What's Eric Eating

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Carlos Andrade and Shaun Stockton of Mack Allen's. The guys speak with Eric about why Mack Allen's was the right place for them in their respective careers, the motivational styrofoam cup, developing the menu, their desire to be more than just simply a steakhouse, making their wine program more approachable/affordable compared to other steakhouse wine programs, the customer reactions they've been getting so far since opening, working with Mack, and much more!

Plus, Carlos shares how his brother got him started down a culinary path and Shaun speaks about his journey to becoming a sommelier.

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

The 2026 Michelin Guide is here which means it's time for another roundtable discussion and reaction on What's Eric Eating. Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Chelsea Thomas of [redacted, listen through to the end of this episode to find out where] and the Mel Kiper Jr. equivalent for the Michelin Guide, Misha Govshteynto, to breakdown the new batch of Houston restaurants that were recognized, maintained, or left off. 

The trio discuss which restaurants that didn't make it they were most surprised by (more like baffled by), the shadowy process for Michelin's selection process, what are the inspectors looking for, how thorough is the inspectors' research process, what they would put on their list, and whether Texas should renew the contract with the Michelin Guide.

Plus, will Texas ever have a 2 or 3 star restaurant? 

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

Aaron Bludorn is back on the podcast!

He joins Eric today to discuss the opening of a 2nd location of Bar Bludorn, why the Woodlands was the right spot for the 2nd location of the concept, why he decided to go with a 2nd location of Bar Bludorn rather than go with a new concept or a new location of one of the other Bludorn Hospitality Group concepts, the food options at the 2nd location versus the 1st location, what the community is saying ahead of Bar Bludorn's opening, the team at the location, whether the perception of The Woodlands is changing from a lackluster food destination to more of a hot spot, and more!

Plus, Aaron speaks with Eric about how things are going for the hospitality group as a whole, Houston's strength as a dining community, plans for anything outside of the city, working with the Houston Texans, and the work he's doing with C•CAP.

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

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

What's Eric Eating with host Eric Sandler!

This week's special guest is Brian Gendron, the owner of The Riot Comedy Club!

Eric and Brian discussed how he got his start in comedy, some of the comedy legends who have stood on their stage, changing locations to a new spot on Washington Ave, their new food service, and more!
Got a question for Eric? Email him at [email protected]. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com:

What's Eric Eating with host Eric Sandler! This week he's joined by special guest Rafael Nasr, the founder of Craft Pita!

This week the pair discussed...

PLUS, restaurant of the week - Exilio Latin Flair

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

Joe Cervantez and Raz Halili of Parkwood American Grille and Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House join Eric on the podcast today. The pair speak with Eric about the initial idea of the Parkwood American Grille concept, why this style of cuisine, developing the menu, building the steak program, the vast array of caviar options on the menu, making chicken nuggets in house, balancing the steaks/seafood at the concept, the secret to great fried shrimp, increasing their sushi options, working with the Ladies of Libation on their cocktail program, what inspired the design of the restaurant, how things are going so far, and more! Plus, Joe and Raz give an update on how things are going at Pier 6, what's going on over in Galveston with Fish Company Taco, possible future concepts, and they hear Eric's pitch for a restaurant concept that could work here in Houston... or be a complete bust... you be the judge.

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

Felice Sloan, a.k.a. The Swanky Maven, is back! Felice joins Eric to discuss some of the latest happenings from the Houston food scene including H&H Bagels opening their first Houston location, Ronnie Killen's push to get a Michelin Star, and the closure of the final remnants of Underbelly Hospitality. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Parkwood American Grille and chrôma are featured.  

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

Today on the podcast, Eric is joined by Douglas Rodriguez and Pedro Teyuca of Exilio Latin Flair. Pedro was unable to join for the first portion of the podcast so Douglas speaks with Eric about his career, where it's taken him, why he came to Houston, getting the "Godfather of Nuevo Latino Cuisine" moniker, winning a the James Beard Rising Star Chef Award back in 1996, redesigning the menu at Exilio to reflect his style, and being on the hunt for marlin. Then Pedro joins the discussion and speaks about why Douglas was the right fit, why Exilio was the right next step for the company, their service standards, and more. Plus, the group discuss the must have dishes on the menu, their goals, and Pedro drops some exclusive breaking news.

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

It's a Post Labor Day edition of What's Eric Eating! Today Eric is joined by Houston BBQ Festival co-founder Michael Fulmer to discuss some of the latest happenings from the Houston food scene. The pair speak about the decision by Pappas Restaurants to close the original location of Pappasito's and Graham Laborde's new gulf coast seafood concept called Little Bird. Then in the Restaurants of the Week portion, the focus is on the mini barbecue boom of 2026. The guys speak about 3 relatively recent openings including; Eastbound Barbecue, Willow's Smokehouse & Tavern, and Terry Black's BBQ.

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