On today's show Eric is joined by Peter Skountzos and Manuel E. Guzmán-López of Doc's Houston. The duo speak with Eric about their careers leading up to Doc's, the story behind the name, why Houston was the right fit for the expansion of Jazz, TX, what was appealing about the Tower Theater space, the entertainment that patrons can expect, the food offerings at Doc's, the most important aspect of a restaurant, when Houstonians can expect for Doc's to open, and much more! 

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On today's edition of the podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson of Heights Grocer. The pair speak about some of the latest restaurant/bar news from the Houston scene including Mary's own news that Heights Grocer is expanding into Montrose. Mary shares what they'll be able to do with the larger space in Montrose, what she's learned in her first year with Heights Grocer, and the wide selection of products they offer. Mary and Eric also discuss Clare Smith taking over the Menil Collection's campus restaurant space with a new concept called chrôma and the newest concept coming from Hugo Ortega and his wife Tracy Vought called Zaranda. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Late August is featured.

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Veteran Houston Chef Claims Menil Restaurant for New All-Day Cafe 

On today's edition of the podcast Eric is joined by Ryan Lachaine and Bobby Matos of State of Grace. The pair speak with Eric about why Ryan was a fit for State of Grace, why they want to push to be more like the old State of Grace, doing their chefs table dinners, the food forward regulars at State of Grace, what they've added to the menu (mmmm butter burgers), why State of Grace's french fries are the best in Houston (as picked by Eric), the prices of oysters, and much more! Plus, Ryan shares why he decided to close Riel after 10 years, what the last month was like there, being able to focus on being just a chef, and what his go to dishes are at a restaurant. Bobby also discusses the refreshes made at Superica, and Little Rey finding it's audience. 

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On episode 503 of What's Eric Eating, Eric Sandler was joined by former food critic, and current Director of Events & Catering at Local Foods Group, Chelsea Thomas!

They discussed...

The unfortunate closing down of Kim Son, and the continued stress put on all businesses around the I-45 expansion

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On today's podcast Eric is joined by Armando DiMeo of Coastline Pizzeria. Armando speaks with Eric about how he first decided to become a chef, working in the family business, when he knew that pizza was his passion, why decided to focus on Neapolitan pizza, Houston's struggles with Neapolitan pizza, where grilled pizza came from, the creative freedoms of grilled style, the upcoming seasonal menu, how things have gone in the first 2 years, cultivating a strong team culture via listening, the menu development incentive program, the bar program, the possibility of expansion, and more!

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In celebration of 500 episodes, Eric is doing something never done before in podcasting ok well at least never been done on this podcast before. For the first time Eric, joined by CultureMap's Home & Design Contributor Emily Cotton, gets out the What's Eric Eating mailbag to answer listener submitted questions.

What was Eric's most star struck moment?

What's been some of his top, all time favorite meals since he started the podcast?

What are the iconic dishes of Houston?

He answers those questions and many more on this very special edition of What's Eric Eating.

If you enjoyed this episode and what to hear Eric do more of these What's Eric Eating mailbag episodes let him know on Instagram Instagram @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at [email protected].

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Eric's doing things a little different today for this 500th edition of the podcast (yep 500!). Today Eric is being joined by not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5, but 6 of Houston's Rising Stars selected by StarChefs for 2025. Eric visits with Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu of JŪN, Lucas McKinney of Josephine's, Maham Qureshi of Shakkar, Adrian Torres of Maximo, and Kristine Nguyen of Bludorn. Hear their excitement on being selected, what they're up to as of late, and much more on this special edition of What's Eric Eating. 

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On today's podcast Eric is joined by one of StarChef's Rising Stars of 2025, Craft Pita's own Raffi Nasr!. Raffi and Eric talk about some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Justin Yu and Bobby Heugel's newest concept coming to Montrose, Ryan Lachaine's new gig, and the StarChefs Rising Stars Houston Class of 2025. In the Restaurants of the Week portion North China is featured.

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Today on the show Eric has in depth conversation with Houston hospitality veteran Jonathan Horowitz. The pair discuss Jonathan's leaving from the Houston Hospitality Alliance, how he found his way into commercial real estate, the ramifications of the pandemic on the restaurant industry, the difficulties that are now present within the industry post pandemic, the changes in customer behavior/demand, the "winning the neighborhood" strategy, the desire to stay within your area to eat, how technology has changed tipping culture, the possibility of others stepping in to save a concept that is struggling, the underestimating of the capitalization needed for starting a restaurant, and much more.   

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CultureMap contributor Brianna McClane is back on What's Eric Eating. Eric and Brianna discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Candente claiming the space formerly occupied by Mandito's for it's 2nd location, Tacos A Go Go's 2 new locations opening with cocktails by Bobby Heugel, and the fall restaurant openings they're most looking forward to. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Local Public Eatery is featured. Plus, Eric and Brianna do a quick comparison of Musaafer and Le Jardinier, 2 of Houston's 5 fine dining restaurants that hold One Michelin Star.   

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