Where’s the beef? Most Gonzaga players say steak would be meal of choice during White House visit

What is the appropriate food to be served at the White House for a national champion?

That question was tossed around like a hot potato this week as President Donald Trump served a feast of McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King and pizza to the Clemson Tigers after they walloped Alabama in the College Football Playoff title game.

Pundits and social media were quick to point out the frugal nature of the meal, but many of Clemson’s players and coaches appreciated the spread.

“See, some of that fast food looked good to me. Some things I could easily do without, but that looked pretty good,” Gonzaga’s Corey Kispert said.

Kispert added that he hopes there would be pie, but not just any old Cyrus O’Leary’s type, but specifically some home-baked deliciousness.

“My mom’s strawberry rhubarb pie, homemade,” Kispert said.

Other Gonzaga players were quick to jump on board the steak bandwagon. Of the seven players and coaches who responded, only one didn’t pick steak.

“I am going to get a nice trip to Fanci Freez,” Paul Pennington, one of four Gonzaga walk-ons, said.

“Fanci Freez is a great burger place in Boise, and it is unbelievable,” he said. “It has gourmet fries, gourmet burgers and milkshakes that will make you think twice before going anywhere else.”

Pennington is from Boise, so maybe there is some home-field bias.

The most unique response came from Zach Norvell Jr., who could barely contain himself at the thought of decadent fungi.

“Whoa, yes, stuffed mushrooms with the whole nine (yards) in it, everything for sure,” Norvell said.

Those who hoped for steak mostly requested a medium or medium-well steak – just a little pink.

Jeremy Jones was the only one who included vegetables in his dream meal.

“Maybe some filet, some pasta, maybe some Brussels sprouts, something nice and gourmet White House-worthy (food),” he said.

The wish list for Josh Perkins, the redshirt senior from Park Hill, Colorado, was a whole lot of seafood.

“Crab legs, a little lobster tail, maybe some sushi, but honestly anything,” he said. “The place called Fire (Artisan Pizza) out here, actually – the lobster roll, the dynamite roll, I am a sushi fanatic.

“That sounds like heaven to me. As long as I have some wasabi and soy sauce right next to me, there is no place I would rather be.”