Obama spends his Saturday 'half-smoking'

[kpete]

Source: CNN

January 10, 2009
Obama spends his Saturday 'half-smoking'
Posted: 05:37 PM ET

From CNN Deputy Political Director Alex Wellen

WASHINGTON (CNN) –- Obama popped in for lunch Saturday at Ben’s Chili Bowl, the 50-year-old Washington fast food institution famous for its “half-smokes” –- sausages smothered in spicy homemade chili sauce, mustard, and onions.

The visit came as a complete surprise to Sonya Ali, one of the owners of the family-run business.

“Do you think I’d look like this if I knew?” she said, referencing her red blouse and slacks. The Secret Service came in and secured the location. Ali asked them how soon they could expect the president-elect. “Within minutes,” they told her.

And sure enough, he did, with Washington D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty in tow.

Read more: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/10/obama-s... /

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

1. Love the picture from the article.

<snip>

There is a sign near the cash register that reads: “Who Eats Free at Ben’s. Bill Cosby. The Obama Family.” For years, the privilege was reserved for Cosby, a frequent patron and friend of the owner’s family.

“I actually changed that sign two days before the election,” Ali said. “I sat up in the office. I said: ‘I am changing the sign because he’s going to win. He’s going to be the president and we’d love to have him in here.’ We heard he liked chili.”

Seeing the sign, the president-elect said he appreciated the gesture, but paid with a $20 bill, telling the counter attendant who asked if he wanted change, "No, we're straight."

The president-elect and mayor took a two-person table, and joked with diners as they ate. Asked about the significance of the visit, Obama simply said: "It means I'm going to get a hot dog."

<snip>

[FrenchieCat]

6. I have a suspicion that Obama will continue to pleasantly suprise

many after he becomes President by some of the many moves that he will make.

[Baby Snooks]

12. "No, we're straight?"

"Seeing the sign, the president-elect said he appreciated the gesture, but paid with a $20 bill, telling the counter attendant who asked if he wanted change, "No, we're straight.""

I wonder if he realizes that even though some will find the joke funny, some won't.

[TheDoorbellRang]

14. What do you mean?

"No, we're straight" isn't a joke. It's an expression (maybe only midwestern?) meaning roughly "we're even" -- as in "you don't owe me and I don't owe you." If you thought it was an LGBT reference, it's not at all.

[Baby Snooks]

19. Thank you...

I didn't know that. Thank you. I'll bet others don't know that either.

[TheDoorbellRang]

25. No problem. Local idioms can be tricky to interpret sometimes

My all time favorite idiom was one I learned in Dubuque, Iowa. I and my infant son were at a party at my in-laws, and three different women came up to coo at my son and then asked me, "Does he make strange?" After stumbling thru responses like, "Uh, I don't think so" all the while imagining scenes from the Exorcist, I finally cornered my mother-in-law and asked her what "making strange" meant. Turns out they were asking if he was shy around strangers. I've never heard that expression anywhere else, but I just enjoy the heck out of it.

[Baby Snooks]

28. I manage to mangle myself on the good ones...

When my mother died, I didn't think of her dying and I had this sense of her just passing from one life to the next and so I put "passed from this life" in the obituary. Not realizing "passed" was an idiom in the African-American community in the South. My godparents were from New Orleans and were of the "old days" and horrified. I rather enjoyed the thought of horrifying everyone. My mother would have. My father of course "died" several years later. Although to me, he "passed" as well. African-Americans have a sense of peace about them that we could all learn from. I hope I "pass" as well.

But it did offend some. As this may. I suppose we have to be careful of the idioms. And of the idiots like me who may not know them.

[TheDoorbellRang]

33. okay, don't leave me in suspense

Not realizing "passed" was an idiom in the African-American community in the South.

I'm not familiar with that idiom. What does it mean that would horrify people?

[AnotherDreamWeaver]

41. I think it is refering to blacks who 'passed' as white...

I used to live in the Antelope Valley, (Mojave desert) which Los Angeles news casters called the "Upper Desert" (opposed I guess to the Palm Springs desert.) And everyone in Antelope Valley called Los Angeles "Down Below". (Instead of saying, "I'm going to LA" we said "I'm going down below". My High School English teacher was very fond of that.)

