Obama's Greasy Food Stimulus
The President eats burgers. The rest of Washington follows suit.
By ANNE REYNOLDS
Updated 12:00 AM EST, Sat, May 30, 2009
In a city full of great restaurants, burger joints have never been so cool. President Obama, who typically paints himself as a health nut, has made some high-profile burger and hot dog runs since his move to Pennsylvania Avenue. The restaurants lucky enough to serve up greasy goodness to the president have seen business go through the roof.
On Friday, Mr. Obama took NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams to 5 Guys on M Street, near Nationals Park. Within hours, manager Marvin Washington says business was bumping.
The president inspired John Smith to stop by 5 Guys. "He's one of us," he said. "He likes fries, he likes hamburgers."
Just a few weeks earlier, President Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden crossed the bridge into Virginia for a burger run to Ray's Hell Burger in Arlington. Since then, business has been up 25-35%, prompting owners to post a sign on the door: "Due to the extra media exposure, wait times may be longer than normal. We thank you for your patience and understanding."
"It's tremendous President Obama is making the effort to give the local business community a real new sense of life, and a strong heartening behind everything we're going through right now," Ray's Hell Burger owner Michael Landrum told News 4.
A Washington landmark, Ben's Chilli Bowl was already famous. Celebrities, including Bill Cosby and Denzel Washington are big fans of the U Street landmark. But since Mayor Fenty and then-President-elect Obama ordered half smokes in January, Ben's Chili Bowl's popularity went through the roof, drawing busloads of tourists.
"I think because of the curiosity, people waited in long lines to get in," Sonya Ali of Ben's Chili Bowl said.
The businesses are enjoying more than just the personal stimulus the president passed along; they're also boasting a new "cool" factor with their dining experience.
"It just brings more excitement to the city," said Ray's Hell Burger customer Mejeeb Asid.
First Published: May 29, 2009 9:53 PM EST
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