What's Eric Eating?

CultureMap's ace food writer launches podcast that examines Houston culinary scene

Listen to What's Eric Eating for in-depth conversations about the Houston food scene.

Courtesy of Gow Media

If there's one thing we've learned since CultureMap launched seven years ago, it's that Houstonians are crazy about dining out. We want to be the first to know about hot new restaurants, under-the-radar gems, and amazing new chefs, as well as what eateries didn't quite make it and what their replacements will be.

Now, in addition to comprehensive, up-to-the-minute online coverage of the Houston dining scene on the pages of CultureMap, there's a new podcast helmed by ace CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler.

"What's Eric Eating?" launches this week with a lively discussion about all things food-related. The podcast, which runs approximately one hour, is produced by Gow Communications, the parent company of CultureMap.

Each show features three segments. News of the Week recaps CultureMap's recent restaurant coverage; Restaurant of the Week recounts a new eatery that Sandler has visited, and an in-depth interview follows with a leading figure (or figures) on the Houston culinary scene. Each week Sandler will be joined by a co-host with a tie to the restaurant community who will participate in the conversation for all three segments.

"I frequently conduct interviews with chefs and restaurant owners, but only a few sentences might make their way into an article," Sandler says. "The podcast gives these interviews a home and provides listeners with the opportunity to hear in-depth opinions from people who I think are interesting."

Listen to the first episode via this player:

For the first episode, Nathan Ketcham, a restaurant consultant and the former owner of South American steakhouse Samba Grille, serves as guest host, analyzing the winners of the CultureMap Tastemaker Awards, and discussing such hot topics as Cane Rosso's decision to hire chef Jonathan Jones and the announcement that a New Orleans steakhouse will open in the former Triniti space.

Also, Lee Ellis and Jim Mills, the partners in Cherry Pie Hospitality, which operates such acclaimed restaurants as Tastemaker Awards Best New Restaurant State Fare, Pi Pizza, and Lee's Fried Chicken and Donuts, discuss how they developed the concept for Star Fish, their newly opened seafood restaurant, what comes next for the company, and some of their favorite under-the-radar restaurants.

"I really enjoy listening to podcasts like Special Sauce with Ed Levine and the Eater Upsell. Hopefully, the show will reach that level of quality as I make the transition from radio guest to host," Sandler says. "If we manage to break a little news on the show every now and then, that would be even better."

"What's Eric Eating?" is also available on Podcast Arena and on iTunes. It will be broadcast Saturday at 11 am on SB Nation Radio 1560 AM.

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flipping out

Affordable Texas burger joint reaches major milestone for inner loop store

P. Terry's Burger Stand Facebook

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Austin-based burger joint P. Terry’s Burger Stand provided an important update on its first inner loop location. In a post shared on social media on Wednesday, September 2, James Overton, construction manager for P. Terry’s, shows that the site at 4815 Katy Fwy has been cleared and is ready for building to begin.

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A post shared by P. Terry's Burger Stand (@p_terrys)

“If you’re driving by soon, you may see a brand new P. Terry’s pop up overnight,” Overton says in the clip. “We’re incredibly excited to bring P. Terry’s into the heart of Houston.”

First announced last year, the new location at the intersection of Durham Dr. and the Katy Fwy will be the restaurant’s first inner loop outpost and fifth Houston-area store. It is expected to open in early 2027.

Founded in 2005, P. Terry’s has built a devoted following for its burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries, and milkshakes. The restaurant is known for its high quality ingredients such as hormone-free Black Angus beef, Idaho potatoes, and cage-free eggs. Prices are affordable, with a single-patty cheeseburger starting at $3.65.

P. Terry'sP. Terry's is opening near the Heights. P. Terry's Burger Stand/Facebook

Inner loopers with a taste for P. Terry’s Burger Stand will eventually be able to satisfy their cravings without leaving their geographic safe space. The Austin-based fast food restaurant announced it will open a location near the Heights in 2027.

Located at 4815 Katy Fwy., the restaurant will feature a double-drive-thru lane and the brand’s signature retro design. It will be the fifth P. Terry’s to open in the Houston area.

The company made a splash earlier this summer when it announced it would transition into an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), giving its workers a stake in the company through an independent trust. Employees with at least two years of tenure are also eligible for profit sharing.

P. Terry’s opened its first Houston-area location in 2024 in Richmond. The restaurant recently debuted in the Village Green at Bridgeland Central development in Cypress.

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