Presidents’ Day: These Are A Few of Their Favorite Meals

Presidents’ Day, officially Washington’s Birthday, is a U.S. federal holiday observed on the third Monday of February in honor of the first President of the United States, George Washington, born on February 22. The holiday is also intended to honor Abraham Lincoln, born on February 12 (and sometimes all the U.S. presidents). 

There is a long list of past presidents who have made their food loves and hates well-known. A key perk of the Commander-in-Chief job, or that of the First Lady, is instructing the White House kitchen to fulfill their culinary idiosyncrasies. After all their grandiose galas and diplomatic dinners, they like to tuck into their favorite snacks as much as the rest of us—from jelly beans and Fresca to waffles and popcorn. 

While you may not think favorably upon the man, you can’t fault him for his favorite food. In that spirit, we’ve rounded up 17 presidents and their most beloved foods, courtesy of The Food Timeline -- because what better time is there to take on a new cooking project while also brushing up on your trivia? Once you’ve finished binge-watching “House of Cards” and shoveling out your driveway, that is. Read on to find out what FDR fed British royalty (the nerve! the awesomeness!), what comfort food made Nixon weak in the knees, and how George Bush likes his brunch (it is exactly what you would expect). You can read Rémy Robert’s full post here.

17. Donald J. Trump | Bacon, Egg, and Toast Cup 
“I love bacon and eggs. Usually I would have that…but oftentimes I skip breakfast. But usually my favorite would be bacon and eggs – bacon medium and the eggs over-well..” - Donald Trump

Bacon, egg, and toast cups | iStock.com

16. Barack Obama | Just Good Chili
“I’ve been using this chili recipe since college and would bring it to any potluck. I can’t reveal all the secrets, but if you make it right, it’s just got the right amount of bite, the right amount of oomph in it and it will clear your sinuses.” -Barack Obama

 

15. George W. Bush | Huevos Rancheros (Country-Style Eggs Topped with Pork and Green Chile) 
“On most Sundays, if the Bushes weren’t at Camp David...the President wanted the same thing for lunch: A post-church meal of huevos rancheros.”

 

14. Bill Clinton | Suzanne Goin's Grilled Pork Burgers 
“Clinton prefers the stuff with fat in it: jalapeño cheeseburgers, chicken enchiladas, barbecue, cinnamon rolls and pies.”

 

13. George H.W. Bush | Perfect Popcorn 
“Some longtime Bush friends... insist that his true love is popcorn.”

 

12. Ronald Reagan | Chai Spiced Monkey Bread 
“Monkey Bread is a heavy, sweet loaf that serves as a Reagan family tradition.”  

 

11. Jimmy Carter | Goat Cheese Grits with Red Eye Gravy, Country Ham, and a Fried Egg
“Even before they had settled into the White House, reports in the press began to highlight the Carters’ Southern style of life. The public was forewarned that the White House would soon serve grits to guests.”

 

10. Richard Nixon | Fatted Calf's Meatloaf 
“President Nixon was quite fond of his wife’s meat loaf, and meat loaf appeared about once a month on the family dinner menus.”

 

9. John F. Kennedy | Bay Scallop Chowder 
“Soup was a dish close to the heart of President Kennedy, since it gave him an opportunity to be served the fish for which his New England background had given him a special appreciation.” 

 

8. Dwight D. Eisenhower | Secret Ingredient Beef Stew 
“Beef soup was one of his specialties, and he would leave the soup simmering on the stove in the kitchen for hours, causing much mouth-watering among the kitchen staff.”

 

7. Franklin Delano Roosevelt | Yum Dogs 
“Fact: The King and Queen of England were served hot dogs at FDR’s Summer White House on June 11, 1939.”

 

6. Woodrow Wilson | Grandma's White Cake with Maple Syrup Frosting 
“I am very fond of country hams, peach cobblers, butter and buttermilk, fresh eggs, hot biscuits, homemade ice cream and plain white cake.” -Woodrow Wilson 

 

5. Theodore Roosevelt | Chicken Fried Steak with Sage Gravy
“The only way to serve fried chicken is with white gravy soaked into the meat.” -Theodore Roosevelt 

 

4. Ulysses S. Grant | Nineteenth Century: Roman Punch 
“Many of the state dinners consisted of twenty-nine courses with a break after the entrée for Roman punch to fortify the guests.”

 

3. Abraham Lincoln | Alsatian Gingerbread 
“Once in a while my mother used to get some sorghum and ginger and make some gingerbread. It wasn’t often, and it was our biggest treat.” - Abraham Lincoln

 

2. Thomas Jefferson | Aretha Frankenstein's Waffles of Insane Greatness 
“In Holland he sampled waffles for the first time and was so pleased he immediately bought a waffle iron.”

 

1. George Washington | Jamie Oliver's Roasted Shoulder of Lamb with Smashed Vegetables and Greens 
“A glass of wine and a bit of mutton are always welcome.” - George Washington

 

 

 

 

 

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