What's Eric Eating

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Michael Fulmer to discuss the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including the closing of Politan Row, Justin Turner making a comeback with 3 concepts, Jonathan's the Rub changing locations and changing a policy, and Good Dog closing. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House is featured. In the Guest of the Week segment Eric is joined by former professional soccer star Brian Ching of Pitch 25 and East End Backyard. Brian speaks with Eric about what it was like growing up as a gifted athlete, how it wasn't the typical athlete's journey, coming to Houston, life after soccer, getting into the hospitality industry, creating Pitch 25, what he's learned during his time in the hospitality industry, how did East End Backyard coming back, plans for expansion, and much more!

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Matt Harris to discuss the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including an update on the changes happening with the Houston Farmers Market, longtime honky tonk spot Firehouse Saloon shuttering, and more. In the Restaurants of the Week the Sandoitchi pop up is featured. In the Guest of the Week portion, Eric is joined by Mithu and Shammi Malik of Musaafer. Mithu and Shammi speak with Eric about how they got into the restaurant industry, why they decided on opening Musaafer in Houston, the creative process behind the restaurant, bringing an authentic feel, what went into picking their team, their menu, what the response has been like from customers, their menu plans for Diwali, how it's been opening the restaurant in a Covid-19 world, their plans on expansion, and more!

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Linda Salinas to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant scene including Benjy Levit closing Benjy's, the latest openings, and more. In the Restaurants of the Week section The Sporting Club is featured. In the Guest of the Week section Eric is joined by Gary Mosley of The Creek Group. Gary speaks with Eric about how he got into the restaurant industry, why he decided to open in The Heights, how he's stayed ahead of the game, his influences, the changes that have happened to the Heights over the years, how his establishments are doing during the pandemic, why being himself is his business philosophy, what makes a Creek Group establishment a Creek Group establishment, what he's done to help with the permit process for restaurants, staying positive, his approach to food at his concepts, and whether city council is in his future.

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Felice Sloan to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including The Classic being sold, the new concept hitting the scene called Today and Tomorrow, and the latest on The Click virtual food hall. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Bistro 555 and Treebeards are featured. In the Guest of the Week section Eric is joined by Jonathan Horowitz of Convive Hospitality Consulting. Jonathan speaks with Eric about why he moved on from Legacy Restaurants, how he helped Treebeards launch their new location, other projects he has in the works, the latest on Palace Social, and an in-depth discussion on businesses operating/surviving during the pandemic.

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Avondale Food & Wine owner Mary Clarkson to discuss the latest news in the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Tilman Fertitta partnering up with King Ranch for a new comfort food restaurant, a new 80's concept coming to the Washington Corridor, and Kenny & Ziggy's closing it's satellite location. In the Restaurants of the Week section Handam BBQ is featured. In the Guest of the Week portion Eric is joined by Jim Buchanan of Dozier's BBQ. Jim speaks with Eric about how he developed his interest in cooking barbeque, his competitive cooking days, his cooking style, why his Galveston spot didn't work, how the opportunity with Dozier's came about, the history of Dozier's, what southeast Texas style barbeque is, blending what he does with what Dozier's has done, Jim's focus, and much more!

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Linda Salinas to discuss the latest happenings in the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Governor Abbot letting bars open at 50 percent capacity, Treebeards opening up their Memorial location, and former Dynamo Star Brian Ching's latest bar concept. In the Restaurants of the Week section Ostia and Permission Whiskey are featured. In the Guest of the Week portion Eric is joined by Joe Cervantez and Raz Halili of Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House. Joe and Raz speak with Eric about their vision for Pier 6, their desire to separate themselves from other restaurant offerings in the area, why Joe was the right fit for the project, why Raz wanted to branch out to a restaurant concept, how Covid has impacted their design/operations for Pier 6, Joe's time at Brennan's of Houston, what things from Raz's travels will be brought to the restaurant, when Pier 6 will open, how has the active hurricane season possibly affected oyster season, and much more!

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Michael Fulmer to discuss the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Burger-chan partnering with Click Virtual Food Hall, Chef Jane Wild joining Golden Bagels & Coffee, and Union Kitchen's original location closing. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Dozier's BBQ and Giacomo's are featured. In the Guest of the Week section Eric is joined by Alex Au-Yeung and Cuc Lam of Phat Eatery and Yelo. Alex and Cuc speak with Eric about where the idea for Yelo came about, what made Cuc give restaurants another shot, why Alex wanted to partner with Cuc, types of banh mi they're working on for Yelo, what other dishes will be on Yelo's menu, plans for Phat Kitchen, their other new concept in the works, managing/working during the pandemic, and much more!