[shanti]

43. i like this part:

Asked about the significance of the visit, Obama simply said: "It means I'm going to get a hot dog."


straight to the point, just like O!

[No Elephants]

49. People amaze me. Who would think that saying "passed from this life" would be mistaken for

passing for white? African Americans also say just "passed" to mean died. I guess that would really confuse some folks. At least if they ignore context.

[TheDoorbellRang]

59. Ah, that explains it.

Yet "so-and-so passed" is used quite often here in Illinois when someone dies. Funny how common idioms in one part of the country can be taken quite differently elsewhere.

[FloridaJudy]

48. I remember being asked somewhere

Whether I wanted "regular" coffee. I thought that meant as opposed to decaf, so I said "sure". I was surprised by a cup with cream and sugar. I've also heard the expression "straight" used to mean even, as well as to mean sober. I'm sure given the context that Obama intended no slur to the GBLT community.

[JeanGrey]

56. Of course he didn't. It's just an expression. I hope no one

thinks that.

[demwing]

68. "Straights" also means "Squares", or uptight people

I'll often jokingly tell my kids not to talk to loudly about radical politicas or religion, with a grin and a "Shh! You're scaring the straights"

[Le Taz Hot]

61. LOL!

If someone asked me that I'd be checking his diapers.

[TheDoorbellRang]

64. It's a great expression, isn't it?

We used it as a family joke for years as a catch-all phrase to describe anyone doing anything peculiar.

[JeanGrey]

55. When my Mom first moved here from Seattle (to the south)

people would say "hey" as it wot in these circles, usually followed by "how's your mama and them?"

Anyway she told me one day that people were strange and they kept calling her say "hey!". I laughed and told her that was their way of saying "hello". After she got used to it she would tell me that she loved living in the south because the people were so kind and friendly.

She couldn't get over they didn't know what "pop" was. I told her "pop" has no meaning here and it's coke. Even if you want a pepsi.

[Historic NY]

38. Like were square, right!

[dipsydoodle]

45. Same in the UK

straight = even , in that context.

[reggie the dog]

46. No, were straight, means nothing about sexuality

it means we are all straight on the bill. That is Chicago slang. Perhaps carried over from his weed and coke buying days. We use it a lot on bizzzz. 20 dollars??? Yeah 4 grams... cool thats straight.....

[No Elephants]

50. "Damned white of you," to mean kind, honorable or decent was not a joke either. But people

don't say it anymore. Maybe using "straight" this way should also become history.

[TheDoorbellRang]

60. Or maybe using "straight" to denote heterosexuality should become obsolete

[Leftist Agitator]

16. Is this a brilliant attempt at trolling, or are you *actually* that stupid?

Jesus tap-dancing Christ...

[Baby Snooks]

21. Drop dead...

I didn't know that. Drop dead.

[harmonicon]

27. disabling your profile means that no one knows where you're from

.... from your reaction, I would think not a native English speaker.... maybe I'm wrong.

[Baby Snooks]

29. A native speaker...

Just not from the Midwest obviously.

[No Elephants]

51. Few know for certain where anyone on a message board is from, whether the profile is disabled or

not. Not as though people online always take forms seriously or always fill them out honestly. Nor should they, IMO. Lots of nutcases online.

[harmonicon]

52. true enough

However, I come here with a very small amount of trust extended to the rest of the community for the purpose of facilitating discussion. I keep who I am quasi-secret (if someone were to dig for a few hours or days, they could figure it out), but am willing to admit demographic details to clarify some things. I would like to think that others would be equally honest.

[Book Lover]

39. It's a great big world, puddle

Glad to know that *you* are familiar with every US idiom under the sun.

[FrenchieCat]

32. Come again?

That's another similar to we're straight.

[No Elephants]

53. Oh, beHAVE!

[JeanGrey]

54. That wasn't a joke. "We're straight" is an answer to the

question, no change, we're straight. We're even. Get it? It isn't racist.

[Bandit]

65. Which joke, Does he want "Change" his signature issue or

"We're Straight" which only to the Gay community has any other meaning than what was implied..

