President Barack Obama has made many trips to the West Coast whether it was on his campaign trail, attending rallies or on presidential business. But during his campaign for a second term in 2011, the president was hungry and his motorcade made a detour into the West Los Angeles area for an unscheduled visit to Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles.
Obama arrived at the popular eatery with the intention of getting some food among his busy agenda. According to reports, he ordered his own food with his aides close by along with Rep. Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles).
He reportedly ordered the No. 9, “Country Boy” which included three wings with a choice of waffle, potato salad or French fries. The president greeted diners and patrons at the restaurant shaking hands and chatted with people at their booths. Obama also took selfies with many of his constituents.
President Obama was equal to any high profile celeb of the time as he greeted families table-to-table complete with requests for autographs. It was stated that as Obama took a photo with one of his youngest constituents, someone said, “If you work hard, you can be just like him.”
It’s reported that one aide left with five food containers, another aide left with a carton of canned drinks. Obama and Bass left the restaurant among cheers of approval from the crowd outside, both carrying more bags of food.
This is who President Obama was—the community’s president. He wasn’t afraid to come into the neighborhood and talk with people. He didn’t alienate and isolate his constituents to the point where he couldn’t venture into the neighborhoods of Los Angeles. He liked meeting the people that voted for him, that believed in him and that admired him.
And you could tell that he admired the people too.
After the visit at Roscoe’s, the president was off to a fundraiser in Hancock Park to continue the trail to lead
the country from the White House for a second term.
Of course, he won that second term.
