Podcast
What's Eric Eating
Hosted by What's Eric Eating · EN
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.
35episodes
Episodes
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Episode 566 - Fred McBride of Captain Mc's Seafood
3d ago00:23:13Tap to summarizeOn today's episode Eric is joined by Fred McBride of Captain Mc's Seafood. Fred speaks with Eric about how went from being a music teacher to pursuing a career in culinary, learning about commercial fishing, how he made connections with restaurants, getting his foot in the door with Chris Williams, why he decided to create a restaurant, wanting to go with more of a fast casual concept rather than something more elevated, how chefs have helped him through this process, developing the menu, the importance of supporting local fisheries, how the first month has gone for them since opening, building up the commercial fishing side of the business at the same time, and more! 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 Culturemap.com: Houston's Space-Themed Bar will Shutter After 3 Years in Montrose Ronnie Killen Sets Closing Date for His Michelin-Rated Comfort Food Eatery Shuttered Houston Restaurant Revived for 1 Night Only at Canada Day Pop-Up Cherished Houston Indo-Pak Restaurant Opens To-Go Only Location in Katy A Highly Opinionated Take on Houston's Venture-Backed New Bagel Shop
Transcribe →Episode 565 - Osteria di Mercato
5d ago00:57:54Tap to summarizeChelsea Thomas, a.k.a. Date Night Draft 3.0 Winner, of Local Foods Group makes her triumphant return to the podcast! Chelsea joins Eric today to discuss some of the latest news from Houston food scene including the biggest news of all - Evelyn Garcia, Henry Lu, and Adrian Torres becoming James Beard Award winners. The pair speak about what the wins mean for Houston, why Houston continues to show that it's the top food city of Texas, why they're all so deserving of the recognition, how they've been able to standout, and Chelsea's experience working with Adrian as part of Local Foods Group. Plus, they cover Aga’s To Go opening a location in Katy. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Osteria di Mercato 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 Culturemap.com: Houston Restaurants Have a Historic Night with 2 James Beard Award Wins Cherished Houston Indo-Pak Restaurant Opens To-Go Only Location in Katy Shuttered Houston Restaurant Revived for 1 Night Only at Canada Day Pop-Up A Highly Opinionated Take on Houston's Venture-Backed New Bagel Shop Ronnie Killen Sets Closing Date for His Michelin-Rated Comfort Food Eatery
Transcribe →Episode 564 - 9 Tarot Readings for Houston Food with Amber Ambrose
1w ago00:30:12Tap to summarizeToday on the podcast Eric is doing things a bit different today... ok a lot different. Eric is joined by former food writer and now Tarot reader Amber Ambrose. Eric has 9 items regarding Houston food, including certain foods like barbecue, current trends, and new restaurants that Amber will be giving readings for. Find out what the cards say on this unique episode of the show! 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 Culturemap.com: Houston Restaurants Have a Historic Night with 2 James Beard Award Wins All-Day Mexican Cafe Known for Açaí Bowls Sets Woodlands Opening Date California-Inspired Houston Restaurant Makes Robb Report Best New List Pop-Up Market Entertains World Cup Fans with Food Trucks, Drinks, and More Coffee, Gelato, and 'Chops' Coming to New Memorial-Area Development
Transcribe →Episode 563 - Kirkwood
2w ago00:38:04Tap to summarizeToday 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. Eric and Raffi discuss Sambrooks Hospitality Group opening a location of Candente in the Heights next year, a LA based hospitality group bringing a new Italian concept to Uptown, and the duo discuss the latest season of Top Chef. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Kirkwood 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 Culturemap.com: Houston Restaurants Have a Historic Night with 2 James Beard Award Wins Houston's Only Michelin-Recognized Tex-Mex Joint Confirms Heights Plans LA- Based Group Serves Up Sleek Italian Eatery and Bar to Uptown Project Coffee, Gelato, and 'Chops' Coming to New Memorial-Area Development Elevated Mexican American Cocktail Bar Blooms in Historic Downtown Space
Transcribe →Episode 562 - JD Davy and Paul Rice of Recess
2w ago00:33:18Tap to summarizeEric, on today's edition of the show, is joined by JD Davy and Paul Rice of Recess. The guys speak with Eric about how they first started working together, where the idea for Recess came from, what parents/kids can expect from the playground area, the design of the playground, how the business differentiates itself from daycares or camps, the membership/reservation options for parents, the style of cuisine they're offering, pricing for food, their timeline for opening, the excitement building ahead of the opening, and more! 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 Culturemap.com: Houston Chef's Menu Takes Off on United's Premium Business Class Offering Growing Houston Mediterranean Restaurant Picks Memorial for 3rd Location Houston's Only Michelin-Recognized Tex-Mex Joint Confirms Heights Plans Damaged Houston Sushi Restaurant Finds Temporary Home at Uptown Bar Buzzy East Coast Bagel Bakery Sets Opening Date for First Houston Shop
Transcribe →Episode 561 - Eleven Eleven and Hidden Omakase
