President Obama at Franklin Barbecue [Photo: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images]
President Barack Obama just spent 17 hours in Austin, Texas and boy was it a wild ride. He ate John Mueller's barbecue in Dallas, received his very own taco from Fresa's, and checked out Magnolia Cafe.
All of this lead up to his visit to Austin's own world-famous barbecue mecca, Franklin Barbecue. Obama staged a surprise last-minute visit, cut the notorious line, and bought lots and lots of meat. Check out everything you need to know below in handy list form.
"Everybody knows I love Austin, Texas." —President Obama
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 10, 2014
1. Before arriving in Austin, Obama attended a Dallas fundraiser, catered by none other than barbecue villain John Mueller of John Mueller Meat Co, considered one of Austin's best barbecue destinations along with Franklin. The $10,000 a plate benefit featured Mueller's famous beef ribs. The Statesman says Obama reportedly called it the best he'd ever eaten.
2. Last night, Obama's fundraiser at filmmaker Robert Rodriguez's house featured a special El Presidente taco by Fresa's. Both the taco and the ice cream by Laura Sawicki were a hit.
3. Before his noon speech, Obama sipped tea and met with a UT student who wrote him a letter at what his press secretary called 'legit local institution' Magnolia Cafe.
4. After delivering a speech at the Paramount Theater, Obama launched a surprise visit to smokey meat mecca Franklin Barbecue. Patrons waiting in line went nuts and the security was staggering.
5. Obama cut the legendary Franklin Barbecue line, which can take as long as five hours, because, well, he's the president. He also bought a bunch of food for the people waiting. People with no political biases at all had some feels about it, but looks like most Eater readers agree he shoud have cut. Plus, Obama waiting in line could have been super expensive for the city.
6. Franklin Barbecue owner Aaron Franklin had no idea Obama was coming and almost missed his visit. Franklin talks to Eater about the last-minute warning, and what it's like when the president shows up for lunch.
7. Franklin Barbecue employee Daniel Rugg Webb shared a righteous fist bump with Obama. Even more righteous: he says it was a bump for gay rights.
· All Franklin Barbecue Coverage [EATX]
· All Barack Obama Coverage [EATX]
