When you think of a billionaire’s favorite restaurants, you probably imagine fancy French places with tiny portions and names you can’t pronounce. But Donald Trump breaks that mold in surprising ways. While he does enjoy some high-end spots, his regular food choices might make you do a double-take. From upscale Manhattan establishments to simple burger joints, Trump’s dining preferences paint an interesting picture of the man behind the politics.
The surprising truth about Trump’s everyday food choices
Despite his wealth and status, Trump often gravitates toward simple, familiar foods that many Americans eat regularly. He’s known for preferring well-done steaks with ketchup, a choice that might make food snobs cringe but connects with many regular folks. This preference for straightforward, recognizable food has been consistent throughout his public life.
In fact, Trump is described as a “meat and potatoes kind of guy” who enjoys casual dining just as much as fancy restaurants. His eating habits often surprise people who expect someone of his wealth to exclusively frequent high-end establishments.
When he’s not at formal events or business meetings, Trump often opts for simple burgers and American classics. This preference extends to his choice of restaurants, where he’s known to visit local diners and casual eateries rather than just limiting himself to exclusive fine dining venues.
His regular food choices reflect a side of him that many might not expect – someone who, despite his wealth, often prefers familiar comfort foods over elaborate gourmet meals. This aspect of his personality has remained consistent throughout his business career and presidency.
Jackson Hole burgers remains a longtime favorite
Among Trump’s regular dining spots, Jackson Hole stands out as a particularly interesting choice. This casual burger chain, with locations throughout New York City, has been one of his go-to places for years. The restaurant is known for its massive, juicy burgers that are cooked on a grill right in front of customers.
Jackson Hole has been serving New Yorkers since long before Trump entered politics, and he’s maintained his appreciation for their straightforward, no-frills approach to food. The restaurant’s Queens location holds special significance as it’s near where Trump grew up.
What makes this choice particularly interesting is that Trump could easily dine at any high-end burger restaurant in the city, yet he consistently returns to Jackson Hole. The restaurant’s unpretentious atmosphere and focus on generous portions over fancy presentation seems to resonate with his personal food preferences.
Regular customers often report seeing Trump at Jackson Hole over the years, where he orders the same thing: a well-done burger with fries. This consistency in his food choices, even as his life circumstances changed dramatically, offers an interesting glimpse into his character.
Jean Georges remains his top fancy restaurant pick
When it comes to high-end dining, Jean-Georges in the Trump International Hotel and Tower has been Trump’s go-to spot for years. Located near Central Park, this restaurant combines French, American, and Asian influences in its menu, creating sophisticated dishes that have earned multiple Michelin stars.
The restaurant has seen many significant moments in Trump’s life, including important meetings with political figures like Mitt Romney. Even in this fancy setting, Trump stays true to his preferences, often ordering steak with vegetables.
What makes Jean-Georges special in Trump’s dining rotation is its combination of prestigious reputation and familiar comfort. While the restaurant offers innovative and complex dishes, it also provides straightforward options that align with Trump’s simpler food preferences.
The restaurant’s location in his own hotel property adds another layer of personal connection. Trump can enjoy a high-end dining experience while still feeling at home, making it an ideal spot for both personal meals and important business or political meetings.
The historic 21 Club holds special meaning
The 21 Club, a former speakeasy turned upscale restaurant, represents another fascinating chapter in Trump’s dining story. This historic establishment has been serving New York’s elite since the 1930s, and Trump has been a regular patron for decades, following in his father’s footsteps.
Here again, we see Trump’s preference for familiar foods emerge. Despite the restaurant’s extensive menu of high-end dishes, his favorite order is the “21 Burger” – always well-done, accompanied by crispy French fries.
The restaurant’s rich history and traditional American menu make it a perfect blend of luxury and comfort. The walls are adorned with memorabilia and toys donated by patrons, creating an atmosphere that’s both prestigious and warmly familiar.
Trump’s connection to the 21 Club spans generations, as his father frequently dined there before him. This personal history adds another layer of meaning to his continued patronage, making it more than just another upscale dining venue.
Nino’s Italian restaurant shows his neighborhood side
Nino’s, an Italian restaurant on the Upper East Side, represents yet another interesting facet of Trump’s dining preferences. This neighborhood establishment offers traditional Italian dishes in a warm, welcoming atmosphere that’s far removed from the glitz often associated with Trump’s public image.
The restaurant has been a regular spot for Trump, who appreciates its traditional approach to Italian cooking. Unlike many celebrity-frequented restaurants, Nino’s maintains its neighborhood charm and focuses on consistent, quality food rather than trends or innovation.
What makes Nino’s particularly interesting is its status as a true neighborhood restaurant. While it’s certainly not a cheap eatery, it’s the kind of place where regular customers are known by name and treated like family – a far cry from the formal atmosphere of many high-end restaurants.
Trump’s loyalty to Nino’s over the years, even as his fame and fortune grew, suggests an appreciation for authentic experiences and personal connections in his dining choices. It’s another example of how his restaurant preferences often defy expectations.
