what's eric eating episode 263

Houston restaurant prince dishes on his new Midtown eatery and his truffle Twinkies

Chef David Cordua is this week's guest.

Photo by Dylan McEwan

On this week’s episode of “What’s Eric Eating,” chef David Cordúa joins CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler to discuss The Lymbar, his Latin Mediterranean bar and restaurant that just opened in Midtown’s the Ion development.

Best known for working alongside his father Michael at Cordúa Restaurants, the Houston restaurant group behind South American concepts Churrascos and Americas, The Lymbar is David Cordúa's reentry into the world of Houston restaurants. The interview opens with the chef discussing his roots in the business and how, four years after parting ways with his former employer, he came to open his first solo project at the Ion.

The Lymbar’s eclectic menu might surprise diners who only know Cordúa for signature items like the churrasco and tres leches. While both of those dishes are on the menu, they’re joined by items such as a chicken balontine that pays homage to his childhood, taco platters that nod to his wife’s Lebanese-Mexican heritage, and the truffle Twinkies that he created to win the first Truffle Masters chef competition. Sandler asks Cordua to explain the reasoning behind such a diverse menu.

“I think the first step towards cooking well is you need to serve things that you are into. That’s the only way that hospitality comes through in an authentic way,” he says. “It’s frankly the only way you’re going to give it care and attention. You have to fall in love with it first. That needs to be the overall impetus. ‘I am so into this, and I know you will be, too.’”

Listen to the full interview to hear the chef describe his experience working with designer Gin Braverman to bring The Lymbar to life. He also shares some thoughts on the restaurant’s extensive cocktail program and explains his goals for its first year of operations.

Prior to the interview, Sandler and co-host Mary Clarkson discuss the news of the week. Their topics include: Cafe Louie’s transformation into Louie’s Italian American; Austin pizzeria Via 313 revealing its first Houston-area location; and the opening of Austin pizzeria Home Slice in Midtown.

In the restaurants of the week segment, Clarkson and Sandler share their first impressions of Navy Blue, the new seafood restaurant in Rice Village from the team behind Bludorn. They also discuss a recent meal at Zanti Cucina Italiana, describing both the dining experience and how it fits into River Oaks.

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

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J.J.'s hot takes

Texans legend J.J. Watt drops 'controversial' crawfish take on soccer podcast

Courtesy of FIFA World Cup 2026 Houston Host Committee

J.J. Watt discussed Houston's food scene on Men in Blazers.

“If you’re checking your watch, I’m on food talk now, so we’re going to be awhile.”

With that comment, former Houston Texans star and future Pro Football Hall of Famer J.J. Watt launched into an epic tribute to Houston’s dynamic food scene. Speaking with host Roger Bennett on the globally-renown soccer podcast Men in Blazers, Watt spent about 15 minutes introducing the show’s audience to many of the cuisines and restaurants that Houstonians love.

“When you look at this singular city, at Houston, what is it in your mind that makes it great — that the world is going to see this summer,” Bennett asks at approximately the 1:45 mark.

“Food,” Watt replies. “Truthfully, we have great, great food. I have always said that Houston is one of the most underrated food cities in the world. People that come here are going to get fatter.”

Encouraged by Bennett to “go deeper” into the topic, Watt offered more than 20 suggestions for restaurants to try. They included:

Breakfast tacos at Island Grill and Pappas Bar-B-Q
Barbecue at Killen’s Barbecue
Burgers at Becks Prime, The Burger Joint, and Killen’s Burgers
Seafood at Pappadeaux

Watt told an entertaining anecdote about Trill Burgers, the smash burger concept from Houston hip-hop legend Bun B.

“Trill Burgers, they put something in there that can’t be legal,” Watt quipped. “I’ve talked to Bun B. It’s like crack, okay? He gave me one of those burgers. When I came back from the Ring of Honor at the Texans, they put Trill Burgers in our suite. There were six, and there were 12 people in the suite. I had four of them. Everyone else had to fight over two burgers.”

Asked about crawfish, Watt dropped an opinion that he acknowledged would be controversial. “You’re not going to like,” he told the 300-person, sold-out crowd.

“That’s a lot of work. Then they tell you to suck the head. I’ll be honest. Didn’t do a lot for me,” Watt stated. “Look at this [points to himself]. The amount of crawfish you have to break and eat. When they dump it all out, I have to have my own 9-foot table. Nobody has the time to break that many crawfish open and suck the heads on every one.”

Watt appeared on the show as part of its Houston episode that marked 99 days until the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Houston Rockets icon and Basketball Hall of Famers Hakeem Olajuwon also appeared on the show, which was recorded at Rice University.

Houston will host seven matches from June 14 - July 4, including five in the group stage and one each in the round of 32 and the round of 16. Find more details about the tournament and local celebrations at the official FIFA World Cup 2026 Houston Host Committee website.

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