What's Eric Eating - TopPodcast.com

Latest Episodes:

Episode 530 - Paul Prior of Lankford's Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

On today's edition of the show Eric is joined by Paul Prior of Lankford's. Paul speaks with Eric about the history of Lankford's, inheriting the family business, being known for burgers, expansions to the menu, the evolution of the Midtown location, why Bellaire was the right place for their 2nd location, possible areas they'd like to expand to, changing to counter service, the opening of The Woodlands location, what's new at the 3rd location, listening to customer feedback, 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 529 - Pinkerton’s Barbecue and Sushi Horiuchi Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Michael Fulmer, a co-founder of the Houston BBQ Festival, to go through some of the latest happenings in Houston food. Michael and Eric discuss Fielding's River Oaks' rebranding as Fielding's Steak, the new Arizona seafood concept making it's way to Houston, and the closure of Wooster's Garden. In the Restaurants of the Week portion the new location of Pinkerton's Barbecue and Sushi Horiuchi 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 528 - Shiva and Rick Di Virgilio of ŌPORTO Fooding House & Wine and da Gama Canteen Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Shiva and Rick Di Virgilio of ŌPORTO Fooding House & Wine and da Gama canteen. Shiva and Rick speak with Eric about how they first met, the initial humble beginnings of Oporto, wanting to experiment at The Queen Vic, the early days of craft cocktails, blending Portuguese and Indian cuisine, why they decided to move Oporto, the benefits of the bigger space, how Midtown has changed over the years, evolving over time, developing da Gama, what dishes they recommend people check out, being recognized by the Michelin Guide, future ideas, 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 527 - Zaranda Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

On today's edition of the podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson of Heights Grocer and Montrose Grocer. The pair discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including the 12 local restaurants/chefs announced as James Beard Semifinalists, Paulie's cookies living on in a new venture, and a new concept called Exilio Latin Flair coming to Montrose. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Zaranda 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 526 - Cooper Abercrombie of Bar-A-BBQ Jan 22, 2026

Show notes

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

Episode 525 - Casa Kenji and Seven Sushi & Robata Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

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:

Episode 524 - Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel and Arjav Ezekiel of Birdie's Jan 15, 2026

Show notes

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:

Episode 523 - Oru Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

Eric is back and he's kicking off the new year with Raffi Nasr of Craft Pita to discuss some of the latest happenings 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:

Episode 522 - 2025 Year in Review Dec 30, 2025

Show notes

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:

Episode 521 - Judith Piotrowski of Hotel ZaZa Dec 25, 2025

Show notes

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:

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