What's Eric Eating

On today's podcast, Eric is joined by Cooper Abercrombie of Bar-A-BBQ. Cooper speaks with Eric about what drew him to barbecue, how mom's in the neighborhood got the business growing, his helpful barbecue connections, what brought him to Montgomery, developing the weekly specials, what customers can expect at Bar-A-BBQ, moving to a new location, possible expansions to the menu once they're in their new space, the attention they've received, his team, future plans, and the story of a neighbor that saved some briskets.  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-Rated Houston Barbecue Joint Fires Up Retro-Inspired Second Location 12 Houston Restaurants Score James Beard Award Semifinalist Nominations Houston Tex-Mex Staple Now Serving Fajitas and Margaritas at Downtown Hub Shuttered Houston Restaurant's Iconic Cookies Revived with New Name Ramen Joint That Served Super Hot Broth Will Shutter After Only 18 Months Soon-to-Shutter Houston Margarita Bar Will Transform Into New Latin Eatery

Houston BBQ Festival co-founder Michael Fulmer is back on the podcast today to speak with Eric about some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. Eric and Michael discuss the newest retro inspired location of Pinkerton's Barbecue, the sandwich concept Yuma finding a home in the former Ninja Ramen space, and the closure of Perry's Steakhouse in River Oaks. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Casa Kenji and Seven Sushi & Robata 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-Rated Houston Barbecue Joint Fires Up Retro-Inspired Second Location Houston Sandwich Pop-Up Presses Forward with a Brick-and-Mortar Home 'Contractual Dispute' Compels Closure of Prime River Oaks Steakhouse Houston Tex-Mex Staple Now Serving Fajitas and Margaritas at Downtown Hub Shuttered Houston Restaurant's Iconic Cookies Revived with New Name

On today's podcast Eric is joined by Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel and Arjav Ezekiel of Birdie's. Tracy and Arjav speak with Eric about how they first met, their time in New York, choosing to move to Austin with a flip of a coin, conceptualizing Birdie's, developing the menu, why counter service at first, putting what they earn back into their team, their wine program offerings, why they changed to a prix fixe model, the awards recognition they've received, long term and much more in this wide ranging discussion.  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: 6 Rice Village Restaurants Team Up to Support Houston Hospitality Nonprofit Houston Sandwich Pop-Up Presses Forward with a Brick-and-Mortar Home 'Contractual Dispute' Compels Closure of Prime River Oaks Steakhouse Staple Heights Wine Bar and Restaurant will Shutter After 6 Years Veteran Houston Chef Takes Over at Essential Midtown Brunch Destination

Eric is back and he's kicking off the new year with Raffi Nasr of Craft Pita to discuss some of the latest happens in the Houston restaurant and bar scene. Raffi and Eric speak about the rebranding of Superica into a steakhouse concept called Star Rover, the upcoming new delivery focused pizzeria concept coming to The Heights called Shredder's Pizza, and Chef Omar Perey taking over as the new operating partner of Weights + Measures. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Oru 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 Tex-Mex Restaurant to Shutter and Reopen as a Casual Steakhouse Delivery-Focused Pizzeria with Affordable Wine Coming Soon to The Heights Veteran Houston Chef Takes Over at Essential Midtown Brunch Destination 'Contractual Dispute' Compels Closure of Prime River Oaks Steakhouse Staple Heights Wine Bar and Restaurant will Shutter After 6 Years The Most Memorable Dishes at Houston's 11 Best New Restaurants of 2025

It's the end of 2025 which means it's time to look back and some our favorites from the year in the Houston food scene. Today on the 2025 Year in Review, Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson of Heights Grocer & Montrose Grocer, and Raffi Nasr of Craft Pita to highlight some of their favorite new restaurants that opened this year, some of their favorite dishes, old favorites they revisited this year, the closures they were most sad about, what they'd like to draft in a future draft episode, and much more in this expansive end of the year discussion. 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: Major Closures, Celeb Sightings, More Top Houston Restaurant News of 2025 Coastal-Inspired Houston Restaurant Will Shutter After 3 Years in Montrose Houston's Only Michelin-Recognized Tex-Mex Restaurant Now Open in Bellaire Eagerly Anticipated Houston Barbecue Joint Hosts Weekend Preview Pop-Ups Growing National Pizza Chain Will Bring Halal Pies and Pastas to Katy

On today's edition of the podcast, Eric is joined by Judith Piotrowski of Hotel ZaZa. Judith speaks with Eric about what inspired her to get into bartending/hospitality, her time at Weights + Measures, working at One Fifth during the pandemic, what she learned from working with Chris Shepherd and his team, becoming the director of bars at The Post Oak hotel, finding huge success with the Navi's pop up, making her way to the Hotel ZaZa, what makes a good hotel great, whether a speakeasy is in the cards, and much more! Plus, Judith takes on the lightning round.  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 Only Michelin-Recognized Tex-Mex Restaurant Now Open in Bellaire Eagerly-Anticipated Houston Barbecue Joint Hosts Weekend Preview Pop-Ups Growing National Pizza Chain Will Bring Halal Pies and Pastas to Katy Family-Friendly Houston Restaurant Picks Missouri City for 6th Location New Houston Cocktail Bar Serves Up a House Party Fueled by Music and Martinis

