What's Eric Eating

What's Eric Eating
  • 4.7 (74)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

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. 

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 592 - Carlos Andrade and Shaun Stockton of Mack Allen's

    Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Carlos Andrade and Shaun Stockton of Mack Allen's. The guys speak with Eric about why Mack Allen's was the right place for them in their respective careers, the motivational styrofoam cup, developing the menu, their desire to be more than just simply a steakhouse, making their wine program more approachable/affordable compared to other steakhouse wine programs, the customer reactions they've been getting so far since opening, working with Mack, and much more! Plus, Carlos shares how his brother got him started down a culinary path and Shaun speaks about his journey to becoming a sommelier. 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 Hospitality Nonprofit's Celebrity Chef Festival Raises $2 Million Beard Award-Winning Houston Chef's New Restaurant Now Open in Montrose Houston Hospitality Veteran Picked to Lead Beloved Junior League Tea Room Houston Tex-Mex Joint to Shutter, But Breakfast Tacos Will Live on Skip the Line at Hot Heights Barbecue Joint via VIP 'Experience' Houston Comedy Club Perks Up Washington with New Coffee Shop and Cafe

  2. 3d ago

    Episode 591 - Michelin Guide 2026 Reactions

    The 2026 Michelin Guide is here which means it's time for another roundtable discussion and reaction on What's Eric Eating. Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Chelsea Thomas of [redacted, listen through to the end of this episode to find out where] and the Mel Kiper Jr. equivalent for the Michelin Guide, Misha Govshteynto, to breakdown the new batch of Houston restaurants that were recognized, maintained, or left off.  The trio discuss which restaurants that didn't make it they were most surprised by (more like baffled by), the shadowy process for Michelin's selection process, what are the inspectors looking for, how thorough is the inspectors' research process, what they would put on their list, and whether Texas should renew the contract with the Michelin Guide. Plus, will Texas ever have a 2 or 3 star restaurant?  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 Hospiality Nonprofit's Celebrity Chef Festival Raises $2 Million Beard Award-Winning Houston Chef's New Restaurant Now Open in Montrose Houston Hospitality Veteran Picked to Lead Beloved Junior League Tea Room Skip the Line at Hot Heights Barbecue Joint via VIP 'Experience' Sneak Peek at Members-Only Wine Club and Restaurant Opening Soon in Upper Kirby

  3. Oct 1

    Episode 590 - Aaron Bludorn of Bludorn Hospitality Group

    Aaron Bludorn is back on the podcast! He joins Eric today to discuss the opening of a 2nd location of Bar Bludorn, why the Woodlands was the right spot for the 2nd location of the concept, why he decided to go with a 2nd location of Bar Bludorn rather than go with a new concept or a new location of one of the other Bludorn Hospitality Group concepts, the food options at the 2nd location versus the 1st location, what the community is saying ahead of Bar Bludorn's opening, the team at the location, whether the perception of The Woodlands is changing from a lackluster food destination to more of a hot spot, and more! Plus, Aaron speaks with Eric about how things are going for the hospitality group as a whole, Houston's strength as a dining community, plans for anything outside of the city, working with the Houston Texans, and the work he's doing with C•CAP. 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's Rooftop Restaurant Now Open in Midtown Stylish Tavern Known for 'World's Coldest Martini' Adds 2 Houston Locations Houston Steakhouse's Treasured 79-Cent Pork Chop Deal Returns this Friday Caribbean-Spiced Houston Fried Chicken Joint Takes Off with 2 New Locations Bun B Dishes on New Trill Burgers, Future Plans, Trill Tenders, and More

  4. Sep 29

    Episode 589 - Mack Allen's

    This week Mary Clarkson joins Eric to discuss: News on restaurants Southern Jerks, BARI Ristorante, and more! Restaurant of the Week - Fine dining steakhouse Mack Allen's 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: Love Croissants opens first stand-alone bakery with Heights drive-through Caribbean-spiced Houston fried chicken joint takes off with 2 new locations Bun B dishes on new Trill Burgers, future plans, Trill Tenders, and more Chinatown's AYCE sushi spot rolls into Midtown with late night DJs