Red Arrow Diner shows his connection to everyday Americans
The Red Arrow Diner in Manchester, New Hampshire, offers perhaps the most striking contrast to Trump’s luxury lifestyle. This 24-hour diner, known for its classic American fare and friendly service, has become a regular stop during his campaign visits to the state.
This unpretentious establishment has been serving traditional diner food since 1922, and Trump seems perfectly at home there. The diner’s menu features classic comfort foods like meatloaf, pot roast, and pancakes – simple, satisfying dishes that resonate with many Americans.
What makes the Red Arrow particularly interesting is that it’s not just a campaign stop for photo opportunities. Trump has shown genuine enthusiasm for the food and atmosphere, often chatting with other customers and appearing genuinely comfortable in the casual setting.
The diner represents a type of authentic American experience that seems to genuinely appeal to Trump, despite his wealth and access to more upscale options. His repeated visits suggest that his appreciation for simple, traditional American food is genuine rather than just for show.
McDonald’s holds a special place in his routine
Perhaps the most surprising entry in Trump’s list of favorite restaurants is McDonald’s. Despite having access to world-class chefs and fine dining establishments, he maintains a well-documented appreciation for this fast-food giant, making regular visits even during his presidency and campaign tours.
His recent visit to a Bucks County McDonald’s shows this preference hasn’t changed. Trump’s order typically includes classic menu items that many Americans enjoy, showing a side of him that connects with everyday food choices.
What makes this particularly interesting is that Trump’s preference for McDonald’s appears to be genuine rather than just for publicity. He’s been known to send aides to pick up his favorite items and has maintained this habit even when not in the public eye.
This consistent choice of McDonald’s, even when he has countless other options available, suggests that Trump’s food preferences are more aligned with average Americans than what might be expected from someone of his wealth and status.
Ralph Lauren Polo Bar blends luxury with familiarity
The Ralph Lauren Polo Bar represents an interesting middle ground in Trump’s dining preferences. This restaurant manages to combine high-end dining with a distinctly American aesthetic, making it a natural fit for someone who appreciates both luxury and familiar comfort.
The Polo Bar offers refined versions of classic American dishes, creating an atmosphere that’s upscale without being overly formal. The restaurant’s decor reflects Ralph Lauren’s classic American style, with wood paneling, leather seating, and equestrian-themed artwork.
What makes this choice particularly telling is how it bridges the gap between Trump’s appreciation for luxury and his preference for familiar American foods. The menu includes high-end versions of comfort foods like burgers and steaks, allowing diners to enjoy elevated versions of familiar favorites.
The restaurant’s popularity among New York’s elite, combined with its focus on American classics, makes it a perfect representation of how Trump often combines his billionaire lifestyle with more relatable food preferences.
Famiglia Pizzeria shows his New York roots
Famiglia Pizzeria in Times Square might seem like an unlikely choice for a billionaire, but it perfectly represents Trump’s connection to his New York roots. This pizza chain, known for serving classic New York-style slices, has been a longtime favorite of his, showing that sometimes simple food done right is all that’s needed.
The restaurant has been a staple for both New Yorkers and tourists, serving traditional pizza without any fancy frills. Trump’s preference for this straightforward, no-nonsense approach to pizza reflects his broader appreciation for simple, well-made food.
What makes this choice particularly interesting is that New York has countless high-end pizzerias that Trump could frequent instead. His loyalty to Famiglia suggests that when it comes to certain foods, he values tradition and authenticity over prestige or innovation.
The fact that Trump continues to enjoy Famiglia’s pizza, even with his access to more upscale options, shows a side of him that remains connected to the everyday food experiences of regular New Yorkers.
BLT Prime demonstrates his appreciation for steakhouses
BLT Prime, particularly its former location in the Trump International Hotel in Washington D.C., represents Trump’s deep appreciation for traditional American steakhouse dining. This restaurant combines classic steakhouse elements with contemporary touches, creating an experience that balances tradition with modern luxury.
During his presidency, BLT Prime became a frequent dining spot for Trump, where he would often order his signature well-done steak. The restaurant’s approach to traditional steakhouse fare, with high-quality ingredients and straightforward preparation, aligned perfectly with his food preferences.
What makes BLT Prime particularly interesting in Trump’s dining rotation is how it represents a perfect middle ground between casual and upscale dining. While definitely a high-end restaurant, it maintains the comfortable, familiar atmosphere of a traditional American steakhouse.
The restaurant’s popularity among both politicians and regular diners shows how it successfully bridges the gap between exclusive dining and accessible comfort food – a balance that seems to appeal strongly to Trump’s personal taste.
Trump’s restaurant choices reveal a man of unexpected contrasts. From high-end establishments like Jean-Georges to casual spots like McDonald’s, his dining preferences show someone who moves comfortably between worlds. These choices paint a picture of a billionaire who, despite his wealth, often gravitates toward the same foods many Americans enjoy. Whether this reflects genuine preference or calculated image-making, it’s clear that Trump’s favorite restaurants aren’t quite what most people would expect.
