Hungry

An epic tale of the pastry woven into America's timeline - German soldiers blowing up donut trucks, frying donuts in whale oil, the first women allowed on the front lines in U.S. history, and maybe even an answer to the question: can the donut yet again unite our country?  

In the spirit of July 4th, this is a story from the Korean War- where U.S. Marines surmounted unbelievable odds and the coldest winter in Korean history with only their wits, and thousands of unwanted tootsie rolls.

HomeCooked is a series where we ask people the same question: What food reminds you of home? Director, author, and activist Michael Moore is from Flint, MI. Having good memories of the food there is tough when you can't even drink the water. To get involved with Michael's efforts in Flint, visit http://michaelmoore.com/DontSendBottledWater/

In the heart of coal country, West Virginia - a young Navy veteran and his family are responding to food shortages and economic hardships in exceptionally creative ways. Their town of McDowell has made national headlines for its poverty, unemployment, opioid crisis, and has recently been dubbed "Trump Country." These headlines miss the real story- one that could change the narrative in countless rural towns across the country.

Escape from the Nazis, cosmically good pastrami, and how an iconic Philadelphia Deli came to be.

Concentration camps, bribing the Gestapo, racist spice companies, and Baltimore crabs: The story of one refugee's journey and the creation of an American food icon.

On HomeCooked, we ask strangers the same question: What food reminds you of home? This week, legendary actor Edward James Olmos of Battlestar Galactica, American Me, Stand and Deliver, Blade Runner, and so many more. So say we all. Music for this episode is performed by Joe Broom. Link to the Anthony Quinn Foundation - www.aqfoundation.org/

A trip to the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania, where Syrian refugee families are becoming part of American society. Known for having one of the largest Syrian populations in America, Allentown and the Lehigh Valley make the most authentic, mouth-watering Syrian food you'll find. This also makes it a perfect refuge for Syrians fleeing a brutal civil war. But even in the Lehigh Valley, the fear of refugees is all too present.

There is a restaurant in the barren New Mexican desert where one man is cooking his way through the light and darkness of life. We sit down for an intimate meal with Chef Julian Sibony at his home and restaurant, Arioso.

We ask strangers on the street, "What food reminds you of home?" This episode- Kay.   If you have a story about a food that reminds you of home- leave it in a review on iTunes or contact us at www.hungryradio.org.

The Po' Boy is an iconic New Orleans sandwich that has come to represent the city and holds a special place in the heart of the South. What people don't know is that the sandwich itself was born out of some pretty dark, violent times. 

A trip to the origin of the burrito - Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. We hear the legend of an entrepreneurial man, his donkey, and a tale of two cities. We also talk to Emily Bonderer-Cruz, who was featured on This American Life a few years ago for her radio-diary "The Real Housewife of Ciudad Juarez." Since that piece was aired, much has changed, leaving her and her husband Gordo in a state of uncertainty.

Hungry goes to Trump Cafe, a restaurant that changed its name two weeks before the election to honor the next president . Located in the rural town of Bellville Texas, Trump Cafe boasts a menu of southern "Trump-Themed" food (in Texas, not too hard to imagine}. But the owners - they're Israeli immigrants. Who are Muslim. In this episode, we eat a Trump Burger and confront the assumptions we all seem to make about each other in the wake of this polarizing election.

Hungry just received a grant to travel Guatemala in search of food and stories. We will be focusing on one story in particular about a plant that has been worshipped, savored, outlawed, destroyed, and is now being reborn. And it's not what you think it is. More to come in the second season of Hungry in a few months. Stay Hungry

A chance encounter with a funeral procession on the Brooklyn Bridge.

It's easy to take things out of context in general. But when we take snippets from the Quran and use that to represent the entirety of Islam, we're not really looking at the context. Whether from Bill O'Reilly or an ISIS recruiter, using a snappy soundbite can easily sway opinions and justify your actions. More than ever before, It's important we zoom out and look at look at the whole picture . . .

A short, surprising history of the legendary cheese spread that changed America and still smothers Philly Cheesesteaks. Although Kraft Cheez Wiz is about as American as apple pie and crushing student debt, its origins might surprise you.

A trip to the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania, where Syrian refugee families are becoming part of American society. Known for having one of the largest Syrian populations in America, Allentown and the Lehigh Valley make the most authentic, mouth-watering Syrian food you'll find. This also makes it a perfect refuge for Syrians fleeing a brutal civil war. But even in the Lehigh Valley, the fear of refugees is all too present.

The full, raw interview with immigration lawyer Joseph Best of Best Law Associates. An extension to the "Illegal Meat" episode featuring barbacoa chef Cristina Martinez - this interview digs deeper into where our immigration laws come from, what they really are, and how the rhetoric surrounding immigration affects people today. Visit Joseph's website at www.bestlawassociates.com to keep up with their work and for information about seeking legal advice.

Escape from the Nazis, the story of how Philadelphia's iconic Hershel's East Side Deli came to be, and why they make the best pastrami around.