Obama's Windy City Valentine

Feb. 14, 2009 — -- When it comes to getting out of the office, presidents tend to have pretty nice digs for weekend getaways.

George W. Bush, the eternal cowboy, had his ranch in Crawford, Texas. Ronald Reagan also enjoyed the peace of his ranch in Santa Barbara. JFK, king of Camelot, took days off from ruling in Cape Cod.

But for President Obama, there's no place like sweet home Chicago for a Valentine's Day retreat.

"He's a man of the people and never forgot where he came from," Andre Washington, Obama's neighbor, told ABCNews.

The president has said he'd like to come home often, perhaps every six weeks, even though his security detail nearly shuts down his south side neighborhood.

And why not? All his regular haunts are here.

Zariff, at Hyde Park Hair Salon, has been Obama's barber for 20 years, but in those two decades, Zariff said they've rarely talked politics.

"No, I just stick to the barbering," he said simply.

But beyond the consistently good haircuts, there are three big reasons why Chicagoans love their city: breakfast, lunch and dinner. And the president is quite a foodie.

Last November, he was mobbed by fans at Manny's, his favorite Chicago deli, while picking up corned beef sandwiches and cherry pie.

As for where the president plans to take Mrs. Obama on their first Valentine's date as the first couple, it's a closely guarded state secret.

It could be downtown eatery Topolobampo, where the Obamas are regulars. Mrs. Obama reportedly loves the restaurant's guacamole.