Take a road trip with actor John Leguizamo as he celebrates Latino culture, art, food, and contributions from coast to coast. From history and heritage to activism and representation, no topic is off-limits as Leguizamo carves an inspiring line through America’s vibrant Latino communities.
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Take a road trip with actor John Leguizamo as he celebrates Latino culture, art, food, and contributions from coast to coast. From history and heritage to activism and representation, no topic is off-limits as Leguizamo carves an inspiring line through America’s vibrant Latino communities.
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La TropiKitchen
In his home borough of Queens, Leguizamo beelines to order a chopped cheese sandwich at the bodega, the heart and soul of every Latino neighborhood. These specialty corner stores stock rare food items and play a key role in preserving Latino culinary traditions. This is the same passion that drives up-and-coming chefs like Stephanie Bonnin of La TropiKitchen. The Colombia native gathers hungry patrons like Leguizamo in her Brooklyn kitchen for handcrafted meals inspired by immigrant and indigenous foodways.
Rock and Soul DJ Equipment and Records
This family-owned music shop has been the beating heart of New York’s DJ community since 1975. Aspiring musicians and aficionados flock to this legendary space for performances, workshops, equipment, and more. Watch Leguizamo catch up with DJ Tony Touch, one of the many Latino artists who helped usher in the sounds of hip-hop in the 1980s.
La Placita de La Marqueta
Since the 1930s, this multifaceted marketplace has been a gathering space for the residents of East Harlem, one of NYC’s largest Latino communities. A confluence of Puerto Rican, Dominican, Cuban, and Mexican culture and cuisine, La Marqueta is anchored by an impressive 10,000-square-foot event space, La Placita. Come for film screenings, art classes, food fairs, and their iconic Salsa Saturdays.
Tune in Sunday, April 16th at 10pm ET on MSNBC to watch Leguizamo take on NYC.
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Domino Park
Leguizamo’s first stop is Little Havana, a hub for Miami’s Cuban population since the late 1950s. More than just a famous tourist attraction, Calle Ocho remains the community’s central artery, home to long-standing family businesses and sizzling eateries, art galleries, and historic landmarks. People-watching is an absolute must at Domino Park, where older generations gather to socialize, smoke cigars, and play dominoes, chess, and checkers.
Doce Provisions
What makes Cuban coffee so damn good? Leguizamo turns to the experts at La Colada Gourmet to find out. Sharing ideas over cafecito is a Cuban tradition and a vital part of the community’s interconnectedness; it also tends to spark healthy debate among friends. At Doce Provisions, a hidden gem cafe north of Calle Ocho, Leguizamo dives into American politics past and present with his old friend, actor and activist Carmen Pelaez, before tucking into a plate of fresh mahi mahi served Miami-style.
Ball & Chain
Leguizamo closes out a satisfying day of dominoes and discourse at Ball & Chain, an iconic nightclub that’s been a staple of Miami’s nightlife scene since the 1930s. It’s the perfect backdrop for a chat with up-and-coming singer/songwriter Elena Rose, who discusses the Latino musicians that most inspire her and the positive impact that visibility and representation can have on young, diverse artists.
Tune in Sunday, April 23rd at 10pm ET on MSNBC to see where Leguizamo visits next in Miami.
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Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution’s venerable museums are a staple on every D.C. travel itinerary. Leguizamo stops by the National Museum of American History for a tour of ¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States, the exhibit at the Molina Latino Family Gallery. It’s the Smithsonian's first gallery dedicated exclusively to the Latino experience, and the forthcoming National Museum of the American Latino will put Latino stories and accomplishments front and center.
BloomBars
Going beyond the big-name museums, Leguizamo dives deeper into D.C.’s grassroots art scene to connect with Latino poets, performers, and activists. At BloomBars, a passionate group of volunteer artists and educators are working to create a safe space for events, performances, exhibits, and advocacy in D.C.’s burgeoning Columbia Heights neighborhood.
Voto Latino
The non-profit Voto Latino works to empower the Latino community to exercise their power to vote. Tune in to watch CEO María Teresa Kumar and Leguizamo discuss some of the myths surrounding Latino voters — the second-largest voting bloc in the U.S. — and the importance of getting young people registered.
