Massive gridlock at hoagies eatery
By Neda Semnani
May 17, 2012 

Can breaking bread be the start of something beautiful between President Barack Obama and Speaker John Boehner? 

One day after Boehner threw down a debt limit gauntlet, Obama hosted Congressional leaders at the White House, greeting them with olive-oil-soaked hoagies. 

Fresh from a small-business roundtable at Taylor Gourmet, the president ordered takeout for a meeting about his “to-do” list for Congress. 

Unfortunately for Washington commuters, this gesture led to massive downtown gridlock thanks to the security measures required to guarantee the safety of the roundtable at Taylor’s location at 14th and T streets Northwest. 

But back to the food. The White House pool report confirmed that “[the] president ordered a 12-inch Spruce Street hoagie, which has roast turkey, prosciutto, roasted red peppers and sharp provolone.” 

What he grabbed for everyone else wasn’t immediately clear. But he did throw down $62.79 for the deliciousness that had all of Washington excited. 

Amid some policy stuff, Boehner’s office said the Ohio Republican liked his hoagie. 

“The president began the meeting by laying out some of his policy goals, including his ‘to-do list’ for Congress. The bulk of the meeting was spent discussing other issues, including the next debt limit increase and the looming expiration of current tax rates.” 

“The Speaker,” the statement from his office concluded, “was very pleased with the sandwiches served.” 

“This was the first time [Boehner] had a Taylor sandwich,” Boehner spokesman Michael Steel tells HOH. “[He] thoroughly enjoyed it.” 

For those who enjoy Taylor Gourmet, the news that Obama noshed there might have sent some shivers. Wherever the Obamas eat, crowds typically follow. But not to worry. Taylor Gourmet is successful enough to have a few other locations, including on H Street Northeast and near downtown on K Street, as well as in Bethesda, Md. Food tourists can’t invade them all.