Obama at Ben's Chili Bowl

Yesterday Barack Obama ate at Ben's Chili Bowl (where he now eats free, along with Bill Cosby). The Reliable Source has the story, and today I received this amazing press release, in response.

National Hot Dog & Sausage Council Says President-Elect Obama's Historic Trip to Famous DC Hot Dog Restaurant Reflects Excellent and All-American Taste in Cuisine

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- President-Elect Barack Obama's visit to the DC landmark Ben's Chili Bowl for a half-smoke yesterday reflects his excellent and all-American taste in cuisine.

According to National Hot Dog & Sausage Council President Janet M. Riley, "His stop yesterday shows that while the most sophisticated chefs in America may be vying for his palate, American hot dogs and sausages were the 'wieners' this weekend in Washington."

As a result of the stop, the Council is optimistic about hot dog and sausages' potential places on the White House menu. "Hot dogs have a rich and bi-partisan history at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue," Riley said. President Franklin D. Roosevelt served hot dogs to King George VI in 1939. Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush also served them.

Because President-elect Obama seemed confused about the half-smoke on the menu at Ben's Chili Bowl, the Council offers a clarification about this local DC delicacy. A half-smoke is a sausage that is similar to a hot dog but is larger in size, contains more coarsely ground meat and is slightly spicier.

Given Obama's Chicago home, the Council is optimistic that he will adhere to one of the Councils' -- and the Windy City's -- cardinal etiquette rules: no ketchup on hot dog after the age of 18. Under Council rules, First Children Malia and Sasha are exempt from the ketchup restriction -- at least for a few more years.

For more hot dog and sausage facts and figures -- including the Council's highly rated hot dog etiquette video -- visit www.hot-dog.org or www.YouTube.com/hotdogcouncil.