Tune in Sunday, April 30th at 10pm ET on MSNBC to discover even more Latino spots around D.C.
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Taquerias Atotonilco
Take a stroll down 26th Street in La Villita, or Little Village, and it’s immediately clear why they call this The Mexican Magnificent Mile. It’s a multi-sensory overload of aromas from sizzling food carts and sidewalk cafes, to colorful facades of wall murals and piñata shops, and the lively chatter of Spanish vendors and long-time residents. Peña and Leguizamo duck into Taquerias Atotonilco, where juicy tortas and authentic tacos dominate the menu of Jalisco-style favorites.
OK Corral Western Wear
Leguizamo scores an invite to the Peña family barbecue, but he isn’t exactly dressed for the part. At OK Corral Western Wear on W. 26th Street, they browse gaucho-inspired clothing items that pay homage to Mexican cowboy culture — think ornate floral prints, embellished belt buckles, and intricately detailed boots and hats — to bring some vaquero vibes to Leguizamo’s look. At Peña’s aunt’s house, Leguizamo sees firsthand how family traditions spanning generations are keeping Latino heritage alive in America’s heartland.
Chicago Fire Department Engine 57
Leguizamo tips his hat to the local heroes at Chicago Fire Department Engine 57. The all-Latin firehouse in Humboldt Park rallied to send supplies and aid to Puerto Rico after Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated its shores in 2017. It’s a powerful testament to the ties of culture and community that persist across hundreds of miles.
Tune in Sunday, May 7th at 10pm ET on MSNBC and get Leguizamo's complete Chicago itinerary.
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Batey Comunitario Plaza del Negro
In Old San Juan, the historic seaside neighborhood of La Perla has evolved from a so-called “shantytown” to an eclectic hub for art and activism. At the Batey Comunitario Plaza del Negro, Leguizamo learns the bomba — a deeply meaningful style of music and dance that connects the island back hundreds of years to its rich African heritage.
BACOA Finca + Fogón
Leguizamo journeys to Juncos to sample the renowned cuisine at BACOA, named one of America’s best restaurants. Situated on a scenic swatch of farmland about 30 miles from San Juan, BACOA melds sustainably sourced ingredients with traditional cooking methods to deliver game-changing food that elevates the idea of what Puerto Rican cuisine can be. Leguizamo sits down with the three co-owners to discuss barbecue versus barbacoa, the origins of funche, and how the pan-Latin experience drives their culinary vision.
Caguana Ceremonial Indigenous Heritage Center
Located in Utuado, the Caguana Ceremonial Center is considered one of the most important prehistoric sites in the West Indies. Taking part in a traditional sacred ritual, Leguizamo learns about the indigenous Taíno community, and their ongoing struggle to keep their culture and heritage alive.
Tune in Sunday, May 14th at 10pm ET on MSNBC
to discover even more incredible people and places in Puerto Rico.
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Plaza de la Raza
Everybody knows when you come to L.A., you need to eat as many tacos as possible. Enter: Los Originales Tacos Arabes De Puebla. This East L.A. taco truck, located in the Plaza de la Raza (a cultural center for arts and education in Boyle Heights), is run by the Villegas family. Their taco árabe is one of the most unique eats in the city, combining the flavors of the Puebla with Middle Eastern influences. Spicy and shawarma-esque, these tacos are a must-try — as long as you have a higher tolerance for spice than George Lopez.
LA Opera
At LA Opera, Resident Conductor Lina Gonzalez-Granados is making waves in the classical music genre. Tune in to hear Leguizamo’s discussion with the Colombian-born conductor about her struggle to be taken seriously in a primarily white, privileged space, and how she’s bringing the music and culture of Colombia to the fine art world.
Coni’Seafood
Rooted in family recipes and fresh ingredients, this James-Beard-Award-winning, Michelin-starred seafood spot brings the authentic flavors of Nayarit across the border to the Inglewood neighborhood. Leguizamo presides over a table of fellow industry powerhouses to discuss the important work of increasing Latino representation, both on the screen and behind the camera.
Tune in for the final episode on
Sunday, May 21st at 10pm ET on MSNBC.