President Obama Visits Texas Ribs & BBQ In Clinton, Maryland

"It's gotta be hot"...
Fresh as a daisy despite a late night celebrating the Special Relationship at Wednesday's State Dinner, President Obama made an "unscheduled stop" just before noon at Texas Ribs & BBQ in Clinton, Maryland. Perhaps BBQ was foremost on his mind, because the President had presented Prime Minister David Cameron with a very deluxe BBQ as a diplomatic gift. Joined by Sen. Benjamin Cardin, the President signed autographs and posed for photos with the surprised lunchtime crowd as he waited for his to-go order: Two slabs of babyback ribs. (Above: With Cardin, greeting diners)

The homey joint bills itself as having "the best seafood this side of Texas" in addition to its meaty delights.

"Hot sauce, it's gotta be hot," President Obama said as he leaned into the take-out window and placed his order with the blonde cashier.

The eat n' greet came on the heels of a speech on energy policy at Prince George’s Community College, and members of the media filled the small restaurant, which had a surprised lunchtime crowd. Cardin is facing a challenge in the April 3 Maryland Democratic primary from state Sen. C. Anthony Muse of Prince George’s County. The President has endorsed Cardin. (Above: The President outside the restaurant, carrying his take-out)

"Sorry about the fuss," the President said to one woman, who was seated at a wooden table. She giggled, thrilled.

There was more fuss outside after the President exited with his slabs: He worked a ropeline, greeting excited locals.



The pool report:

He surprised the lunch crowd, sitting at wooden paneled tables. The restaurant sign outside advertised corn beef and cabbage on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Obama and Cardin sidled up to the takeout counter inside and POTUS inspected a menu as the cashier attempted to hand him a bag of someone else’s food. Couldn’t hear what POTUS ordered but heard him say: “hot sauce; got be hot. Do you want me to pay up now or pay later?”

“Later,” the cashier said.

“I am going to have to pay so don’t try getting sneaky on me,” said Obama, who then went with Cardin to greet diners while his food was being prepared.

One group of diners included some military folks and a man told POTUS he had helped fly a him during ‘08 campaign in military aircraft. Obama thanked him.

The restaurant featured license plates on the wall from Texas, Arizona and Maryland. Also trophies. A leather horse saddle. A wooden Jack Daniels sign. POTUS took pics and signed autographs with diners.

He asked: “You guys taking a little lunchbreak? What’s your name?”

Cardin dressed in suit blue dress shirt striped tie.

“Thanks for your service. I’m standing between you and the last bite,” he said to some diners who worked at Andrews Air Base.

Obama picked up his takeout order - two slabs of babyback ribs--and then greeted supporters who had gathered outside. He did not respond when your pooler shouted a question about Hamid Karzai’s demand that U.S. troops remain out of Afghan villages and stay on base in outposts.
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*Pool was David Nakamura of Washington Post

Information: Texas Ribs & BBQ is at 7701 Old Branch Avenue, Clinton, MD, 20735. Phone: 301-877-0323

*Video from CBS news