What's Eric Eating

Brittany Vaughan of Garnish Design joins Eric on the show today. Brittany speaks with Eric about how she developed an interest in restaurant design, pivoting into restaurant design after working front of house for years, the common things that people don't think about when it comes to designing a restaurant (where are we putting the trash cans?), the subtle touches added to the design of Nancy's Hustle to make it feel relaxing/welcoming for patrons, how important acoustics are, how Covid changed the design plans for Tiny Champions, how she started working with Benjy Levit, why Maximo was challenging to design, the inspiration for Milton's, the status of the new Lee's Den, her next project, 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: Bun B's Trill Burgers Coming to 2 Houston Suburbs in 2025 River Oaks Supper Club, Heights Ramen Shop, and 3 More Restaurants to Know Houst

Fluff Bake Bar's Rebecca Masson makes her triumphant return to What's Eric Eating! Eric catches up with Rebecca, then the pair dive into some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Levi Goode's confirmation on last week's podcast that a new location of Goode Company's Kitchen & Cantina is coming to River Oaks, The Rice Box getting set to open it's 5th location, and Dallas based concept Mexican Sugar coming to Houston. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Maven Coffee + Cocktails 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: Levi Goode Dishes on his Memorial Hot Spot and Tex-Mex for River Oaks Houston's 'Chinese Takeout Bar from the Future' Unboxes Memorial Outpost New Mexican Eatery Sweetens Houston with 150 Spirits and Bold Flavors Aggie Favorite Chicken Tenders Spot Hatches 3 New Houston-Area Stores Running List of Houston Restauran

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Levi Goode of Goode Company Restaurants and Credence. Levi speaks with Eric about his decision to open his first solo project with Credence, the inspiration for Credence, the design choices for the space, developing the menu, the personality of Sidebar at Credence, how Credence is different from Goode Company Restaurants, what dishes customers are loving so far, the team at Credence, whether there could be more Levi Goode restaurants separate from Goode Company, the plans for Goode Company Fish Camp, the goals for Goode Company Kitchen & Cantina, changing the menu up at Goode Company Taqueria, and more! Plus, Levi shares some breaking news regarding a 4th location of Goode Company Kitchen & Cantina. 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: Running List of Houston Restaurants Offering Voters Food and Drink Deals Analyzing the Chronicle'

On today's podcast Eric is joined by Monica Danna to discuss some of the latest happenings in the Houston restaurant and bar world. The pair react to the Houston Chronicle's Top 100 Restaurant's List, the closures of Nippon and Cecil's Pub, and talk wings as CultureMap's ongoing Ultimate Wing Showdown continues. In the Restaurants of the Week portion of the show, Mi Luna 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: Analyzing the Chronicle's List of Houston's Top 100 Restaurants 16 Houston Restaurants Compete in CultureMap's Ultimate Wing Showdown Chris Shepherd to Host Conversation with Top Chef's Tom Colicchio Globally-Inspired Street Food Restaurant Rolls into Montrose this Week Houston Chefs React to Coveted Michelin Guide Ceremony Invitations

On today's edition of What's Eric Eating, Thy and Matthew Mitchell of Traveler's Table and Traveler's Cart stop by. The pair speak with Eric about how they got into the culinary world, why Matthew decided to leave his lucrative pharmaceutical job to go to culinary school, Thy's family restaurant background, the influences behind Traveler's Table, the motivations behind opening Traveler's Cart, the advice they got from Guy Fieri that helped them create the Traveler's Cart concept, their experience on Diners, Drive-In's, & Dives,  developing the menu at Traveler's cart, when diners can expect Traveler's Cart to open, the possibilities of expansion, 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: 16 Houston Restaurants Compete in CultureMap's Ultimate Wing Showdown Globally-Inspired Street Food Restaurant Rolls into Montrose this Week Chicago-Based Portillo's Sets Opening

Today on the 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 plan real-estate company Rebees' has for a reimagined GreenStreet, the opening of the first Portillo's in the Houston area, and Austin based burger concept P. Terry's opening it's first Houston location in Richmond. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Dandelion Cafe 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: Chicago-Based Portillo's Sets Opening Date for First Houston Location Austin Burger Favorite Reveals Opening Date for First Houston-Area Store Globally-Inspired Street Food Restaurant Rolls into Montrose this Week Houston Chefs React to Coveted Michelin Guide Ceremony Invitations Astros Pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. Opens New All-Day Cafe in Houston

