Obama Fried Chicken Drama Continues

Photo via Joe Schumacher

Lines have been drawn, and the Obama Fried Chicken saga is at a standstill. This weekend the NY Times reported that the outpost in Brooklyn had changed its name to "Popular Fried Chicken" after protesters, politicians and community leaders leaned on them. However, today amNewYork reports that the very same restaurant is now refusing to change their name. Manager Mohammad Jabbar told them “We are not changing the sign. Everyone is coming and saying they love the sign.” You know who doesn't love it? The White House. A spokeswoman there "said they frown on the use of a president's name for advertising." Reportedly the scheduled protest went down yesterday, and Rev. Al Sharpton and Councilman Charles Barron were both in attendance and say that the owners are playing games (hmm, free publicity games?). Meanwhile, the Obama Fried Chicken and Pizza on St. Nicholas just south of 116th Street has already changed the "Obama" to "Bam" on their signage.

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By Jen Carlson in News on April 7, 2009 3:48 PM

Comments [rss]

inoyourider

Obama's got some fuckin tasty chicken!

That place is quick, cheap, and just the right amount of greasy!

Past Taliban

Obama's Fried Chicken sure beats Obama's Rescue Bailout Plan. Although I guess in both cases we're COOKED.

Bluealways

That doesn't even make sense.

Come on man, this is Gothamist. If you wanna be part of the gimmick commenter crew you gotta step up your game!

Jack D. Ripper

My cousin's name is Obama.

Snoopy

First or last name?

Snoopy

No one complained about Bush Meat when it was in the news.

Polite New Yorker

Al Sharpton & company protesting Obama Fried Chicken is a great illustration regarding hysteria over perceived racism. People should be smart enough to understand that naming your restaurant after a U.S. President doesn't mean that the president endorses the restaurant. Did Al Sharpton protest Ford's Lincoln Navigator? The Kennedy Fried Chicken in my neighborhood (which is nowhere near JFK Airport) does a brisk business among people of all colors.

hotstepper

obama fried chicken? not much meat on dem bones.

ed_Extinct

Sharpton Fried Chicken is more fitting.

Guest

Actually, Sharpton Jive Turkey has a better ring to it. :)

matty

I think i'll make a trip to Harlem tomorrow just to show my support.

Why shouldn't they be able to use the President's name?

longacre

Same reason they can't use Michael Jordan's name or Sean Connery's name or my name.

Guest

Exactly! They didn't use his full name, so the White House should STFU.

Guest

Did Sharpton and Barron patronize the establishment?

SeasTooFarToReach

If they frown on advertising (shocker!), maybe they should call the CW to pull those stupid Gossip Girl ads.

Rocknrope

A spokeswoman there "said they frown on the use of a president's name for advertising."

Hence the name "Kennedy's Fried Chicken" and "JFK Fried Chicken."