The Swanky Maven Felice Sloan returns for this edition of the podcast. Eric and Felice touch on some of the latest happenings from the Houston food scene including chef Jean-François Feuillette opening the first US location of Café Feuillette here in Houston, Local Table's 6th location set to open in Missouri City, and ChòpnBlọk getting more national recognition with the latest accolade coming from the New York Times. In the Restaurants of the Week section, Doc's Houston 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: French Pastry Chef Perks Up Houston with First U.S. Coffee Shop and Café Family-Friendly Houston Restaurant Picks Missouri City for 6th Location New York Times Critic Awards Houston Restaurant 2 Stars in Glowing Review Houston's Only Michelin-Recognized Tex-Mex Restaurant Now Open in Bellaire Eagerly-Anticipated Houston Barbecue Joint Hosts Weekend Preview Pop-Ups

Today on the show Eric is joined by Nelson Monteith and Andrew Wiseheart of Honest Mary's. Nelson and Andrew share with Eric their culinary journey's leading up to Honest Mary's, how they first started working together, why River Oaks was the right area of Houston to expand to, how they set themselves apart from other concepts in the healthy fast casual space, creating the perfect bowl, 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: Growing National Pizza Chain will Bring Halal Pies and Pastas to Katy New York Times Critic Awards Houston Restaurant 2 Stars in Glowing Review Family-Friendly Houston Restaurant Picks Missouri City for 6th Location New Houston Cocktail Bar Serves Up a House Party Fueled by Music and Martinis French Pastry Chef Perks Up Houston with First U.S. Coffee Shop and Café

On today's edition of the podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson of Heights Grocer and Montrose Grocer. The pair dive into some of the latest news from the Houston food scene including Home Slice Pizza expanding in the Houston area with a new location set to open in The Heights, the closure of Killen's BBQ in The Woodlands, the surprising announcement of Brett's BBQ Shop shuttering at the end of December, and ChòpnBlọk's receiving more national critical acclaim. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Hypsi at the Hotel Daphne 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: East Coast Style Austin Pizzeria Confirms Plans to Open in The Heights Exclusive: Killen's Barbecue Will Soon Shutter in The Woodlands Texas Monthly-Rated Katy Barbecue Joint Surprises with Imminent Closure Esquire Names Houston's West African Eatery to Best New Restaurants List Houston Chef's Hip New Italian Restaurant Now Open in Heights Hotel

On this special episode, Eric is joined by MasterChef Season 3 winner Christine Ha, and her husband John Suh, who co-own the great Houston restaurant "The Blind Goat," to reveal the winner from the Ultimate Houston Vietnamese Food Draft on the previous episode! 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: Third location of Bun B's smash hit smash burger joint sets opening date Award-winning ramen shop sets opening date for new Memorial location Eclectic comfort food restaurant to shutter after 21 years in Houston 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Today on the show, Eric is joined by Otto Othman and Adrian Sanchez of PINCHO. The duo speak with Eric about their culinary careers, what got them interested in the culinary scene, where the idea for PINCHO came from, what the name means, developing a family recipe for pincho into a commercial success, the evolution of the burger menu, entering food competitions, having fun with flavors, what people can expect from PINCHO’s burger options, the weirdest combination of burger flavors they tried that didn’t work, working with Savory Fund, why franchising wasn't the right lane for PINCHO long term, why they decided to come to Houston, how things have gone in Houston so far, 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: Prestigious Michelin Guide Selects 44 Houston Restaurants for 2025 Edition Growing Houston Street-Style Taqueria Rolls into Montrose This Week Beloved Houston Italian Restaurant Will Close After 27 Years in Montrose 'Greatest Neighborhood Restaurant' to Open First Houston Location Comforting Houston Seafood Restaurant Sets Rice Village Opening Date

It's year 2 of the Michelin Guide being in Texas and during a special ceremony in Houston on Tuesday night the guide announced the newest recipients of stars, recommendations, and more in Texas. So for this edition of the podcast Eric, alongside June Rodil of Goodnight Hospitality, CultureMap contributor Brianna McClane, and Misha Govshteyn a.k.a. the Michelin Inspector Inspector, react to this years selections. In a roundtable discussion, the group cover what we've learned so far in regards to Michelin's thoughts of Texas in the 2 years they've been here, who the big winners were, the camaraderie displayed during the ceremony, what the Michelin formula seems to be, whether the service experienced is considered during the selection process, when could we expect to see a 2 or 3 star Michelin restaurant in Texas, the fake out 2 star announcement made last week about a Houston restaurant, whether they're surprised that Houston didn't have a new starred restaurant selected, the most surprising omissions, the Houston restaurants added to the guide, 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: Prestigious Michelin Guide Selects 44 Houston Restaurants for 2025 Edition Beloved Houston Italian Restaurant Will Close After 27 Years in Montrose 'Greatest Neighborhood Restaurant' to Open First Houston Location Comforting Houston Seafood Restaurant Sets Rice Village Opening Date Stylish New Cocktail Bar Requests Houstonians Dress Up For Drinks