The Obama Fried Chicken in Harlem may have a Presidential name, but the Health Department just took away any hope they had at staying open. The joint was closed last week with an epic 115 violation points, and according to Grub Street that's almost 100 points past the C mark. What was found amongst the fried chicken? Live roaches, Filth flies and food/refuse/sewage-associated flies, evidence of live rats, inadequate personal hygiene, and temperature violations, to name a few. The full list can be read here—and keep in mind this isn't to be confused with the other Obama Fried Chicken, in Brooklyn. more ›

After they pointed out that the Obama Fried Chicken sign was mysteriously blurred out in a new Clipse video, Brokelyn talked to video director Rik Cordero to find out why. He told them: "The decision was made by the owner of the restaurant, who wouldn't sign our location agreement unless we paid him $3,000 cash. Therefore, the sign had to be edited out for network television. I can’t really knock the guy, because taking out the sign has now given Obama Fried Chicken even more free promotion than if we had left it in." But did anyone on the shoot try the chicken? The question remains. more ›

Remember that whole Obama Fried Chicken debacle? It's back, in a sort of blurred-out-on-MTV kind of way. Brokelyn reports that the Clipse video for “Popular Demand (Popeye’s)” consists mostly of Clipse and Cam'ron and company "in front of a place with a blank yellow marquee." That is, if you see it on MTV, it will appear blank—everywhere else it's running with a fully in-focus sign, reading "Obama Fried Chicken." So whose call was it to lift the OFC sign from the final cut? Surely the artists picked that spot for a reason besides censoring it out. more ›

With all of the hubbub surrounding the controversial naming of Obama Fried Chicken eateries as well as the Obama Chia, we wondered why no one had called Ray's Candy Store on Avenue A for one of its Obama-inspired offers. The East Village institution sells a number of "Obama" products, none more prominently displayed than their Obama Coffee (coffee with a dollop of ice cream). Will possible racial undertones of Obama Coffee be enough to draw the ire of City Councilman Charles Barron, who has led protests outside Obama Fried Chicken pressuring the eatery to change its name? more ›

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. more ›

Well, it didn't take long for the Obama Fried Chicken in Brownsville to cave to pressure from politicians and community leaders in dropping the president's name from its title. Manager Mohammad Jabar, a lawyer and university instructor in Bangladesh before moving here in January, announced that the restaurant will now be known as "Popular Fried Chicken." A manager for the Crown Fried Chicken across the street (where they simply have a photograph of the president on their plexiglass divide) said to the Times, "He used the name. He used black people.” There's no word on if the original Obama Fried Chicken will follow suit, but the Times did find an Obama Beauty Salon where they sell Michelle Obama wigs for fifty dollars. An eighteen-year-old woman enjoying a last meal before the name change saw no reason to get rid of the name and said, "Why not? It’s history. All these stereotypes. People got to relax.” more ›

Unsurprisingly, not everyone is a fan of the Obama Fried Chicken joints that have popped up around town. Councilman Charles Barron says, “It’s exploitative. It's like saying Obama is a watermelon lover.” He is now planning a protest outside of the Brooklyn outpost on Monday. Another Brooklyn establishment cashing in on the name is the Crown Heights restaurant called Obama Flavor Caribbean Soul Food. However, one local argued, “I liked it even better...It is showing respect (to have) Obama’s name in the community.” The White House couldn't be reached for comment by amNY, but they point out that the feds ruled that Sixpoint Craft Ales' Hop Obama draft was a violation of certain alcohol sales rules (but it is legal for restaurants to use the name). What do you think, is using Obama's name in this scenario a point of pride or prejudice? more ›

Earlier this month, following the Meal O'Bama food cart reveal, our own Joe Schumacher spotted a recently re-branded fried chicken place on St. Nicholas just south of 116th Street, now called Obama Fried Chicken. Is number 44 following in the footsteps of JFK and Lincoln—both of whom have had their names plastered on many a fried chicken joint? Looks like it. The Smoking Gun now points out another Obama Fried Chicken outpost in Brooklyn (previously known as Royal Fried Chicken). Has the President's name found its way onto an awning near you yet? more ›