What's Eric Eating

In the epic conclusion of the Ultimate Houston Burger Draft we find out who won the draft as picked by Abbas Dhanani of Burger Bodega. Abbas explains to Eric why [redacted]'s line up won, what he thought of the selections all around, what he would have selected had he participated, the vast amount of burger options in Houston, and more! Plus Abbas speaks a bit about how things are going over at Burger Bodega. 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: Chic New Vibe Dining Seafood Restaurant Elegantly Reboots Familiar Montrose Space Austin Hot Chicken Restaurant Opens Near Downtown with 'Stupid' Spices, Full Bar, and More Upscale New Heights Lounge Opens with 'Alluring Cocktails' and Global Nightlife Vibe Talented Trill Burgers Chef and Co-Owner Wins 'Impossible' Chopped Episode Chris Shepherd Takes Stage with Local and National Food Stars in Must-Catch New Chat Series Shaquille O'Neal

It's football season so that means fantasy football is in full swing... which doesn't mean much for this show because it's all about burgers! Specifically drafting the most delicious burger lineup possible from Houston area burger restaurants. Join Eric Sandler, Mary Clarkson, Michael Fulmer, Monica Danna, Ryan Lachaine, and Bobby Matos as they select their ultimate burger lineup!  Here's what the teams will be drafting: a Houston Burger Restaurant Burger, a Smash Burger, a Fancy Burger, Fries or Tots, a Milkshake, and a Wildcard. Definitions: Houston Burger Restaurant - A Houston-based restaurant that serves at least 3 different burgers or has build your own options that allow for lots of variety. Greater Houston-area suburbs (Katy, Woodlands, Sugar Land, Clear Lake, etc.) are considered "Houston".  Smash Burger - A style of cheeseburger made with patties that are flattened on a griddle and typically served as a double. Does not need to come from a Houston Burger Restaurant. Fancy Burger - The only bur

Bobby Heugel of Thorough Fare Hospitality makes his return to What's Eric Eating. Bobby speaks with Eric about the acquisition of Catbirds, keeping Catbirds as an affordable neighborhood bar, when Catbirds will reopen, the story behind the creation of Refuge, the atmosphere at they wanted to create at Refuge, thoughts on the Montrose area, how Montrose has changed, the latest happenings with Better Luck Tomorrow, whether another location of BLT is in the cards, the burger at BLT that Eric has yet to try, the current price of cocktails in the city, places around Houston that standout, and much 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: Chic New Vibe Dining Seafood Restaurant Elegantly Reboots Familiar Montrose Space Austin Hot Chicken Restaurant Opens Near Downtown with 'Stupid' Spices, Full Bar, and More Upscale New Heights Lounge Opens with 'Alluring Cocktails' and Global

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Michael Fulmer to discuss some of the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including the 4 Houston restaurants named to Texas Monthly's new and improved BBQ joints list, the sudden closure of the iconic Pho restaurant Pho Binh Trailer, and Ryan Granger's new full service concept heading to the Museum District. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Dante's River Oaks and Goode Co. Kitchen & Catina. 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: 4  Smokin' Houston Spots Heat Up Texas Monthly's Top New and Improved BBQ Joints List Iconic Pho Restaurant Suddenly Shutters Original South Houston Locale After 40-Year Run Exciting New Classic American Eatery from Veteran Restaurateur Elevates Museum District Dining Talented Trill Burgers Chef and Co-Owner Wins 'Impossible' Chopped Episode Chris Shepherd Takes Stage with Local and

On today's edition of the podcast, Eric is joined by Nick Stone of Bluestone Lane. Nick speaks with Eric about his journey from investment banker to café owner, how he knew the Bluestone Lane approach to coffee shop dining would appeal in New York when first getting it started, growing the brand, his assessment of Houston, Bluestone being a technology friendly experience for customers, Bluestone Lane being a sit down full-service concept, some of his favorites from the menu, the amount of Bluestone Lanes Houston can hold, why coffee is all about customer retention, his experience being on reality TV briefly, working with Gordon Ramsey, 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: Shaquille O'Neal Announces Big New Chicken Restaurant Location Near The Heights Zesty Moroccan Restaurant Bowls Over Diners with Newest Location Now Open in Upper Kirby Inventive Salad-in-Baguette S

