Despite First Lady Michelle Obama's focus on healthy eating at the White House, President Barack Obama likes to visit places that sell burgers and wings....and the presidential impact is long-lasting.
Just last month POTUS made an unscheduled stop by Duff's Famous Wings near Buffalo for the local delicacy.
"This is the wing capital!" he explained to reporters. The president opted for medium wings ("Hot"), then -- at the urging of the crowd -- added a few extra spicy ones, plus french fries and onion rings to his order.
Days ahead of his inauguration, then President elect Obama opted for a chili dog at Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington which proved to be a boon for the eatery.
"After 50 years, we kinda thought we were kinda there and very established in DC and the word had gotten out nationally. When then President elect Obama came in, it just blew the roof off the whole place. It was the perfect time with the perfect guy. It was just unprecedented. The place has just been electric since then, lines have even been in the alley at certain times," said Nizam Ali, Ben's Chili Bowl.
Not only has Ben's expanded, now it has a gift shop, and ships food all over, taking orders over the phone and the Internet.
Obama might takes the first lady to upscale restaurants (Komi, Nora's, Citronelle, Equinox, Blue Duck Tavern) for date nights, but likes local joints (Five Guys, Ray's Hell-Burger, Ben's Chili Bowl) for the occasional lunch with the guys.
Before the election and before she decided to mount a campaign against childhood obesity, Michelle Obama had joined her husband on the campaign trail at the famed Pat's in Philadelphia.
However, not all politicians get the order right.
Senator John Kerry, who failed in his white house bid, will be remembered for an offbeat order.
"Kerry did come here. He asked for a cheesesteak, with swiss cheese, which is basically unheard of," said Tom Francano, General Manager, Pat's King of Steaks.
No doubt a presidential visit is good for a fortunate mom and pop business. But a culinary themed photo opportunity is also an easy way for a politician to connect to voters.
"The more that they are engaged in their business, the more important it is for them to take certain periods of time, even if it's very rare to get outside of that bubble, as we know it. And to connect back with the people. Those are the people that put them there," said Anita McBride, former Chief of Staff, First Lady Laura Bush.
And in the process of getting the job done, a president might just help put another unsuspecting spot on the map.
Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/news/world/obamas-love-for-junk-food-32087.php?cp
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