Apologies to Meal Ticket, but The Clog was within closer reach when I found this: then-senator Barack Obama's 2001 appearance on the local Chicago dining program Check, Please! In the clip, he discusses Hyde Park's Dixie Kitchen.

Does Obama's informal restaurant review bode well for his fast-approaching presidency? Let's listen:

"I ordered the Southern Sampler because I couldn't make up my mind."

Indecisiveness = bad. Then again, a willingness to try a little bit of everything is generally positive.

"It's not gourmet cuisine, but that's not why I go to Dixie Kitchen. I'm not looking for some fancy presentation or extraordinarily subtle flavors."

The populist approach! "Table for two? Should be under 'Sixpack'?"

"[The complimentary corn pancakes] are pretty dangerous, because you can fill up on those pretty quick."

Very wise — all things in moderation. Except, of course, tax cuts for the lower middle class. I want some of them corn cakes too, B.

Barack Obama on Check, Please!