US President Barack Obama apologetically jumped the queue at a famous barbecue joint in Austin, where no one cuts the line, so he could order takeout for his official travel party and paid for the two people he jumped ahead of.
After a campaign-style speech in Austin yesterday to raise money for the Democratic Party, Obama made a stop by Franklin Barbecue and was quickly ushered to the front of the line.
It’s common practice to let a president cut to the front of the line at a dining establishment. After all, the president arguably has the busiest schedule on the planet.
Owner of this ten-year-old joint, Aaron Franklin said no one is allowed to cut the line at his restaurant, but he made an exception for the president.
Franklin and his daughter took a picture with the president.
Apologising to two people at the front of the line for cutting in front of them, Obama offered to buy them lunch — along with a big order of takeout to take on Air Force One.
The total order came to over USD 300.
“I feel real bad, but – I’m gonna cut,” Obama said.
“Because these folks were in front of me, I’m buying for them,” he told the workers behind the counter.
The President ordered around 8 pounds of meat, 6 pounds of which went for Bruce Finstad of Houston and his daughter Faith Finstad of Austin, the lucky pair at the front of the line, and their two seated companions.
