One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Obama Makes Time for Some Roscoe's Chicken 'n Waffles During Rush Hour L.A. Arrival
Photo by Melissa Acedera via the LAist Featured Photos pool
Sometimes the craving hits--so what if you are the POTUS and the city is on traffic lockdown during their already busy rush hour to accommodate your arrival--and you need some Roscoe's Chicken 'n Waffles. And stop is exactly what President Obama did last night, en route to two pricey fundraisers, with an unscheduled snack break at the Roscoe's in Mid-City on Pico.
So what did Obama order up at the famous L.A. eatery? He reportedly got the No. 9, which is the "Country Boy" (3 wings with choice of waffle, potato salad or French fries).
L.A. Observed has details from the pool reporter:
Pool had to enter from the rear, to see booths full of early-dining families stretching and craning their necks excitedly to watch POTUS, who already was at the counter ordering for himself and nearby aides, including Valerie Jarrett, Jay Carney, David Plouffe and Marvin Nicholson. With him was Representative Karen Bass, the Democrat who represents the area in the House. [...] POTUS, coatless and shirt sleeves rolled, then walked to one side of the restaurant and greeted the diners in each vinyl-covered booth. After he’d shaken hands and chatted with a young African-American boy who looked to be about 10, and moved on, the boy turned to the white man he was dining with and said, “I’m never going to wash my hand again.” For minutes afterward he continued to hold his left hand aloft, fingers spread, as his eyes followed POTUS around the room as if in wonder.
Presumably Obama and the crew noshed on their way to Hancock Park to the home of James and Mai Lassiter and then to the nearby home of Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas. Who needs to drop thousands of dollars a plate for catered food when you can stop and drop less than $10 on some legendary local fried chicken, right, POTUS?
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
