By Brian Marron
Capital News Service
ANNAPOLIS — When Republican Gov. Larry Hogan was sworn in Wednesday, he brought with him promises of bipartisanship in government — and at lunch.
At Chick and Ruth’s Delly, a restaurant on Main Street in Annapolis known for naming their menu items after Maryland politicians, the newest offerings include “Hogan’s Bipartisan soup” ($5.99), which features Maryland crab and cream of crab “working together.” In addition, the new governor will also have a “Hogan’s Hero,” a cheesesteak with American cheese and grilled onions. ($7.79 for a half; $10.79 for a whole sandwich.)
With all the new faces in the state government, the latest menu will feature the most turnover of names since the restaurant’s founding in 1965, according to proprietor Ted Levitt.
Other new sandwiches include the “Boyd Rutherford, ” a seafood club with jumbo lump crab cake and shrimp salad named after the new lieutenant governor ($15.99), and the “Steve Waugh,” which contains grilled hot pastrami, Swiss cheese and Russian dressing on rye bread ($7.69) named after the new senator.
A list is sent to the politician’s office with available items for naming, Levitt said. The elected official then responds with his choices for his or her dish.
However, not all politicians go for sandwiches or other entrees. Newly elected Sen. Cheryl C. Kagan, D-Montgomery, has a milkshake with cookies and cream, peanut butter ice cream and Hershey’s chocolate ($4.99-$17.99 depending on size) named after her.
Every governor since Marvin Mandel has had their name as an item on Chick and Ruth’s menu, according to Levitt. Levitt also expects Hogan to have breakfast there Thursday morning. He will sit in a special booth roped off and reserved for Maryland governors.
With Hogan’s inauguration Wednesday, the renamed menu is now in effect, but it will not become “official” until Thursday morning, Levitt said.
(Copyright 2013 by Capital News Service. All Rights Reserved.)
