In this week’s episode of What’s Eating Eric, Chef Pace Webb joins CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler to discuss Daddy’s Chicken Shack. The native Houstonian and HSPVA alum turned a former dry cleaners in the Heights into a flagship location for her California-based chicken restaurant, which opened in October.
The conversation begins with Webb sharing the story of how her interest in entertaining evolved into running a catering business in the Los Angeles area. When a fried chicken sandwich she made for a party caught the attention of actress Mandy Moore, she shifted her focus to a restaurant. Ultimately, she developed a concept that blends Southern flavors with Asian touches across a variety of chicken sandwiches, chicken-topped salads, chicken fingers and breakfast items
Working with her husband Chris Georgala and RE/MAX founder Dave Liniger, Webb plans to grow Daddy’s as a franchise to locations across the country. She shares that the restaurant’s plans include 10 additional locations in the Houston area, starting in neighborhoods like Montrose, West University Place and Katy. Sandler asks the chef how Papa’s positions itself compared to other chicken sandwich restaurants.
“We sell you back time,” she says. “Our target is dual-working households — maybe they have kids, maybe they don’t — who are short on time. That’s where my husband and I are in our lives. Placing an order ahead for pickup is a weight off your shoulders. You know you’ll get it on time. You don’t have to cook, and it’s going to be accurate, flavorful, and fresh.”
Before the interview, Sandler is joined by co-hosts Matt Harris and Michael Fulmer to commemorate the life of Lee Ellis, the veteran restaurateur who died last week at the age of 63. They share a couple of favorite stories about the man who helped. found restaurants such as BRC, Liberty Kitchen and State Fare.
In this week’s news, Sandler and Harris discuss the changes coming to Hobby Airport after the Houston City Council approved a new concession contract that will replace Pappas Restaurants with Areas, a Spain-based company that operates restaurants in airports around the world. They also talk about the closure of Kraftsmen Cafe in Høyden.
In this week’s restaurant segment, Fulmer, Harris and Sandler are enthusiastic Junthe new restaurant in the Heights from Top chef finalist Evelyn Garcia and her business partner Henry Lu. They are impressed with the food, decor and service at this self-described “New Asian American” restaurant that draws on their cultural background as well as their time cooking in New York City restaurants.
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