In this episode of “Eat Like a Local”, chef Chris Shepherd visits one of Houston’s quiet icons, Mandola’s Deli.

Chris enlists the help of chef/owner Ope Amosu of ChòpnBlọk to help educate him on this growing culinary movement in Houston.

From pho to vermicelli to lo mein, in this episode of "Eat Like a Local", Chris Shepherd is on the hunt for the best noodles in town.

In this episode of "Eat Like a Local", savory and sweet Indian cuisine -- the history behind some of the best restaurants in Houston.

In this episode of "Eat Like a Local", it’s a crispy, crunchy, southern classic – fried chicken! We can’t talk about fried chicken in this city without going to Frenchy’s Chicken.

In this episode of “Eat Like a Local with Chris Shepherd” -- scratch that, this week, it’s Drink Like a Local! Chef Chris Shepherd checks out neighborhood watering holes and a luxe speakeasy as he searches Houston for the best cocktails in town.

From crispy and crunchy to thick and gooey, chef Chris Shepherd has scoured Houston for some of the best cookies in town. In this episode of “Eat Like a Local with Chris Shepherd”, he takes us to a few of his favorite spots for a sweet treat.

Can’t make it to the festival? The YETI Culinary Stage cooking demos will be livestreamed on KPRC 2+ starting at 4:30 p.m. The demonstrations will be hosted by chef, YouTube personality, and New York Times bestselling author Brad Leone.

In this episode of “Eat Like a Local with Chris Shepherd”, we meet chefs who have set up shop inside local neighborhoods and share their signature dishes that keep people coming back.

A complete list of episodes from the inaugural season of the show celebrating the restaurants, dishes, and people that make Houston's food scene special.

To kick off Season 2 of "Eat Like a Local", Chris Shepherd visits a local farm to see where Houston restaurants are getting the freshest and most flavorful produce.

To kick off Season 2 of "Eat Like a Local", Chris Shepherd visits a local farm to see where Houston restaurants are getting the freshest and most flavorful produce.

Schedule of events

I had never thought about working in TV, but after sitting with the team at KPRC 2 and talking about this show, I knew it was for me. Talking with the people that make our city’s restaurants so amazing, showing viewers what makes our city the best food city in the country, highlighting these places and helping tell their stories is what I have always wanted to do. Sharing stories of these great people for all to see -- It is my dream!

He's a James Beard award-winning chef and one of our favorite TV hosts; Chris Shepherd is in the host seat. We caught up with him as he gets set to premiere season 2 of 'Eat Like a Local' this Saturday.While you may be used to seeing him right here on KPRC, it's what he does behind the scenes to support Houston food and beverage workers that's even more impressive. His Southern Smoke Foundation is expanding to help those in crisis across the nation. We found out exactly how it's helping on an SSF takeover of Houston Life.

We found making a TV show with Chris Shepherd is fun, spontaneous, and frequently unplanned. Despite this producer’s efforts to keep us on point, we frequently end up at what we over time have dubbed “pit stops”. This is when Chris’ excitement to experience every kind of food in our city causes us to abruptly veer off-course. This bonus episode is all about the pit stops.

Following their Battle of the Bands win at the KPRC 2 Eat Like a Local Crawfish Fest, we sat down with Lucid Illusions. We met Jordan, Connor, and Donovan in October but now, they're back on Houston Life to catch up with us and perform after their win.

In this episode of “Eat Like a Local with Chris Shepherd”, Shepherd sits down with Jaisinghani, the chef & co-owner of Pondicheri, who he calls a “local legend,” “amazing human,” and “amazing chef.”

In this episode of “Eat Like a Local with Chris Shepherd”, Shepherd takes us to some of his favorite places for fresh shelled seafood like crawfish, crabs, and lobster.

“Eat Like a Local” host Chris Shepherd sat down with friends from three of his favorite Houston restaurants serving crawfish to talk about the season and crawfish styles.

In this episode of “Eat Like a Local with Chris Shepherd”, Shepherd shares some of his favorite places to pick up breakfast or even road trip treats, including one that got its start almost seven decades ago.

On a busy day, Crawfish Shack can go through 180 sacks of crawfish a day -- boiling 6,000 pounds of the mudbugs for dine-in, to-go, and drive-thru customers. That doesn’t include their catering gigs or the bags of live crawfish they sell to businesses or residents looking to do their own boils.

Pizza is not one slice fits all. We’re not just talking about customizing toppings. Several Houston restaurants are standing out for the techniques they use to craft the perfect cheesy pies.

In this episode of “Eat Like a Local with Chris Shepherd”, Shepherd heads east to meet Billy Link of Link Rice and Crawfish Farms who explains what it takes to supply Houston with the best crawfish. Shepherd then visits Crawfish Shack in Crosby where they boil up more crawfish each year than just about anybody.

In this episode of “Eat Like a Local with Chris Shepherd”, Shepherd spends a day sampling desserts, entrees, and drinks at one of Houston’s biggest annual events.

In this episode of “Eat Like a Local with Chris Shepherd”, Shepherd sits down with Williams to hear the stories of Lucille’s, his nonprofit organization Lucille’s 1913, Eldorado Ballroom and Rado Market which sit next to Houston’s Emancipation Park, and Williams’ most recent endeavor Late August.

