Favorite Recipes of Presidents Washington and Lincoln (2024)

FAQs

What was Abraham Lincoln's favorite meal? ›

President Lincoln was fond of certain foods, especially apples. Fruits, nuts, cheese, and crackers were often enjoyed by the president. Some sources note President Lincoln did have two favorite dishes, Chicken Fricassee with Biscuits and Oyster Stew. His preferred dessert was Apple Pie.

Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909)

Fried chicken covered with white gravy was a favorite White House meal of Teddy Roosevelt's.

As one of the richest landowners in Virginia, and in the nation, for that matter, he had access to exquisite delicacies, but his health limited enjoying some of them. As many people know, George Washington wore dentures, and he preferred to eat soft things, such as cornmeal “hoecakes,” puddings and soups.

John Adams

The first President to live (and serve food) in the White House, he preferred simple fare like codfish cakes and potatoes.

Family members and visitors alike testified that hoecakes were among George Washington's favorite foods. He invariably ate them at breakfast, covered with butter and honey, along with hot tea—a “temperate repast” enjoyed each morning.

According to Henrietta Nesbitt, the White House housekeeper, FDR had very simple American tastes in foods; he liked foods "he could dig into." Among his favorite dishes were scrambled eggs, fish chowder, grilled cheese sandwiches, hot dogs, and fruitcake.

His favorite dishes include peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, BLT's, pizza, cookies, spaghetti with butter and red sauce, and ice cream that he occasionally makes into a full sundae, according to current and former Biden aides.

Thomas Jefferson – Mac and Cheese

A little-known fact about him, however, was his love for mac and cheese. During his time traveling in Europe, he discovered his taste for this dish, and was credited with popularizing it in the United States.

'A small renaissance': Pawpaws, George Washington's favorite fruit, seeing a resurgence.

The menu in the Madison household consisted of many classic Southern dishes like Hoppin' John, Virginia ham and oysters, according to PBS. Some other dishes that could be found on the table include buttered rolls, apple pie and ice cream.

What was George Washington's favorite hobby? ›

Fox hunting is a traditional equestrian, or horse-riding, sport that involves galloping cross-country in pursuit of a fox (which usually outsmarts the people and hounds giving chase). It was one of Washington's favorite pastimes. He fox hunted aboard a spirited iron-colored horse named Blueskin.

President Donald Trump has some very specific food preferences. Though Trump is sure to avoid foods like alcohol and pizza dough, he isn't shy about sharing his love for fast food and Diet co*ke during public appearances.

President Kennedy was particularly fond of soup--New England Fish Chowder was a favorite. He has been described as a "soup, sandwich and fruit" man for lunch--always soup though.

Ronald Reagan – Coconut Macaroons. He was also fond of Jelly Belly jelly beans.

What was on the menu? Andrew Caldwell, author of “Their Last Suppers: Legends of History and Their Final Meals,” suggests mock turtle soup, roast Virginia fowl with chestnut stuffing, baked yams and cauliflower with cheese sauce as the doomed president's last meal.

Other than his jokes, avid reading, swapping stories and gossip with friends and cronies, an occasional game of chess, the theater, and poetry writing, Lincoln enjoyed little else. He detested hunting and did not like participating in group games or structured events if he could avoid them.

Abraham Lincoln became the United States' 16th President in 1861, issuing the Emancipation Proclamation that declared forever free those slaves within the Confederacy in 1863.

Fido (c. 1851 – 1865) was a yellow mixed-breed dog owned by Abraham Lincoln and kept by the family for a number of years prior to Lincoln's presidency, and became a presidential pet during Lincoln's presidency, although he remained in Springfield, Illinois.