What's Eric Eating

What's Eric Eating
  • 4.7 (73)
  • 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. 22H AGO

    Episode 516 - The Ultimate Houston Vietnamese Food Draft

    On today's podcast episode, it's The Ultimate Houston Vietnamese Food Draft! Listen as Eric, alongside Local Foods Group's Chelsea Thomas, Heights Grocer's Mary Clarkson, Stevie Vu from the Chow-down in Chinatown Facebook group, Isabel Protomartir from the 'Have A Nice Day' AAPI pop-up markets, and Michael Fulmer, who co-founded the Houston BBQ Festival, attempt to craft the best lineup! The drafters will be selecting a lineup of the following 6 categories: salad/appetizer, entrée, sandwich, soup, Viet-Cajun, and a wildcard item. The Draft Rules Rule 1: No drafter may select the same restaurant in more than one category. Rule 2: Once a restaurant has been selected for a specific category, no other drafter may select it in that same category.    Rule 3: Snake draft format. The draft order will go one through six in round 1, then go backwards six through one in round 2. Rule 4: Categories may be selected in any order. 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: Beyoncé-loved Houston brunch spot sweetens Sugar Land with new location Houston chef's hip new Italian restaurant now open in Heights hotel East Coast-style Austin pizzeria confirms plans to open in the Heights New Houston seafood restaurant adds live-fire flair to Japanese flavors CultureMap editor's 10 favorite dishes at Houston restaurants in November

    1 hr

  2. DEC 2

    Episode 515 - Lazy Lane

    On today's edition of the podcast Eric is joined by a returning Monica "The Mayor of Garden Oaks" Danna to go through some of the latest news from the Houston culinary scene. Eric and Monica discuss Ninja Ramen shuttering at the end of December, the new sushi concept from Grace and Leo Xia coming to Chinatown, and Lankford's opening a new location in The Woodlands. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Lazy Lane 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: Houston Ramen Shop Known for Asian Whisky will Shutter After 11 Years New Chinatown Restaurant Serves Up AYCE Sushi and More for $37 Historic Houston Burger Joint Serves Up New Woodlands Location Exclusive: Killen's Barbecue Will Soon Shutter in The Woodlands Esquire Names Houston's West African Eatery to Best New Restaurants List 2-Acre Houston Patio Bar Rebrands with New Name and Family-Friendly Menu

    35 min

  3. NOV 20

    Episode 514 - Tracy Vaught, Hugo Ortega, and Sofia Ortega of H-Town Restaurant Group

    On today's edition of the podcast Eric is joined by Tracy Vaught, Hugo Ortega, and Sofia Ortega of H-Town Restaurant Group. H-Town Restaurant Group is the company behind Backstreet, Hugo's, Xochi, Caracol, Urbe, and Zaranda. The family speak with Eric about their new concept Zaranda, why now was the right time for the concept, the inspiration behind Zaranda, integrating different flavors from other cuisines into Zaranda's dishes, Sofia's role, menu development, the signature dessert, how things have been since opening, and more. Plus, Tracy and Hugo share how they first met, their memories of opening Hugo's, their reaction when Hugo's first took off, what Sunday brunch at Hugo's represents, revamping Backstreet, their thoughts on not being included in the Michelin Guide, and Sofia's put to the Lightning Round test.  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: Historic Houston Burger Joint Serves Up New Woodlands Location Street Food-Inspired Houston Restaurant Swaps Counter Service for Servers River Oaks Italian Spot Claims Shuttered Woodlands Steakhouse for New Location Houston Restaurant Veteran Fires Up Pizzas and Steaks in Garden Oaks Food-Focused Houston Nonprofit Rounds Up Top Chefs for Sunday Supper

    59 min

  4. NOV 18

    Episode 513 - Reacting to the Chronicle's top 100 restaurants & a visit to Maison Chinoise

    Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson of Heights Grocer and Montrose Grocer and the duo react to the Houston Chronicle's Top 100 Restaurant's list, did the Chronicle get it right? Is Aga's the best in Houston? Is Milton's Top 25? Kata Robata isn't on the list?! The pair explore those questions and more regarding this year's list. Plus, Eric and Mary discuss Bari Ristorante claiming the former Tris space in The Woodlands, Brian Doke's new concept called Lazy Lane, and then how things are going at Heights/Montrose Grocers. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Maison Chinoise 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: River Oaks Italian Spot Claims Shuttered Woodlands Steakhouse for New Location Houston Restaurant Veteran Fires Up Pizzas and Steaks in Garden Oaks Street Food-Inspired Houston Restaurant Swaps Counter Service for Servers Food-Focused Houston Nonprofit Rounds Up Top Chefs for Sunday Supper Health-Conscious Houston Sports Bar Sets Woodlands Opening Date

