United Tastes of America

About United Tastes of America

UNITED TASTES OF AMERICA Welcome to iHeart’s UNITED TASTES OF AMERICA new podcast series. This is part of iHeart’s comprehensive celebration of America’s 250th birthday all year long in 2026 . For over 400 years, people from all over the world have crossed the ocean and entered the United States through the New York harbor and other Gateway harbors seeking a new life in America. These people arrived not only with their hopes and dreams, but also with their culinary cuisines, customs, preferences, and talents. These varied culinary traditions have created our own unique American cuisine with a blend of foods from around the Globe. iHeart is proud to bring you this series of the best-of-the-best food dishes across America. For this series and special event, we are visiting each of the 50 states to find one unique dish that best showcases the culinary history of that state. And to find one special restaurant to prepare this dish. We will also showcase three additional restaurants from each state for wonderful culinary road trips. These stories will be shared via both video and audio podcasts each week and a special video vignette distributed on iHeart’s You Tube page. Additionally, each weekly podcast will include a musical playlist of songs from or about that state because like food, music has played such a great role in telling the story of the history of the United States. It’s UNITED TASTES OF AMERICA exclusively from iHeart.

Publisher

iHeartPodcasts

Category

arts · history · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

2 Jan 2026

Latest episode

15 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

29 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   15 Jul 2026

   Episode 27: Florida

   Listen to Our Playlist Inspired by: Florida (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5GzS0j0x2dBUzcDRfbppgE?si=i64Se5oCS16Z1QhDGWokKg) In this episode, Rick K. Jones takes listeners on a flavorful and fascinating tour of Florida — a state shaped by history, tourism, retirement, and unforgettable regional food. From the earliest European settlement in St. Augustine to the rise of Disney World and the coastal communities that helped define the modern state, this episode explores why Florida remains one of America’s most iconic destinations.Rick opens with a history lesson on Florida’s origins, including Ponce de Leon, the search for the Fountain of Youth, Spain’s long control of the region, and Florida’s eventual path to statehood in 1845. He also discusses the state’s early role as a refuge for runaways, pirates, thieves, and the Seminole tribe, before shifting into the forces that transformed Florida into a national tourism and retirement hub: warm weather, railroad expansion, resort development, and the rise of spring break culture.The episode then turns to the food of Florida, which Rick organizes into three major categories: Seafood Cuban cuisine Citrus He highlights classic Florida seafood such as grouper, mahi, flounder, shrimp, bay scallops, and Apalachicola oysters, while also spotlighting uniquely Floridian dishes like stone crabs, conch fritters, and rock shrimp. In the Cuban category, Rick celebrates the influence of Cuban immigration and cuisine, especially in Miami’s Little Havana and Tampa’s Ybor City. He gives special praise to one of his favorite Cuban restaurants in the world, Versailles in Little Havana, and also recommends Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City for a classic Cubano sandwich and sangria.For citrus, Rick shares the story of Robert Is Here, the beloved roadside produce stand near Homestead, and explains why Florida citrus remains such a signature part of the state’s identity. He also dives into one of Florida’s most iconic desserts: key lime pie. The episode features The Fish House in Key Largo, where fresh seafood and authentic key lime pie are prepared with care, including a meringue topped in distinctive peaks.Along the way, Rick also reflects on Disney World’s impact on Florida, the creation of the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, and how the theme park empire learned to attract teens by blending sports, hotels, restaurants, and entertainment. He closes with personal recommendations for some of Florida’s standout food destinations, including Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami Beach, Dixie Crossroads in Titusville, and Ted Peters Smoked Fish in Pensacola Beach.Featured Restaurants and Food Spots Versailles Restaurant — Little Havana, Miami Robert Is Here — Homestead, Florida The Fish House — Key Largo Joe’s Stone Crab — Miami Beach Dixie Crossroads — Titusville Columbia Restaurant — Ybor City Ted Peters Smoked Fish — Pensacola Beach Notable Topics Florida history and state identity St. Augustine and Ponce de Leon Tourism, retirement, and resort culture Disney World and Orlando’s growth Seafood, Cuban food, and citrus Key lime pie and Florida Keys cuisine Local food traditions and regional pride Playlist Highlights “Trying to Reason with Hurricane Season” — Jimmy Buffett “Free Fallin’” — Tom Petty “You Belong to the City” — Glenn Frey “Tallahassee Lassie” — Freddie Cannon “Conga” — Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine Florida is more than beaches and theme parks — it’s a state with deep history, strong cultural influences, and a food scene that reflects its coastline, Caribbean connections, and citrus legacy. Next up: Texas. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

2. 