[dionysus]

70. oh come the fuck on!! the word in that context has nothing to do with that!

jesus h on a pogo stick....

[ecstatic]

42. The counter attendant seems kind of greedy

The assumption should always be that the person wants change unless otherwise stated.

[demwing]

69. I think the counter person was joking off of Obama's core campaign slogan

[xenussister]

71. Here's a video of his visit!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vQ7wQ80Aik

And here are some photos:
http://www.daylife.com/topic/Barack_Obama/photos/all/1

Ha, "Nah, we straight"

and "How come he's got some shredded cheese on his and not on mine?"

"Not Velveeta"

Love it!

[grannie4peace]

2. you scared me for a minute, i thought you meant he fell off the wagon

[Buns_of_Fire]

44. I was thinking that "half-smoking" meant that he didn't inhale...

I gotta get out more.

[marshall]

63. I think the article was alluding to Clinton's "I didn't inhale" comment

Do they really say "I'm half-smoking" when they are eating the half-smokes"? It's like saying "I'm hot dogging", or "I'm hamburgering", or "I'm donut-ing".

[BlooInBloo]

3. omg - I'm so fucking hungry now.

[eleny]

7. Ben's-Style Chili Recipe

Found here ---> http://www.recipefork.com/bens-chili /

Ben's-Style Chili

3 tbsp. vegetable oil
2 lbs. ground beef
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
1/4 c. tomato paste
1 onion, chopped
2 c. beef broth
5 tbsp. chili powder
6 tbsp. corn meal
2 tsp. sugar
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 bay leaf


Heat oil and saute garlic and onion 7 to 9 minutes or until golden. Add chili powder, sugar and cumin. Cook, stirring constantly, 2 more minutes. Add ground beef and cook, stirring, until beef is evenly browned. Stir in remaining ingredients, then reduce heat to low and simmer 15 to 20 minutes or until very thick. Discard the bay leaf before serving.

How to make a chili half-smoke, Ben's style: get some all-beef half-smokes, grill them, then split them down the center. Run a line of mustard down the split, then top them with chili and chopped onions.

where to find half-smokes --->

[BlooInBloo]

10. Awesome! I'm getting a slow cooker next week and that'll be the first thing!

[eleny]

15. Sounds like a fun thing to make for Inauguration Day

[BlooInBloo]

23. Oh yah - that IS coming up, isn't it?

[Lochloosa]

20. Found them. And it was not easy. Half Smokes online

http://www.wholesomefoodsinc.com/shopping.shtml

Scroll about 2/3 of the way down. Hot or mild.

[BlooInBloo]

22. Cool, but to me it's just a sausage. And you can get those anywhere....

But the purists will be happy with your find.

[hootinholler]

67. Is Anduie just a sausage?

How about a Bratwurst?

Just a sausage. SHEESH!

Just like my ex who had no discriminating taste.



-Hoot

[eleny]

26. Thanks....

They ship in dry ice that lasts for two days. Good to keep in mind if shipping takes longer.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

4. "... fast food institution...."

It's obvious the author of this article has never been to Ben's.

It's such a great place, but no one would ever describe it as a "fast food" place. Service is quick, that's for sure, but it's not one with Burger King, that's for sure.

It's very cool that Obama went there today. I can imagine what U Street, NW was like with him there.

Excellent.

And I don't know how he ate just one half-smoke..........................

[Chulanowa]

18. Goddamn that place looks good

I shouldn't look at this stuff while I'm waiting for my oven to preheat for pizza...

[Tangerine LaBamba]

34. It's better than you imagine.........

You cannot imagine how great it is. It's just the way it's been all these years - they change nothing, and it goes on and on. The whole area around it is in the process of becoming gentrified and hip and expensive, and Ben's just keeps on keepin' on.

They make their own chili and corned beef hash and cole slaw and french fries. HOME MADE!!! And fabulous.

The place is always jammed, so you end up talking with everyone, all kinds of people just hanging out, eating, being friendly. You only get table service if there are 6 of you, at least. If you order at the counter, and you don't jump when your order is ready, hands are ready to pass it along to you, make sure you get it while it's still hot.

