On this week's episode of "What's Eric Eating," Robin Wong, Terry Wong, and pitmaster Quy Hoang join CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler to discuss Blood Bros. BBQ. Since it opened in December, the Bellaire barbecue joint has made a huge splash, thanks to its mixing of classic Central Texas-style barbecue with flavors inspired by various Asian cuisines, including Vietnamese, Chinese, and Thai.
The conversation begins with Robin Wong explaining how he and his brother Terry opened Glitter Karaoke in Midtown. Hoang, a friend since childhood, offered to serve steaks at VIP parties. Eventually, Hoang's passion for cooking led him to try barbecue, and Blood Bros. was born.
The restaurant has been featured in the New York Times, named one of the state's 25 best new barbecue joints by Texas Monthly, and won the title of Best New Restaurant in the 2019 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards. Sandler asks what the effect of all that media attention has been.
"It's surreal," Hoang says. "We're very humbled by it."
"Every little thing that comes out, someone will come up to one of us, 'we saw you on TV," because ABC13 did the Localish episode," Robin Wong adds. "[They say] 'I saw you on TV.' Well, we haven't been on TV, but I guess they're airing it all the time."
Prior to the interview, Ryan Lachaine, chef and co-owner of Riel restaurant in Montrose, makes the leap from regular guest to co-host. In the news of the week segment, Lachaine and Sandler discuss Goodnight Hospitality's recent hires for its two August openings, Montrose Cheese and Wine and Rosie Cannonball; Pappas Restaurant's new Shrimp Shack pop-up; and Eater naming Indigo as one of the country's 16 best new restaurants.
In the restaurant of the week segment, the hosts discuss their recent meal at New York Deli & Coffee. The 45-year-old institution recently made a big change, bringing on partner Michael Saghian to modernize and update the diner. Lachaine says they've already changed one of his favorite sandwiches but that he'll remain loyal.
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The Blood Bros. accepting their CultureMap Tastemaker Award.
