x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

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

30:00

Episode 512 - Michael Sambrooks of Candente and The...

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/11/13

On today's edition of the podcast, Eric is joined by Michael Sambrooks of Sambrooks Hospitality which is behind Candente and The Pit Room. Michael speaks with Eric about the big news that Candente's opening 2nd location will open in Bellaire, how the location popped up on their radar, why Bellaire was the right choice, what they need to do to change the former Mandito's space into Candente, bringing the same Candente experience to the new location, the expected opening date for the new location,

en-us

30:45

Episode 511 - Murray's Pizza & Wine and 93' Til

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/11/11

Local Houston celebrity Felice Sloan, aka the Swanky Maven, takes time from her busy autograph schedule to join Eric on today's show. The pair discuss some of the latest news including the upcoming opening of Doc's Houston and how things went at the first ever Bites & Beyond Festival this past weekend. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Murray's Pizza & Wine and 93' Til are featured. Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at

en-us

42:36

Episode 510 - Deets Hoffman of Murray's Pizza & Wine...

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/11/06

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Deets Hoffman of Murray's Pizza & Wine and Leaf & Grain. Deets speaks with Eric about why pizza was the route he wanted to go following the success of Leaf & Grain, why they wanted to go more adult date night forward with Murray's, the wine offerings, his wife's reaction to picking her name for the concept, why they went with sourdough as their choice for pizza crust, their topping options, the small plates they offer, how things have gone in the

en-us

39:09

Episode 509 - Charm Taphouse & BBQ and Truluck's

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/11/04

On the show today, Eric is joined by Houston BBQ Festival co-founder Michael Fulmer. Eric and Michael go through some of the latest news from the Houston culinary scene including the surprising closure of Paulie's and the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo's fine dining change coming in 2026. Plus, the guys discuss a bit more about the Michelin Guide's announcement from last week focusing on the Houston restaurants that were added this year. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Charm Taphouse

en-us

48:45

Episode 508 - Otto Othman and Adrian Sanchez of PINCHO

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/10/30

Today on the show, Eric is joined by Otto Othman and Adrian Sanchez of PINCHO. The duo speak with Eric about their culinary careers, what got them interested in the culinary scene, where the idea for PINCHO came from, what the name means, developing a family recipe for pincho into a commercial success, the evolution of the burger menu, entering food competitions, having fun with flavors, what people can expect from PINCHO’s burger options, the weirdest combination of burger flavors they tried that

en-us

50:33

Episode 507 - Michelin Guide Reactions

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/10/29

It's year 2 of the Michelin Guide being in Texas and during a special ceremony in Houston on Tuesday night the guide announced the newest recipients of stars, recommendations, and more in Texas. So for this edition of the podcast Eric, alongside June Rodil of Goodnight Hospitality, CultureMap contributor Brianna McClane, and Misha Govshteyn a.k.a. the Michelin Inspector Inspector, react to this years selections. In a roundtable discussion, the group cover what we've learned so far in regards to

en-us

35:20

Episode 506 - Peter Skountzos and Manuel E....

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/10/23

On today's show Eric is joined by Peter Skountzos and Manuel E. Guzmán-López of Doc's Houston. The duo speak with Eric about their careers leading up to Doc's, the story behind the name, why Houston was the right fit for the expansion of Jazz, TX, what was appealing about the Tower Theater space, the entertainment that patrons can expect, the food offerings at Doc's, the most important aspect of a restaurant, when Houstonians can expect for Doc's to open, and much more! Follow Eric on

en-us

32:11

Episode 505 - Late August

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/10/21

On today's edition of the podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson of Heights Grocer. The pair speak about some of the latest restaurant/bar news from the Houston scene including Mary's own news that Heights Grocer is expanding into Montrose. Mary shares what they'll be able to do with the larger space in Montrose, what she's learned in her first year with Heights Grocer, and the wide selection of products they offer. Mary and Eric also discuss Clare Smith taking over the Menil Collection's campus

en-us

33:40

Episode 504 - Ryan Lachaine and Bobby Matos of State...

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/10/16

On today's edition of the podcast Eric is joined by Ryan Lachaine and Bobby Matos of State of Grace. The pair speak with Eric about why Ryan was a fit for State of Grace, why they want to push to be more like the old State of Grace, doing their chefs table dinners, the food forward regulars at State of Grace, what they've added to the menu (mmmm butter burgers), why State of Grace's french fries are the best in Houston (as picked by Eric), the prices of oysters, and much more! Plus, Ryan shares why

en-us

43:00

Episode 503 - Vida Mariscos and Connie's Frozen Custard

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/10/14

On episode 503 of What's Eric Eating, Eric Sandler was joined by former food critic, and current Director of Events & Catering at Local Foods Group, Chelsea Thomas!They discussed... The unfortunate closing down of Kim Son, and the continued stress put on all businesses around the I-45 expansion The opening of Maison Chinoise A San Antonio based coffee chain opening up a couple locations in Houston Restaurant of the Week - Vida Mariscos A trip out to Connie's Frozen Custard in Cypress for

