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Nixon Would Heart Meatloaf Appreciation Day

Posted by Erin Zimmer, October 12, 2007 at 5:00 PM

Can you picture then-congressman Richard M. Nixon stuffing his face with meatloaf? Well, he did, and historic Martin's Tavern in Georgetown— where the stuffing used to happen— isn't keeping it a secret. With Meatloaf Appreciation Day just five days away, Martin's is serving the pâté wannabe at this week's Taste of Georgetown, a street fair-cum–gorge fest where nearby restaurants show off mini entrée portions.

During the 1940s and '50s, Nixon used to sit at booth No. 2 at Martin's Tavern, a quintessentially Washington power-hitters spot. His usual order? The M-loaf. And this weekend, Martin's will be serving $5 sample portions from—get this—an authentic Watergate Hotel chafing dish!

Last month, the Watergate complex was hosting a blow-out liquidation sale inspired by its upcoming "dramatic renovation." Fitness equipment, marble sinks, and even bedding went from anywhere between $1 to $7,000. A bunch of china, including the ornate silver chafing dish, was snatched by fourth-generation owner Billy Martin, Jr. A little Nixon resignation joke? Oh, Washington. Even when you're talking meatloaf, it involves a president/presidential scandal.

Martin's Tavern

Address: 1264 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC 20007
Phone: 202-333-7370
URL: martins-tavern.com

About the author: Erin Zimmer, Serious Eats's Washington, D.C., correspondent, is a just-graduated Georgetown gal following her nose about town as Washingtonian magazine's Dining intern and Best Bites blogger. She got her start as the Hoya campus paper's food columnist, and since entering "real person-hood" has ached for her dining hall's omelet station.

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