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.
29episodes
Episodes
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Episode 560 - Brock Wagner of Saint Arnold Brewing Company and Asa Hanrahan of Flying Saucer & Rodeo Goat
2d 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
4d 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
2w ago00:43:26Tap 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
3w ago00:43:54Tap 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
Transcribe →Episode 556 - Exilio Latin Flair
4w ago00:23:08Tap to summarizeToday on the podcast, Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson of Heights Grocer and Montrose Grocer. Eric and Mary discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Joe & the Juice picking Houston for it's first Texas location and the team behind Mimo debut their new sandwich restaurant concept La Rosa to great success. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Exilio Latin Flair 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: 2 Houston Restaurants Break their Silence on Owners' Tragic Deaths Couple Behind 2 Houston Restaurants Found Dead in their Home International Coffee Shop Chain Picks Houston for First Texas Store Mimo Duo Open Tiny Italian Sandwich and Gelato Shop in Houston's East End Prolific Houston Pizza Chef Fires Up a New Italian Restaurant in River Oaks
Transcribe →Episode 555 - Benjy Mason and Jason Kerr of Shredders Pizza
May 700:43:57Tap to summarizeOn today's edition of the podcast, Eric is joined by Jason Kerr and Benjy Mason of Shredders Pizza. The duo discuss with Eric how the idea for Shredders Pizza came about, finding their audience, pizza delivery being the coolest job for a time, going down a pizza style rabbit hole, developing the dough recipe, the topping options, pushing each other in the right ways, managing the demand, their goals, and much more. Plus, Jason speaks about his career leading up to Shredders Pizza, Benjy shares why or more so how he expanded into pizza, that time when Jason gave a piece of cake away that went horribly wrong, the food truck boom, and the wine wolf... yes the wine wolf... so it's a werewolf and... you know what just listen to the episode. It'll make sense. 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: Couple Behind 2 Houston Restaurants Found Dead in their Home Tomball Barbecue Trio Spins Up New Tavern Devoted to Pizza and Burgers Webpage Leak Offers Sneak Peek at Heights Hotel's New Neighborhood Bar Beard Award-Winning Houston Chef Blasts Off with New Tasting Menu Concept Houston Charcuterie Sensation Opens New Storefront in the Heights
Transcribe →Episode 554 - Jantra
May 500:27:53Tap to summarizeToday on the podcast Eric is joined by Felice Sloan, a.k.a. The Swanky Maven. Eric and Felice cover some of the latest happenings from the Houston food scene including Burger Chan opening it's 2nd location, the upcoming closure of Picos, and Bandista rising up the Best Bars in North America rankings for 2026. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Jantra 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: Beard Award-Winning Houston Chef Blasts Off with New Tasting Menu Concept Houston's Most Customizable Burger Joint is Coming to the Heights in May Mole-Obsessed Mexican Restaurant Sets Closing Date for Kirby Location Hidden Houston Cocktail Den Ranks No. 47 on North America Best Bars List Tomball Barbecue Trio Spins Up New Tavern Devoted to Pizza and Burgers
Transcribe →Episode 553 - Julian Haynes of Cosmic Ice Cream Co.
Apr 3000:31:51Tap to summarizeOn today's edition of the podcast, Eric is joined by Julian Haynes of Cosmic Ice Cream Co. to discuss his career, Cosmic, and more. Julian speaks with Eric about why he got into the ice cream business, how he left the oil & gas field, the first iteration of Cosmic, learning to make ice cream, getting the initial ice cream bug from a Portland concept, why Webster was the right location for their first shop, being selective about their locations, building the brand, the decision to take a more old school neighborhood ice cream shop approach with the concept, what they took away from opening their first location, how Christine Ha helped them decide on Spring Branch, getting the call about Pearland/Bellaire, building up the team, plans for the future, 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 Chefs Cook Up Goodwill at Feed the Soul Gala These Houston Restaurants and Bars are Going All Out for Derby Day 2026 Mimo Duo Open Tiny Italian Sandwich and Gelato Shop in Houston's East End Houston's New, All-You-Can-Eat Wagyu Beef Restaurant Opens This Week International Coffee Shop Chain Picks Houston for First Texas Store
Transcribe →Episode 552 - Alba Huerta & Vanessa Alba of Julep and Robin Wong of Blood Bros. BBQ
Apr 2300:36:55Tap to summarizeToday 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, Houston's place as a bar city, and more. All 3 share their perspectives on the idea of Chef's Cut, how it came about, the chef's that have done it so far, and Robin's DJ skills. Plus, Vanessa speaks on how she first got involved with Julep and Robin talks about the latest happenings over at Blood Bros. BBQ. 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 Best Chef, Restaurant, and More Revealed at 2026 Tastemaker Awards Lively Crowd Celebrates Houston's Culinary Stars at 2026 Tastemaker Awards Mole-Obsessed Mexican Restaurant Sets Closing Date for Kirby Location The Quest for a Topo Chico Replacement, We Rate 9 Sparkling Waters Austin-Based Taco Chain Celebrates Katy Debut with Free Breakfast Tacos
Transcribe →Episode 551 - Johnny Ritas Cocina y Cantina, Pho Prime and Crawfish Cafe
Apr 2100:28:26Tap to summarizeOn 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. 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 Best Chef, Restaurant, and More Revealed at 2026 Tastemaker Awards Chef-Loved Houston Fisherman Opens Affordable Seafood Restaurant Near Third Ward The Quest for a Topo Chico Replacement, We Rate 9 Sparkling Waters Austin-Based Taco Chain Celebrates Katy Debut with Free Breakfast Tacos Hot Houston Hand Roll Spot is First Restaurant at New EaDo Development
Transcribe →