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson to go through some of the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar world. The pair discuss the announcement of Batanga's owners converting their Market Square restaurant into a new concept called The Big Casino Kitchen + Bar, ChòpnBlọk owner Ope Amosu's Chopd & Stewd Festival happening on September 30, and new wine bar Fiora's Bottle Shop opening in the Montrose Collective. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Benny Chows and Tim Ho Wan 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: Downtown Tapas Restaurant Rolls the Dice on New Concept Playing on its Historic Saloon Days Houston's Newest Food Festival Celebrates West African Culture with Day of Food, Dance, Music, and More Stylish New Montrose Wine Bar Blending Sips and Sandwiches Pops Open in Hood's Hottest Hub Houston Texans Draft Bun B's Smash Hit

On today's edition of What's Eric Eating, Eric is joined by Pak Tsui of Fat Bao, Ka Sushi, and I Know The Owner. The pair discuss how Pak Tsui got into professional cooking, where he learned to make sushi (spoiler: it wasn't at a restaurant initially), coming up with the concept of Fat Bao, introducing what a bao was to consumers, how Fat Bao caught on, bringing sushi to the Heights with Ka Sushi, how Ka Sushi has evolved, why they decided to go with the name I Know The Owner, how the bar concept came to be, how it's going so far, his other projects, his future plans, 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: Permission Whiskey Owner Promises Cool New Tune at Jazzy Heights Cocktail Bar Diverse Pan-Asian Casual Restaurant Drums Up Long-Awaited First Houston Opening on Washington Ave 4 Smokin' Houston Spots Heat Up Texas Monthly's Top New and Improved BBQ Joints List S

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Linda Salinas to discuss the latest happenings in the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Peter Nolan of Permission Whiskey taking over operations at The Ready Room, Saint Julian's Social Club temporarily setting up in the Quiote space within The Toasted Coconut for a 3 month pop up, and Nando's Peri-Peri opening it's first location in Houston. In the Restaurants of the Week, Stuffed Belly and Narwhal Jousting Club are featured.  Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler, and on Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Permission Whiskey Owner Promises Cool New Tune at Jazzy Heights Cocktail Bar Cool Circus-Themed Pop-Up Bar Spins Carnival Fun at Favorite Montrose Restaurant Global Favorite South African Peri-Peri Chicken Restaurant Fires Up Opening Date for First Houston Locale Dynamic Duo Behind Nobie's Open Montrose Pizzeria with 'Crushable' Pies and Retro Video

Today on the podcast Eric speaks with Sébastien Laval of Laval Hospitality and PS-21. The pair discuss what brought Sébastien to America, his culinary background, getting started in Houston, why he didn't want to work in France anymore, what brought him to the world of consulting, his work with Albi and Best Regards, how in his consulting work he helps people that may not have the most experience in the restaurant industry, the style of restaurant he'd like to work on, how Philippe Schmit convinced him to join PS-21, his goals for PS-21, 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: Permission Whiskey Owner Promises Cool New Tune at Jazzy Heights Cocktail Bar Diverse Pan-Asian Casual Restaurant Drums Up Long-Awaited First Houston Opening on Washington Ave 4 Smokin' Houston Spots Heat Up Texas Monthly's Top New and Improved BBQ Joints List Stylish New Montrose Wine Bar Blending

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Monica Danna to discuss the latest happenings in the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Bobby Heugel saving Catbirds, Agricole Hospitality shuttering 2 of their concepts, and Underbelly Hospitality announcing that it's bringing a taqueria concept to the Houston Farmer's Market as it relocates Wild Oats from the market to Spring Branch. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Golfstrømmen and CAPS Supper Club & Bar are featured. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler, and on Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Bobby Heugel Swoops in to Rescue Suddenly Shuttered Montrose Dive Bar Stylish EaDo Bar and Neighboring Gulf Coast-Inspired Restaurant Shutter with Plans to Reboot Historic Houston Farmers Market Replaces Texas Comfort Food with Netflix Star Chef's Hot New Taqueria Permission Whiskey Owner Promises Cool New Tune at Jazzy Heights Cocktail Bar 4 Smok

