What's Eric Eating

Today Eric's joined by Monica Danna to go through the some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Ronnie Killen's announcement of the closure of Killen's STQ, Katz's opening a new location in the Memorial City area, and Loro's 2nd Houston location has an opening date. In the Restaurant of the Week portion Eric and Monica are joined by special guest, Lawton Driscoll. The trio discuss Drake's Hollywood and Októ. 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: Ronnie Killen's Intimate, Memorial-Area Steakhouse will Soon Shutter Favorite Houston 24-Hour Deli Brings a Slice of the Big Apple to Memorial Beard Award-Winning Chefs' Asian Smokehouse Opens New Houston Location Galveston's Seaside Boutique Hotel Adds 2 Locally-Minded Chefs Fresh Pastas and Chicken Parm Await at New Houston Italian Restaurant

Today on the show, Eric is joined by Ope Amosu of ChòpnBlọk. Ope and Eric discuss Opeyemi's journey from the pop up he held in an apartment complex years ago to now opening his first brick & mortar location of ChòpnBlọk. Plus, Ope speaks with Eric about why the space in Montrose was the right spot for him, the design of the location, the references/symbolism made within it's design, what customers can expect with the new expanded food menu, the beverage program, what they're planning for brunch, finding out about the James Beard Award nomination, 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: Beard Award-Winning Chefs' Asian Smokehouse Opens New Houston Location Interactive Art Installation Meow Wolf Howls into Houston on Halloween Embattled Houston Hospitality Group Shutters Texas Comfort Food Eatery Famous South African Chicken Chain Flies into New Montrose Developmen

On today's edition of the podcast, Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson to discuss the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Underbelly Hospitality closing Wild Oats, Nando's Peri-Peri claiming it's 3rd Houston area location, and Postino WineCafé adding it's first ever cocktail menu. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Kira 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: Embattled Houston Hospitality Group Shutters Texas Comfort Food Eatery Famous South African Chicken Chain Flies into New Montrose Development Buzzy Houston Wine Bar Shakes Things Up with First-Ever Cocktail Menu Heights Pizzeria and Ice Cream Shop Team Up on Cheesy New Flavor Heights Burger and Taco Favorites Now Serving at UH's New Dining Hall

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Bobby Heugel of Thorough Fare Hospitality for in-depth conversation regarding the pricing structure at restaurants and bars. Bobby and Eric speak about the differences now versus pre-pandemic, the cost of goods, the cumulative effects of alcohol/food inflation, the rise of labor costs, what a personal guarantee for lease means for people behind restaurant concepts, why Bobby is wary of real estate prices right now, why Houston needs to rethink parking requirements, the deterioration of who's owning restaurants, the financial hurdles that hurt businesses today, the struggle of the lunch in Houston, vibe dining, the investment needed to open a simple bar/restaurant nowadays, cocktail prices, the hardest concepts to open right now, what the future possibly holds, and more! Plus, they discuss how things have been going at Catbirds since Thorough Fare Hospitality took over operations of the concept last year.  Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reac

On today's podcast Eric is joined by Chelsea Thomas of The Infatuation Houston to talk about some of the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair discuss the closure of 2 Houston area Shake Shack locations and Houston Restaurant Weeks extending through the end of September. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Thai Tail and Ramen Moto 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: 2 Underperforming Houston Shake Shack Locations are Closing Soon Houston Restaurant Weeks Extended Through the End of September Ben Berg's Retro Heights Diner Opens with Burgers, Biscuits, and Carvel Favorite Heights Pizzeria Opens New Location in Bellaire Houston Brewery's New Pizzeria Now Slinging Pies in Spring Branch

On today's edition of the show, Eric is joined by Manabu “Hori” Horiuchi and Ryan Snyder of Katami. The guys cover a range of topics with Eric, including how Ryan and Hori-san first met, what Ryan learned early on from Hori-san, why Hori-san left for Kata Robata, the beginnings of Kata Robata, what went into the decision to evolve into doing something new with a new restaurant, what makes Katami different from Kata Robata, the big risk they took with their sake program, what Hori-san took away from his time in Japan in preparing for Katami, why dry-aging fish is a no-go for them, how customers have responded so far to Katami, the omakase experience coming to the restaurant, what the local/national recognition that Katami has received means to them, the possibility of getting a Michelin star, 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 Restaurant Weeks Extended Throug

Today on the podcast, Eric is joined by Michael Fulmer to go through some of the latest headlines from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair speak about State of Grace undergoing some major changes, Southern Living's list of The South's Best New Barbecue Joints of 2024 that included 5 Texas spots, and European coffee shop Coffee Fellows' announcement of 4 new locations coming to Houston. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Granger's and Balboa Surf Club 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: 9-Year-Old Houston Restaurant Revamps with Steaks and Chandeliers 5 Smoking Hot Texas BBQ Joints Make Southern Living's Best New List  German Coffee Shop Brings European Comfort to 4 More Houston Locations Top Houston Chefs and Bartenders Team Up at Picnic Fundraiser New Houston Restaurant Serves Up Steaks, Sushi, and Retro Vibes

