A Menu for The American President To Be

Throughout the excitement of Tuesday's primaries, there was one thing I kept wondering...

What are the candidates eating on the campaign trail?

Sure, you always see photo ops where Hillary Clinton, John McCain, or Barack Obama are eating pizza and hot dogs to show that they are down with the people. But as they're campaigning, they are visiting every corner of the country, towns I've never even heard of before.

I always hope that along the way they stop to eat some of the regional foods that are one of the best things about this America that they are campaigning so hard for the right to govern.

If I could have planned the menu for the candidates last Tuesday, it would have looked something like this:

Breakfast
Start off in Texas with a plate of eggs and beans in Texas hot sauce, with pickled tomatoes and chilies. On the side, there'd be some toasted burritos or soft bread to dip in the beans to soak up every last spicy drop.

Lunch
There'd be a late lunch in Ohio, inspired by the Lenten Friday fish fries that are so big there this time of year: fried walleye with French fries and tartar sauce, and a side of cole slaw. But I'd urge the candidates to save space for dinner.

Dinner
Dinner would be at Al Forno in Providence, where the pizza is so fantastic they'd want to have more than just one slice.

Dessert
Dessert would be a few states north, in Vermont -- berries and jam with cheese.


I hope Barack, Hillary and McCain take my advice, and stop to enjoy the real beauty of this country -- the people and their food. They might be inspired to don an apron and cook some wonderful regional specialties of their own.