What's Eric Eating What's Eric Eating

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by food writer and TV host Ali Khan. You might recognize Ali from his show Cheap Eats, which ran for 5 seasons on the Cooking Channel, or on shows like Ali vs The Dome, Food Network's Spring Baking Championship, Chopped, The Best Thing I Ever Ate, and more. Ali joins Eric to discuss how his career first started, his time writing about burgers in Houston for Texas Highways, the changing cost of eating out, why he's made home cooking a greater focus in his content offerings, how he's been humbled by Neapolitan pizza and a salad that took a weekend to make, getting judging opportunities, streaming series options now with Food Network being in the Warner Bros./Discovery umbrella, the changing of the food TV landscape, the Houston dining scene, and more! 

ICYMI: On episode 375, Michael Posey of Wild Sol stopped by the podcast and surprised listeners with a treat. Any What's Eric Eating podcast listener can get a 20% discount on Wild Sol's website at checkout. All listeners have to do is head over to Wild Sol's website, wildsol.co, and then click on shop now. Once you've selected your salsas, go to checkout, and use promo code ERICSANDLER for a 20% discount. It's seriously that easy, so visit Wild Sol's website today and use promo code ERICSANDLER at checkout for a 20% discount.

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:


Houston Dynamo Star Brian Ching Scores Katy Outpost of his Smash Hit Soccer Bar
Montrose Pizzeria Known for '90's Vibes and Late Night Hours Suddenly Shutters
Street-Style Taco Shop's Baybrook-Area Location Sets Opening Date
Proprietor of Smash Hit Seafood Spot Revives Cult Favorite Galveston Taco Shop
Social Club Devoted to Activities Relocates to Spring with Drinks and BBQ
Bun B and Alex Bregman Team Up for Limited Time Only Smash Tacos

On today's podcast Eric is joined by frequent cohost Mary Clarkson. The pair dive into some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including chef Christian Hernandez bringing his new restaurant Barbacana to downtown Houston and country music star Koe Wetzel bringing a new location of his Koe Wetzel's Riot Room to Houston. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Birdie's and Nickel City are featured.   

ICYMI: On episode 375, Michael Posey of Wild Sol stopped by the podcast and surprised listeners with a treat. Any What's Eric Eating podcast listener can get a 20% discount on Wild Sol's website at checkout. All listeners have to do is head over to Wild Sol's website, wildsol.co, and then click on shop now. Once you've selected your salsas, go to checkout, and use promo code ERICSANDLER for a 20% discount. It's seriously that easy, so visit Wild Sol's website today and use promo code ERICSANDLER at checkout for a 20% discount. 

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:


Houston Chef with Michelin-Starred Resumé Plans Ambitious New Downtown Restaurant
Montrose Pizzeria Known for '90's Vibes and Late Night Hours Suddenly Shutters
Street-Style Taco Shop's Baybrook-Area Location Sets Opening Date
Proprietor of Smash Hit Seafood Spot Revives Cult Favorite Galveston Taco Shop
Social Club Devoted to Activities Relocates to Spring with Drinks and BBQ
Bun B and Alex Bregman Team Up for Limited Time Only Smash Tacos

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Michael Posey of Wild Sol. Michael speaks with Eric about how he began working with Alex Bregman, why they decided to transition off the Breggy Bomb branding, what Wild Sol is, how Wild Sol is different from other salsas out there on the shelves, how involved Alex and Reagan Bregman's involvement, the flavor depth of Wild Sol's salsas, the collaboration with Trill Burgers, whether future collaborations are in the plans, what's next for Wild Sol, the future if/when Alex Bregman leaves the team, working to become a national brand, and much more!

For listeners wanting to try some Wild Sol salsa visit their website wildsol.co today. When you do, click on shop now, and then once you're done go to checkout and use code ERICSANDLER for a 20% discount on your order! It's that easy!   

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:


Growing Houston Beer Brand Claims Prime Sawyer Yards Brewery and Taproom
Posh Mexican Steakhouse Arrives in Houston with Wagyu Beef and Parkside Views
Astros Pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. Opens Coffee Shop & Bar at Stylish New Houston Hotel
Houston Chef with Michelin-Starred Resumé Plans Ambitious New Downtown Restaurant
LA Bar Vets Open Casually Stylish New Cocktail Lounge in Montrose

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Michael Fulmer to go through some of the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The guys discuss Gulf Coast Distillers' announcement that they're taking over the former Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company facility for their Tejas Beer brand, Noble 33 saying their luxury steakhouse Toca Madera will be opening in Houston in June, and Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr.'s new coffee shop and bar opening in the Thompson Hotel. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Late August and The Pit Room 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:


Growing Houston Beer Brand Claims Prime Sawyer Yards Brewery and Taproom
Posh Mexican Steakhouse Arrives in Houston with Wagyu Beef and Parkside Views
Astros Pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. Opens Coffee Shop & Bar at Stylish New Houston Hotel
Houston Chef with Michelin-Starred Resumé Plans Ambitious New Downtown Restaurant
LA Bar Vets Open Casually Stylish New Cocktail Lounge in Montrose

Today on the show Eric is joined by Brock Wagner of Saint Arnold Brewing Company. It's Saint Arnold Brewing's 30th anniversary this year so Brock takes Eric back down memory lane to discuss the early days of Saint Arnold Brewing. The guys talk about how hard it was starting up a craft beer company 30 years ago, doing tastings at grocery stores, when Brock knew he had something with the company, making the move to downtown, getting the law changed to be able to sell directly to customers, opening the restaurant, building the Saint Arnold army, getting involved with the Art Car Parade, the planning of live events, the current state of the brewery, their brief time with seltzers, the craft beer landscape currently, what's next for Saint Arnold Brewing, and 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:


Saint Arnold Toasts 30 Years with Festival Featuring 4 Houston Music Stars
LA Bar Vets Open Casually Stylish New Cocktail Lounge in Montrose
Astros Pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. Opens Coffee Shop & Bar at Stylish New Houston Hotel
Guy Fieri-Approved Montrose BBQ Joint Opens Massive Memorial City Location
Aaron Bludorn's New Restaurant Checks in to Upcoming Montrose Boutique Hotel
Viral Sonic the Hedgehog Pop-Up Cafe Takes Over Katy Burger Joint for 3 Months

On today's episode Eric is joined by the Swanky Maven herself Felice Sloan to discuss some of the latest happenings in the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The duo speak about the new concept coming from Aaron Bludorn and his team, Gold Tooth Tony's heading to Bellaire for it's second location, Prego's surprising announcement that they will now close instead of relocating, and Craft Burger in Katy being taken over by a blue hedgehog... yes that blue hedgehog... gotta go fast! In the Restaurants of the Week section, MF Lobster & Ceviche 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:


Aaron Bludorn's New Restaurant Checks in to Upcoming Montrose Boutique Hotel
Houston's Smash Hit Detroit Pizzeria Shines with New Bellaire Location
Landmark Rice Village Restaurant Cancels Relocation Plans - Will Shutter Instead
Viral Sonic the Hedgehog Pop-Up Cafe Takes Over Katy Burger Joint for 3 Months
Houston's Tropical, Adults-Only Pool Bar Dips into 2024 with New Cocktails
New Orleans-Based Brewery Suddenly Shutters Sawyer Yards Taproom