Previously unreleased episode of 'Check, Please!' with Barack Obama to air Jan. 16

January 2, 11:59 AMChicago Celebrity ExaminerMichelle Coffey

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Obama loves Creole cooking! Here he's about to dig into gumbo in New Orleans/Courtesy of Getty Images

Since Barack Obama jumped into the national spotlight, numerous publications have dissected his eating habits, from where he likes to take Michelle on dates to what foods he snacks on while vacationing in Hawaii. But back in August of 2001, when Obama was only a state senator, he appeared on WTTW's uber-popular, foodie show "Check, Please!" to review one of his favorite eateries, Dixie Kitchen & Bait Shop. The Hyde Park restaurant (with another location in Evanston) serves up Creole and Cajun cooking, including oyster po' boy sandwiches, pulled pork and jambalaya.

"You know that is one of the things that I like about this place, the prices are right and the portions are good, " says Obama on the episode. "...You know you are going to get a good value for the money. As was mentioned in the review, it's not fancy food, but there are some good unusual choices."

Chicago Public Radio's 848 interviewed the show's Executive Producer David Manilow, who went on to say that Obama described the restaurant "the way one might describe a social security platform." From Manilow's statements, it sounds like the show never aired because the other two participants weren't active in the conversation, which Obama had to carry. 

WTTW will air the previously unreleased episode on Friday, January 16, at 8 p.m.