Comments on: Obama and Biden Hit Ray’s Hellburger

By: Obama’s Lunch | Niet nuttig, of wel?

Obama’s Lunch | Niet nuttig, of wel? — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 08:24:59 +0000

[...] belangrijk is voor de wereldpolitiek : Ze deelden de frietjes ! In Rays Hell’s Burger worden meer belangrijke beslissingen genomen blijkbaar Plaats dit bericht [...]

By: KateDDC

KateDDC — Wed, 06 May 2009 13:00:20 +0000

That should read “lived here.”

But one other note: it’s not just “Obama ate there, run away.” It’s that press coverage = busy, whether tourists or people in the area who are reminded “I’ve been meaning to try that.” It’s the same as when a favorite restaurant gets reviewed – I’m going to avoid it for awhile, because it is going to be hopping for a bit.

By: KateDDC

KateDDC — Wed, 06 May 2009 12:52:40 +0000

“And for anyone who didn’t know, Ben’s Chili Bowl has been packed for years”

True. But I’ve lived her over a decade, and there was a difference. We live a few blocks from Ben’s, and after the Prez stopped by, it got insane. Lines wrapped down and back up the alley – more than the usual Friday night madness.

But really, there’s a much bigger issue: they both ordered the burgers medium-well and not as recommended? This just makes me sad. Mmmmm… red Hell Burger.

By: Tina

Tina — Tue, 05 May 2009 23:33:23 +0000

It’s pretty cool to have a Pres. and First Lady who are part of the life of the local area, instead of having the local area being painted as some demon cesspool that draws the life source away from all who enter.

And for anyone who didn’t know, Ben’s Chili Bowl has been packed for years – day & night. It already had history and big namers like Cosby and Oprah putting it on the map.

By: Barack and Joe: two wild and crazy guys « Mollytics!

Barack and Joe: two wild and crazy guys « Mollytics! — Tue, 05 May 2009 20:59:26 +0000

[...] read coverage in the DCist, Famous DC, 44 (Politico’sblog devoted to all-things Obama), WE LOVE DC, and the NYT Caucus blog. If you have cell-phone pics of the lunch date, specifically of Obama [...]

By: Tom Bridge

Tom Bridge — Tue, 05 May 2009 20:21:10 +0000

@Dee: I have no idea how the White House Press Pool screwed that one up, but yet, they did. Maybe this is why newspapers are going under?

By: Max

Max — Tue, 05 May 2009 19:43:43 +0000

True, but Ben’s is in the heart of the city, easily found and accessible by tourists, and is already a top tourist destination. It’s been written up countless times as one of the places you should visit when you go to DC. I doubt this will happen with Ray’s but only time will tell.

By: Tom M

Tom M — Tue, 05 May 2009 19:40:05 +0000

@Max – it’ll be packed b/c tourists and other celebrity followers will want to go there.

There was already a celebrity/hip feeling to it since it’s Michael Landrum’s brand. Now you throw the Obama seal of approval on Hell Burger and people will be lining up with their Portugeuese water-dogs in tow.

By: Tiffany Bridge

Tiffany Bridge — Tue, 05 May 2009 19:32:26 +0000

They think that because it’s exactly what happened to Ben’s Chili Bowl.

By: Max

Max — Tue, 05 May 2009 19:25:40 +0000

Every time I’ve been to Ray’s it’s been packed. I guess I don’t understand why people think thousands of people are now going to wait in line to eat at Ray’s just because Obama and Biden ate there today. Even if there is surge in customers, I’m sure it’ll go back to “normal” pretty quickly.

By: Tom M

Tom M — Tue, 05 May 2009 19:18:15 +0000

This may alter my plan to grab a burger tomorrow. Hell Burger is going to be packed (like it wasn’t already) for the foreseeable future.

@andrea – I’m pretty sure Ray’s The Steaks’s new Courthouse location takes reservations.

By: Dee

Dee — Tue, 05 May 2009 18:38:16 +0000

Thank you to whomever corrected the President’s burger order. He did not have a “swiss mushroom burger with chili.” Duh! He had a simple cheddar cheese burger cooked medium. How in the world do you get that wrong?!

Not that it’s a big deal but sometimes it’s just the principle of the matter.

By: KateDDC

KateDDC — Tue, 05 May 2009 18:28:22 +0000

Nooooo! Now I’ll never be able to get over there to satisfy my Hell Burger craving.

I’m glad he has good taste. But I wish he’d go to the local joints I don’t like now and then.

By: andrea

andrea — Tue, 05 May 2009 18:18:21 +0000

Barack and Michelle need to come to Silver Spring and try Rays the Classics- you can make a reservation there!

By: D

Tue, 05 May 2009 17:38:02 +0000

“Pool got it wrong: Obama really ordered a basic cheddar cheese burger, medium well with spicy mustard. also order cheesy tater puffs….”

By: Ben Stanfield

Ben Stanfield — Tue, 05 May 2009 17:17:25 +0000

Of course he paid cash. Ray’s doesn’t take credit cards, much to my chagrin. :)

Also, does this mean the wait for a table is going to be even worse from now on?

By: KatieT

KatieT — Tue, 05 May 2009 17:06:55 +0000

TWO THUMBS UP FOR AN EXCELLENT LUNCH-PLACE CHOICE! Also, I don’t think I’ve ever had a President in my neighborhood before. woo hoo!!!