Obama's going there today was an incredibly cool thing to do. He has begun to ingratiate himself with the District residents - as if he needed to. But, it's a real clear signal that the Obamas are not just going to be White House residents - they're also going to be District of Columbia residents.

Contract that little prick who's still squatting illegally in the Oval Office - he's never gone anywhere or done anything even remotely resembling what Obama did today. Classless fuck.

Here's a great photo of Cosby, the manager of Ben's, and Tim Russert when Ben's decided to surprise Cosby with some half-smokes while he was being interviewed. (I'll wager dear old Tim wolfed down more than his share of Ben's fine cuisine in his time.)



Check out more about Ben's (can you tell I'm an old-time enthusiastic fan?): http://www.benschilibowl.com/index.html

[Chulanowa]

58. It's not nice to tease

There's a friggin' continent between me and there, and I got a bad knee!

[goclark]

5. I would have been screaming if he

walked in ~ goclark is one lady that loves OBAMA!

[BlooInBloo]

9. Heh. I imagine there'll be a lot of that over the coming days....

As he discovers the little gems tucked away in DC's nooks and crannies.

[SpookyCat]

30. I like to think I would be composed and witty and...

...no...I would prolly giggle like an idiot or scream like a teenager at a Beatles concert...

LOL!

[elleng]

8. Not exactly well-informed:

“half-smokes” –- sausages smothered in spicy homemade chili sauce, mustard, and onions.

[givemebackmycountry]

11. I'm fixin' to get smoked...

Right Now.

[Stinky The Clown]

13. This is good!

Not so much about Ben's (although that's good, too). No. This is good because we have a president who **wants* to go to places like that.

This isn't a sheeshee spot on Connecticut Avenue. This isn't a hip spot in Georgetown. This is the real DC. Where the people live.



http://www.benschilibowl.com /

[eleny]

17. Do you know of a place where we can get the half-smokes online?

I checked around and only found a Maryland caterer who has them by the box. But no evidence of mail order at the site. Guess I can make the recipe with regular smoked sausage. Maybe I can find lightly smoked sausage(s).

[Stinky The Clown]

40. Wow, I'm not sure where you can get them ....... but here are two possibles ....

Half smokes are ubiquitous around here. All manner of places sell them, all the way down to sidewalk pushcart vendors selling dishwater dogs. And every grocery has them along with hot dogs,

Here's one source of them. I don't know the company, but the brand Esskay is local and even used on restaurant signs for their hot dogs (like they did back home ...... Roessler's is one brand I recall)

http://www.wholesomefoodsinc.com/shopping.shtml (scroll way down the page ... maybe 3/4 the way)

I have NO idea if this place does mail order, but they have the same 6 lb Esskay half smokes for 1/3 the price! Go to this link .....

http://bkmillers.com/index.htm

Click on "Meat Specials" at the left, and scroll about halfway down. They have several kinds of half smokes. (The "hot" is not all that hot.)

[eleny]

72. Thanks for the heads up about these links!

[hootinholler]

66. Absolutely! Next will be Henkles

Is Henkles still around?

-Hoot

[jmowreader]

24. He tips good, anyway

His meal couldn't have been more than $10.

[BlooInBloo]

31. mmmmm......

http://flickr.com/photos/kevharb/3183676510 /

[Ishoutandscream2]

37. Damn, that looks great!!

My mouth is watering here!

[Starry Messenger]

62. I keep coming back to this picture.

I'm afraid I'm going to start licking my computer screen...

[Habibi]

35. Er, not exactly healthy eating.

But, I bet that stop will make lots of money for the owner. If Obama continues to do this, there will be some awfully bizzy eateries in town. Wouldn't that be awesome, if a bunch of little-known joints get a big push because Barack came in for a meal?

Way better than Clinton hawking for McDonald's.

[ohio2007]

36. He picked a bad four years to give up smoking

[JeanGrey]

57. I hope to god he sticks with it. We don't need a President

with lung cancer. I have it and belong to many organizations of people suffering with it. He's a middle aged African American male and he'll be under a lot of stress. Smoking would be unwise.

[truthisfreedom]

47. Well, at least we know he wasn't "half-smoking" pole like bush did with gannon/guckert.

Whew.