When people think about where a former president likes to eat, most imagine fancy steakhouses with white tablecloths and $50 entrees. But the truth about Trump’s restaurant preferences might shock anyone who’s been following his dining habits. From small burger joints facing unexpected chaos to themed chains popping up across Texas, the restaurant world connected to Trump tells a completely different story than what most people expect.
DC restaurants don’t want presidential visits
Most restaurant owners dream of serving a president, but things have changed dramatically in Washington DC. Restaurant owners now worry that hosting Trump could destroy their business overnight. The political climate has become so heated that even celebrating his election victory can cause neighborhood protests and angry customers.
Martin’s Tavern in Georgetown has hosted every president from Harry Truman to George W. Bush, but owner Billy Martin admits he’s not actively seeking a Trump visit. The 93-year-old restaurant has served several Trump administration officials, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent even mentioned that Trump loves meatloaf during a recent interview at the restaurant. Still, Martin worries about protesters throwing rocks through windows or customers flooding social media with angry reviews.
Secret Service requirements eliminate most options
Think any restaurant can handle a presidential visit? The reality involves much more than just preparing extra food. Secret Service agents need multiple exits, secure perimeters, and advance planning that most small restaurants simply can’t accommodate. Even restaurants that welcome Trump face serious logistical nightmares that could shut them down for hours.
Butterworth’s on Capitol Hill has become the city’s most popular MAGA hangout, but chef Bart Hutchins doesn’t expect Trump to visit because they lack a back door. He explains that even when lower-level officials visit, their security teams express concerns about the limited exits. Protesters regularly show up outside with horns and signs when any Trump-connected politicians dine there, making a presidential visit nearly impossible to manage safely.
Small burger shops get caught in political storms
Nick Watts thought hosting a Trump rally next door would bring great business to his downtown Salt Lake City burger joint, Chedda Burger. He bought extra supplies expecting thousands of hungry rally-goers to stop by his restaurant. Instead, he ended up locking his doors early and paying for property damage when protests turned violent.
The restaurant owner had to remove broken decorative bricks from his building’s front wall after protesters damaged his property. Watts, who donates meals to homeless shelters, found himself using nonprofit funds to repair the damage. He supports peaceful protesting but wishes people wouldn’t destroy small businesses that have nothing to do with politics. The experience taught him that being near political events can hurt local restaurants more than help them.
Trump-themed burger chains divide food critics
A Lebanese immigrant named Roland Beainy opened multiple Trump Burger locations across Texas, complete with red, white, and blue decorations everywhere. The restaurants feature a cartoon burger mascot with golden hair that looks like Trump’s famous hairstyle. Food critics visiting these locations have had wildly different experiences, with some praising certain menu items while others feel uncomfortable with the heavy political atmosphere.
Houston Chronicle critic Bao Ong found the signature Trump Burger bland but praised the First Lady Chicken Sandwich and Blue Bell milkshakes. Professional Trump impersonators sometimes visit during lunch, and the walls are covered with merchandise like “Trump 2024 The Revenge Tour” baseball caps. Another critic, Brittany Britto Garley, described feeling uncomfortable as a woman of color and criticized the restaurant’s political jokes as brutish humor aimed only at Trump supporters.
Menu items mock political opponents
Trump Burger restaurants don’t just serve regular food – they turn their menus into political statements that either amuse supporters or offend critics. The Biden Burger (sometimes called the Harris Burger) costs $50.99 and features a tiny one-ounce patty with “old tomato” and “the oldest buns available due to cheating and inflation.” Cashiers have to explain to confused customers that it’s just a joke item, not real food.
The restaurants also sell “You’re fake news!” t-shirts and other Trump-themed merchandise alongside their food. Every location tries to outdo the others with nationalist decorations and personality cult aesthetics that make dining feel more like visiting a political rally. When contacted for comment, Trump Burger officials told Fox News that they expected biased reviews from liberal news outlets, showing how even restaurant criticism has become part of the political divide.
Traditional steakhouses remain safe options
While most DC restaurants worry about political backlash, a few upscale establishments might actually welcome a Trump visit. RPM Italian has connections through Bill Rancic, winner of the first season of The Apprentice, who serves as a partner in the restaurant. The Capital Grille on Pennsylvania Avenue regularly hosts Republican congressional fundraisers and would likely handle the security requirements easily.
Stephen Starr’s revival of the Occidental restaurant markets itself as the place “where statesmen dine” and sits just a short walk from the White House. Members of Trump’s administration, including Treasury Secretary Bessent and Mehmet Oz, have already eaten there multiple times. These upscale restaurants have the space, security capabilities, and clientele that would make a presidential visit more manageable than smaller neighborhood spots that lack proper exits or crowd control experience.
McDonald’s remains the reliable backup plan
Despite all the fancy restaurant options in Washington DC, Trump’s most reliable dining choice might be the same golden arches that millions of Americans visit daily. McDonald’s offers consistent food, predictable service, and locations that can be secured more easily than independent restaurants. The chain also avoids the political complications that come with local restaurant owners who might face community backlash.
Fast food chains have corporate policies for handling high-profile visits and staff training for unusual situations. They can close locations temporarily without worrying about losing regular customers who understand the security requirements. While food critics might not consider McDonald’s fine dining, it eliminates the risk of putting small business owners in impossible political situations where they lose money regardless of their decision to serve or refuse controversial political figures.
Restaurant staff worry about workplace safety
Beyond the business concerns, restaurant employees face real safety risks when political events happen near their workplaces. Staff members at DC restaurants report being afraid to show up for work during increased political activity, especially when immigration enforcement actions are happening nearby. The combination of protests, counter-protests, and heavy security presence creates an environment where serving food becomes secondary to personal safety.
Many restaurant workers depend on tips and can’t afford to miss shifts, but they also can’t risk getting caught in political violence. When Chedda Burger’s owner decided to close early during the Trump rally protests, he prioritized his staff’s safety over potential profits. Restaurant owners across the country now have to consider whether political events will help or hurt their business, and increasingly, they’re choosing to avoid the risk entirely rather than deal with the aftermath of political controversy.
Trump’s restaurant preferences reveal how deeply politics now affects where Americans choose to eat and which businesses they support. Whether it’s avoiding DC establishments that might face protests or embracing themed restaurants that celebrate his presidency, dining out has become another way people express their political identity. The simple act of sharing a meal has transformed into a potential political statement that restaurant owners must navigate carefully.
