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Like that scene in a movie when the main character flashes back to good times gone by, America looked on wistfully yesterday when pals Barack Obama and Joe Biden met up for lunch at a cafe in D.C. Their destination? Dog Tag Bakery, a nonprofit that trains veterans and military spouses on how to run a food business.
When the two men got out of their cars, they greeted the crowd with smiles and handshakes before making their way to the counter to order. Biden asked for a ham and gruyere sandwich — “you don’t have any mustard, do you?” — and Obama is seen in a video ordering the same thing as well as a fennel, carrot, and tomato salad. The BFFs did not forget dessert: They shared a slice of mint-basil olive oil cake, a chocolate chip cookie, and a brownie, according to the Washingtonian.
“Joe’s paying,” Obama joked.
Dog Tag Bakery’s CEO Meghan Ogilvie admits to being “a little bit awestruck,” when the Secret Service pulled her aside to let her know who was planning on popping by for lunch, the Washington Post reports.
President Obama and Vice President Biden Visit Dog Tag Bakery!Look who stopped by Dog Tag Bakery today! Barack Obama and Joe Biden surprised us at lunch today and took some time to chat with our Fellows. Thank you for supporting our mission to empower service-disabled veterans, military spouses, and caregivers! To learn more about Dog Tag Inc., please visit: https://www.dogtaginc.org/
Posted by Dog Tag Bakery on Monday, July 30, 2018
Known for their strong rapport and good taste in food, Obama and Biden dined out together frequently when in office between 2008 and 2016. While at Dog Tag they met with each of the businesses’ fellows, veterans training to become business owners. “They shook every fellow’s hand, hugged them and listened to their stories. It was just a phenomenal scene,” Ogilvie told the press.
Fans gathered around for secret selfies as the men ate. Forever fan and NGO operator chef José Andrés tweeted his support of Obama and Biden’s choice for lunch:
Is not any regular bakery! @DogTagBakery is an amazing NGO training @DeptVetAffairs Veterans about business by running a bakery! Awesome initiative! Thanks for your support @BarackObama @JoeBiden https://t.co/HuYiNV9pU5
— José Andrés (@chefjoseandres) July 31, 2018
The scene brought back memories, like that time Obama and Biden jumped the counter at Shake Shack. Or that time, during a government shutdown, when they escaped to hoagie spot Taylor Gourmet. Or all of the times they went out for ice cream. Of note: This is not the first time the two went to a bakery together. Back in 2010 they suited up for a visit to Kokomo, Indiana’s Gingerbread House Bakery while campaigning.
