ok, i know it s really called cloud gate, but everybody just calls it the bean. but you know what chicago is not known for? latinos. cause when you think mexican, you think what? texas or cali? and puerto ricans, you think new york city immediately. but nope, they re right here in chi town. that s right, chicago has the second-largest mexican population of any u.s. city and a very, very large, thriving puerto rican community. latinos have been here longer than wrigley field, and they ve brought their amazing culture with them. i m talking food from michoacán and salsa from san juan. waves of latinos came to america s heartland and they worked in its factories, farms, and service industries and they turned chicagoland into chicagolandia. so i m here to find out what kind of impact decades of latinx influence have had on the windy city. and i m gonna have some amazing food, because you know that happens a lot on this show. it s right here in my contract. feed john. [t
but you know what chicago is not known for? latinos. cause when you think mexican, you think what? texas or cali? and puerto ricans, you think new york city immediately. but nope, they re right here in chi town. that s right, chicago has the second-largest mexican population of any u.s. city and a very, very large, thriving puerto rican community. latinos have been here longer than wrigley field, and they ve brought their amazing culture with them. i m talking food from michoacán and salsa from san juan. waves of latinos came to america s heartland and they worked in its factories, farms, and service industries and they turned chicagoland into chicagolandia. so i m here to find out what kind of impact decades of latinx influence have had on the windy city. and i m gonna have some amazing food, because you know that happens a lot on this show. it s right here in my contract. feed john. [tracks clacking] [upbeat horn-driven music] - [trills] [upbeat music] i m h
because it s almost 70% latino. dale! and it also has one of the highest percentages of latin-owned businesses of any u.s. city. being here is like being in a latinx city in the middle of the u.s., and cubans were the first latinos to arrive and imprint their culture here. and since then, latinos from all over the world have made miami their home. in fact, if you were to buy a latin compass, the needle would point to miami. and i have tons of history here, too, y all. my show ghetto klown was done here at the jackie gleason theater. i even shot my directorial debut, critical thinking, right here. i spend so much time in miami, they think i m the fifth golden girl. and miami s got unpredictable weather, different cultures, opposing political views, and maybe most importantly, dueling espresso recipes. speaking of which, i m going to meet a few locals for some cafecito in a little bit, and we re going to get so caffeinated. yo, let s go! - miami, everywhere you look, yo
In this bewitching place, culinary wonders are conjured. Theres a lot of exciting chefs coming out of this region. And oaxaca is now a mecca for food lovers in the know. So good. The Gastronomic Wizards here. Wow. Can summon so many of mexicos most iconic ingredients. Have you ever seen such a rainbow of corn . Its the original string cheese. Im eva longoria, Born And Bred in texas with mexicanamerican roots, which makes me a texican. Im exploring mexico to see how the people, their lands, and their past have shaped a culinary tradition as diverse as its 32 states. Nestled within three vast mountain ranges, oaxaca is so blessed with food riches. Roasted chocolate. Its as if the gods themselves dined here. And for its ancient indigenous communities. [laughter] this land and its produce is sacred. But in these parts, youve got to work hard for your dinner. Oh, my god. I mean, really hard. God, im sweating. Wish me luck. [shouts] [steady music] since prehispanic times, Ancient Trade Route
- oh, it s cold. it s cold. so this is called a cenote. it s a natural sinkhole. it s very unique to the yucatán peninsula. they were very sacred to the mayans. they believed that this was a passage to the underworld. the maya define the culture of yucatán. as one of the great civilizations in central america, their influence is everywhere. this is huge! their dna runs through every local dish. - [speaking spanish] - and their ancient ways are still a source of inspiration. - let s let it burn a little bit more, and. - more? - we grind. - i m eva longoria, born and bred in texas with mexican-american roots, which makes me a texican. i m exploring mexico to see how the people, their lands, and their past have shaped a culinary tradition as diverse as its 32 states. i don t think i ve ever seen an avocado this big. - here in yucatán, there are so many great ingredients. - with searingly hot weather all year round, time moves at a slower pace in yucatán. - [speaking maya