A lot of people are interested in the whereabouts of the president and presidential candidates, including their dining habits. Whether you are planning on running for president or just love the idea of being somewhere a past, present or potential president has been, this list is your go-to guide for walking in their shoes and dining like the commander-in-chief.
Wells Blue Bunny Ice Cream – Le Mars, IA
Wells Blue Bunny Ice Cream in Iowa is a hotspot for presidential action. Iowa is an early primary state, meaning that a lot of presidential candidates campaign there for votes. This year alone, there have been seven candidates to visit the state. The home of Blue Bunny has been visited by President Obama in the past as well, and it’s no surprise that the landmark brings this kind of attention; Le Mars has been dubbed the ice cream capital of the world.
Pizza Ranch – Multiple Locations
Pizza Ranch is another Iowa hotspot, having been visited by Jeb Bush, Rick Santorum and Marco Rubio. However, weighing in as the Pizza Ranch’s most-frequent flyer is Gov. Mike Huckabee. He has reportedly visited the Ranch several times this election period. The main reason behind the staggering number of visits from Republican candidates is that the Pizza Ranch corporate office is a staunch supporter of Christianity and conservatism as a whole.
The Barley House – Concord, NH
In the real estate industry, location is everything, and the same goes for the prime location of the Barley House. It’s located directly across the street from the Secretary of State’s office. This means that after filing to run for office, the likely place for a presidential hopeful to go for lunch is right across the street. Also, the Barley House has featured a burger called the “Huckaburger,” a lean patty on whole wheat bread for those on a diet, in honor of former Gov. Mike Huckabee. Bernie Sanders, Rick Perry and Lindsey Graham are a few more candidates who have either ordered a burger or a draft from this iconic hotspot.
Sylvia’s Restaurant – New York, NY
Sylvia’s has long been visited by celebrities and has a reputation for serving up some delicious soul food right in the center of Harlem. Presidential hopeful Dr. Ben Carson recently visited the “Queen of Soul Food” after giving a speech and reaching out to the people of Harlem. As it was pointed out by some of the audience members of that speech, you don’t see other candidates such as Donald Trump visiting this area of NYC. Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama have also visited Sylvia’s.
The Machine Shed – Rockford, IL
The Machine Shed in Rockford, Illinois, is another popular landing place for presidential candidates. This farm-style restaurant is on the way to Davenport and on into Iowa, which makes it a prime stop to campaign with locals and chow down. Recently, it has been visited by the likes of Mitt Romney and Rick Perry so far. This down home-style place features a burger on two chocolate-covered Krispy Kreme donuts and bacon.
Lizard’s Thicket – Columbia, SC
Lizard’s Thicket in the heart of Columbia, S.C., is no stranger to the occasional presidential hopeful. In 2008, the Thicket was a favorite stop for Hillary Clinton. This year, it has been visited by a staggering number of candidates, ringing in at around half of them so far. Rick Santorum and Rick Perry have been spotted enjoying some Southern cooking there this year.
Mader’s Restaurant, Milwaukee, WI
Mader’s has practically been a staple for presidential visits and Oval Office hopefuls over the years. It was made popular in the early days by JFK and has been visited by Presidents Ford and Reagan as well, in non-presidential terms. It is a classic German establishment and has been voted the most famous German restaurant as well.
Comma Coffee – Carson City, NV
Comma Coffee is not as used to the presidential exposure as some of the other landmarks, so to speak. Since opening its doors, the coffee shop has seen President Obama and former President Jimmy Carter. It has also seen its fair share of hopefuls, including Hillary Clinton, Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul.
Versailles – Miami, FL
Versailles has often been the source of Cuban exiles’ input in media coverage. Mainly attracting political and social concerns, it has in the past seen a fair number of hopefuls. The list of presidential candidates includes John McCain, Newt Gingrich and Michele Bachmann.
Cafe Milano – Washington, DC
Cafe Milano is a known hotspot for presidential activity mainly because it is located in the heart of D.C. but also because it serves delicious Italian cuisine. Although not listed, you are almost guaranteed to run into a politician or diplomat in the cafe.
Speaking of White House candidacy, did you know Washington DC was one of America’s Best Bike-Sharing Cities?