On the podcast today, Eric is joined by Seth Siegel-Gardner, Kent Domas, and Máté Hartai of Milton's. The trio speak with Eric about developing Milton's, how the restaurant is doing in it's first 3 weeks of service, what they wanted to do with the food menu, how the drink program is evolving, embracing old school Italian dishes, and much more about Milton's. Plus, Seth talks about how his first year with Local Foods Group has gone, why this was the right next move for Máté, why they decided to transform Lees Den, the atmosphere they want Lees Den to have going forward, why it was time to move on from Eau Tour, how Maximo is going, the state of Local Foods, 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: Chicago-Based Portillo's Sets Opening Date for First Houston Location Houston Chefs React to Coveted Michelin Guide Ceremony Invitations Austin Burger Favorite Reveals Opening D

On today's show, Eric is joined by Michael Fulmer to dive into some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The guys discuss Blacksmith opening a new kiosk location in Memorial City and Saigon Hustle opening a larger 2nd location in Spring Branch. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Milton's 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: Top Houston Coffee Shop Perks Up Memorial with New Location Houston Vietnamese Restaurant Rolls Out New Spring Branch Outpost Chris Shepherd's Chef-Powered Fundraiser Hauls in $1.5 Million Growing Houston Restaurant Group Opens New Cantina in Spring Branch Downtown Houston's Ambitious New Restaurant Hosts One-Night Only Preview

Doing this a little different on today's podcast. A day ahead of the Southern Smoke Festival, Eric had a chance to catch up with some of the chefs participating at this year's event. In this episode you'll hear Eric speak with Sam Fore of Tuk Tuk Snack Shop, Cheetie Kumar of Ajja, Jason Ryczek of Little's Oyster Bar, Erin Smith and Patrick Feges of Feges BBQ, and Rodney Scott of Rodney Scott's Whole Hog BBQ. From the festival itself to the impact it has on the restaurant community, to the role it has in helping people recover, and so much more on today's episode. To learn more about the Southern Smoke Festival or make a donation to the Southern Smoke Foundation, head to southernsmoke.org today.    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 Chooses Houston to Reveal Texas' First Starred Restaurants Meow Wolf Houston's Dive Bar will Serve 'Hot Slop,' 'Hooch,' and More

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by the Swanky Maven Felice Sloan to discuss some of the latest happenings in the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair speak about the Michelin Guide getting ready to announce the Texas restaurants receiving stars at a ceremony in Houston on November 11th , the "hot slop" being served at Meow Wolf's dive bar, and the New York Times most recent Restaurant List including one Houston area establishment. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Credence and ChòpnBlọk 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: Michelin Guide Chooses Houston to Reveal Texas' First Starred Restaurants Meow Wolf Houston's Dive Bar will Serve 'Hot Slop,' 'Hooch,' and More Houston Soul Food Cafe Makes New York Times Favorite Restaurants List Growing Houston Restaurant Group Opens New Cantina in Spring Branch Downtown Houston's Ambitious New Restaurant Hosts

On the podcast today Eric is joined by Marin Slanina and Miranda Q of Star Sailor. Marin and Miranda speak with Eric about how they got into the hospitality industry, Marin's journey into craft beer brewing, how the opportunity to open Star Sailor came up, why the food side of Star Sailor became a much needed part of the business, what made Miranda decide to move from behind the bar to being the chef of the concept, the craft beer scene, being one of the last craft beer bars, how Miranda's evolved the food menu, the type of craft beers people are drinking these day, the Houston craft beer scene, their plans for brunch, future plans, 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: Meow Wolf Houston's Dive Bar will Serve 'Hot Slop,' 'Hooch,' and More Downtown Houston's Ambitious New Restaurant Hosts One-Night Only Preview Michelin Guide Chooses Houston to Reveal Texas' First Starre

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 several notable restaurant closings including Benny Chows, HiWay Cantina, and Vinny's Pizza. Montrose area restaurant Andiron deciding to change up their concept to something more relaxed. The New York Times including Seabrook restaurant Viola and Agnes in their 50 favorite restaurants of the year! And in the Restaurants of the Week portion, State of Grace 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: Michelin Guide chooses Houston to reveal Texas' first starred restaurants Houston's nostalgic new Italian restaurant leads top 5 stories Coltivare owners cite I-45 expansion for decision to close 3 EaDo concepts Ben Berg's homage to New York Chinese restaurants will soon shutter Houston soul food cafe makes New York Times f

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Ford Fry and Bobby Matos of Rocket Farm Restaurants, the hospitality group behind local concepts State of Grace, La Lucha, Superica, and Little Rey. The guys speak with Eric about why they decided now was the time to change things up at State of Grace, how they've changed the menu at State of Grace, the response from customers regarding the changes, whether their Atlanta concept Marcel influenced the new State of Grace menu, the inspiration behind Little Rey, why the decided to bring Little Rey to Houston, the wood fire powered grill that's behind the food at Little Rey, what makes Little Rey's chicken wings some of the best in the city, 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: Houston Soul Food Cafe Makes New York Times Favorite Restaurants List Luxurious Houston Steakhouse Reboots as 'Relaxed' Neighborhood Eatery Celebrated H

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