  5. Sep 24

    Episode 588 - Brian Gendron from The Riot Comedy Club

    What's Eric Eating with host Eric Sandler! This week's special guest is Brian Gendron, the owner of The Riot Comedy Club! Eric and Brian discussed how he got his start in comedy, some of the comedy legends who have stood on their stage, changing locations to a new spot on Washington Ave, their new food service, 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: Meta's first Texas store brings virtual reality to the Galleria Art-filled boutique hotel in the Heights earns coveted Michelin Key Rodeo Houston reveals name, breaks ground on $300M agricultural complex Mexican restaurant with private tequila lockers sets Cypress opening First look at all-you-can-eat Brazilian steakhouse's new Katy outpost Growing Houston Hospitality Group Rolls into Briargrove with New Sushi Spot

  6. Sep 22

    Episode 587 - Exilio Latin Flair, and Food and Wine Best New Chef

    What's Eric Eating with host Eric Sandler! This week he's joined by special guest Rafael Nasr, the founder of Craft Pita! This week the pair discussed... Food & Wine naming Houston chef Lucas McKinney their best new chef Picos has found a new home, on Westheimer Hamari sushi coming to Briar Grove And Rafael has a new pop up, with a Peruvian-Chinese fusion menu! PLUS, restaurant of the week - Exilio Latin Flair 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: Art-filled boutique hotel in the Heights earns coveted Michelin Key Mexican restaurant with private tequila lockers sets Cypress opening First look at all-you-can-eat Brazilian steakhouse's new Katy outpost Growing Houston Hospitality Group Rolls into Briargrove with New Sushi Spot

  7. Sep 17

    Episode 586 - Joe Cervantez and Raz Halili of Parkwood American Grille & Pier 6 Seafood

    Joe Cervantez and Raz Halili of Parkwood American Grille and Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House join Eric on the podcast today. The pair speak with Eric about the initial idea of the Parkwood American Grille concept, why this style of cuisine, developing the menu, building the steak program, the vast array of caviar options on the menu, making chicken nuggets in house, balancing the steaks/seafood at the concept, the secret to great fried shrimp, increasing their sushi options, working with the Ladies of Libation on their cocktail program, what inspired the design of the restaurant, how things are going so far, and more! Plus, Joe and Raz give an update on how things are going at Pier 6, what's going on over in Galveston with Fish Company Taco, possible future concepts, and they hear Eric's pitch for a restaurant concept that could work here in Houston... or be a complete bust... you be the judge. 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: Growing Houston Hospitality Group Rolls into Briargrove with New Sushi Spot Food & Wine's Best New Chef List Includes Gulf Coast-Obsessed Houstonian Chef-Backed Nonprofit Will Train the Next Generation of Houston Hospitality 2 Treasured Houston Mexican Restaurants Reopen After Brief Closures Houston's Steak and Wine-Fueled New Fine Dining Restaurant Sets Opening Date

  8. Sep 15

    Episode 585 - Parkwood American Grille and chrôma

    Felice Sloan, a.k.a. The Swanky Maven, is back! Felice joins Eric to discuss some of the latest happenings from the Houston food scene including H&H Bagels opening their first Houston location, Ronnie Killen's push to get a Michelin Star, and the closure of the final remnants of Underbelly Hospitality. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Parkwood American Grille and chrôma 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: Seinfeld-Approved New York Bagel Shop Sets Opening For First Houston Spot $1 Million Renovation Aims to Earn Pearland Steakhouse a Michelin Star Chris Shepherd Founded Houston Burger Joint Goes Belly Up After 4 Years 2 Treasured Houston Mexican Restaurants Reopen After Brief Closures Successful Houston Patio Bar Kirby Ice House Now Open in Clear Lake

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4.7
out of 5
74 Ratings

About

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. 

Information

  • Creator
    What's Eric Eating
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    500
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    What's Eric Eating

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