During Monday's class we took a look at the rhetoric of presidential eating and the New York Times' slideshow, "How to Stuff Your Face Like a President." We spent a few minutes talking about where we should send Obama for a quintessential Athens bite. I think Paul mentioned Big Mamma's burritos (which is probably where I'll frequent this afternoon for my make-it-through-the-rally food).
Then it hit me: Nothing is more Athenian than Casa. We always take guests there so that they get the full Athenian experience. But then, of course I realized that Obama can't go to Casa. (10 bonus points to the first person to tell me why!)
But then a few hours later I saw the owner of Donkey posting to FB that he really hoped President Obama would come to Donkey. We were all suggesting ways that Chris could encourage Obama to stop in. And last night I walked into O'Betty's and the guy at the counter said that Obama might stop in there because he likes to eat at locally owned restaurants. O'Betty's, according to Counter Guy, had been cleared by the Secret Service.
So where will Obama show up? O'Betty's? Donkey? Casa? All have great food and great Athens culture. Also, I'm pretty sure he should drink beer. Because this is Athens.
Wherever it is, I will be taking a play from Maggie's grandparents' book when I have some Obama-supporting friends in town this weekend.
Postscript: As I was adding in the hyperlinks, I saw a big sign on Casa's page saying that they're closed today. I laughed so hard I almost fell off my chair. So yes Mr. President, if you want the full Athenian experience, go to Casa, find out it's closed, and then go get a Syra at O'Betty's and wash it down with a nice Frescante from my friends, Chris & Angie Pyle.
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ReplyDeleteI am not sure about the reason, but I guess it because that the restaurant said that they "offer many locally sourced meals with something for vegetarians and vegans.” I think President Obama is not a vegetarians or vegans. Or the owner of the restaurant is a supporter of his competitor.Because the restaurant is "an innovative, worker-owned cooperative based in southeastern Ohio". I think that place is more likly supporting Romney.
ReplyDeleteBecause "generous" Obama won't be able to tip the hard workers.
ReplyDeleteThe answer is because the business operates under a co-op ownership style and eating there would portray Obama as a supporter of socialist ideals (which he is already criticized/accused of).
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you why Obama wouldn't eat at Casa, but I think he should definitely go to big mamas and/or bagel street to experience what everyone should when visiting Athens for the first time. I also think Obama should have hit up the bars. Maybe get a nice beer at jackie-o's or experience a liquor pitcher at luckys.
ReplyDeleteAnd the winner is....GABE! With partial credit for Paul.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Obama wants to be seen eating at a co-op because it would play into the right's characterizations of him as a socialist. Casa's new no-tipping policy would just be icing on the GOP cake (which Casa would no doubt offer to make with tofu). Far safer to eat at a good old-fashioned capitalist establishment.
I guess I am too late to take a guess at it, but wow I did not really think of it that way. That is very true and makes a lot of sense! Understanding that Casa is a co-op restaurant, that would create more of a debate and argument rather than being looked as of supportive and fun that he ate there. He is already skating on thin ice with being seen as a socialist, and I agree with Dr. Phillips that would be the icing on the cake when the story got out to the media that Obama ate at Casa and what Casa was all about. Again, I agree with Dr. Phillips, it would be much safer to attend a so called capitalist establishment.
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