Photo: Bob's Diner on a Saturday Morning

Bob's Diner, Roxborough, November 20th, 11:55am

Food and Politics

Election day usually means that I treat myself to some sort of politically themed alcoholic beverage.  I try to drink a few of them while I am ranting about the election returns and how this time I am serious about moving outside the United States.  This beverage of choice this year is the Dark and Stormy.  There is no shortage of symbolism in the drink's name, but I am drinking it out of desire and convenience.  I will also decide on a food option over the next few hours.  Either way, I think that the first Tuesday in November is always a fine excuse for something tasty.

I also wanted to use this post as an excuse to link up a post from the weekend.  Obama was in Philly on Saturday giving a speech to volunteers at Temple University.  On his way back from the speech he stopped by Famous Deli on 4th and Bainbridge.  The deli is widely known for its massive sandwiches that you end up eating for three days after.  It is also an essential stop on a Philly politics reality tour because of the many local officials that go there on a regular basis.  If you were to goto Famous Deli right now you would see a lot of politicians and poll workers stopping for an election day meal.  I had dinner there on Thursday night when Bill Clinton was here campaigning.  I thought there would be an off chance that he might stop by the deli after his appearance, but he did not.  Instead of Clinton I was able to see retired District Attorney Lynne Abraham chowing down in her stonewashed jeans.  Sort of a humorous consolation.

I am certainly not the first to mention the food and politics of Famous Deli, but in the spirit of election day it is a nice reminder.

link: Philadelphia Lunch Stop: President Obama Visits "Famous 4th Street Delicatessen" [Obama Foodorama]

Landon Donovan picks Jim's. David Beckham eats $100 cheesesteak?

Who eats a cheesesteak, and where they eat it at is usually pretty unexciting to me.  However, the LA Galaxy are in Philly this week to play the Union on Thursday.  That means there could at least be a few solid David Beckham and Landon Donovan sightings.  According to Landon Donovan's Twitter feed he grabbed a steak around 1am on Wednesday morning from Jim's Steaks on South Street.

Landon followed up with a later post to say: "Yummmmmmmmmmmmmm, That was delicious! First cheesesteak was a massive success...perhaps I'll try Geno's or Pat's after the game tomorrow."

David Beckham also had a steak in Philly last night.  Him and his wife Victoria dined at Barclay Prime with a few teammates as well.  According to those connected with Barclay Prime, Beckham ordered the $100 cheesesteak.  The Barclay Prime cheesesteak made national news a few years ago with its upscale ingredients.  There is no direct mention of the steak on the current menu, but it was known to include "sliced Kobe beef, melted Taleggio cheese, shaved truffles, sauteed foie gras, caramelized onions and heirloom shaved tomatoes on a homemade brioche roll brushed with truffle butter and squirted with homemade mustard."  Whether or not, Beckham actually ordered the Barclay Prime cheesesteak, there is sure the contrast of menu options on your fork (or in your hand) in Philadelphia.

Foraging in Philadelphia Links

Last summer I lived in Portland, Oregon where food literally grows from the sidewalks in front of you. It was an incredible experience to walk through the city and find places to eat plums or easily spot an abundant patch of lavender to use in your home. The city itself is a fortunate recipient of the unique climate of the Pacific Northwest. Rainy, mild winters provide plenty of moisture while the summer days and nights rarely fall to temperatures that will ruin the lush vegetation. Since my experience in Portland, a few friends have been intrigued by the idea of foraging. Their knowledge is greater than mine in this subject. Fortunately, urban foraging comes as an extension of an individual's desire to cut out the corporate food system and attempt to live in a more sustainable way. Below is a pretty impressive Google mash-up with sites for foraging within Philadelphia. You can also check out a solid collection of research and links over at Wild Foods.

Credit goes to Aaron for sending the links.

View Philadelphia Food Harvest Map in a larger map