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What’s Eric Eating — Podcasting
What’s Eric Eating

Every week, CultureMap Editor Eric Sandler examines the Houston culinary landscape, giving you the latest news, restaurant reviews, and interviews with some of the most interesting people in the scene. New episodes of the What’s Eric Eating? podcast drop every Tuesday and Thursday.

Latest Episodes:

Episode 540 - Paul Miller of Gr8 Plate Hospitality Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

Today on the show Eric is joined by Paul Miller of Gr8 Plate Hospitality. Paul speaks with Eric about the latest happenings at Gr8 Plate Hospitality, why Union Kitchen didn't end up working out in Katy, changing the Union Kitchen in Garden Oaks to Jax on the Tracks, why the change was right for that location of Union Kitchen, how the neighborhood has responded so far, what the future looks like for Gr8 Plate, why things are so difficult for restaurants currently, and an overarching conversation about the state of things for restaurants currently.

Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com:

Episode 539 - Bar Xolo Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

On today's edition of the podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson of Heights Grocer and Montrose Grocer. The duo discuss some of the latest news from the Houston food scene including the 4 Houston spots that made Texas Monthly's Best New Restaurants of 2026 list, the new Japanese concept coming from Atlas Restaurant Group, and Handies Douzo getting ready to open a 4th location later this year. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Bar Xolo is featured.

Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com:

Episode 538 - Reginald Scott of The Smoke and Coarse Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

On today's edition of the show Eric is joined by Reginald Scott of The Smoke and Coarse. Reginald catches Eric up on what's been happening with him since first appeared on the podcast 5 years ago, how he's forged his own path in the culinary scene, how The Smoke evolved into what it is today, the incredibly challenging logistics of running a BBQ spot in Finn Hall, being an established presence at Urban Harvest, what made the location for Coarse the right choice, the story behind the name Coarse, what people can expect from the new concept, whether we'll see a brick + mortar of The Smoke one day, and more!

Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com:

Episode 537 - Lee's Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by CultureMap contributor Brianna McClane. Brianna and Eric dive into some of the latest news from the Houston bar and restaurant scene including; Cochinita & Co. getting ready to open a 2nd location and the relaunch of Fancy's under new ownership. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Lee's is featured.

Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com:

Episode 536 - Chico Ramirez of Johnny Ritas Cocina y Cantina Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

On today's edition of the show Eric is joined by Chico Ramirez of Johnny Ritas Cocina y Cantina. Chico speaks with Eric about what happened with White Elm Brasserie, why Johnny Ritas was the right choice as his next project, deciding where to setup the concept, designing the space, developing the menu, why it was important to describe their food as "authentic Mexican cuisine with Tex-Mex familiarity", what they offer at brunch, how the cocktail program stands out, how his grandparents influenced him, the story behind the name, his team getting the recognition they deserve, goals for the concept, and much more!

Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com:

Episode 535 - Weights and Measures, revived Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

Episode 535 of What's Eric Eating, with Eric Sandler! This week Eric was joined by the Swanky Maven, Felice Sloan, an expert on food, wine, and good times to discuss...

Pop Up Bagels, a national bagel chain with a couple locations opening up in Houston
The Green Room, a new 26 seat, intimate dining experience in town
Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles, a cult favorite chicken and waffles chain opening in our city
And the restaurant of the week is 'Weights and Measures'

Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com:

Episode 534 - Dave Mattern and Cary Grider of Trulucks Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

On today's edition of the podcast Eric is joined by Dave Mattern and Cary Grider of Trulucks. Dave and Cary speak with Eric about their culinary careers leading up to Trulucks, the early days of Trulucks, being known for stone crab, their recent renovations, their intentional culture that allows for longevity with it's staff as well as business cards, the difference between their ownership situation versus other restaurants around the city, the company's thoughtful growth approach, being more of a seafood restaurant than a steak restaurant, their beverage program, goals for the restaurant, and much more!

Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com:

Episode 533 - Hong Kong Food Street and Honest Mary's Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

Today on the show Eric is joined by Raffi Nasr of Craft Pita to go through some of the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. First Raffi and Eric discuss a CultureMap exclusive regarding Brasserie 19 owner Charles Clark's 2 new Italian concepts coming soon, 2 recent closures (Succulent Fine Dining and Fainmous BBQ), and the return of Spanish Village. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Hong Kong Food Street and Honest Mary's are featured.

Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com:

Episode 532 - The Ultimate Date Night Draft 3.0 Winner Reveal with Erin Smith & Patrick Feges of Feges BBQ Feb 12, 2026

Show notes

Time to find out who won The Ultimate Houston Date Night Draft 3.0 with special guest judges Erin Smith and Patrick Feges of Feges BBQ. The couple speak with Eric about why they felt [redacted] had the best lineup, the process they took in selecting the winning team, what selections stood out to them, what they would've selected, and more! Plus, they give an update on what's been happening at Feges BBQ.

Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com:

Episode 531 - The Ultimate Houston Date Night Draft 3.0 Feb 10, 2026

Show notes

Since it's Valentines season Eric said "you know, we should do another Date Night Draft" and since it's Eric's show we said... well nothing you know because it's his show.

The Ultimate Houston Date Night Draft is back for a 3rd iteration! This year, Eric is joined by Chelsea Thomas, Monica Danna, Brianna McGriff, Dominick Lee, and Chris Shepherd to draft the perfect date night lineup. This year's categories are: First Date, Coffee Date, Place Your Friends Won't See You Date, Happy Hour Date, Breakup Date, and a Wild Card spot which is any place they'd like to go for a date or somewhere that would be fun for a date.
The winner will be announced on the next episode of the podcast as selected by special judges. So stayed tuned to your podcast feeds to find out the eventual winner.

The Draft Rules
Rule 1: All selections must be located in with in the Greater Houston area.
Rule 2: Once a restaurant has been selected for a certain category, no other drafter may select it for the same category. For example, only one drafter can select 13 Celsius for a first date but someone else could select 13 Celsius for a Happy Hour date.
Rule 3: Drafters cannot pick the same bar/restaurant/business twice. All 6 selections must be from different places.
Rule 4: Snake draft format. The draft order will go one through six in round 1 then go backwards six through one in round 2.
Rule 5: Categories may be selected in any order.

Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com:

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