You’ll never grocery shop hungry again if you visit a Houston market that got its start 40 years ago. Phoenicia Specialty Foods has ready to eat food, plus an expansive store with filled with meats, cheeses, olives, wines, spices and so much more -- including a bakery and famous conveyer belt of fresh bread.

Chris Shepherd and friends in the restaurant business share where they go for cocktails and dinner

Chris Shepherd visits Monument Inn and BB's Tex-Orleans in this episode of "Eat Like a Local"

Chris Shepherd visits HK Dim Sum and Fung's Kitchen in this episode of "Eat Like a Local"

Chris Shepherd visits Bludorn and Nobie's in this episode of "Eat Like a Local"

You’ll find Donna Vallone most days at the restaurant. Also there, executive chef and partner Kate McLean, who worked and trained under Tony Vallone for several years. She returned to Tony’s in 2022 where she has brought her own flair to the kitchen.

KPRC 2 is partnering with James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Shepherd to spotlight the Greater Houston area’s diverse food culture, culinary hotspots, and hidden gems that make our city unique.

In this episode of “Eat Like a Local with Chris Shepherd”, Shepherd introduces us to two women who've been making a big impact on the Houston food scene for decades. Hear the stories behind how Irma's Original and China Garden Restaurant came to be and why they're still going strong.

In this episode of “Eat Like a Local with Chris Shepherd”, Shepherd takes us to a Mediterranean food truck he recently tried with his wife and decided had to be on the show.

From the meats to the sauces to the fresh and perfectly made tortillas, you’ll want to put Dichos Taqueria and El Hildalguense on your list of places to dine.

From a restaurant where Shepherd learned to cook Thai food to the dining destination owned by Houston's most recent James Beard award-winning chef, this episode of "Eat Like a Local with Chris Shepherd" is filled with flavor and heat! 🔥

Phat Eatery and Dim Sum Box are among the many choices for people looking to dine or grab dessert in this Houston suburb.

Chef Shepherd and his friends from ‘Eat Like a Local’ help you plan the perfect Thanksgiving!

Blood Bros. BBQ and Feges BBQ are two of the spots in Houston shaking up the traditional barbecue seasonings.

From oysters and redfish to custom-made caviar, these Houston restaurants are perfect for a special occasion. Chris Shepherd takes us to LIttle's Oyster Bar and Josephine's in this episode of "Eat Like a Local"

Where does a James Beard award-winning chef like to eat on his days off? Chris Shepherd takes us to two of his favorites on "Eat Like a Local"

Southern Smoke holds a festival each year that hosts some of the industry’s most talented chefs and personalities, with the help from plenty of local chefs and establishments.

Rosie Cannonball and Candente are two Houston restaurants using fire to make their recipes sizzle.

Enjoy Taco Tuesday? Why limit yourself to just one day when there are so many great places to dine from breakfast to dinner any day of the week.In this episode of “Eat Like a Local with Chris Shepherd”, the chef explores tacos for just about every taste.

Enter here to win an exclusive tour of Karbach Brewing Company!

Gather around the table for the best of the best Vietnamese food. Whether you’re in the mood for something quick or looking for a place to sit and enjoy food and quality time with loved ones, this episode has you covered.

Chris Shepherd digs into craft barbeque in this episode of "Eat Like a Local". Find out how one popular pitmaster perfected his brisket and how another got his whole family involved in the business.

Find out which spots James Beard award-winning chef Chris Shepherd hits up for a good burger in the series premiere of ‘Eat Like a Local’

The two chefs will introduce the Southern Smoke Juicy Lucy Burger as part of this special collaboration…while supplies last!

Chris Shepherd’s show ‘Eat Like a Local’ will introduce viewers to the people and food that make the Houston food scene one of the most unique in the country.

Leonard Botello IV’s Truth BBQ has been ranked in the top 3 of Texas Monthly’s best barbecue joints in Texas. Chef Chris Shepherd heads to Truth’s location in the Heights to learn more about how Botello is helping define craft barbeque and some of the secrets to turning out some of the best barbeque in the state.

Chris Shepherd's new show "Eat Like a Local" will introduce viewers to the Houston area’s diverse food culture, culinary hotspots, and hidden gems as well as the history and families behind the restaurants.

KPRC 2 is partnering with James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Shepherd to spotlight the Greater Houston area’s diverse food culture, culinary hotspots, and hidden gems that make our city unique. "Eat Like a Local with Chris Shepherd" premieres Sept. 16 at 10 a.m.

Meet the man behind Gatlin’s BBQ, and find out how his family inspired him to open up this Houston BBQ hot spot.

It's summer, and for many, that means burger season! James Beard award-winning Chef Chris Shepherd is checking out some of the best places to eat in Houston, including a local burger joint that has been a staple in Houston for 60 years. Learn the secret to their longevity as Chris Shepherd takes us inside Champ Burger in EADO as part of the summer series, 'Eat Like a Local.'

Burger Bodega has people lining up to try a New York specialty that’s perfect for burger lovers. Chris Shepherd takes you inside the restaurant to find out why it’s becoming the coolest, up and coming burger joints in Houston.

We’re starting our new summer series ‘Eat Like a Local’ with a look at legendary crawfish farm, Link Farms. Watch as Houston chef Chris Shepherd takes us to Crowley, Louisiana to meet Billy Link and learn how he's helping feed Houston's insatiable appetite for crawfish!