Obama Makes Surprise Appearance in South End

President Barack Obama made his second visit to the South End in just over two months when he stopped for lunch at Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe on Wednesday.

The president was in Boston today to host a rally for Democratic Senate candidate Ed Markey in at the Reggie Lewis Track Center in Roxbury. Flying in to Logan Airport at 11:30 a.m., the president met Mayor Menino, Governor Deval Patrick and Markey before heading to the South End just before noon. Police and secret service lined Columbus Ave. during his visit. 

A Charlie's employee said the first indication the president might stop by was a few secret service employees outside of the restaurant by about 11:30 a.m. A few minutes later, they came inside to do a security sweep of the restaurant. There were about 30 diners or so inside the restaurant at the time. 

Obama spent about 10 minutes inside the restaurant, where he ordered a cheeseburger, and talked to several diners about the upcoming election for senate. 

"I know it seems like there's an election every other week," he joked inside the restaurant, according to a White House pool report.

The president shook hands with and hugged several diners, encouraging them to vote for Ed Markey. 

"Do you know Congressman Markey? You guys remember to vote now," he said. 

By 12:11 p.m., Obama had left the restaurant, with a takeout box in his hand. He waved to cheers across Columbus Ave. before heading off to the rally in Roxbury.

President Obama was last in the South End in the days following the bombing at the Boston Marathon, when he lead an interfaith service at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. 

Did you get to meet the president in the South End on Wednesday? Did you snap a photo? Tell your story in the comments. 

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