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    What's Eric Eating Episode 83

    Unwrapping Kolache Shoppe's success story, plus tasty new pop-up

    CultureMap Staff
    Jan 18, 2019 | 11:05 am

    On this week's episode of "What's Eric Eating," Kolache Shoppe owner Randy Hines joins CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler to discuss his popular cafe and bakery. Hines begins by explaining how growing up in Wharton County gave him a lifelong appreciation for kolaches that ultimately led him and his wife Lucy to purchase the almost 50-year-old business from its founder Erwin Ahrens in 2014.

     

     

     

    Since then, Hines has worked to distinguish the Kolache Shoppe from its competitors by creating flavors inspired by ingredients he found at the Urban Harvest farmers market, such as brisket from the Grateful Bread and bourbon cajeta from Blue Heron Farm. Those innovations have kept the business growing, which led to a second location that opened last month in The Heights. Sandler asks Hines about the way he balances innovation with respecting traditional flavors — is something like the chicken tikka masala kolache that Pondicheri created with Hugs & Donuts too far outside the norm for Kolache Shoppe to consider?

     

    "We always have to consider the Kolache Shoppe brand," Hines says "We consider that in all facets: where we're advertising and what we're saying. I think for our brand, yes, but what I like about it is, for them, no, because of the nature of what they're doing it makes perfect sense. It brings recognition and acclaim to this pastry that we all love, but I think for us I'd say it's a bit far out. But come next year, we may say it's not too far out and we try it. You never know."

     

    Finally, Hines offers his measured opinion about the kolache versus klobasnek debate.

     

    Prior to the interview, local beverage consultant Linda Salinas and Sandler discuss the news of the week. Their conversation begins with memories of the meals they enjoyed at recently closed Montrose restaurant Pax Americana and some thoughts on whether ambitious, chef-driven restaurants can survive the departure of their founding chefs. From there, they turn to the Pit Room's plans to open a new Tex-Mex restaurant, the imminent arrival of the Magical Dessert Bar to Montrose, and the theft of chef Chris Shepherd's custom barbecue pit.

     

    In the restaurants of the week segment, the hosts share their experience dining at the Decatur Bar & Pop-up Factory, the new concept that recently opened in the former Beaver's space. Its first resident chef is Evelyn Garcia, who's serving a four-course, family-style meal of Thai-inspired dishes on Friday and Saturday nights. Sandler also discusses his visit to Fadi's Eatery, and Salinas celebrates that McDonald's no longer operates in the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

     

    ---
     
     Subscribe to "What's Eric Eating" on iTunes, Google Play, or Spotify. Listen to it every Saturday at 11 am on SportsMap 94.1.

    Kolache Shoppe owners Lucy and Randy Hines.

    Houston, Kolache Shoppe The Heights, June 2017, owners Randy and Lucy Hines
      
    Courtesy photo
    Kolache Shoppe owners Lucy and Randy Hines.
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    Matcha News

    TikTok star Keith Lee crafts matcha latte for Hill Country flood relief

    Teresa Gubbins
    Jul 11, 2025 | 9:30 am
    Keith Lee and matcha drink
    Instagram
    Keith Lee hoists his special matcha drink.

    The devastating floods that swept across Central Texas on July 4 are bringing out all kinds of charitable endeavors — and that includes a limited-edition beverage from Texas-based TikTok food influencer Keith Lee.

    Lee, a social media sensation whose online food reviews have benefited hundreds of small restaurants, is partnering with La La Land Kind Cafe on a special drink: Called the La La Land X Keith Lee Latte, it's a matcha drink in which 100 percent of the proceeds will go towards Kerr County flood relief.

    La La Land is the coffee chain founded in Dallas in 2019 with a mission to provide opportunities for fostering youth and individuals in need. It has three locations in Houston, along with 10 across Dallas-Fort Worth and six in Southern California.

    The new Keith Lee Latte will consist of double ceremonial matcha, with secret syrup, matcha cloud, a whole fresh strawberry, flaky salt, and matcha powder. (See Lee enjoy the latte in the video below.)


      
     
     
     
     
     
     
    View this post on Instagram
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    A post shared by Keith Lee (@keith_lee125)
     


    Matcha is the Japanese green tea powder that has experienced a surge in popularity, appearing in everything from drinks like the matcha latte to desserts like matcha mousse.

     Keith Lee Latte Keith Lee Latte is a matcha drink.Instagram 

    Lee, who relocated to Dallas in 2024, has been on a matcha kick ever since he tried it in Chicago, which he says "led me down a rabbit hole," and it has become his trademark drink. In May, he visited seven cafes across DFW in search of the perfect matcha in town, and that included La La Land, where he ordered a matcha with almond milk.

    He also has a charitable history, including a special visit he made to Taste Project in Fort Worth to donate $4,000 to support the nonprofit's mission to fight food insecurity.

    The Keith Lee Latte will be available at all La La Land cafes beginning Friday July 11, for a limited time only. From July 11-27, 100 percent of all proceeds will support flood relief efforts in Kerr County — "a community in our home state that’s hurting," La La Land Cafe says.

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