At Coral Springs Wings Eatery, the “Plus” Is Politics

Newt Gingrich the latest high-profile Republican to stop by

Wings Plus isn't only known for its tender chicken wings. With the 2012 election season in high gear, the local eatery has become the Broward hot spot for high-profile Republicans.

"The president doesn't park his bus in the back of the store. He parks it right on Sample Road. He closes the street down,” owner Brian Walsh says.

Walsh, who opened the Coral Springs restaurant in 1988, says it all started in 2004 when the local Republican club was meeting at the restaurant and told him that President George W. Bush was campaigning in town.

“So I said to the woman in charge, strictly kidding around, I said, is he going to stop for lunch anywhere?” Walsh recalls.

Two days later, the president and the first lady were hanging out with the customers and ordering chicken wings.

“After that, all the politicians felt that they probably should stop by here on their way to being reelected, or elected,” Walsh says.

On his wall of fame, are all the presidential and gubernatorial candidates have held events at Wings Plus, including former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Sunshine State Governors Jeb bush, Charlie Crist, and Rick Scott.

Mitt Romney came by in 2008, but not so far this year.

Just Wednesday morning, his top competition for the GOP nomination, Newt Gingrich, held a rally with about 1,500 supporters.

Although Brian Walsh is a proud Republican, his doors are wide open to the Democrats as well.

“Absolute open invitation, trying to get President Obama down here,” he says.

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