17-02-2025
Based on your favorite U.S. president, here's a food to try
The White House has 132 rooms.
It has 28 fireplaces, a bowling alley, three elevators, a movie theater and a jogging track. To most, it's a palace full of amenities straight from the Plaza Hotel.
Nothing's cooler about living in the White House, however, than having access to five personal chefs.
Or, at least, I think so.
Our political leaders, on the other hand, often pass on the gourmet, European-inspired meals in favor of things ... less complex.
This Presidents Day, then, let's look back at what our most iconic commander in chiefs really liked to eat (we'll even make a game out of it!).
Based on your favorite U.S. president, here's a food to try.
Abraham Lincoln was the king of simple foods. While many leaders of the time indulged in stuffed quail and slow-braised short rib, sources say Honest Abe enjoyed nuts, cheeses, crackers and oyster stew. On occasion, he splurged on a warm serving of chicken fricassee.
Above all, though, the 16th president was a fan of a red, juicy apples — particularly in the form of apple pie.
Where to get: Apple pie is served everywhere, but my favorite comes from The Station at Mountain Lakes, as the apples are sliced super thin (allowing them to melt into the cinnamon filling around them). 99 Midvale Road, Mountain Lakes; 973-335-5330,.
JFK wasn't a big foodie. Said to be a "small eater," the beloved 35th president had a diet that was pretty much a Panera menu. For most meals, he ate half-sandwiches and soup. Dessert wasn't typically included.
True to his New England upbringing, though, he did admit to preferring seafood-centric soups over others. Creamy clam chowder was his first choice in the genre, as well as his favorite food overall.
Where to get: Cap't Loui, with near-perfect Google ratings for each of its three locations, is an excellent spot for chowder. Multiple locations (Montclair, Fort Lee, Springfield); .
And, on the flip side of Kennedy? Roosevelt had a huge appetite. An active hunter, hiker and more, the outdoorsman led a lifestyle fueled by calorically dense meals. Most of the time, he was observed devouring loaded plates of meat.
If the trust-busting Teddy Bear is your president of choice, then, make sure to grab some fried chicken this holiday. Smothered in white gravy, the classic American dish was one of Roosevelt's favorite White House entrées.
Where to get: Fried chicken is great at most diners, but to get it the Rooselvelt way, you'll have to go to Hibernia (because the team makes the delicious "white gravy" he loved — as long as you remember to ask for it). 9 Green Pond Road, Rockaway; 973)-625-3255, .
The Obama family is known for eating healthy. In 2010, Michelle Obama launched a campaign to combat childhood obesity. In 2011, the administration replaced the antiquated food pyramid with a graphic "nutrition plate" meant to educate consumers on building a balanced meal.
Everyone, however, has a weakness.
The 44th president's? Smoked salt caramels in luscious milk chocolate.
Where to get: Barack Obama orders these from Fran's Chocolates, a Seattle-based chocolatier that ships nationwide;
Carter's humble beginnings as a peanut farmer might have helped him get into the White House, but, once there, he swapped the salty nuts for all things "cheese or dairy."
He also relished anything "Southern," so it comes as no surprise that one of his favorite dishes — cheesy grits — combined all of those components.
Where to get: Sweet T's Southern Eatery serves stone ground grits topped with a generous layer of melty cheddar. Two locations (Montclair & Teaneck);
It might not have worked for Morgan Spurlock, but the "Super Size Me" diet has yet to bother president number 45/47.
Where to get: The Golden Arches;
Before he became a vegan, Bill Clinton was a huge fan of Mexican food. As he toured throughout the country, he'd often stop at taco joints along the way (much to the delight of owners, some of which painted murals commemorating his visit). He was even known to spruce up his other meals — such as cheeseburgers — with the hot flavor of jalapeño.
Despite his love for most dishes in the category, though, Clinton's go-to Mexican order was a platter of chicken enchiladas.
And, while he no longer eats the cheesy cylinders, it's certainly more fun to acknowledge President 42 with saucy tortillas than a boring side veggies.
Where to get: The Chipotle Chicken Enchiladas at Chili Willie's are outstanding, as they come dripping with a flavorful spiced aioli. 702 Main St., Boonton; 973-299-8775, .
Franklin D. Roosevelt had a true American palate. According to his White House housekeeper Henrietta Nesbitt, the immensely popular leader crushed hot dogs and fruitcake like nobody's business.
When given his choice of meals, however, Roosevelt liked a classic grilled cheese sandwich.
Where to get: The Committed Pig offers a noteworthy traditional grilled cheese, as well as five elevated grilled cheeses (like Spinach & Artichoke and Garlic Avocado). Multiple locations (Morristown, Summit, Manasquan); .
Former President Joe Biden has lived in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Syracuse — but he's really a Jersey boy at heart.
Because you can't tell me someone whose favorite food involves "red sauce" isn't from the Garden State.
Where to get: La Pastaria in Summit has Capellini (angel hair) Gamberetto AND Fettuccine Di Pomodoro (red sauce) on the menu, so, if you combine those two, you get the Biden special. Ask for "Capellini Di Pomodoro." 327 Springfield Ave., Summit; 908-522-9088, .
Our founding father enjoyed these crispy cornmeal pancakes the true American way:
Swimming in syrup and butter.
Where to get: Hoecakes are a lost breed — you won't find them in a local restaurant. Luckily, culinary historian Nancy Crump published a modern adaptation of the recipe used by the Washingtons themselves. Find it here: .
Kara VanDooijeweert is a food writer for and The Record. If you can't find her in Jersey's best restaurants, she's probably off running a race course in the mountains. Catch her on Instagram: @karanicolev & @northjerseyeats, and sign up for her North Jersey Eats newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Foods to try based on your favorite United States president
