Episode 28: Texas

Check Out Our Playlist Inspired by: TEXAS Texas is a state of many histories. The episode opens with the idea that Texas food is deeply shaped by immigration and settlement, especially German influence in the Hill Country. That influence shows up in classics like chicken fried steak, smoked sausage, and brisket. Rick K. Jones takes us on a walk through Texas history — from Spanish exploration to the Texas Revolution, the Republic of Texas, statehood, the Civil War era, Juneteenth, the oil boom, and the modern economy.  In this Texas episode of United Tastes of America, this episode blends history, personal memories, and a delicious tour of the state's most iconic foods and restaurants. The big idea is simple: Texas cuisine is a living record of the people who shaped the state — German, Mexican, Czech, Irish, and many more — and those influences still show up on every plate.