Born and raised in Houston, Erica covers and oversees coverage of education, policy, sports, and more. Previously, Erica served as the Food Reporter at Chron.com, covering food news and features. She loves critical analysis, 2000s media, graffiti, and covering underserved communities. Erica graduated from Southwestern University and has a master's in International Affairs from Boston University.

Houston Would Like a Word

Is the Texas Michelin Guide OK?

Houston got the party. San Antonio got the stars. Michelin got some explaining to do.

11/12/2025 By Erica Cheng, Brittany Britto Garley, and Sofia Gonzalez

Eat, Drink, Hou

What to Eat, Drink, and Do in Houston This Weekend: November 7

Rely on Houstonia for your weekend plans, including tasty meals you can make at home, a film festival in Round Top, and gallery openings galore.

11/07/2025 By Erica Cheng and Houstonia Staff

Super Picnic

The Big Blanket That Brought Houston Together

The Big Blanket Super Picnic proves that sometimes all you need to fight loneliness is a few friends and a really big blanket.

11/06/2025 By Erica Cheng

12 Days of Thanksgiving

Forget Turkey. Beijing Duck Is Houston’s Best Thanksgiving Tradition.

At Hong Kong Food Street in Katy, duck is the star of the season—and for good reason.

11/06/2025 By Erica Cheng

Helping Hands

Where to Find Free Food and Assistance in Houston Amid the Federal Shutdown

Houston businesses and charities are rallying to provide free food and donations for federal workers.

11/05/2025 Edited by Brittany Britto Garley and Erica Cheng

Bayougraphy

From Sunnyside to City Hall: City Council Hopeful Jordan Thomas Talks the Talk

The At-Large Position 4 candidate grew up across Houston, from Sunnyside to Katy, and now hopes to turn personal struggles into policy change.

10/22/2025 By Erica Cheng

Ever Wonder Why

How Pop-Ups Became Houston’s Hottest Dining Trend

Pop-ups aren’t just fleeting food fads. They’ve launched some of the city’s favorite restaurants—and the momentum isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

10/21/2025 By Erica Cheng

Eat, Drink, Hou

What to Eat, Drink, and Do in Houston This Weekend: October 17

Our editors share the best bites, drinks, and happenings in Houston this weekend, from creative tacos and playful cocktails to bold theater worth snagging tickets for.

10/17/2025 By Erica Cheng and Houstonia Staff

Marrying cuisines

10 Must-Try Fusion Dishes in Houston Right Now

From bagel naan to brisket fried rice, these Houston fusion dishes mix culture and creativity in every bite.

10/15/2025 By Brittany Britto Garley, Erica Cheng, and Sofia Gonzalez

Butts & Babes

Only in Houston: Bike Riders in the Buff and a Rockets Win Written in the Stars

The city’s quirks on full display—from bare-it-all bike rides to baby booms at the zoo.

10/15/2025 By Erica Cheng

Bayougraphy

From Refugee to Jewelry Mogul: Daniel Dang's Rise in Houston

Before hip-hop's iconic Johnny Dang, there was his older brother Daniel—the jeweler who built a family empire from Bellaire Boulevard.

10/02/2025 By Erica Cheng

Send Noods

Houston’s First Korean Ramen Convenience Store Opens in Asiatown

Ramen Alley brings South Korea’s 24-hour convenience store culture—DIY ramen bowls, K-snacks, and K-pop vibes—to Houston’s dining scene.

10/01/2025 By Erica Cheng

Our best eats

The 8 Houston Dishes We Couldn’t Put Down in September 2025

The plates that lingered on our palates this month—a birria feast built for two, a carrot course that redefines the root, and Nobie’s cult-favorite Dilly Bread.

09/30/2025 By Sofia Gonzalez and Houstonia Staff

Fusion Follies

Yes Ma’am, No Ma’am: Houstonia’s Spiciest Takes on Houston’s Fusion Cuisine

Bao buns? No ma’am. Pho kolaches? Yes ma’am. Here’s what we’re loving—and side-eyeing—in Houston’s fusion food scene.

09/15/2025 By Erica Cheng

It's Getting Weirder

Only in Houston: Elon Musk Wants to Tunnel Houston, Influencers Capture Car Crash, and Farewell to FunPlex

A Beyoncé-approved skating rink closes, a viral collision, and a tech giant wants to burrow beneath Houston.

09/11/2025 By Erica Cheng

The Re-Mex

Beyond Tex-Mex: Houston Is a Culinary Mecca for Mexican Mash-Ups

Move over Tex-Mex. This new wave of Mexican mash-ups is helping to redefine the Houston culinary scene.

09/10/2025 By Brittany Britto Garley, Erica Cheng, and Sofia Gonzalez

Local Impact

Houston Farms and Food Banks Reel from Trump’s USDA Funding Cuts

Houston’s food charities and agriculture sectors are left spiraling after budget slashes and policy changes OK’d by the Trump administration.

09/02/2025 By Erica Cheng

20 Years Later

When the Cowbell Rang: How Houston Helped Katrina Survivors Find Family

Houston’s shelters turned chaos into connection, creating a blueprint for disaster relief the federal government couldn’t deliver.

08/29/2025 By Erica Cheng and Brittany Britto Garley

Eat, Drink, Hou

What to Eat, Drink, and Do in Houston This Weekend: August 22

The best new burger, baristas, bats, and Houston’s official birthday party—your weekend starts here.

08/22/2025 By Erica Cheng and Houstonia Staff

Bayougraphy

How This Houston Voice Became America’s First Ismaili Sportscaster

From Alief apartments to arenas and airwaves, Raheel Ramzanali’s path is a Houston story of hustle, representation, and resilience.

08/21/2025 By Erica Cheng