This is the platter Obama ordered—fried eggs (cooked to your preference), thick-cut hash browns with crispy edges, and a sausage patty. It's simple, inexpensive (under $10), and fills you up. The hash browns are the highlight—substantial and not greasy.
Tips from diners
Point at everything you want as you move through the line—bacon, sausage, toast, whatever looks good.
This is what made Obama a regular. The hash browns are the real draw—crispy, substantial, not over-seasoned.
Sausage patties are cooked on the griddle and stay moist inside. They're seasoned with sage and black pepper, which is traditional. A single patty is $1.50, and it's often paired with eggs or hash browns.
Tips from diners
Get two sausage patties instead of one if you're building a big breakfast—they're cheap.
Bacon is cooked crispy and stacked on the plate. It's real bacon, cooked fresh, not pre-cooked and reheated. It's usually $2-$3 on its own or comes with any breakfast plate.
Tips from diners
Add bacon to anything—it's good and cheap.
Pancakes are made to order and come out warm. They're thin diner-style pancakes—moist in the middle, slightly crispy at the edges. The syrup here is thin and sweet, not strong. Real butter comes on the side. The Infatuation recommends buttering them generously.
Tips from diners
Pancakes can be soft—ask for them medium-cooked if you like them with a bit of structure.
Bacon is your best meat pairing with pancakes. Sausage can be hit or miss.
The hot sandwich changes daily and is pulled from the steam table. Options rotate between roast beef, turkey, and ham, all served on bread with gravy. It's humble, hot, and costs under $10. The meat is cooked down and gets soft, almost stew-like when sitting under the heat lamp.
Tips from diners
Hot sandwiches are cheaper than breakfast combos and just as filling.
Hot sandwiches are best before 1 pm—after that, they've been sitting and drying out.
Founded in 1921 by French Canadian William Valois, this is one of the oldest continuously operating cafeteria-style restaurants in the United States. The format is unchanged: grab a tray, move through the line pointing at food, pay cash at the register, find a seat, and eat. President Obama was a regular during his Hyde Park years, and he still comes when he's in town.
Cash only, no cards. Grab a tray, move through the line pointing at food you want, pay at the register, then find a seat.
Breakfast-and-lunch only: 6 am to 3 pm, every day. Closed after 3 pm, so plan accordingly.
Cafeteria seating—you get a spot when someone leaves. During rush (8-9 am), you might wait a few minutes.
Avoid the biscuits—they're noted as dry. Stick with pancakes, hash browns, and eggs.
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