Obama Visits Deli, Buys Corned Beef

President-elect Barack Obama made a brief stop at Manny’s Cafeteria and Deli in Chicago to pick up some corned beef and shake some hands.

Obama, who visited with his long-time adviser, Valerie Jarrett, bought two cherry pies and three corned beef sandwiches, according to the press pool report. He paid the $48.34 bill with cash.

He also shook hands and spoke with restaurant owner Ken Raskin, whose father, Manny, was the founder. Obama signed a photo for Raskin of himself with Mayor Richard Daley taken after his 2004 election to the Senate.

“Rahm Emanuel sends his regards,” Obama told the owner. “I ordered him his corned beef.”

About 25 people were waiting for Obama outside when he arrived. Patrons in the restaurant left their plates to greet Obama. One woman hugged him, while another said, “I love you.”

Obama responded, “I love you back.”

One reporter tried to ask him what he thought about the auto industry. Obama replied, “I got the corned beef,” then smiled and went back to shaking more hands.