President Obama visits local Tampa sandwich shop for lunch

TAMPA - Before President Barack Obama left Tampa Saturday afternoon, he stopped at a local restaurant for a bite to eat.

It was right after lunchtime and the crowd was dying down at the West Tampa Sandwich Shop and Restaurant, on North Armenia Avenue. That's when a man walked up to owner Willy Barrionuevo.

"He said I am from Secret Service," said Barrionuevo . "The President of the United States is coming right now, in 15 minutes. I said, 'What? No. I can't believe it.'"

Moments later, the Commander-in-Chief makes his way inside, greeting and taking pictures with customers and chatting it up with Willy. Barrionuevo said, "And asked me about how long we had been in the business. How long I've been with my wife. I told him 30 years."

When Yeni Russel, Willy's Daughter, got her chance to talk to the President, she says she told him, you had my vote in 20-04. President Obama said, "You get a hug for that."

Then he pointed out some of his physical changes. President Obama said, "That was a long time ago. I had no gray hair back then."
    
Their kind talk quickly turns serious. Yeni has no health insurance. Russell said, "He just said that's what I'm trying to pass. This bill. That's why if I get four more years, I know that I can pass this bill because it's important. A lot of people need health insurance."

President Obama isn't the first political type to come into the restaurant. Tipper Gore and Mayor Buckhorn have also stopped by. During Mr. Obama's 45 minute stop, he ordered the Honey Cuban, a Tripleta and a coffee to go.

Right after the President's visit, Barrionuevo changed the name of the Honey Cuban to the Obama Sandwich.