Immigrant Food, a restaurant located near the White House, is embracing its role as a symbol of the influence of global cuisine and immigrants on the American palate despite the upcoming change in administration. The chief operating officer, Téa Ivanovic, views the restaurant as a beacon of support for immigrants coming to the country in search of a better life, emphasizing that it is not a political space but rather uses “gastro-advocacy” to showcase the American story.
Renaming dishes like the turmeric rice and coconut curry chicken to reflect current events, such as Kamala Harris becoming Vice President, highlight the connection between food and politics. As new leadership takes over, local restaurant owners are wary of potential impacts on their businesses, including layoffs of federal government workers and mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.
Despite the uncertainty and charged political climate, established and new restaurants are still opening in the district, attracting attention from renowned chefs and restaurateurs. The sector remains cautiously optimistic about the new administration’s potential effects on the restaurant industry, with a focus on how it may impact workers, immigration policy, and foot traffic in the area.
With the district’s long history of serving politicians and government workers, restaurant owners understand the importance of remaining neutral and treating all customers equally. However, concerns about the economic impact of potential policy changes, such as reducing the federal workforce or raising minimum wages, remain at the forefront of their minds as they navigate a changing landscape.