Barack’s Corned Beef Sandwich
EmailABC News’ Matt Jaffe reports:
Taking a break from a week full of private meetings at his transition headquarters in Chicago, President-elect Barack Obama went out to lunch Friday at Manny’s, a famous Windy City deli, greeting locals and basking in the cheers of hometown supporters.
In the crowded eatery, one reporter asked him about the troubled auto industry, just days after Detroit executives went to Washington in hopes of $25 billion in federal aid.
"I got the corned beef," replied a smiling Obama.
Minutes later, he saw some diners dressed in suits.
"You look like smart guys – give me some advice on the economy," Obama joked as the gentlemen laughed.
Patrons of the packed restaurant ditched their lunches of corned beef, mac & cheese, blueberry pie, and chocolate-chip cheesecake to get a glimpse of the President-elect, accompanied by senior advisor Valerie Jarrett.
"I love you," one supporter told Obama.
"I love you back," he reciprocated.
At the counter, Obama greeted Ken Raskin, the restaurant’s owner and son of its founder, and signed a photo of himself with Chicago Mayor Richard Daley taken after the Illinois senator’s election victory in 2006.
After just over a quarter of an hour, Obama left the popular eatery with three corned beef sandwiches and two cherry pies, at a cost of $48.34 paid in cash.
The President-elect took the grub back to his Chicago headquarters, where he spent about three hours this morning and is expected to stay for the rest of the afternoon.
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What kind of person pays nearly $50.00 for 3 corned beef sandwiches and 2 deserts? How can a person that careless with money be expected to be responsible with our tax dollars? God help us!
Posted by: Stunned | November 21, 2008, 3:16 pm 3:16 pm
Dear Stunned – Are you kidding me? You are critizing him for buying sandwiches? Get a clue
Posted by: Kathie | November 21, 2008, 3:30 pm 3:30 pm
To Stunned – Three corned beef sandwiches and two cherry pies for $49.00. That sounds about right.
Notice that the grub was paid for in cash. no freebies.
The thing I very much resent about Obama is that he will most likely eat all of the three sandwiches and the two pies and not gain an ounce. That is just not fair.
Posted by: Beto | November 21, 2008, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm
I used to work a couple blocks from Mannys and go there all the time. What a place!
Posted by: isaac | November 21, 2008, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm
Stunned … are you joking?
Posted by: Francisco Cardenas | November 21, 2008, 3:36 pm 3:36 pm
Oh for heaven sake that is what it cost in Chicago to eat a very good cornedbeef sandwich anyone out there know how much one would cost in New York at Katz or in California or Boston or any other big city in America. But hay he paid for it in cash his cash not yours and not mine he can eat anywhere he wants. I beat they where 10.00 a piece and the pies about five. Then tax and you got $50
Posted by: Bonnie Kimberly | November 21, 2008, 3:36 pm 3:36 pm
I love that man too!
Posted by: Que | November 21, 2008, 3:43 pm 3:43 pm
Stunned should be featured on “The Biggest Loser” for reasons having nothing to do with weight.
Posted by: herointheend | November 21, 2008, 3:52 pm 3:52 pm
Stunned – lighten up.
Posted by: counting crows | November 21, 2008, 3:55 pm 3:55 pm
For those not in the know, a sandwich at Manny’s feeds two. And if you’re still questioning the cost; it’s worth every bite.
Posted by: Lee Earle | November 21, 2008, 3:57 pm 3:57 pm
I’ve never even SEEN a corned beef sandwich for more than $7.00! I ususally pay about $5-$6 for a reuben. That being said, I can’t see spending another $30.00 on 2 desserts! Stunned is dead on the money. Obama can’t be expected to fix the economy when he can’t even budget his lunch money wisely.
Posted by: T-Rex | November 21, 2008, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm
You people act as if it’s his OWN money! Get a grip! What he doesn’t already get for free govt. perks, he’s writing off of his taxes anyhow! The man is a phony and America let him pull the wool over our eyes! You people that voted for that man should be ashamed of yourselves! And when America crumbles under this man, you’ll be the ones crying for help the loudest!
Posted by: Nobama | November 21, 2008, 4:51 pm 4:51 pm
You people elected this guy… stop praying for me help you now! You made your bed, now go lie in it!
Posted by: God | November 21, 2008, 4:54 pm 4:54 pm
He won’t stand still!
Posted by: Sniper | November 21, 2008, 4:56 pm 4:56 pm
Thank you Obama, for sharing those 2 cherry pies with us all. You are the best!
Posted by: Truth Matters | November 21, 2008, 6:58 pm 6:58 pm
Bonnie, you are correct. The CB sandwich at Manny’s is about $11, and the pie is about $4.
The sandwiches are worth every penny as an occasional indulgence.
People who complain about Obama’s paying $50 for lunch must be unfamiliar with good delis — or, more likely, are simply idiots looking for reasons to b*tch.
Posted by: Leah | November 21, 2008, 8:31 pm 8:31 pm
The price sounds about right these days.
It’s no big deal.
However, what was that comment about looking at three guys in suits and saying that they look like ‘smart guys’?
Then when asked about the auto industry, Obama replies, “I’ve got the corned beef.”
So: Suits = ‘Smart’
and Smart = ‘Corned Beef’?
I suppose that’s Obama’s attempt at humor. We’ll see.
Posted by: Present | November 22, 2008, 2:56 pm 2:56 pm