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.
47episodes
Episodes
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Episode 538 - Reginald Scott of The Smoke and Coarse
Mar 500:26:22Tap to summarizeOn 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, what people can expect from the new concept, whether we'll see a brick + mortar of The Smoke one day, 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: Western-Inspired, Family-Friendly Restaurant Now Open Near the Heights Houston's 10 Best Neighborhood Restaurants Offer Comfort and Convenience 4 Houston Spots Make Texas Monthly's Best New Restaurants of 2026 List Houston Restaurateur Dishes on Swapping Tex-Mex for New Retro Steakhouse Beard-Recognized Houston Chef Fires Up Second Taqueria in Lindale Park
Transcribe →Episode 537 - Lee's
Mar 300:20:21Tap to summarizeToday 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 Culturemap.com: Beard-Recognized Houston Chef Fires Up Second Taqueria in Lindale Park 4 Houston Spots Make Texas Monthly's Best New Restaurants of 2026 List Houston Restaurateur Dishes on Swapping Tex-Mex for New Retro Steakhouse Favorite Houston Burger Joint Fires Up Memorial Opening Date Houston Restaurant Known for Meatloaf and Bourbon Sets River Oaks Opening Date
Transcribe →Episode 536 - Chico Ramirez of Johnny Ritas Cocina y Cantina
Feb 2600:35:01Tap to summarizeOn 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 him, the story behind the name, his team getting the recognition they deserve, goals for the concept, 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: Favorite Houston Burger Joint Fires Up Memorial Opening Date Houston Restaurant Known for Meatloaf and Bourbon Sets River Oaks Opening Date Fertitta Family Reveals First Details for Pop-Up Steakhouse at RodeoHouston Meet the 10 Rising Star Chefs Shining in Houston's Culinary Scene These Houston Restaurants Won Big at Rodeo Best Bites Competition
Transcribe →Episode 535 - Weights and Measures, revived
Feb 2400:24:07Tap to summarizeEpisode 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 him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: These Houston restaurants won big at Rodeo Best Bites Competition James Beard-winning chef opens 26-seat new restaurant in the Heights Celebrity-backed East Coast bagel shop rolls into prime Houston neighborhood Garden Oaks Restaurant Reboots as Family Friendly Bar and Grill Cult-Favorite Chicken and Waffle Restaurant Opens in Houston This Weekend
Transcribe →Episode 534 - Dave Mattern and Cary Grider of Trulucks
Feb 1900:36:13Tap to summarizeOn 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 seafood restaurant than a steak restaurant, their beverage program, goals for the restaurant, 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: Garden Oaks Restaurant Reboots as Family Friendly Bar and Grill Cult-Favorite Chicken and Waffle Restaurant Opens in Houston This Weekend The Rustic Owners Tee Up New Casual Icehouse at Fifth Ward Golf Course Houston Charity Dining Event Returns with $15 Lunches and $25 Dinners Johnny Carrabba Now Serving Southern Comfort Food at New Bellaire Locale
Transcribe →Episode 533 - Hong Kong Food Street and Honest Mary's
Feb 1700:35:29Tap 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. 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 him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: Exclusive: Houston Restaurateur Brings Two New Italian Spots to Montrose Parking Problems Shutter Houston Restaurant After Less Than a Year Houston Barbecue Joint Will Soon Shutter Due to $72,000 of Unpaid Rent Iconic Houston Tex-Mex Restaurant will Reopen in New Third Ward Project Houston Charity Dining Event Returns with $15 Lunches and $25 Dinners
Transcribe →Episode 314 - Nonno's Family Pizza Tavern
Sep 19, 2023Tap to summarizeToday on the podcast Eric is joined by Monica Danna to go over the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair discuss chef Emmanuel Chavez of Tatemó being named to Food & Wine's Best New Chef's list for 2023, Levi Goode going solo for 2 new projects under his personal brand, and Dough Zone Dumpling House opening it's first Houston location on October 2nd. In the Restaurants of the Week Nonno's Family Pizza Tavern 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: Food & Wine Names Talented Tatemó Star to Prestigious Best New Chef List for 2023 Goode Company Head Honcho Goes Solo with 2 New Fine-Dining Restaurants in Memorial City Houston's Newest Soup Dumpling House Sets Opening Date in Familiar Midtown Space Award-Winning Houston Bar Returns After Short Closure with Big Upgrades and Exciting News New Crave-Worthy Mexican Restaurant and Familiar Houston Gastropub Claim Spots in Bustling Upper Kirby Park Houston Pizza Maestro Brings Life of Pi to The Heights with His Must-Try New Restaurant
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