what's eric eating episode 269

Houston influencer and Burger Bodega creator dishes on his New York-themed WashAve joint

Abbas Dhanani is this week's guest.

Photo by Michael Ma

On this week's episode of "What's Eric Eating," Abbas Dhanani joins CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler. Best known for his houstoneatz Instagram and TikTok accounts, Dhanani recently opened Burger Bodega on Washington Avenue last year.

The conversation begins with Dhanani discussing growing up in a family whose successful restaurant group includes hundreds of franchised locations as well as La Madeline and Cyclone Anaya's. He also shares his initial motivation to start houstoneatz, which has more than 36,000 followers on Instagram and 112,000 followers on TikTok.

From there, they talk about Burger Bodega. Dhanani launched the smash burger concept with a series of sold out pop-ups. The restaurant has been similarly well received, drawing consistent crowds and earning a spot on numerous best new restaurant lists.

While diners are coming for the crispy smash burgers, New York-inspired chopped cheese sandwich, and signature mango lassi shake, Burger Bodega also sets itself apart with its design. Dhanani worked with local artist Donkeeboy on a mural and with Vy Truong and Han Dang of local design firm Very Handsome Studio to create the restaurant's overall look. Sandler asks the restaurateur about putting so much focus design at a small, fast casual restaurant.

"In my time doing houstoneatz, I saw how important it was to have something people want to take a picture of. Burger Bodega is a restaurant that an Instagram influencer came up with," Dhanani says. "It's New York themed. It's bodega themed. We have all our grocery products as decoration . . . You've got to have the graffiti walls."

Prior to the interview, Sandler and co-host Matt Harris discuss the news of the week. Their topics include: the Houston restaurants that earned semifinalist nominations in the James Beard Awards; Berg Hospitality's plans to open Benny Chows, a new Chinese restaurant next to B&B Butchers, and Hubcap Grill closing its 19th Street location.

In the restaurants of the week segment, Harris and Sandler share thoughts about Karne Korean Steakhouse, the latest project from Dak & Bop owner Jason Cho. Listen to the full episode to hear their opinions on the food, service, and overall experience at this new restaurant in the Heights.

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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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pay the piper

Growing Houston restaurant group opens new cantina in Spring Branch

Courtesy of Piper's Cantina

Find tacos, tortas, and more at Piper's Cantina.

A growing Houston restaurant group has added a casual Mexican restaurant to its offerings. Piper’s Cantina will open Thursday, October 3 for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Located at the former Smokey Cheeks restaurant in Spring Branch (1815 Mangum Road), Piper’s Cantina is the latest offering from Piper’s Hospitality, which also operates family friendly Southern restaurant Preslee’s, Piper’s Burger, and Woodland Social, the pizza-fueled patio bar that opened this spring near White Oak Music Hall.

The menu features a range of familiar dishes that include tacos and quesadilla filled with one of five different meats — beef fajitas, pork pastor, tinga, grilled chicken, and barbacoa. In addition, Piper’s is putting its spin on the classic Milanese as well as tortas and the trendy quesabirria. Breakfast, served weekdays from 6:30-10:30 am, includes breakfast tacos, breakfast quesadillas, and a breakfast bowl with meat, potatoes, beans, cheese, and salsa.

Drink options include frozen cocktails such as the pina colada, margarita, espresso martini, and mangonada. Sides include rice, beans (charro or refried), and chips with queso, salsa, or guacamole.

Piper's Cantina patio Piper's Cantina is opening just in time for patio season.Courtesy of Piper's Cantina.

Like its siblings, Piper’s Cantina offers both indoor and outdoor seating in a relaxed, family-friendly environment.

“Piper’s Cantina is all about celebrating flavorful food and good times in a comfortable welcoming environment,” Piper’s Hospitality Group owner Justin Piper said in a statement. “We’re bringing the energy of food trucks and street eats into a space where everyone can kick back and enjoy themselves.”

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