Obama’s beer isn’t even close.
Everyone wants the top-secret recipe for Obama’s Honey Ale brew, made with honey from the White House’s exclusive beehive. But Obama is hardly the first commander in chief to really put his chef to work. In fact, Obama’s ale preferences (and the First Lady’s dedication to gardening) are downright boring compared to the peculiar dining habits of presidents past. When not overseeing the free world, our leaders kicked back with rodent stews, tongues, and oddly topped cottage cheese. Ten food-choices from presidents and first ladies that might not win any elections, straight ahead.
Related: Give the People the Beer Recipe
The second president indulged in this unappetizingly named dessert every Independence Day. A sweet creation featuring nutmeg, molasses, apples, and cinnamon, there’s even a recipe for it online if you’re feeling patriotic. Don’t forget the ice water!
Photo: Hulton Archive
The New York Times notes that Jefferson’s extensive gardens produced eggplant and okra; the friendly Founding Father even engaged in a good-natured pea-growing competition every year.
Photo: Stock Montage
James Madison’s feisty First Lady loved strawberry ice cream and is credited with popularizing it here in the United States. She even served it at her husband’s second inaugural.
Photo: Stock Montage
Ill-fated president William Henry Harrison passed away shortly after taking office. Turns out not even his favorite meal, squirrel stew, could fend off pneumonia.
Photo: Hulton Archive
The wild-and-crazy bachelor president served up manly cuisine like saddles of mutton and 125 beef tongues at his inaugural ball.
Photo: National Archives
Our portliest president, who tipped the scales at 300 pounds, enjoyed turtle soup. He kept one chef on staff whose sole job was to prepare it at his request.
Photo: MPI
At one state dinner for the king and queen of Greece, Ike’s wife opted to serve that American classic, toasted Triscuits. Also on the menu: saltines and “fairy toast.”
Photo: PhotoQuest
Jacques Pepin allegedly turned down a job cooking for the Kennedys. A savvy move: Kennedy often forgot to eat. Now Pepin is cooking for Obama.
Photo: PhotoQuest
On the morning of his resignation, Nixon soothed himself with his favorite treat: pineapple cubes mixed with cottage cheese, topped with ketchup. In happier times, he had yogurt flown in from California each day.
Photo: AFP
Ford was a man of simple tastes: His favorite meal was “savory” pot roast, served exclusively with red cabbage.
Photo: David Hume Kennerly/2006 David Hume Kennerly