Welcome to Houston

In the first episode of 2019, Nick and Jordan have a “spirited” discussion and rank the 10 best bars in Houston. Topics include:

03:42: Cowboy boots

06:32: James Harden 

10:33: Super Bowl 

12:16: Texans Wild Card loss to Colts

15:02: Worst Ls in Texans playoff history

18:57: Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo 2019 lineup

22:27: 10 Best Bars in Houston, Ranked

CultureMap Food Editor Eric Sandler joins the show (22:45) to discuss the ins and outs of the Houston food scene, including the best new restaurants of 2018, his favorite meals of 2018, the best burgers and stadium food in Houston and his most anticipated new restaurants for 2019.

Artist Alex Roman Jr. AKA "Donkeeboy" joins the show (31:25) to discuss the Houston art scene, Art Basel, the origins of the name Donkeeboy, working with his mother @donkeemom and notable works including his DJ Screw-inspired pieces, an Anthony Bourdain-inspired mural at Burns Original BBQ and Houston Astros mural at Minute Maid Park. Plus: Jordan drops some H-Town Christmas T-shirt ideas.

Nick and Jordan discuss the passing of Houston Texans owner Bob McNair and President George H.W. Bush, along with the latest on the Texans, Rockets and Houston food and music. Featuring soundbites on McNair from former Texans wide receiver Kevin Walter (39:48), PR director Kevin Cooper (43:25), head athletic trainer Kevin Bastin (46:35), nose tackle Shaun Cody (49:27), team dietitian Roberta Anding (53:15), director of equipment services Mike Parson (56:34), Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Cushing (58:44) and senior VP of ticketing and event management John Schriever (01:02:07).

Grant Pinkerton of Pinkerton’s BBQ joins the show for a Thanksgiving special. Nick and Jordan talk Astroworld, the red-hot Texans, end of the Carmelo Anthony era, Astros offseason and lots of food. Grant (32:42) discusses his path to BBQ, Texas Longhorns football, cooking during Hurricane Harvey, being the first pitmaster ever named to the Forbes "30 Under 30" list and what separates average from good BBQ.

Kam Franklin, lead singer of The Suffers, joins the show for a Halloween episode. Nick and Jordan discuss their Halloween costumes, food Instagram accounts, the fateful end of the Houston Astros' season, slow start for the Rockets and the surprisingly surging Texans. Kam (31:46) talks Halloween, music festivals, the origins of her band, their new album "Everything Here" and upcoming tour, sports, food and karaoke.

Charles "Big Angry" Adams joins the show to discuss his viral tweet about the Astros fan who bought $500 worth of beer in his section at a recent playoff game; his career as a police officer, judge and attorney for Bun B and Z-Ro; a little bit of politics; Gumball 3000; Nintendo 64 and his budding friendship with Ken Griffey Jr. Plus: Jordan and Nick talk superstitions, food and art. Parental discretion advised.

Nick and Jordan interview each other and give the “Welcome to Houston” podcast a proper introduction. Topics include In-N-Out coming to Houston, the Houston Chronicle’s Top 100 Restaurants list, the 0-3 Texans, playoff-bound Astros and Nick’s fantasy football incompetence. Plus: Jordan sings a song.

Former Houston Texans and current N.Y. Giants linebacker Connor Barwin reminisces about the Texans’ "Bulls on Parade" defense, his favorite Houston concerts and breakfast tacos, along with fatherhood, public transportation and his community work with Make The World Better Foundation. Plus: Jordan and Nick debate the merits of Astros vs. Texans and In-N-Out vs. Whataburger.

John McClain of the Houston Chronicle joins the show to talk all about the Houston Texans following their first game of the season, along with memories of the Houston Oilers, Hall of Fame stories, the best (and worst) games he ever covered and his roles in movies like "Spring Breakers" and “Invincible". Plus: Jordan’s John McClain impression and John’s prediction for the Texans in Week 2.