What's Eric Eating - TopPodcast.com

Latest Episodes:

Episode 490 - Yiayia’s Greek Kitchen Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

Eric is back again with another edition of the podcast. For this week's news and restaurants of the week, he is joined by Michael Fulmer, a co-founder of the Houston BBQ Festival. In the news, Eric and Michael discuss CASAEMA being named to Bon Appétit’s best new breakfast spots list, a 3rd location of Handies Douzo coming to Spring Branch, and the opening of a new Memorial City location of Katz's. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Yiayia’s Greek Kitchen 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:

Episode 489 - Luis Robledo Richards of Mayahuel Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by chef Luis Robledo Richards of Mayahuel. Luis speaks with Eric about how his career got started, where his career has taken him, what drove him to pursue learning about being a pastry chef, working at Le Cirque, the creation of Tout Chocolat, how Tout Chocolat was unlike any other, being named the best pastry chef in Latin America, what brought him to Houston, restaurants he first visited in the city, Houston still being an underrated food destination, what went wrong with Comalíto Taqueria, why was a better fit Mayahuel for Houston, why finding the perfect partner in Houston was extremely important for Mayahuel, how the restaurant fits in Houston, the core principles of the concept, what went into developing their top tier cocktail program, bringing in experts, the staff, some of the standout dishes, customer feedback so far, whether he would bring any other concepts to 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:

Episode 488 - Flora Mexican Kitchen, MAD, and Riel Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson of Heights Grocer to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The duo discuss the Michelin Guide's incoming announcement of Texas' second class of establishments selected for the guide and the 2nd location of The Woodlands area high profile restaurant The Audrey coming to the Galleria area. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Flora Mexican Kitchen, MAD, and Riel 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:

Episode 487 - Chris Cusack of Betelgeuse Betelgeuse Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

On today's episode, Eric is joined by Chris Cusack of Betelgeuse Betelgeuse. Chris speaks with Eric about creating the first Betelgeuse Betelgeuse, their style of pizza, how they were able to open a 2nd location so quickly, why the Montrose area was appealing, how things are going with Betelgeuse Betelgeuse, how Soluna came together (and went), why restaurants are like rock bands, how the initial idea for Endless Bummer came about, entering the world of Tiki, working with artist Brian Dibala, how the customers have responded to Endless Summer so far, restaurant theories, thoughts on 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:

Episode 486 - Agnes and Sherman Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

A new cohost has entered the chat, as chef Raffi Nasr of Craft Pita joins Eric to go through some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. Raffi and Eric discuss the closure of Picos, the reopening of Savoir under new leadership, and chef Ryan Hildebrand's return to Houston. Plus, Raffi catches us up on the latest happenings with Craft Pita. In the Restaurants of the Week Agnes and Sherman 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:

Episode 485 - Joseph Boudreaux of Boo's Burgers Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Joseph Boudreaux of Boo's Burgers. Joseph speaks with Eric about how he got into the culinary industry, why he decided to transition away from the corporate world, where his culinary journey took him before Boo's Burgers, what he learned from Jason Vaughn, starting Tipping Point Coffee, when word starting getting out about Boo's Burgers, why he decided to grind his own patties, how the burgers have evolved, doing things different with their toppings, why the time was finally right for a brick + mortar, how things are going so far a week into opening, why keeping the momentum is always on his mind, why he decided to do an oyster/mushroom sandwich as a companion to the beef burger, possible expansions to the menu, whether he'd ever want to have a 2nd location, 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:

Episode 484 - Kitchen Rumors and Alora Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

On today's episode Eric is joined by a newcomer to the podcast, as he's joined by CulutureMap contributor Brianna McClane. Brianna shares a bit about her background, then the pair dive into some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including the closure of Riel and Shipley Do-Nuts being acquired by a California based private equity firm. Plus, the duo give some picks for restaurants to check out during Houston Restaurants Weeks. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Kitchen Rumors and Alora 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:

Episode 483 - Nilesh Ranchod and Rajen Giga of 2 Phat Bastard Pies Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Nilesh Ranchod and Rajen Giga of 2 Phat Bastard Pies. Nilesh and Rajen speak with Eric about how they first became friends, coming to Houston from Zimbabwe, moving from environmental company work to the food industry, their fusion approach with their savory pies, how they're pies are different, flavors that were inspired by Houston, transitioning from catering to an everyday business model, opening inside The Post, the spicy options they offer, dishes they're developing, 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:

Episode 482 - Latuli Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

The Swanky Maven Felice Sloan makes triumphant return to the podcast! Eric and Felice discuss some of the latest happenings in the Houston restaurant and bar scene including the opening of the new permanent location of the cult-favorite burger concept Boo's Burgers, the debut of a new limited time pop-up cocktail bar Navi's at The Post Oak Hotel, and the reopening of the Colorado Club. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Latuli 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:

Episode 481 - Randy Hines and Michael Horne of Kolache Shoppe Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Randy Hines and Michael Horne of Kolache Shoppe. The pair catch Eric up on what's been happening with the brand over the past few years, getting ready to open the new Memorial location, how the new location compares to the others, why Memorial was the right area, Randy's experience with franchising the concept, lessons learned from the Kingwood store closure, how Michael got started with the Kolache Shoppe, doing collaborations, 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:

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