What's Eric Eating What's Eric Eating

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Kevin Lee of Phat Eatery. The pair discuss how things at Phat Eatery have been since Alex Au-Yeung's passing, maintaining a community focus, honoring Alex's legacy, Kevin's career, what brought him to Phat Eatery, when he knew they had something with Phat Eatery, how the restaurant has evolved over the years, how the Woodlands location is coming along, what the menu will look like at the new location, who's leading the culinary side of things now, how they want to grow Phat Eatery, and more!

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:


Robb Report Names Buzzy Montrose Sushi Spot to Best New Restaurants List
Kin Dee Owner Opens New Fast Casual Thai Restaurant in Montrose
Award-Winning New Orleans Cocktail Bar Pops-Up at Houston Hotel's Speakeasy
Houston Chef Will Not Be City's Latest James Beard Award Winner
Burger Joint Owners Roll Into Montrose with Street-Style Tacos

This week on What's Eric Eating, Eric and this week's co-host Mary Clarkson, owner of Avondale Food & Wine, talk about all the big news, and goings on with the Houston restaurant scene!

Including...


The modern Vietnamese restaurant Xin Chao closing months after celebrity chef Christine Ha ("MasterChef" winner) left the restaurant.
Veteran restaurateur Benjy Levit, the restaurateur behind Local Foods, will close his French restaurant Eau Tour and convert it to a new Italian restaurant named Milton’s.
Comma Hospitality, the restaurant group known for its luxurious sushi restaurant Neo, will open Kira in Upper Kirby’s Shops at Arrive River Oaks development this July, a new sister concept with a more affordable price point.
And their restaurant of the week is Bar Bludorn!

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:


Beloved Houston bagel shop adds new location at Holocaust Museum
Innovative inner loop Vietnamese restaurant will shutter after 4 years
French-inspired cocktail bar raises the roof at Montrose development
Veteran Houston pastry chef bakes up new biscuit-based ghost kitchen
Award-winning Houston chefs roll into Upper Kirby with new Japanese restaurant

Chris Williams of Lucille's Hospitality Group returns to the podcast for the first in quite some time. Chris and Eric catch up on the latest happenings with the group. The pair speak about the development of Late August, how things are going with Late August so far, how Chris started working with chef Sergio Hidalgo, the signature elements on the Late August menu, the brilliance (and beauty) of Danny Davis, working with Gin Design Group, how things are going at The Rado MKT, the inspiration behind Rado MKT, the importance of the El Dorado Ballroom, Chris' involvement in farming, the continued success of Lucille's, and much much more! 

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:


16 Exciting New Bars and Restaurants Opening in Houston This Summer
Chinese Restaurant Known for Peking Duck and Dumplings Debuts in Rice Village
Memorial Favorite Now Slinging Pizzas and Shaking Cocktails in the East End
Doris Metropolitan Masterminds Serve Up New Montrose Mediterranean Eatery
Bill Gates Shares Summer Reading Recs from Acclaimed Houston Barbecue Joint

On today's edition of What's Eric Eating, Eric is joined by Monica Danna to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. Monica and Eric discuss Doris Metropolitan owners' revealing new plans to open a new Mediterranean restaurant called Októ.

Plus, The Clé Group opening an upscale cocktail lounge called Fancy's, that also serves a small food menu including shareables and sushi.

Finally, their restaurant of the week is The Fancy in Galveston!

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:


Doris Metropolitan masterminds serve up new Montrose Mediterranean eatery
Bill Gates shares summer reading recs from acclaimed Houston barbecue joint
These Houston restaurants have yet to reopen after losing power
Montrose Pizzeria Known for '90's Vibes and Late Night Hours Suddenly Shutters

Today on the podcast, Eric is joined by Roberto Espinosa and Eric Wilkerson of Tacodeli. The guy speaks with Eric about how they began working together, why Roberto decided tacos was the right route to go, Eric going from Y2K consulting to tacos, the direction they took with their tacos with both traditional/non-traditional options, how they grew the business, why they decided to come to Houston, what made their new Houston location at Post Oak the right next spot in the city for Tacodeli, what customers can expect from the new location, how the new location differs from their location on Washington, expanding the brand into Dallas, how the Dallas and Houston markets compare, where their 3rd Houston location might be (or will be I should say), where new customers should start when it comes to their menu, and more!

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:


Montrose Pizzeria Known for '90's Vibes and Late Night Hours Suddenly Shutters
Houston Dynamo Star Brian Ching Scores Katy Outpost of his Smash Hit Soccer Bar
Street-Style Taco Shop's Baybrook-Area Location Sets Opening Date
Whataburger Perks Up Breakfast with South America-Sourced Iced Coffee
Nightlife Veterans Grow Up with Opening of New River Oaks Cocktail Lounge

On today's podcast Eric is joined by Chelsea Thomas of The Infatuation Houston to dive into some of the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. Eric and Chelsea discuss the sudden closure of Love Buzz Pizza Pub, the newly announced second location of Brian Ching's soccer bar Pitch 25, and another newly announced second location but this one of the taco variety with The Taco Stand. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Dipping Tiger Phở and Tsujita Artisan Noodle are 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:


Montrose Pizzeria Known for '90's Vibes and Late Night Hours Suddenly Shutters
Houston Dynamo Star Brian Ching Scores Katy Outpost of his Smash Hit Soccer Bar
Street-Style Taco Shop's Baybrook-Area Location Sets Opening Date
Whataburger Perks Up Breakfast with South America-Sourced Iced Coffee
Nightlife Veterans Grow Up with Opening of New River Oaks Cocktail Lounge