Roadfood: Discovering America One Dish at a Time

Synopsis

Roadfood: Discovering America One Dish at a Time is a new PBS TV show that aims to re-discover America’s regional culture through its iconic dishes. Our host, Misha Collins, will hit the highways and byways of America, exploring a uniquely American dish in each episode. Meeting local cooks, pit-masters, bakers, cafe owners, and proprietors of local eating establishments, Misha will explore the roots of a dish through these modern culinary folk artisans.

First Air Date: 2021-12-03

Last Air Date: 2022-02-25

Number of Seasons: 1

Number of Episodes: 13

Created By: Cliff Sharples, Lisa Sharples, Michael Stern

Networks: PBS

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top Cast

Misha Collins as Self. Host
Ben Edlund as Self
Ruth Connell as Self
Rob Benedict as Self
Michael Stern as Self
Randlett King Lawrence as Self.

Seasons

Season 1 (2021)

Roadfood: Discovering America One Dish at a Time is a new PBS TV show that aims to re-discover America's regional culture through its iconic dishes. Our host, Misha Collins, will hit the highways and byways of America, exploring a uniquely American dish in each episode. Meeting local cooks, pit-masters, bakers, cafe owners, and proprietors of local eating establishments, Misha will explore the roots of a dish through these modern culinary folk artisans.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: Houston, TX (2021-12-03)

Follow host Misha Collins as he meets the Vietnamese population in Houston, Texas by sharing their love for food.
Ep. 2: Little Dominican Republic, NY (2021-12-10)

Little Dominican Republic, located in Washington Heights, is a microcosm of the Dominican community in Manhattan, NY. This community is vibrant and truly alive with Dominican cuisine and culture.
Ep. 3: Rhode Island (2021-12-17)

Ever heard of a state appetizer? Unless you live in Rhode Island, the answer is likely no, as this tiny state is the first - and only - to pursue this particular display of state pride.
Ep. 4: Chicago, IL (2021-12-24)

African American influence in Chicago cannot be overstated, stretching from music to food to much more. Jazz and Blues, as well as South Side BBQ, are just a few examples of how African American culture has shaped the Windy City.
Ep. 5: Brownsville, TX (2021-12-31)

Brownsville, Texas, on the border of Mexico, is where you'll find some of the best tacos in the U.S., both in variety and quality. It's also a place where border politics have direct and immediate consequences.
Ep. 6: Barberton, OH (2022-01-07)

Booming economic growth and rapid industrialization in the early twentieth century drove immigration from Europe to Ohio, and that immigration brought the now hyper-regional dish of Barberton fried chicken to the area.
Ep. 7: Detroit, MI (2022-01-14)

As African Americans migrated from the south up to Detroit, they brought their culture, traditions and cuisine with them. Collard greens, a soul food staple, tells the story of how African Americans have shaped the Motor City.
Ep. 8: New Bedford, MA (2022-01-21)

Booming economic growth and rapid industrialization in the early twentieth century drove immigration from Europe to Ohio, and that immigration brought the now hyper-regional dish of Barberton fried chicken to the area.
Ep. 9: Eastern Shore, VA (2022-01-28)

Virginia's Eastern Shore is one of timeless tradition and continuous environmental change. Discover Tangier Island, a fishing village that is sinking into the ocean, and aqua farmers on the Shore supplying the country with shellfish.
Ep. 10: Southern Louisiana (2022-02-04)

Gumbo, originally from Louisiana, came out of the great diversity of cultures that were present in the area at the time. With African roots, the dish has evolved over time, drawing from French, American, Spanish, and Caribbean influences.
Ep. 11: Phoenix, AZ (2022-02-11)

For many Indigenous people, frybread has a complicated and controversial past - a symbol of perseverance and pain, but also a part of their culinary story. Now, some tribal members are finding that looking back is the best way forward.
Ep. 12: Oklahoma/Route 66 (2022-02-18)

Invented during the Great Depression as a way to offset the cost of beef, the onion fried burger has become a beloved staple of El Reno, Oklahoma. The restaurants serving this iconic dish have served as the heartbeat of the community.
Ep. 13: Los Angeles (2022-02-25)

Los Angeles is a renowned cultural hub, drawing people of all backgrounds together and bringing new dishes like the açai bowl to the United States. In this episode, Misha Collins travels into his own backyard to discover the açai bowl and explore why Angelenos are on the forefront of a burgeoning plant-based food movement and why this area is such fertile ground for creativity and innovation.