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On May 5, 2009, Barack Obama and Joe Biden Had Lunch at Ray's Hell Burger in Arlington.
MAY 5, 2009, 2:20 PM
Obama and Biden Lunch at Ray’s Hell Burger
Sommer Mathis
{The picture is not showing up.}
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden are served burgers as they make an unannounced visit to Ray’s Hell Burger in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Hot hot Arlington burger joint Ray’s Hell Burger got even hotter today after President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden stopped in for lunch around 12:30 p.m.
The crowd at Ray’s was reportedly (and understandably) flipping out over the surprise executive branch visit. The official White House pool report from the event offers some fun details, including that Obama treated a few reporters to burgers (they’re making donations to charity to balance it out, they claim). More from the pool report:
The Veep order was more clear: Biden got a swiss cheese burger with jalapeños. Obama also put a $5 bill in the tip jar.
Politico’s Jonathan Martin quotes Ray’s owner Michael Landrum as calling the visit, “one of the greatest days of my life.” If not of his life, then certainly for his business. The last time Obama stopped by a casual lunch spot, there was a line around the building to get into Ben’s Chili Bowl for six weeks.
Obama and Biden Lunch at Ray’s Hell Burger
Sommer Mathis
{The picture is not showing up.}
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden are served burgers as they make an unannounced visit to Ray’s Hell Burger in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Hot hot Arlington burger joint Ray’s Hell Burger got even hotter today after President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden stopped in for lunch around 12:30 p.m.
The crowd at Ray’s was reportedly (and understandably) flipping out over the surprise executive branch visit. The official White House pool report from the event offers some fun details, including that Obama treated a few reporters to burgers (they’re making donations to charity to balance it out, they claim). More from the pool report:
While Obama and Biden waited in line, the lunch crowd stood and gawked, some took pix with cell phones. The two guys in line ahead of them studied their menus, oblivious to who was behind them.
When Obama and Biden reached the front, Obama greeted the two order-takers. The guy who took Obama’s order and money was Tim Murray. There’s still some debate among press on exactly what Obama ordered, since it was hard to hear. He definitely had a burger. I heard him say “basic cheeseburger, medium well.” But someone else heard him say “Swiss mushroom burger.” He definitely asked Mr. Murray for “spicy mustard, if you have it.” There may have also been talk of tater tots.
The Veep order was more clear: Biden got a swiss cheese burger with jalapeños. Obama also put a $5 bill in the tip jar.
Politico’s Jonathan Martin quotes Ray’s owner Michael Landrum as calling the visit, “one of the greatest days of my life.” If not of his life, then certainly for his business. The last time Obama stopped by a casual lunch spot, there was a line around the building to get into Ben’s Chili Bowl for six weeks.
