Obama in Ann Arbor: What would you feed the president?
I’m still waiting for the phone call.
“Hey Jess! It’s Rahm Emanuel. Yeah. So you live near the stadium, right? Barry’s going to be @$#&* hungry after that speech. Can we swing by after graduation?”
(Rahm Emanuel swears a lot, right? What kind of imaginary phone call would it be if I didn’t make it authentic?)
Yeah, I know that having HMX-1 fly over my house and maybe parking a few parents of graduates on my lawn is about as exciting as my day is going to be on Saturday, but that won’t stop me from dreaming.
What would you cook for the president if he showed up at your front door?
I’ve done some looking online, and it appears that when he’s at home in Chicago, President Obama enjoys eating food prepared by Rick Bayless. Have you even looked at some of Rick Bayless’s recipes? Twenty or more ingredients and hours of preparation. I’m not sure I could pull that off. Certainly not on short notice.
Other sites list his favorite foods as Nicorette, trail mix and protein bars. Really, Mr. President?
Maybe this would best be tackled as a collaborative effort. During the campaign season in 2008, my son brought home an issue of "Time For Kids" that listed what both McCain and Obama like to cook at home. At the top of Obama’s list was chili. I make chili! People refer to my chili as “famous” and ask me to cook it for their birthday parties.
Maybe President Obama could come over and we could cook up a batch of chili together in my kitchen. I’ll show him my trick of roasting the three different kinds of peppers in the toaster oven. I’ll talk to him about how much better ground beef tastes when you know it comes from grass-fed cattle. I might even share my secret ingredient. We’ll laugh about how important it is to choose the right music to listen to while you’re cooking.
Yeah. The president and me, hanging out and cooking up a storm in my kitchen.
Wait. My kitchen. My kitchen is a mess. I’ve been trying to get my brother over to paint the ceiling in my kitchen for about a year now. We even called him up and sang our plea to the tune of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin' this winter and he still didn’t come. (“Come paint our ceiling! Don’t you know it’s really peeling! Come paint our ceiling right away!”) There’s no way I can have the President of the United States of America in my kitchen.
I guess I'll just have to take him out for lunch, if, you know, Rahm Emanuel calls me up and asks me to feed the president. Now, let’s see ... where would you take the president out to lunch in Ann Arbor?
Leave a comment below and share: What would you cook for the president or where would you take him out to lunch?
Jessica Webster oversees Food & Drink coverage for the Community Team at AnnArbor.com. You can reach her at jessicawebster@annarbor.com.
Comments
sandy schopbach
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 5:06 a.m.
As Mr. Rib doesn't exist any more, maybe Banfield's Westside Grill, or Monahan's for some chow-dah (which would tie in with the Kennedy reference). As for what I'd make, the grass-fed cow comment made me think of a boeuf bourguignon - but if that's not American enough I'd just tell him it's beef stew.
krc
Mon, May 3, 2010 : 9:53 a.m.
I know it's a little late, but to put a vote in here for Ypsi, Hawkin's Barbecue!
Foodie01
Mon, May 3, 2010 : 9:12 a.m.
I'd definitely take him to Zingerman's Deli for takeout; my home cooking choice would be grilled fish tacos with some great Monahan's fish. There are good and easy recipes in Rick Bayless' "Mexican Everyday" cookbook that do not require anywhere near 20 hours.
nuseph
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 7:35 p.m.
Blimpyburger. It would be fun to see him get yelled at, especially if he asked for Dijon mustard like at that joint he and Biden visited.
DonBee
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 5:52 p.m.
Curry from the Raja Rani, Soup from La Dog, Brownies from Zingerman's, Beer from Arbor Brewing, Cherry Pie from the Traverse City Pie Company, and a box of Chocolates from Schakolad. And if he want's Chinese, that is a whole different menu. Finding great food in Ann Arbor is easy...it is the deciding which great food that is hard!
braggslaw
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 5:40 p.m.
Muffins baked fresh like Vera Baker would....
yohan
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 12:18 p.m.
Since Obama makes "only" $200,000/year, I doubt if he could afford Zingerman$
Moose
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 10:10 a.m.
The Fleetwood
Brian Bundesen
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 9:18 a.m.
Another vote here for Blimpyburger. Not just for the burger, but for the whole experience. He should also swing by Zingerman's on his way back to the airport for a Corned Beef 'to go' for later.
krc
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 9:11 a.m.
Absolutely Angelo's! But where will they park that great big ol' limo?
Saldoggy
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 8:52 a.m.
He's the King...Burger King.
bruceae
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 8:43 a.m.
Obama is a smoker. Since we can't smoke in any resturants anymore he will probably just eat on the plane.
Tarc
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 6:53 a.m.
Angelo's Smoked turkey Angelo Ruben - best sandwich *ever*. Far better than anything Zingerman's does. The Goat Curry at Mahek. The burger and truffle fries at the Jolly Pumpkin. Anything at Mediteraneo.
J. Sorensen
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 5:22 a.m.
Soft Mi-shelled crab & Ba-rack of lamb....
stopfoodignorance
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 2:13 a.m.
the farmers market
Old West Sider
Fri, Apr 30, 2010 : 11:44 p.m.
Presidemnt Obama like a good glass of beer take him to Metzger's German Restaurant for a glass of " Mai Bock"
casmom
Fri, Apr 30, 2010 : 9:54 p.m.
For Breakfast...Angelos lunch...zingermans deli not the roadhouse its terrible! He needs a great big Zingermans sandwich
Jennifer Shikes Haines
Fri, Apr 30, 2010 : 1:57 p.m.
I was going to put in a bid for the Roadhouse, too. BTW... Benny's used to be Abe's and that's where President Clinton stopped (at least the one in Ypsi) when he was hear. But for breakfast, if you couldn't do the Roadhouse, then the Northside. Now... in terms of cooking... Something from ingredients from the Farmers Market so he can get a preview of what eating from Michelle's garden will be like. Then lecture him about appointing people like Michael Taylor to positions of power. He'd probably do better going to the Roadhouse without me.
KarenH
Fri, Apr 30, 2010 : 12:29 p.m.
Zingerman's Roadhouse.
48104
Fri, Apr 30, 2010 : 11:56 a.m.
Benny's. Good enough for Michael Phelps, and so close.