3w ago00:38:43Tap to summarizeToday on the podcast Eric is joined by CultureMap contributor Brianna McClane. Brianna and Eric discuss some of the latest news from the Houston culinary scene including the closure of the original location of State Fare, The Rice Box opening a location in Clear Lake, and Gyro Hut takes over the leases of 3 Houston area Halal Guys locations. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Eleven Eleven and Hidden Omakase.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 Culturemap.com: Texas Comfort Food Restaurant Closes at Memorial City After 10 Years Houston's 'Chinese Takeout Bar from the Future' Touches Down in Webster Houston's Street-Style Halal Favorite Takes Over 3 Former Halal Guys Damaged Houston Sushi Restaurant Finds Temporary Home at Uptown Bar Houston's Only Michelin-Recognized Tex-Mex Joint Confirms Heights Plans
Transcribe →Episode 560 - Brock Wagner of Saint Arnold Brewing Company and Asa Hanrahan of Flying Saucer & Rodeo Goat
3w ago00:50:50Tap to summarizeEric's doing things a little different for the show today. On this edition of What's Eric Eating Eric is joined by Brock Wagner of Saint Arnold Brewing Company and Asa Hanrahan of the Flying Saucer & Rodeo Goat for an extensive conversation about the current state of craft beer. The trio discuss, the early days of the craft beer explosion, whether there was a shift in interest for local craft brews to national brands, the rise of taprooms, the issues smaller breweries face nowadays, how they reach customers, why you can't rest on your laurels, what people are buying at Saint Arnold currently, the current pilsner competition happening in the market, the age of barrel aged beers going away, preparing for the World Cup, and much more! 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 Culturemap.com: Diplo Concert Kicks Off Houston's World Cup Pop-Up Restaurant and Bar Houston Pizza Chef Sets Opening Date for Retro-Inspired Neighborhood Joint Vibrant Mexican Food Stand Opens New Restaurant Near Downtown Houston's Street-Style Halal Favorite Takes Over 3 Former Halal Guys Houston's 'Chinese Takeout Bar from the Future' Touches Down in Webster
Transcribe →Episode 559 - Toga and Sip & Skewer
4w ago00:32:06Tap to summarizeOn this edition of the podcast Eric is joined by Houston BBQ Festival co-founder Michael Fulmer. Since the news edition of the podcast has been off for a couple of weeks, the duo catch up on some of the biggest news from the Houston culinary scene including Betelgeuse Betelgeuse owner Chris Cusack getting arrested for health code violations, Mack McDonald getting set to open a new steakhouse concept, and Bludorn Hospitality's latest endeavor - a mystery concept in San Antonio. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Toga and Sip & Skewer are 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 Culturemap.com: Houston Bar Owner Speaks Out About Surprise Arrest for Health Code Violations Houston Restaurateur Steps Up with Massive River Oaks-Area Steakhouse Texas Comfort Food Restaurant Closes at Memorial City After 10 Years Chris Shepherd's TV Show Eat Like a Local Ends its Run After 3 Years Croissant-Obsessed French Cafe Sets Opening Date in Downtown Houston Park
Transcribe →Episode 558 - Mark Clayton and Terry Williams of Squable
May 2100:43:26Tap to summarizeToday on the podcast Eric is joined by Mark Clayton and Terry Williams of Squable. The guys speak with Eric about the opening days of Squable, working with Bobby Heugel and Justin Yu, developing the menu, making some pivots after opening, making the food approachable, the cocktail program, learning what the neighborhood wanted, changes to the front of house over time, being the old heads on 19th street, creating the brunch menu, being #2 on the Houston Chronicle's Top 100 restaurants list, why they're not losing sleep over not being added to the Michelin Guide (yet), goals for the future, and more! Plus, Mark shares about his career leading up to Squable, Terry's time at Trulucks, and we may have to fight a few technical issues. 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 Culturemap.com: Posh Houston Seafood Spot Stirs Up 2 Over-the-Top $100 Caviar Martinis Growing Houston Taqueria Sets Opening Date for New Memorial Location Houston Chef Wins $20,000 at Prestigious Restaurant Pitch Competition Car Accident Damages Michelin-Recommended Houston Sushi Restaurant 4 Houston Spots Make Texas Monthly's 25 Best New Taquerias List
Transcribe →Episode 557 - Christopher Huang of Narwhal Jousting Club
May 1400:43:54Tap to summarizeToday on the show Eric is joined by Christopher Huang of Narwhal Jousting Club. Christopher speaks with Eric about how computers pushed him towards the restaurant industry, learning on the job, opening Ninja Ramen, why ramen at first, how Ninja Ramen evolved over time, why he decided to close Ninja Ramen last year, Starcraft, opening Narwhal Jousting Club, why they abandoned the initial sandwich first concept Narwhal had, why Houston is considered not a great sandwich city, going the burger route, their burger style, Houston food theories, making things simple, keeping pricing low, goals for Narwhal, food courts, and much more! 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 Culturemap.com: Houston Bar Owner Speaks Out About Surprise Arrest for Health Code Violations Growing Houston Vietnamese Restaurant Hustles into Hot Katy Neighborhood Houston Hospitality 'Dream Team' Saddles Up for World Cup Pop-Up Restaurant Chef of Michelin-Starred Texas BBQ Joint Pops Up at Houston Crawfish Favorite Eclectic Houston Neighborhood Restaurant will Shutter Bellaire Store
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