"Barack, pick up!" President orders Gulf shrimp Po'Boy at NOLA eatery that's a model for post-Katrina recoveryUPDATE: The President mentions his lunch, and the White House Gulf seafood promotion campaign, during his remarks at Xavier University
Before heading to New Orleans' Xavier University for an afternoon ceremony to mark the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama stopped at Parkway Bakery & Tavern. A legendary local restaurant that's been in existence for a century, Parkway is owned by brother and sister team Jay and Eileen Nix, and they managed to re-open just 88 days after being flooded during Katrina, according to a White House official. (Above: President Obama greets patrons as Mrs. Obama looks on)
Accompanied by daughters Malia and Sasha, the President and Mrs. Obama ordered a lunch that featured Gulf seafood, surrounded by thrilled patrons. (Above: The President greets patrons as Mrs. Obama looks on)Parkway is known as one of the premiere destinations for Po'Boys, a local sandwich that comes in a variety of meat and seafood combos on a french bread bun.
When a young man in the crowd suggested the President order a "surf and turf" Po'Boy, with roast beef and seafood, the President responded with a nod to his recent 49th birthday.
"The combo thing," President Obama said. "There was a time I could do that. When I was your age."
President Obama joked at the ordering window that he'd try the alligator sausage, but instead ordered a shrimp Po'Boy, according to pool. He also noted later in his remarks at XU that he had Gumbo, too). As he ordered, the President He kissed and hugged the woman behind the counter. (Above: The President and family ordering lunch)"Barack, pick up!" was shouted over the restaurant sound system when the President's order was ready; ther's no wait service at Parkway.
A shrimp Po'Boy has fried shrimp on a soft, mayonnaise-slathered french bread bun, topped with pickles, lettuce, and sometimes tomatoes. Locals douse it in hot sauce; and President Obama likely did, too. He's professed an enduring love for hot sauce.
After ordering, the President turned to a handful of people standing behind him along the wall, and apologized for cutting in line, after posing for a photo with them.
"We're just glad to see you, thanks for coming down," one of the patrons said. After shaking hands with about three dozen patrons, it was time for lunch.
"Alright I better go sit down before somebody steals my sandwich," President Obama said. He joined the First Lady and the girls at a table.During Katrina, Parkway had six feet of water in the bar and ten feet in the street outside. The Nixes managed their rapid re-opening with the help of family, and raised their building by nineteen feet so Parkway will never flood again. (Above: The President shakes hands with patrons)
The First Family arrived at 12:30 PM, and were on their way to Xavier University by 1:15 PM. They ended their ten-day vacation on Martha's Vineyard this morning, flying to Cape Cod on Marine One, and then changing to Air Force One to travel to New Orleans. Landing shortly after 12:00 noon Eastern time, they were met at the airport by Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R), NOLA mayor Mitch Landrieu and US Reps. Anh "Joseph" Cao and Charlie Melancon. Background on the XU visit is here.
UPDATE: During his remarks at Xavier U, President Obama gave a shout out to Gulf seafood--and Parkway:
"I just came from Parkway Bakery and Tavern," President Obama said to applause. "Five years ago, the storm nearly destroyed that neighborhood institution. I saw the pictures. Now they’re open, business is booming, and that’s some good eats. I had the shrimp po’boy and some of the gumbo. But I skipped the bread pudding because I thought I might fall asleep while I was speaking. But I’ve got it saved for later.
The President also mentioned the New Orleans Saints, and their White House Gulf seafood project:
"Two weeks ago, we welcomed the Saints to the White House as Super Bowl champions," President Obama said. "There was also food associated with that. We marked the occasion with a 30-foot po’boy made with shrimps and oysters from the Gulf. And you’ll be pleased to know there were no leftovers.
All the details of the White House Po'Boy are here. Saints players cooked in the White House kitchen during their visit, with Senior Adviser for Healthy food Initiatives Sam Kass, then they all visited the press briefing room to hand out skewers of Gulf shrimp; a video is here. Gulf shrimp was the featured menu item for the President's belated 49th birthday barbecue on August 8.
Info: Parkway Bakery & Tavern is located at 538 Hagan Avenue, New Orleans, LA, 70119. Phone: (504) 482-3047.
Related: A 30 ft. Gulf shrimp & oyster Po'Boy was created at the White House on Aug. 9, 2010, part of the ongoing Pennsylvania Avenue Push to promote the safety of Gulf seafood, to re-boot the fishing industry after the BP oil spill.
*Top photo by Reuters; second by Pete Souza/White House; others by Getty/pool.
