What's Eric Eating Episode 102

The best steak in The Woodlands, plus a first taste of Midtown's savory spot

On this week's episode of "What's Eric Eating," chef Austin Simmons of Tris in The Woodlands and Jordan Beeman of HeartBrand Beef, a Texas ranch that raises wagyu-derived akaushi cattle, join CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler to discuss an innovative collaboration they've developed. Known as HeartBrand X, the beef program provides a new use for the ranch's 10-year old breeding cows. Instead of being "harvested" for generic burger grind, Simmons is serving the animals as steaks at his highly acclaimed restaurant.

The conversation dives into how the program got started and what Beeman's plans for it are in the future. Currently, Simmons serves the beef in flights alongside HeartBrand's traditional, two-year old beef, as well as dry-aged HeartBrand beef, and even A5 Japanese wagyu. Asked about the flavor, Simmons can barely contain his excitement.

"This animal eats as good as any steak I've ever served in the restaurant — and sometimes, better," Simmons says. "Currently, the 10-year old we have right now is out-cutting everything on the menu, and we're doing these steak boards just to prove it. We'll put all these different [steak brands] — Creekstone, 44 Farms, HeartBrand 100-day dry-aged, HeartBrand two-year old, 10-year old, A5 — and everybody picks the 10-year old because of the beefiness of it."

Prior to the beef-focused interview, Fluff Bake Bar owner Rebecca Masson and Sandler discuss the news of their week. Their topics include bartenders Lindsay Rae and Billy Boyd's plans to open a new bar in Midtown; local farm Loam Agrnomics' decision to suspend customer-facing operations, including its popular CSA program; and the imminent arrival of California-based sandwich shop Mendocino Farms to Rice Village.

In the restaurant of the week segment, they share some impressions of Taste Bar + Kitchen, chef Don Bowie's Midtown restaurant that serves creative variations of chicken and waffles and other Southern specialities. Masson also briefly discusses her appearance on The Chef Show, a Netflix series that stars director Jon Favreau and Los Angeles chef Roy Choi.

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Subscribe to "What's Eric Eating" on Apple podcasts, Google Play, or Spotify. Listen to it Saturday at 3 pm on ESPN 97.5.

Jordan Beeman brought an akaushi cow to Tris.

Courtesy of Tris

Jordan Beeman brought an akaushi cow to Tris.

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Hot Houston hand roll spot is first restaurant at new EaDo development

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Houstonians with a seemingly unlimited appetite for sushi hand rolls will soon have another destination to satisfy their cravings. Handies Douzo will open its next location in East Blocks, an adaptive reuse project in EaDo.

On track to open in late 2026 or early 2027 at 1107 Hutchins Street, the EaDo location will be Handies Douzo’s fifth, joining the original in the Heights as well as restaurants in Montrose, Spring Branch, and an upcoming outpost in Uptown’s new Central Park Post Oak development. Like those siblings, it will serve Handies’ familiar menu of hand rolls (temaki), crudos, and sashimi that’s overseen by founding chefs and co-owners Daniel Lee and Patrick Pham. The 2,000-square-foot space will feature Handies’ familiar U-shaped counter seating.

Handies is known for wrapping its rolls in crispy seaweed that gives each bite a distinct crunch. The well-executed dishes and affordable prices helped Handies earn a nomination for Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year in the 2026 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards.

"We've been very intentional about where we grow, and East Blocks immediately stood out," Pham and Lee said in a statement. "There's an authenticity to EaDo and a strong sense of community that aligns with our brand. We're excited to be part of a project focused on creating an energetic, walkable destination."

1107 Hutchins rendering Handies will occupy 2,000 square feet at 1107 Hutchins.Courtesy of Pagewood

1107 Hutchins and the nearby 2202 Dallas — each of which are 15,000 square feet — represent phase one of local real estate firm Pagewood’s plans to East Blocks. First announced in 2023, plans call for renovating warehouses into a walkable district of shops, restaurants, offices, and green space. Gensler is leading architecture and design for the project, with landscape architecture by SWA.

"East Blocks reflects a long-term belief in EaDo and the kind of place it’s becoming," said Mat Volz, Managing Principal of PAGEWOOD. "As the project has evolved, our commitment to that vision has only strengthened. Breaking ground on Phase 1 is an exciting step forward, particularly as this neighborhood prepares to welcome the world. With the FIFA Fan Festival taking place just steps from East Blocks and bringing thousands of visitors daily to EaDo, we see this project playing a meaningful role in that energy and in the long-term evolution of the district."

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