Travis McShane of Ostia makes his What's Eric Eating podcast debut this week. Travis speaks Eric about his journey that took him from Kingwood all the way to working in New York for Jonathan Waxman. Plus Travis talks about the decision to come back to Houston, why go with an Italian concept when he came back, how Ostia has evolved over the past 3 years, being part of Houston Restaurant Weeks for the first time, why he probably won't do another location of Ostia, and much more! Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler, and on Twitter X @esandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Bobby Heugel Swoops in to Rescue Suddenly Shuttered Montrose Dive Bar 6 Cool New Asian Restaurants Wow Diners at West Houston's Hottest Shopping Destination Eclectic Museum District Wine Bar and Restaurant Set to Shutter and Relocate to New Home Houston's 10 Crunchiest, Gooiest, and Creamiest Potato Dishes Transcend Simple Sides Game-Changing Market

Eric celebrated his 10 year anniversary with CultureMap! Listen as Eric reflects a bit about this milestone with the Swanky Maven herself Felice Sloan. The pair then discuss some of the latest headlines from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including, the 6 new tenants announced for the West on West shopping center in West Houston, City Cellars closing but soon reopening in a new location, and a look at Eric's top 10 potato dishes. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Rado Market and Rockhouse Southern Kitchen are featured. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler, and on Twitter X @esandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: 6 Cool New Asian Restaurants Wow Diners at West Houston's Hottest Shopping Destination Eclectic Museum District Wine Bar and Restaurant Set to Shutter and Relocate to New Home Houston's 10 Crunchiest, Gooiest, and Creamiest Potato Dishes Transcend Simple Sides Game-Changing Market and Restaurant

Eric sits down with Gin Braverman to catch up on the last few years of her namesake hospitality interior design studio, Gin Design Group. Braverman shares some of her recent favorite projects such as Jūn, Lymbar, and La Colombe d’Or. They also discuss the thought process behind her designs, breaking into the hotel space, possible expansion to the west coast, and a sneak peek at projects in the pipeline. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler, and on Twitter @esandler. 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 East End Thai Restaurant Makes Big Move to Rising Second Ward Development Promising Heights-Area Brewery Announces Last Call After 10-Month Run Australian-Inspired, NYC-Based Coffee Shop Brews Up Opening Date for New Woodlands Location 6 Cool New Asian Restaurants Wow Diners at West Houston's Hottest Shopping Destination Prominent Woodlands Restaurant Group Takes Novel Approach with Expansive New River Oak

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson, the pair discuss the latest headlines from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Street to Kitchen moving to a new development in the Second Ward called The Plant, that same development getting a new concept called Neighbors Pizza Bar from chef Angelo Emiliani, Fielding’s Culinary Group heading to the River Oaks area to open their third restaurant, and Omar Pereney opening a retail location for Love Croissants. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Pastore is featured.    Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler, and on Twitter @esandler. 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 East End Thai Restaurant Makes Big Move to Rising Second Ward Development Prominent Woodlands Restaurant Group Takes Novel Approach with Expansive New River Oaks Eatery Talented Houston Chef Opens First Bakery Serving Exquisite, Freshly Baked Croissants and Pastries in Mid

On this week's guest episode, Eric sits down with Terrence Gallivan, chef-owner of the new Montrose-area pizza and crudo restaurant, ElRo. They discuss Gallivan’s time in New York City working with chefs like Gordon Ramsay, as well as how he met his former business partner Seth Siegel-Gardner and moved to Houston to open The Pass & Provisions. The two also touch on the uniqueness of a pizza and crudo concept, how Elro differs from The Pass & Provisions, and how Gallivan hopes it will fit into the Houston restaurant scene.  Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler, and on Twitter @esandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Mary J. Blige, Marcus Samuelson, Bun B, and a Host of Houston Stars Headline Hot New Food and Music Festival Shake Shack Announces Opening Date for New Katy Location Boasting a Houston-Area First Prominent Woodlands Restaurant Group Takes Novel Approach with Expansive New River Oaks Eatery Talente