en-us

26:00

Episode 502 - Armando DiMeo of Coastline Pizzeria

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/10/09

On today's podcast Eric is joined by Armando DiMeo of Coastline Pizzeria. Armando speaks with Eric about how he first decided to become a chef, working in the family business, when he knew that pizza was his passion, why decided to focus on Neapolitan pizza, Houston's struggles with Neapolitan pizza, where grilled pizza came from, the creative freedoms of grilled style, the upcoming seasonal menu, how things have gone in the first 2 years, cultivating a strong team culture via listening, the menu

en-us

50:41

Episode 501 - Eric Opens the Mailbag

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/10/07

In celebration of 500 episodes, Eric is doing something never done before in podcasting ok well at least never been done on this podcast before. For the first time Eric, joined by CultureMap's Home & Design Contributor Emily Cotton, gets out the What's Eric Eating mailbag to answer listener submitted questions. What was Eric's most star struck moment? What's been some of his top, all time favorite meals since he started the podcast? What are the iconic dishes of Houston? He answers those

en-us

57:41

Episode 500 - Meet 6 of the 2025 Houston StarChefs...

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/10/02

Eric's doing things a little different today for this 500th edition of the podcast (yep 500!). Today Eric is being joined by not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5, but 6 of Houston's Rising Stars selected by StarChefs for 2025. Eric visits with Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu of JŪN, Lucas McKinney of Josephine's, Maham Qureshi of Shakkar, Adrian Torres of Maximo, and Kristine Nguyen of Bludorn. Hear their excitement on being selected, what they're up to as of late, and much more on this special edition of

en-us

29:06

Episode 499 - North China

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/09/30

On today's podcast Eric is joined by one of StarChef's Rising Stars of 2025, Craft Pita's own Raffi Nasr!. Raffi and Eric talk about some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Justin Yu and Bobby Heugel's newest concept coming to Montrose, Ryan Lachaine's new gig, and the StarChefs Rising Stars Houston Class of 2025. In the Restaurants of the Week portion North China is featured. Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him

en-us

56:07

Episode 498 - Catching Up with Houston Hospitality...

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/09/25

Today on the show Eric has in depth conversation with Houston hospitality veteran Jonathan Horowitz. The pair discuss Jonathan's leaving from the Houston Hospitality Alliance, how he found his way into commercial real estate, the ramifications of the pandemic on the restaurant industry, the difficulties that are now present within the industry post pandemic, the changes in customer behavior/demand, the "winning the neighborhood" strategy, the desire to stay within your area to eat, how technology

en-us

34:16

Episode 497 - Local Public Eatery and a One Michelin...

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/09/23

CultureMap contributor Brianna McClane is back on What's Eric Eating. Eric and Brianna discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Candente claiming the space formerly occupied by Mandito's for it's 2nd location, Tacos A Go Go's 2 new locations opening with cocktails by Bobby Heugel, and the fall restaurant openings they're most looking forward to. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Local Public Eatery is featured. Plus, Eric and Brianna do a quick

en-us

42:50

Episode 496 - Tristen Epps of Buboy

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/09/18

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Tristen Epps of Buboy. Tristen speaks with Eric about how scrambled eggs and Japanese TV set him on a path towards being a chef, his initial stint in Houston, why he decided on Houston for his big city experience, meeting/working with Marcus Samuelsson, pushing the idea of what really is fine dining cuisine, winning Top Chef: Destination Canada, why now was the right time for him to go on Top Chef, how the show has evolved to showcasing your food within the

en-us

36:25

Episode 495 - Butter Funk Kitchen and Southern Jerks

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/09/16

On today's podcast Eric is joined by the Swanky Maven herself Felice Sloan! Eric and Felice discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including the closure of Bosscat Kitchen & Libations' in River Oaks, ChòpnBlọk being named to the New York Times' 50 Best Restaurants in America list, and chef Kate McClean's departure from Tony's Restaurant. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Butter Funk Kitchen and Southern Jerks are featured. Follow Eric on

en-us

35:47

Episode 494 - Jacques Varon and Evan McCarley of Baso

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/09/11

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Jacques Varon and Evan McCarley of Baso. The pair speak with Eric about how they first got connected, the evolution of Baso since it first opened, the addition of Sarah Dowling to the team, the incredible wine list, what they've learned from their customers, what it's meant to be part of the Michelin Guide, the growth of Baso's popularity, current goals, and more! Plus, Evan shares about her culinary history, how she first got involved with Baso, and the duo

en-us

32:36

Episode 493 - Mayahuel

What"s Eric Eating ·

2025/09/09

On today's podcast Eric is joined by Monica Danna to discuss some the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair speak about Ostia shuttering this week, chefs Austin Simmons and Aaron Bludorn opening new spots in The Woodlands, and Terrence Gallivan's new restaurant set to open in Hotel Daphne. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Mayahuel is featured. Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out

en-us

518 results

Similar Podcasts

Voices of Life

APG Mannheim

Promo Estereo Podcast

Promo Estereo

Talking Timelines Podcast

Talkingtimelines

גיקונומי

ראם שרמן ודורון ניר

Drømmefanger

Drømmefanger