own to open his own concept, why he decided on fried chicken as the cuisine for his concept, why Houston is the perfect place to showcase fried chicken with a twist, the flavor profile, making the sides standout, how the Jerk Burger ended up on the menu, wanting to open on the northside, opening in conjunction with a gas station, the confidence they have, how influencers

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38:28

Episode 545 - The Green Room

What"s Eric Eating ·

2026/03/31

Eric is joined once again by the Swanky Maven Felice Sloan on today's edition of the show. The pair dive into some of the latest news from the Houston culinary scene including, the closing of the Upper Kirby location of Fleming's, Simone Biles opening a restaurant at Bush Intercontinental, and the new Mediterranean concept from Ohio coming to Houston. In the Restaurants of the Week portion The Green Room is featured and Felice speaks about recent meal she had that was an all timer for her. Got a

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34:32

Episode 544 - Tom Cunanan, Daniel Davidson, and Brian...

What"s Eric Eating ·

2026/03/26

On today's edition of What's Eric Eating, Eric is joined by Tom Cunanan, Daniel Davidson, and Brian Doke of The Green Room. The trio speak with Eric about their respective careers, the early days, what brought Tom to Houston from DC, Brian's journey from helping others open concepts to working for himself, the decision behind carving out a portion of Heights & Co. for their new concept, Tom's journey into Filipino cuisine, the love for European cuisine, the difference in approach between Lazy

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41:23

Episode 543 - Long Weekend

What"s Eric Eating ·

2026/03/24

Today on the show Eric is joined by Monica to go over some of the latest happenings from the Houston culinary scene. Eric and Monica discuss The Raven Grill closing after 28 years of operation, chef Justin Yu's newest endeavor that has him working with United Airlines and Netflix's Chef's Table, and The Swift BLDG development has added 2 concepts to it's lineup. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Long Weekend is featured. Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on

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41:58

Episode 542 - Ryan Hildebrand of Killen's

What"s Eric Eating ·

2026/03/19

On today's edition of What's Eric Eating, Eric is joined by Ryan Hildebrand of Killen's. Ryan speaks with Eric about his time in Wimberley, the challenges they faced, why it was time to come home to Houston, the best thing they took away from their time in Wimberley, what appealed to him about working at Killen's, collaborating with Ronnie, the changes they've made to Killen's, some of the menu items they've added, the new lunch menu, the pressure to maintain the restaurant's Bib Gourmand status,

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32:43

Episode 541 - The Culinary Cup, Texas Roadhouse, &...

What"s Eric Eating ·

2026/03/17

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Houston BBQ Festival co-founder Michael Fulmer. Eric and Michael cover some of the latest news from the Houston culinary scene including the new California chicken restaurant chain Starbird coming to the city next year, the closure of Houston's only Pie Tap Pizza, and early thoughts on the new culinary competition show The Culinary Cup hosted by Padma Lakshmi. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Texas Roadhouse and Star Rover are featured. Got a question

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35:39

Episode 540 - Paul Miller of Gr8 Plate Hospitality

What"s Eric Eating ·

2026/03/12

Today on the show Eric is joined by Paul Miller of Gr8 Plate Hospitality. Paul speaks with Eric about the latest happenings at Gr8 Plate Hospitality, why Union Kitchen didn't end up working out in Katy, changing the Union Kitchen in Garden Oaks to Jax on the Tracks, why the change was right for that location of Union Kitchen, how the neighborhood has responded so far, what the future looks like for Gr8 Plate, why things are so difficult for restaurants currently, and an overarching conversation

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26:20

Episode 539 - Bar Xolo

What"s Eric Eating ·

2026/03/10

On today's edition of the podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson of Heights Grocer and Montrose Grocer. The duo discuss some of the latest news from the Houston food scene including the 4 Houston spots that made Texas Monthly's Best New Restaurants of 2026 list, the new Japanese concept coming from Atlas Restaurant Group, and Handies Douzo getting ready to open a 4th location later this year. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Bar Xolo is featured. Got a question for Eric? Email him at

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26:22

Episode 538 - Reginald Scott of The Smoke and Coarse

What"s Eric Eating ·

2026/03/05

On today's edition of the show Eric is joined by Reginald Scott of The Smoke and Coarse. Reginald catches Eric up on what's been happening with him since first appeared on the podcast 5 years ago, how he's forged his own path in the culinary scene, how The Smoke evolved into what it is today, the incredibly challenging logistics of running a BBQ spot in Finn Hall, being an established presence at Urban Harvest, what made the location for Coarse the right choice, the story behind the name Coarse,

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20:21

Episode 537 - Lee's

What"s Eric Eating ·

2026/03/03

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by CultureMap contributor Brianna McClane. Brianna and Eric dive into some of the latest news from the Houston bar and restaurant scene including; Cochinita & Co. getting ready to open a 2nd location and the relaunch of Fancy's under new ownership. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Lee's is featured. Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at

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35:01

Episode 536 - Chico Ramirez of Johnny Ritas Cocina y...

What"s Eric Eating ·

2026/02/26

On today's edition of the show Eric is joined by Chico Ramirez of Johnny Ritas Cocina y Cantina. Chico speaks with Eric about what happened with White Elm Brasserie, why Johnny Ritas was the right choice as his next project, deciding where to setup the concept, designing the space, developing the menu, why it was important to describe their food as "authentic Mexican cuisine with Tex-Mex familiarity", what they offer at brunch, how the cocktail program stands out, how his grandparents influenced

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24:54

Episode 535 - Weights and Measures, revived

What"s Eric Eating ·

2026/02/24

Episode 535 of What's Eric Eating, with Eric Sandler! This week Eric was joined by the Swanky Maven, Felice Sloan, an expert on food, wine, and good times to discuss...Pop Up Bagels, a national bagel chain with a couple locations opening up in Houston The Green Room, a new 26 seat, intimate dining experience in town Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles, a cult favorite chicken and waffles chain opening in our city And the restaurant of the week is 'Weights and Measures' Got a question for Eric? Email

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36:13

Episode 534 - Dave Mattern and Cary Grider of Trulucks

What"s Eric Eating ·

2026/02/19

On today's edition of the podcast Eric is joined by Dave Mattern and Cary Grider of Trulucks. Dave and Cary speak with Eric about their culinary careers leading up to Trulucks, the early days of Trulucks, being known for stone crab, their recent renovations, their intentional culture that allows for longevity with it's staff as well as business cards, the difference between their ownership situation versus other restaurants around the city, the company's thoughtful growth approach, being more of a

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35:29

Episode 533 - Hong Kong Food Street and Honest Mary's

What"s Eric Eating ·

2026/02/17

Today on the show Eric is joined by Raffi Nasr of Craft Pita to go through some of the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. First Raffi and Eric discuss a CultureMap exclusive regarding Brasserie 19 owner Charles Clark's 2 new Italian concepts coming soon, 2 recent closures (Succulent Fine Dining and Fainmous BBQ), and the return of Spanish Village. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Hong Kong Food Street and Honest Mary's are featured. Got a question for Eric? Email

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558 results

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