   8 Jul 2026

   Episode 26: Michigan

   Listen to Our Playlist Inspired by: Michigan (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7IcklxCydiM689gBo8IoUt?si=QAhN37gRSwmuTcXYp_BwsA) Join Rick K. Jones as he journeys through Michigan's rich history and vibrant food scene, exploring everything from its Native American roots to its iconic automotive industry and unique local cuisines. Discover the stories behind famous dishes, legendary musicians, and cultural landmarks that define Michigan today. Main Topics Covered: The Native American and French fur trading history shaping Michigan's early development The impact of the Erie Canal on Michigan’s growth and settlement patterns Michigan’s diverse food culture: Coney dogs, Detroit-style pizza, Middle Eastern cuisine, and iconic desserts like Mackinac fudge The evolution of Michigan’s music scene with legends like Bob Seger and Smokey Robinson Notable landmarks and cultural icons, including the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald and local festivals Motown Records (https://www.motownrecords.com/) Zenders of Frankenmuth (https://zenders.com/) Zingerman's Deli (https://www.zingermans.com/) Hudsonville Ice Cream (https://hudsonville.com/) Vernors Ginger Ale (https://vernors.com/) Michigan Cherry Festival (https://michigancherryfestival.com/) See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

3. 

   1 Jul 2026

   Episode 25: Arkansas

   Check Out Our Playlist all about: ARKANSAS (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4tjHM6osAVap2DEb01Ym0T?si=xHLVM7nxS7K6CifEiscp-w) Join Rick K. Jones as he explores Arkansas’s rich history and vibrant culinary traditions, from its Native American roots to beloved Southern dishes, and iconic foods like fried catfish and tamales. This episode highlights how Arkansas’s geography, history, and culture influence its unique flavors—perfect for food lovers and history buffs alike. Key Topics: The historical background of Arkansas, including its Native tribes, French exploration, and Civil Rights milestones Important figures like Bill Clinton and Sam Walton, and their impacts on Arkansas’s identity Signature Arkansas foods: fried dill pickles, chicken fried steak, barbecue, and duck gumbo The significance of farm-raised catfish and local seafood, with featured spots like Dondie's Restaurant Highlighting local culinary destinations: Hot Springs’ historic bathhouses, McClard’s barbecue, AQ Chicken House, and the unique riverboat-style restaurant in Des Arc The role of agriculture: small gardens, chicken farming, rice production, and regional ingredients Cultural influences: Mexican immigrants' impact on Southern Arkansas cuisine and local food innovations Notable Arkansas beverages: Grapeette soda and Mountain Valley Water Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: Exploring Arkansas’s culinary history and cultural significance 00:21 - Delicious homemade carnitas tacos recipe and peppers from the garden 01:09 - Celebrating Levin’s fifth birthday and family celebrations in Arkansas 02:02 - Arkansas’s history from Louisiana Purchase to Civil War and Civil Rights movement 03:00 - Arkansas’s evolution from plantation economy to small farms and civil rights activism 04:27 - Influential figures: Bill Clinton’s rise and the Clinton Library’s significance 05:23 - The legacy of Sam Walton and Walmart’s impact on Arkansas and the country 06:17 - The regional cuisine: from mountain foods to delta specialties 07:41 - Arkansas’s famous chicken dishes, especially from Tyson Foods 08:40 - Local seafood: duck gumbo, catfish ponds, and seafood in Des Arc 09:08 - Unique Arkansas foods: possum pie and local soft drinks 09:56 - The importance of farm-raised catfish and seafood marketing campaigns 10:27 - Feature on Gulf Shores campaigns and Coach Brawls’s favorite fried catfish 12:16 - Des Arc’s riverboat restaurant and the story behind Dondie's 13:14 - Fire recovery at Dondie's and the Scott family’s restaurant journey 15:33 - Spotlight on fried catfish, a family favorite, at Dondie’s 17:06 - Hot Springs: its history as a health resort and home of Bill Clinton 17:58 - The Pancake Shop: iconic breakfast spot with blueberry pancakes and sugar-cured ham 18:47 - Barbecue traditions in Hot Springs at McClard’s and local chicken houses 19:39 - Reflection on the growth of Walmart and the iconic Arkansas food scene 20:07 - Wrapping up with next stops: Michigan and the ongoing series "United Taste of America. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

Reach and audience

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings