Biden shells out big tip for tacos at Los Angeles lunch stop

Instead of accepting 'public service' discount that restaurant extends to government employees, the president pays it forward

US President Joe Biden left a 275% tip for tacos in Los Angeles, California. Reuters

Mr Biden ordered chicken quesadillas and tacos. AFP

Mr Biden has his photo taken with a man at Los Angeles Metro's Purple Extension Transit Project in California. Bloomberg

Mr Biden makes a surprise visit to pick up lunch with US Representative Karen Bass and Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis at Tacos 1986 in California. AFP

The $550 billion bipartisan infrastructure bill that was signed into law last year includes billions in investments for roads, rail and ports. Bloomberg

The President greets union workers at Los Angeles Metro's Purple Extension Transit Project. Bloomberg

Mr Biden addresses workers on the metro extension building site. EPA

He spoke about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and its investments in public transit. Getty / AFP

Mr Biden will next visit Portland, Oregon after his California visit. Getty / AFP

The President take part in selfies after speaking about infrastructure in Los Angeles, California. EPA

Mr Biden speaks with worker Yurvina Hernandez on his visit to Los Angeles. EPA

Mr Biden received a warm welcome while in the Golden State. EPA

He also took time for many selfies. EPA

US President Joe Biden paid almost four times his dinner bill when he stopped for tacos and quesadillas during a Los Angeles visit on Thursday.

Mr Biden, 79, smiled as he picked up an order, telling the server the extra money should be used to pay for the next customer or go into the employee tip jar.

Mr Biden, who was accompanied by Los Angeles mayoral candidate and California Representative Karen Bass and LA County supervisor Hilda Solis, ordered two quesadillas and six tacos for the group, including chicken quesadillas for himself.

The server told the president he was receiving a 50 per cent "public service" discount on the bill at a branch of Tacos 1986, with the total coming to $16.45.

But the "kitchen table" President, who is battling headwinds from inflation, hurricanes and midterms, instead handed over $60 in cold cash.

The Westwood restaurant thanked Mr Biden on social media for stopping by, saying that it "was a true honour to serve the President of the United States of America".

Tacos trucks and Mexican restaurants are ubiquitous in southern California, frequented not only by the millions of Latinos who live there, but scores of other Los Angeles residents.

Annual inflation in the US now stands at 8.2 per cent.

Mr Biden is making three stops on the west coast to tout his recent bipartisan infrastructure legislation and will next visit Portland, Oregon.

AFP contributed to this report.

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