EAT EARLY AND OFTEN: A Tasting Menu of Election-Year Foodservice Promos
From party-affliliated cocktails and special-interest menus to extra pork and free chicken tenders, operators are using a red-hot presidential election to win friends and influence customers.
-- Restaurants and Institutions, 10/30/2008 3:11:00 PM
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As Albert Einstein noted, "An empty stomach is not a good political advisor.” But it does, operators know, make for a good customer. Below, R&I's sample menu of election-themed restaurant promos, menu items, freebies and free enterprise in action during Decision 2008. As for Sens. Obama and McCain preferred meals? Check out "The Candidates Dine Out: What Obama's and McCain's favorite restaurants say about the men" in The Wall Street Journal. Have an interesting Election Day promo? E-mail it to us! |
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| Happi House, San Jose, Calif.-based teriyaki chain |
Election-night take-home specials, including "perhaps a free left or right chicken wing with every order, or a teriyaki special with extra pork,” says company rep Kevyn Johnston. |
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Starbucks
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Free tall cup of brewed coffee on Nov. 4 to any customer who says that they voted. |
| Rockville, Md.-based California Tortilla |
Tallying sales of its McCain-chiladas and O-Chili-bama Burritos on the chain's Web site through Nov. 3. "Whosever burrito sells the most will win the election," the chain guarantees. |
| Viand, Chicago |
Offering a prix-fixe "Democratic vs. Republican" menu for $20.08 through Election Day. |
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Democratic Menu
Appetizer: Carter Cuban black bean soup or Kennedy clam bake
Entree: Obama & Hillary's green plate with grass-fed beef or Al Gore's "save the salmon"
Dessert: Bill Clinton's cherry pie
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Republican Menu
Appetizer: Cheney's quail hunter surprise or Nixon's covered up soup with puff pastry
Entree: Reagan's show-stopping sole with Russian caviar or McCain's big barbecue ribs
Dessert: Baked Alaska
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| Shane's Rib Shack, Atlanta, multiple units |
Free chicken-tenders "Vote America Meal" on Nov. 4 for any customer of legal voting age with an official "I Voted Today" sticker (first 300 customers per unit only) |
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7-Eleven
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Unofficial "7-Election" poll results based on sales of McCain- and Obama-branded coffee cups tallied at http://www.7-election.com |
| blue on blue, Avalon Hotel, Beverly Hills, Calif. |
 Serving Obamarita and McCainade cocktails. |
| Hotel Concorde La Fayette, Paris |
Playing on the recent French fascination with high-end burgers, Chef Laurent Belijar has created the O-Burger (curried burger loaf with pineapple carpaccio and a coriander-flavored shrimp) and the Elephant Burger (tomato-flavored beef with grilled lamb and guacamole served with salsa and nachos)
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Krispy Kreme |
On Nov. 4, locations around the country will be handing out free star-shaped donuts with red, white and blue sprinkles to anyone with an "I Voted" sticker. |
| UpStairs on the Square, Cambridge, Mass. |
Sarah’s “I Can See” White Russian $9;
Lame Duck in a Pinch Panini: Pressed Duck Sandwich with Dried Apricot $11;
Meet The Press Panini: Fried Baloney & Sweet Onion $12
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Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops |
On the evening of November 4th, from 5 – 8 pm, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream Scoop Shops will be giving away free scoops across the nation. |
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