What's Eric Eating What's Eric Eating

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

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