The Mitt-chigan Dog and More Political Specials

Potus Dog at Bayou Bakery

By Olga Boikess

As presidential-election rhetoric heats up the political scene, restaurants and bartenders are offering customers edible ways to express their support for a candidate. Now political junkies can eat a burger or a hot dog to participate in a poll.

Good Stuff Eatery, on Capitol Hill and in Crystal City, has enlisted well-known political duelists James Carville and his wife Mary Matalin as proxies for the Democratic and Republican contenders. It's offering two specialty burgers: the Carville, spiked with Cajun chipotle and chile BBQ sauce, and the sophisticated Matalin, dressed with goat cheese, vegetables and a spicy mayo -  and is keeping tally of which sells the best. The burger poll closes on November 6.

Meanwhile, Bayou Bakery near Arlington’s Courthouse Metro, will be serving a specialty hot dog themed for the party’s candidate during its convention and again during the final week of the election. Its “Mitt-chigan Dog” is topped with a tomato chili sauce, onions and a thin line of yellow mustard. The “Potus Dog” will be dressed in true Chicago style with onion, mustard, pickle, sport peppers, relish and celery salt.

Bartenders will be getting into the race as well by whipping up specialty drinks with election themes and clever names. The Passion Food restaurants (Acadiana, Ceiba, DC Coast, District Commons and Passion Fish) have staked their claim to the South Side (gin, simple syrup, lime juice, soda, mint sprigs, and lime slices) and the “Mitt Julep.” Which drinks would you design to represent each of the candidates?