Ever wonder where the Obamas dine out? Or presidential candidates past and present? Well, Hamilton native Brian Gray knows—it’s the famous restaurant where he happens to be the assistant general manager, Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steaks and Stone Crab.
Yes, while on duty, Gray has met Michelle and Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Senator John McCain and many, many more political powerbrokers. In fact, it’s not atypical to walk through the dining room and see Congressional pins at every table. The location of Joe’s couldn’t be more perfect for politicians, too—just a few blocks from the White House.
“The First Lady has come quite often—seven times in fact,” Gray said. “She’s always been very gracious, and we’re very humbled to have her here. President Obama has even been here…it’s quite a show to see how security is orchestrated when they come—pretty cool stuff.”
But Gray’s favorite celebrity encounter happens to not be tied into the political roots of D.C., but more the athletic roots of his home region.
“A woman came in and said she she was there for a reservation of five under the name Dawkins, and immediately I thought of [former Philadelphia Eagle Brian Dawkins]. Sure enough, Brian Dawkins is at the front door, and I was instantly starstruck, and that never, ever happens to me. One of the first times I’ve been starstruck, really.”
Although he loved Dawkins, Gray made sure to treat all of his guests the same. He carried on with his usual duties until Dawkins came over to him as he left.
“He shook my hand, and we talked for a few minutes,” Gray said. “He was so gracious and even took a picture with me. As a Philly fan, I have a lot of passion and I love these guys, so definitely meeting him was my favorite celebrity encounter.”
That’s saying a lot considering the encounters he has had. Last holiday season, Gray attended the White House Christmas Party—an invitation few receive. Assistants of the First Lady are regulars at Joe’s and offered an invite to Gray and his wife, Devon, the daughter of Hamilton Township economic development director Marty Flynn. They even had a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with the “Big Man” himself.
“The President always makes an entrance down the big staircase in the Old State Room,” Gray said. “He says some words and then walks through the crowd, shaking hands. Devon and I stood back—we didn’t want to get in anyone’s way. But as he got to the end, he stopped, turned, looked us directly in the eye, smiled and waved at us. It was the weirdest thing in the world. People kept asking us how he knew us, and we just were shocked.”
But what is the meal of choice? Does it differ between Republicans and Democrats? Celebrities and sports stars? Gray says there’s one constant favorite.
“Well, we’re known for Stone Crabs,” Gray said. “People always get that or the filet since we’re a steakhouse, too.“
Often, he says they see a “conservative day” and a “liberal day,” where members of different parties come flowing into the dining rooms and private booths. Never really is there a “half and half” day where both parties join.
But Gray says real political magic happens at Joe’s.
“We like to say here that the real legislation happens here in our dining room—on this floor, not the one a few blocks down the street,” Gray said.
Gray and Devon moved to Washington three years ago. Before that, they both worked in Las Vegas. Gray also has worked in Chicago at the legendary Drake Hotel and Palmer House. They moved back to the East Coast to be closer to family. Gray is a Steinert High School graduate, while Devon attended Hamilton High West. They met at a BBQ during college.
Gray has a sister and two brothers, and played baseball at Nottingham Little League and football in high school. He attended Fairleigh Dickinson for college.
“I’m proud of where I’m from and what New Jersey is,” Gray said. “It’s the greatest place in the world and I’ll always wear that on my sleeve.”
His love for the restaurant business doesn’t stem from his family, but more so from his first job at Fezziwigs’s as a busboy in high school. That passion has taken him across the country, where he’s learned a bit about things other than hospitality along the way. For example, he said he has learned much about the political system just within the short time he’s been in D.C.
“I try to learn every congressman or congresswoman that walks through our door,” Gray said. “What they stand for—just get to know things through them either coming in all the time or fundraisers they hold with us. D.C. is where it all happens for our entire country.”
“I don’t want to be cliche, but the coolest part of it all is meeting such an array of people,” Gray said. “Like one day I’m seating Brian Dawkins and the next, possibly the future president of the U.S. There’s no other job in the world where you could do that.”
Hamilton native Brian Gray is the assistant general manager at Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steaks and Stone Crab.,