On today's edition of the show, Eric is joined by Lance McCullers Jr., Nico Baizán de Aldecoa, & Juan Carlos Martinez de Aldecoa of Maven Coffee + Cocktails. The guys speak with Eric about the development of Maven, why Lance decided to pursue this as a venture outside of baseball, Juan Carlos' family's long legacy in coffee, how they went about this process backwards in a way, the elements of a great coffee shop they wanted to include into Maven, how Nico got involved with the concept, elevating the food experience customers get at Maven compared to other coffee shops, how the Thompson Hotel became one of their locations, why Silver Street was the best location for their first brick + mortar location, they approach they're making with the food menu at their Silver Street location, bringing Nina Quincy on, Michelin coming to Texas, and more! Plus, Lance's shares a bit about his future with the Astros and the city of Houston. Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emaili

Today on the podcast, Eric is joined by Monica Danna to dive into some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. Eric and Monica discuss Truth BBQ opening in NRG Stadium, Hungry's opening it's first new location in 40 years, and the Malibu Barbie Cafe making it's way to Houston. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Guard and Grace and Turner's Cut 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 Best Barbecue Joint Suits Up for Texans Games at NRG Stadium Houston Mediterranean Restaurant Opens First New Location in 43 Years Malibu Barbie Cafe Rolls into Houston with Food, Fun, and Nostalgia Bludorn Turns Up the Heat with Spicy Chocolate Collaboration New York-Based Bakery Takes The Cake with New Flagship Store in Houston 

On today's edition of the show, Eric is joined by Matt Gottlieb of Western Addition Restaurant Group. Their concepts include il Bracco and Balboa Surf Club. Matt speaks with Eric about how he got started in the culinary industry, what he learned from his time at Houston's, when he knew it was time to go on his own to open his own concept, why il Bracco was the first concept of Western Addition, developing Balboa Surf Club's menu, responding to customers wants at Balboa, what the future holds for Western Addition in Houston,  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: Malibu Barbie Cafe Rolls Into Houston with Food, Fun, and Nostalgia Bludorn Turns Up the Heat with Spicy Chocolate Collaboration New York-Based Bakery Takes The Cake with New Flagship Store in Houston Houston Mediterranean Restaurant Opens First New Location in 43 Years 3 Nightlife Veterans Unite to Launc

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by the returning Swanky Maven herself, Felice Sloan. Eric and Felice dive right into the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Mi Luna finding a new home in Montrose, the 3 nightlight veterans who are teaming up for a new cocktail bar concept called Melrose (also coming with some good chicken tendies), and the plan for Meow Wolf's Houston location to have a cowboys inspired dive bar/restaurant. In the Restaurants of the Week section, Azumi 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: Pioneering Houston Tapas Restaurant Finds New Home in Montrose 3 Nightlife Veterans Unite to Launch Houston's Next Great Cocktail Bar Meow Wolf Rides into Houston with Cowboy-Inspired Dive Bar and Restaurant 2 New Memorial Restaurants Open with Fire-Roasted Fare and Classic Cocktails Top Houston Chefs Drop the Needle on Their New

May 4th, 2017, episode 2 of What's Eric Eating released with special guest Ronnie Killen of Killen's restaurants. A lot has changed in the 7 years since his last appearance, so after years of being Ronnie returns to the show to catch Eric, and the listeners, up on what's been going on with him and his restaurants. Ronnie speaks with Eric about his health issues the past 3 years, his near death experiences, getting back to cooking, how he's kept engaged with the restaurants through his health problems, giving up alcohol, whether he wants to strive for a Michelin star, what he's taken from his recent travels, how the barbecue scene has changed since Killen's BBQ first debuted, how the newer Killen's BBQ locations are doing, why he decided to remove Killen's BBQ from NRG Stadium/Minute Maid Park, the problems with stadium restaurants, his vision for Killen's in the Heights, why he closed Killen's TMX, would he ever open another TMX, what he's bringing to the Hobby Airport, his car collection, what he's been work

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson to go through some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. Eric and Mary discuss Molihua closing to reconceptualization after being opened for 3 months inside the Blossom Hotel, the announcement of a 4th location for Jonathan's the Rub set for Cypress, and the opening of Winfield's Chocolate Bar's new location in the Galleria area. In the Restaurants of the Week portion The Marigold Club 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: High Profile Med Center Sushi Restaurant Shutters After Only 3 Months Houston Eatery Known for Lobster Tacos Picks Cypress for 4th Location Favorite Houston Chocolate Shop Unwraps New Galleria-Area Store Houston Chef Celebrates Food Network Debut with Epic Watch Party Austin's Smash-Hit Wagyu Smash Burgers Debut at Lively EaDo Bar

On today's podcast Eric is joined by Chelsea Thomas of The Infatuation Houston to talk about some of the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair discuss the owners of Bari Ristorante reportedly taking over day to day operations of Georgia James, the closure of Gratify Neighborhood Bistro, and Chelsea gives her thoughts on the Michelin guide coming to Texas. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Teppay 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: Embattled Houston Hospitality Group Negotiating Sale of its Signature Steakhouse Rice Village Bistro Quietly Closes After Only 3 Years in Business Predicting 14 Houston Restaurants That Should Earn a Michelin Star Michelin Guide Finally Confirms Texas Edition, Should Anyone Care? Austin's Favorite Detroit-Style Pizzeria Opening Second Houston Spot