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Matt Harris to discuss some of the latest happenings in the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Chris Pappas possibly saving Luby's, Coterie shuttering, and downtown restaurants that are reopening. In the Restaurants of the Week Christine Ha's newest restaurant Xin Chao is featured. In the Guest of the Week portion Eric is joined by Thomas Bille of Belly of the Beast. Thomas speaks with Eric about how he became interested in becoming a chef, coming up in the restaurant industry, making his way to Texas, realizing his need to do his own thing, how he describes Belly of the Beast, how the pandemic affected Belly of the Beast, why he likes to change up the menu, picking their location, his approach with his food, goals he has for Belly of the Beast, educating people that Mexican food is not cheap food, and much more!

Episode 163 - Jacob Ibarra of Tenfold Coffee

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Michael Fulmer to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including the passing of Tony Vallone, Burger Joint expanding with a new location, and Katz's getting ready to open. In the Restaurants of the Week Killen's and a pastry pop up from chef Christina Au are featured. In the Guest of the Week portion Eric is joined by Rafael Nasr of Craft Pita. Rafael speaks with Eric about how he got into the restaurant industry, starting a food truck as a sophomore in college, operating his own restaurant, things that caught him by surprise, being recognized by Yelp, being part of Houston Restaurants Weeks, his response to getting a racist comment regarding his restaurant on Yelp, people's perception, thoughts of expansion, and more!

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Avondale Food & Wine owner Mary Clarkson to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Luby's/Fuddruckers properties going up for sale as part of a liquidation plan, Giant Leap Coffee opening up a new location, and a new wine bar heading to the museum district. In the Restaurants of the Week Section Brennan's of Houston and White Elm Cafe Bakery are featured. In the Guest of the Week portion Eric is joined by Kevin Floyd of Shoot the Moon. Kevin speaks with Eric about how he got interested in the restaurant/bar industry, being part of the opening of Anvil, the stacked lineup of bars and restaurants that he's been involved with over the past decade, developing the concept for Shoot the Moon, how the concept will work, the selection beer/wine/liquor customers can expect, the food program, when they're looking to open, becoming a multi-location chain, and much more!

Today's podcast Eric's joined by frequent cohosts Felice Sloan and Matt Harris to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including local burger favorite Burger-chan shuttering it's Greenway plaza location for now and whether a influencer went too far in a private message with one of the top tier restaurateurs in Houston. In the Restaurants of the Week section Bludorn is featured. In the Guest of the Week portion Eric is joined by Jonny Rhodes of Indigo and Broham Fine Soul Food. Jonny speaks with Eric about never imagining being in the position that he's in, why he's closing Indigo, the inspiration behind Broham Fine Soul Food, the community's response to Broham so far, the challenges of entering the grocery business, having direct access to a farm, crops that they're planning to grow, his 10 year goal, reopening Indigo amid Covid-19 health crisis, and making changes daily in society and doing things ourselves that can lead to change long term.

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Becky Masson of Fluff Bake Bar to discuss the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including what's happening with Becky's place, the James Beard Awards not naming 2020 winners, the owners of The Burger Joint getting ready to open The Taco Stand in the Heights, and more. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Killen's is featured. In the Guest of the Week section Eric is joined by George Joseph and Jason Gould of Common Bond. The guys speak with Eric about the latest with Common Bond, what drew George to the restaurant business, building a new team, why Jason decided Common Bond was the right next move for him, why the quick expansion of locations with Common Bond, the response to their cocktails, what a Common Bond bar bite is, the latest info on the downtown location, whether the Common Bond on the Go concept is the future, why Jason was the right guy to join Common Bond, and some breaking news for Common Bond.

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Michael Fulmer, co-founder of the Houston Barbecue Festival. Eric and Michael discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Culinary Khancepts acquires 2 Liberty Kitchen locations, new seafood restaurant Acadian Coast debuting this fall, and Ryan Lachaine's new ghost kitchen. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Street to Kitchen and Rosie Cannonball are featured. In the Guest of the Week section, Eric is joined by Tasos Katsaounis, Chico Ramirez, and Scott Simonson of White Elm Cafe Bakery. Tasos, Chico, and Scott speak with Eric about how this partnership/concept came together, what their roles are in this project, why it's not your typical cafe, forming the right team, meals their excited to share with people, goal for the project, the community's response, growing the menu, opening during the pandemic, plans for brunch service, the possibility of expanding, and much more!

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Linda Salinas to discuss the latest happenings in the Houston restaurant and bar scene including the 2020 Tastemaker Award winners, the guys at B.O.M (Barrel of Monkey's) Hospitality leasing a new space, and Kenny & Ziggy's officially moving locations. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Linda and Eric discuss where they've been going during Houston Restaurant Weeks. In the Guest of the Week portion, Eric is joined by Anita Jaisinghani of Pondicheri. Anita speaks with Eric about how she got started in cooking, working at Café Annie, opening Indika, advocating for people to move away from meat, opening Pondicheri, their pastry program, operating during the pandemic, whether there are any expansion plans for Pondicheri, aspirations, and whether Anita has thought about the possibility of winning the James Beard award for Best Chef Texas.