This Popular New England Dish Has Been Served at Every Presidential Inauguration Since Reagan

On January 20, President-elect Donald Trump will again be sworn into office. And when he does, the Queens-born politician will take part in the same ceremonial traditions presidents have taken part in since President George Washington's inauguration in 1789 — including hosting an inauguration meal. And this year, Trump will dine on one slightly newer but still historic dish: Legal Sea Foods' New England Clam Chowder.

The Massachusetts-based company explained that its New England clam chowder has been served at inaugurations since Reagan's 1981 administration, when Legal Sea Foods was chosen to represent the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, fulfilling the president's plan to have a dish representing each of the 50 states. And it's been served at every inauguration using the same recipe since its inception.

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“It’s a humbling experience leading such an iconic brand that has represented the city of Boston, the State of Massachusetts and earned national recognition as the quintessential New England Seafood restaurant," chef Matt King, who personally prepares the presidential batch alongside Brian Doyle, the vice president of culinary, shared with Food & Wine. "I personally wake up every day with a sense of responsibility to the thousands of Legal Sea Foods employees, the city, and the state that I love to represent them all with pride and passion for the product we serve.”

As for what the soup accompanied over all these inaugurations, America's Test Kitchen says Reagan's first inaugural luncheon included a California Garden Salad, medallions of chicken piquante with rice pilaf, and asparagus, ending with a strawberry framboise. In 1993, Clinton celebrated his first inauguration with grilled salmon, rosemary chicken, and an apple-cranberry brown Betty, while Obama honored his first inauguration with a lunch consisting of fish stew, duck breast, and molasses sweet potatoes, followed by an apple cinnamon sponge cake. Obama's second inauguration, American Table reported, also featured the chowder, along with lobster tails, bison, and another apple pie.

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The only time it almost didn't appear on the menu was at Trump's 2017 inauguration. As the Boston Globe reported, the Legal Sea Foods team hadn't heard from Trump's inauguration staff until the very last minute. “We’re just happy that the tradition continues,” Roger Berkowitz, the then-CEO of the company, shared with The Globe.

And really, the chowder is one seriously decorated soup. The city of Boston proclaimed January 15 "Chowda Day," making it a "legal" holiday. Each year, the restaurant celebrates it by offering cups of New England Clam Chowder for $1, so you can feel presidential too.

“Legal Sea Foods' New England Clam Chowder is not simply a dish or a food. This is Boston and New England in a Bowl," King added. "It is synonymous with salt air, seaside living, the fishing industry, days at the beach, and snowy New England days. It’s as Boston as Paul Revere."

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