On today's episode Eric is joined by Itai Ben Eli and Yotam Dolev of Októ. Itai and Yotam discuss with Eric how Októ fits in with the rest of the Sof Hospitality concepts, what Októ is, the dishes they're developing, the types of techniques they're using that are different from their other concepts, why the want to showcase that Mediterranean food is more than just Greek food, the research they did in Spain, why Montrose Collective was the right spot for Októ, when they plan to open the concept will open, how a meal will go at Októ, the ambience diners will feel when entering the restaurant, what they think about the Michelin guide coming to Houston, and more! Plus, they give a bit of a tease about what they're working on in Austin.  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: Predicting 14 Houston Restaurants That Should Earn a Michelin Star 'Stupid Hot' Austin Chicken Chain Tumbles

No news/restaurants of the week on this Tuesday episode, today it's all about the Michelin guide finally coming to Texas. In this special roundtable free flowing discussion of the podcast, Eric is joined by Emmanuel Chavez of Tatemó, RJ Yoakum of Georgie, Ryan Lachaine of Riel, and Misha Govshteyn to discuss what this means for Texas restaurants now, why it's a huge deal, whether they would change things to chase Michelin stars, how important is it to have a Michelin star, how many restaurants could receive Michelin stars in Houston, which Houston restaurants could be candidates for Michelin stars, the possibility of a barbecue spot getting a star, what Emmanuel thinks of the possibility of Tatemó getting a star, 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: Michelin Guide Finally Confirms Texas Edition, Should Anyone Care? Ken Hoffman, CultureMap's Consummate Houston

Time to find out who the winner is of The Ultimate Houston Steakhouse Draft with Michael Sambrooks of Sambrooks Management (Andiron, The Pit Room, & Candente). Michael gives his reasoning as to why selected [redacted] as the winner of the draft as well as give his 2nd and 3rd place finishers, what he thought of the selections all around, what he would have selected, what he's learned since opening his own steakhouse with Andiron, why there's no such as too many steakhouses in Houston, the possible opening for a more casual/lower price point steakhouse concept, and more! Plus, Michael updates Eric on how the new location of The Pit Room is going. 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: Ken Hoffman, CultureMap's Consummate Houston Columnist, Passes Away 14 Eateries Serving Houston Restaurant Weeks Menu for the First Time Michelin Guide Finally Confirms Texas Edition, Should Anyo

Finish season 3 of The Bear on Hulu and wanting to talk about it? Well, you're in luck because today's episode is all about The Bear season 3! Eric and special guest Justin Yu dive into a full spoiler discussion about season 3. Eric and Justin give their overall thoughts on the season, how Justin was able to relate to this season, the practicality of changing your menu every night, what the show got right in it's representation of the kitchen experience, whether they'd eat at The Bear, the idea of legacy explored in season 3, and more! Plus the guys discuss what's been happening at Justin's restaurants as of late, especially after Hurricane Beryl.  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: Ken Hoffman, CultureMap's Consummate Houston Columnist Passes Away Michelin Guide Finally Confirms Texas Edition - Should Anyone Care? Embattled Houston Hospitality Group Negotiating Sale of its S

If you're thinking "I could really go for a good steak right now, but I don't know where to go" then this is the podcast for you because we're about to highlight a bunch of steakhouses. It's The Ultimate Steakhouse Draft on the podcast today! Listen as Eric, alongside Rafael Nasr, Mary Clarkson, Chelsea Thomas, Aaron Bludorn, and Michael Fulmer make their selections to create the ultimate steakhouse experience.  Here's what the teams will be drafting: appetizer, salad, steak, non-steak entree, potato, dessert, and a wild card which is any specific dish that's served at a steakhouse. All of which must come from a Houston-area bar/restaurant. The Draft Rules Rule 1: All of your selections must be from different restaurants. For example, you may not take a potato and a dessert from the same restaurant. Rule 2: Once a restaurant has been selected for a certain category, no one else may pick it for the same category. I.e., only one person will get to pick Vic & Anthony's — and its crab cake — for their app

On today's podcast Eric is joined by Aaron Lyons and Brandi Key of Dish Society and Daily Gather. The pair speak with Eric about how things have been going at Daily Gather since it opened, how Daily Gather's menu evolved over time, how they're able to stand out in CITYCENTRE, the current rush of restaurants opening in the area, the menu at Dish Society, why they decided to close the Dish Society location on San Felipe, the possibility of more Dish Society locations in the greater Houston area, how things are going at Dish Society's first location in Austin, the chances of expanding their brands in the Austin area, how the Austin market compares to the Houston market, their breakfast options, possible expansions of Daily Gather, 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: Modern Piano Bar with Lounge Vibes Strikes a Chord in Montrose Favorite Chicago Hot Dog Shop Portil