    34 min

  5. NOV 13

    Episode 512 - Michael Sambrooks of Candente and The Pit Room

    On today's edition of the podcast, Eric is joined by Michael Sambrooks of Sambrooks Hospitality which is behind Candente and The Pit Room. Michael speaks with Eric about the big news that Candente's opening 2nd location will open in Bellaire, how the location popped up on their radar, why Bellaire was the right choice, what they need to do to change the former Mandito's space into Candente, bringing the same Candente experience to the new location, the expected opening date for the new location, what it's been like for both Candente and The Pit Room since they were included in the Michelin Guide, the expansion of The Pit Room's menu options at the 2nd location, the possibility of expanding both concepts, 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: Food-Focused Houston Nonprofit Rounds Up Top Chefs for Sunday Supper Health-Conscious Houston Sports Bar Sets Woodlands Opening Date Austin Burger Favorite Will Finally Open First Inside the Loop Location Luxurious Downtown Hotel Elevates with New Rooftop Restaurant Houston's New Retro-Styled Jazz Supper Club Sets Opening Date

    30 min

  6. NOV 11

    Episode 511 - Murray's Pizza & Wine and 93' Til

    Local Houston celebrity Felice Sloan, aka the Swanky Maven, takes time from her busy autograph schedule to join Eric on today's show. The pair discuss some of the latest news including the upcoming opening of Doc's Houston and how things went at the first ever Bites & Beyond Festival this past weekend. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Murray's Pizza & Wine and 93' Til 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: Houston's New Retro-Styled Jazz Supper Club Sets Opening Date New Houston Food Festival Reveals Stacked Lineup of Restaurants and Music Running List of Veteran's Day 2025 Food and Drinks Deals in Houston Austin Burger Favorite Will Finally Open First Inside the Loop Location Luxurious Downtown Hotel Elevates with New Rooftop Restaurant

    31 min

  7. NOV 6

    Episode 510 - Deets Hoffman of Murray's Pizza & Wine and Leaf & Grain

    Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Deets Hoffman of Murray's Pizza & Wine and Leaf & Grain. Deets speaks with Eric about why pizza was the route he wanted to go following the success of Leaf & Grain, why they wanted to go more adult date night forward with Murray's, the wine offerings, his wife's reaction to picking her name for the concept, why they went with sourdough as their choice for pizza crust, their topping options, the small plates they offer, how things have gone in the first few weeks of since Murray's opened, being able to showcase more than they have before, ideas for future concepts, the best way to reheat a pizza, the state of Leaf & Grain, 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: Houston's New Retro-Styled Jazz Supper Club Sets Opening Date CultureMap Editor's 11 Favorite Dishes at Houston Restaurants in October Billionaire Tilman Fertitta Saddles Up for New Rodeo Houston Steakhouse Growing Houston Street-Style Taqueria Rolls into Montrose This Week Prestigious Michelin Guide Selects 44 Houston Restaurants for 2025 Edition

    43 min

  8. NOV 4

    Episode 509 - Charm Taphouse & BBQ and Truluck's

    On the show today, Eric is joined by Houston BBQ Festival co-founder Michael Fulmer. Eric and Michael go through some of the latest news from the Houston culinary scene including the surprising closure of Paulie's and the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo's fine dining change coming in 2026. Plus, the guys discuss a bit more about the Michelin Guide's announcement from last week focusing on the Houston restaurants that were added this year. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Charm Taphouse & BBQ and Truluck's 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: Beloved Houston Italian Restaurant Will Close After 27 Years in Montrose Prestigious Michelin Guide Selects 44 Houston Restaurants for 2025 Edition Billionaire Tilman Fertitta Saddles Up for New Rodeo Houston Steakhouse CultureMap Editor's 11 Favorite Dishes at Houston Restaurants in October Growing Houston Street-Style Taqueria Rolls into Montrose This Week

    39 min
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4.7
out of 5
73 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 - 2025
  • Episodes
    500
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    What's Eric Eating

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