It's a Tuesday, so that means it's time for Eric to go through some of the latest headlines from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. Today he's joined by Michael Fulmer to discuss the New York Times' recent article listing out the top 20 best new generation barbecue joints which includes 5 Houston area restaurants, the sudden closure of GJ Tavern, the 3 ice cream shops that have opened in the Houston area in the last couple of weeks, and the Tex-Mex BBQ Block Party 2023 happening at Saint Arnold Brewing Company this Sunday. Get your tickets for the block party by clicking here. In the Restaurants of the Week portion The Pho Fix and Houston Restaurant Weeks are featured. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler, and on Twitter @esandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: New York Times Showcases 5 Smokin' Houston Spots in Hot New 'Best Texas Barbecue Restaurants' List Prominent Houston Restaurant Group Suddenly Shutters Int

Eric speaks with chef Sunny Vohra about his career roots in LA, his current concepts in Railway Heights food hall, and everything in between. Vohra shares details about his insatiable hunger for learning, including lessons from his Indian upbringing and his time staging in Pasadena, California. They also discuss his time at Indian fine dining institution Kiran’s when he moved to Houston, his experiences with Margeaux’s Oyster Bar and Peaky Grinders, going out on his own to open Thunderbirds and Meat & Cheese Project, and more. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler, and on Twitter @esandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Houston's Latin Restaurant Weeks Returns with Sizzling, Sabor-Filled Deals from Old Favorites and Newcomers Favorite Austin Ice Cream Shop Makes Cool Houston Debut in Bellaire Just in Time for National Ice Cream Day Cool and Creative Montrose Ice Cream Opens in The Heights This Weekend with Sweet

Are you watching The Bear on Hulu? Well you should be, especially if you want to listen to the first half of today's show because we go full season 2 spoiler discussion on today's podcast. Eric is joined by the great Justin Yu to discuss season 2 of The Bear, how it compares to the real life culinary world, comparisons to Justin's own culinary journey, stodging in Copenhagen, the anxiety inducing moments of opening a restaurant, and much more. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Josephine's Gulf Coast Tradition is featured.  Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and on Twitter @esandler, you can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Exciting New Restaurant Showcasing Gulf Coast-Inspired Seafood Opens in Midtown Houston-Born NFL Veteran Fires Up Southern-Inspired Restaurant and Cigar Lounge in Third Ward Prominent Houston Restaurant Group Suddenly Shutters Intimate Downtown Tavern Stylish Houston Healthy Eating Restaurant Sprouts

ICYMI: The What’s Eric Eating podcast is now two episodes per week, with the news and restaurants of the week section dropping on Tuesdays and the guest of the week section on Thursdays. Have feedback on the change? Message Eric on his socials linked below, or email him at eric@culturemap.com. After a few years since being on the podcast, Eric checks in with Alex Au-Yeung, chef-owner of Phat Eatery. The two discuss the opening and closing of Yelo, his Vietnamese sandwich concept, and Phat Eatery’s upcoming Woodlands location. Au-Yeung also reflects on his 2022 James Beard Award semifinalist nomination, the state of Katy’s growing Asian town, future plans for Phat, and more.  Follow Eric on Instagram and on Twitter, plus check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Celebrated Houston Top Chef Finalist and Olympian Suddenly Departs Anticipated New Midtown Restaurant Blockbuster Beer Paradise Raises Katy's Scene to Bavarian Brew Garden Levels, with a Texas Twist New York Times Showcases 5 Smokin'

ICYMI: The What’s Eric Eating podcast is now two episodes per week, with the news and restaurants of the week section dropping on Tuesdays and the guest of the week section on Thursdays. Have feedback on the change? Message Eric on his socials linked below, or email him at eric@culturemap.com. Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson to discuss the latest happenings in the world of Houston bars and restaurants. The pair discuss Chris Shepherd's new show on KRPC, Dandelion Cafe nearly winning Good Morning America's United States of Breakfast competition, and Scott Sulma's new hospitality consulting company. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Elro Pizza + Crudo is featured.  Follow Eric on Instagram and Twitter and check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Chris Shepherd Hosts New TV Show Spotlighting Local Hot Spots, Hidden Gems, and Personalities Blooming Bellaire Cafe Gets Edged Out by Philly Eatery on Good Morning America's Big Breakfast Battle Finale Distinguished Hous