Check Out Our Playlist all about: ARKANSAS

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.

 

 

Check Out Our Playlist all about: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4tjHM6osAVap2DEb01Ym0T?si=xHLVM7nxS7K6CifEiscp-w">ARKANSAS</a>
Join Rick K. Jones as he explores Arkansas&rsquo;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&rsquo;s geography, history, and culture influence its unique flavors&mdash;perfect for food lovers and history buffs alike.
Key Topics:
<ul>
<li>The historical background of Arkansas, including its Native tribes, French exploration, and Civil Rights milestones</li>
<li>Important figures like Bill Clinton and Sam Walton, and their impacts on Arkansas&rsquo;s identity</li>
<li>Signature Arkansas foods: fried dill pickles, chicken fried steak, barbecue, and duck gumbo</li>
<li>The significance of farm-raised catfish and local seafood, with featured spots like Dondie's Restaurant</li>
<li>Highlighting local culinary destinations: Hot Springs&rsquo; historic bathhouses, McClard&rsquo;s barbecue, AQ Chicken House, and the unique riverboat-style restaurant in Des Arc</li>
<li>The role of agriculture: small gardens, chicken farming, rice production, and regional ingredients</li>
<li>Cultural influences: Mexican immigrants' impact on Southern Arkansas cuisine and local food innovations</li>
<li>Notable Arkansas beverages: Grapeette soda and Mountain Valley Water</li>
</ul>
Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: Exploring Arkansas&rsquo;s culinary history and cultural significance 00:21 - Delicious homemade carnitas tacos recipe and peppers from the garden 01:09 - Celebrating Levin&rsquo;s fifth birthday and family celebrations in Arkansas 02:02 - Arkansas&rsquo;s history from Louisiana Purchase to Civil War and Civil Rights movement 03:00 - Arkansas&rsquo;s evolution from plantation economy to small farms and civil rights activism 04:27 - Influential figures: Bill Clinton&rsquo;s rise and the Clinton Library&rsquo;s significance 05:23 - The legacy of Sam Walton and Walmart&rsquo;s impact on Arkansas and the country 06:17 - The regional cuisine: from mountain foods to delta specialties 07:41 - Arkansas&rsquo;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&rsquo;s favorite fried catfish 12:16 - Des Arc&rsquo;s riverboat restaurant and the story behind Dondie's 13:14 - Fire recovery at Dondie's and the Scott family&rsquo;s restaurant journey 15:33 - Spotlight on fried catfish, a family favorite, at Dondie&rsquo;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&rsquo;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.
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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.

UNITED TASTES OF AMERICA
Welcome to iHeart&rsquo;s UNITED TASTES OF AMERICA new podcast series. This is part of iHeart&rsquo;s comprehensive celebration of America&rsquo;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&rsquo;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&rsquo;s UNITED TASTES OF AMERICA exclusively from iHeart.

United Tastes of America

Episode 25: Arkansas

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0b70f52d-b0be-41fe-b222-b47800fab693/transcript