What's eric eating episode 359

Meet the 3rd generation leader of an 80-year old Houston Tex-Mex staple

On this week’s episode of “What’s Eric Eating,” Molina’s Enterprises president Ricardo Molina joins CultureMap editor Eric Sandler to discuss Molina’s Cantina. Along with his brothers Raul III and Roberto, Ricardo Molina is a third generation owner of the Tex-Mex restaurant that traces its boots back to 1941.

Photo by Kimberly Park

Molina's opened its Fulshear location in 2020.

The conversation begins with Molina sharing how his grandparents Mary and Raul Molina opened the Old Monterrey Inn at 1919 West Gray. Ultimately, they adopted the name their customers used when referring to the restaurant, Molina’s, and grew to their current three locations on Westheimer, in Southside Place, and a Fulshear location that opened in 2020.

When a restaurant has that kind of legacy, certain dishes become staples. At Molina’s, they include the Enchiladas de Tejas (cheese enchiladas topped with chile con carne, cheese, and chopped onions) and the Jose’s Dip (queso with spicy taco meat). Sandler asks Molina about the challenge of keeping things traditional enough for regulars while also adding other dishes to stay contemporary.

“Tex-Mex restaurants didn’t have seafood to speak of. Soups and salads weren't a thing. Those are probably the most common things we’ve added,” he says

“One thing we battle is trying to roll out a new item. Your guests come in. If you worked at our place for three Friday nights, you’ll know 80 percent of our guests. You get to know them well,” Molina continues. “That’s the other side of it, trying to get somebody out of their comfort level and change lanes to try something different. That’s always a challenge for us.”

Listen to the full interview to hear Molina’s thoughts on how likely a fourth generation of the family is to continue the restaurant’s legacy. He also shares his perspective on further expansion.

Sandler always asks his guests if they have anything they want to discuss that he didn’t ask about. Molina ends the interview with a simple request for the audience.

“Support family business. We’ve got a great group of family businesses in Houston across the board. I’m proud to say I know most if not all of them. Some are really good friends. We’re the ones who support the Little League, we do a ton with the Rodeo, Girl Scouts, all that stuff,” he says.

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2-acre Houston patio bar rebrands with new name and family-friendly menu

Photo by Sean Rainer

The bar's patio includes 10,000-square-feet of turf.

A bar in Houston’s Near Northside neighborhood is switching things up with a new name and revised menu. Effectively immediately, Woodland Social is now known as White Oak Social.

Simply put, the new name is designed to end confusion about the bar’s location, which many people assumed was in The Woodlands. In fact, it’s located next to popular concert venue White Oak Music Hall, which is reflected in the new name.

“We wanted a name that truly represented where we are and the community we serve,” the bar’s owners said in a statement. “Many guests thought we were located in The Woodlands, so renaming the business to White Oak Social makes our location clear and aligns our brand with the neighborhood we love.”

Along with the new name comes a few improvements. They include an outdoor playground that’s designed to appeal to area families, many of whom are already regulars.

In addition, the restaurant has broadened its menu. While pizzas still remain, White Oak Social now offers burgers, chicken tenders, more entrees, and a kids menu. An all-new brunch menu includes updated cocktails and more options for kids.

Piper’s Hospitality Group (Preslee’s Southern Good Eatery) opened Woodland Social in 2024. Originally named for the Woodland Heights neighborhood, the two-acre property has an 8,000-square-foot main bar area, a 15,000-square-foot outdoor patio that includes 10,000-square-feet of turf, and more than 100 parking spaces.

“We’re excited for this next chapter,” the group said. “The new name, the expanded menu, and the playground show our commitment to being a neighborhood gathering place for all ages.”

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