Obama’s coming to visit a neighboring town, Edison, NJ. The reason that he’s in town isn’t important to me; what I found interesting is that he’s supposed to have lunch at the best sub shop in the whole wide world: Tastee Subs. [ed: link added – they’re online now]Â (I’d link to ’em but they’re not online. Yeah, I’ve talked to them about that but the owner’s just not interested.) My Dad introduced me to the place back when I was just a little kid; it’s been around that long.
You can read this morning’s local newspaper article to learn more about the particulars of the planned visit. [Bummer, the article link expired.)
Tastee Subs is just a stone’s throw from one of the busiest intersections in that area, Route 27 and Plainfield Avenue. During rush hour – actually, several hours in the morning and several more in the afternoon – it’s not uncommon to have traffic snarled in every direction. Traffic so intense that the signal cycles green once in turn for all four entrances to the intersection. I’m certain that the intersection and surrounding streets will be choked all day long. Harry, my father-in-law who lives not a half-mile from there, will find that incredibly aggravating.
Sam Ash, where I buy stuff like guitar strings, is just on the other side of that intersection. Needless to say, I won’t be going anywhere near these places on the day of Obama’s visit.
In the linked newspaper story there’s mention of Tastee’s roast beef sub. While the roast beef’s good, my recommendation is for the smoked turkey, pepperoni and swiss. It’s not on the menu but they’ll make it for you, no problem. Take all the usual fixings and add some hot peppers for a little extra kick. Mmmmm, good.
I hope Obama enjoys his sub.
Y’know, I’m bitchin’ about the traffic (and I will surely avoid it myself) but I’m actually thrilled that the choice of which small business to visit is an all-American business. Tastee Subs is very well known and highly respected in these parts. With each passing day these kinds of businesses are getting harder and harder to find, especially in the Edison area. Tastee Subs is a business that deserves your support. Might want to wait until after Wednesday, though. Tell ’em Rick sent you.
Will, I’d count on Plainfield Avenue, Route 27 AND the surrounding streets to be closed for at least a quarter mile radius – no one in or out. That effectively extends the Tastee parking lot boundaries. The logical answer, then, is all of them.
Schnookeroonie, you’ve got a pretty good point there. Instead, why not just haul around the very best fully-immersive telepresence equipment on a flatbed or something? Surely with all the spending going on the Administration can afford it. Lots of ’em. I mean, some syndicated broadcasters have their own home studios to lessen the need for travel/commuting. So why not?
Oh, yeah. Rick sent me! :-)
Good point, Will! Having seen the size of a presidential entourage, with extra state police cars, spare limos (or decoys), two ambulances, etc., they might not all fit in Edison (j/k).
For what presidential travel to the NY/NJ area does to traffic, just for landing at Newark and holding 280 to a standstill for an hour, I wish the @(%^*&@)^ would just stay home. That’s even now, when I reside in CT.
Somebody chain him to his desk — that’ll reduce his carbon footprint!
It’s all about the Tastee Super Sub with hot peppers. I bet Obama gets the veggie special!
How many presidential limos can fit into the Tastee parking lot?