My wife and I met up with some friend of ours at a small sushi restaurant in Coeur d’Alene (CDA) this evening.

Our friends got there first and right when I walked in the front door my friend quietly says “that’s Ted Cruz” … I was confused, but turned around and yep … Ted Cruz is standing right there in the little waiting area with us .

His wife and two daughters were with him too.

He takes a seat on the little bench and waits for a table (people he sat next to shook his hand and asked for a photo, which he obliged).

We both get seated at the same time, both in the lower floor of this restaurant and our tables are right next to each other. This place is pretty small too, and not many people were there … it was crazy.

So many thoughts were going through my head during dinner. He was like six feet to my right. His unique voice was easily heard but I made it a point to not stare.

We finished up dinner about the same time and when he got up he made eye contact with my wife and smiled .. she said hello, and then I did too.

I asked for a photo with him and he was more than willing. We got a group photo too, with our friends, that his wife took of us.

I was pretty star struck, not gonna lie. I asked him what brings him to town and he just said they’re visiting, and that it’s beautiful here.

A lot of celebrities vacation / have homes in CDA … and apparently politicians too!

One thing that caught me off guard (perhaps it shouldn’t have) — it was just the four of them, no security, no nothing. Not even close to trying to disguise himself. And he even told to his wife there at the end “I’m gonna go grab the car — I’ll see you guys out front”. Just seemed like a totally normal American family. Of course, he knows CDA is deep red … but it was really refreshing to see that.

He also was on his phone a lot (not during dinner, but in the waiting area before and when he first got seated at table he was alone for like 20 minutes) probably scrolling twitter … but I kept thinking mannn, what’s on that phone.

Pretty cool that he was there and that you were able to meet him and his wife. Now post pictures !!! God Bless

Man, what are the odds running into him up there in Idaho? That’s like a lottery moment.

That’s really cool. Care to share the pic?

Just a normal family guy out to dinner with his family, nice!

What is CDA?

quote:

Originally posted by r0gue:
What is CDA?

Coeur d’Alene

No you didn't!!

Hot damn that's cool. Love Ted Cruz.

The fact that he and his family waited for a table speaks volumes.

Very nice, thanks for sharing. I don’t think he’s the type but I wonder if he packs. Ronald Reagan used to carry one in a briefcase even though he wasn’t supposed to according to Secret Service. I can’t help but think of these leftist hags spending our dime on security and this Constitutional defender is flying solo security wise. I’ll bet many there would have his back if needed that night.

Cool story but...

quote:

Originally posted by Copefree: ...We got a group photo...

Come on now, let's see that!

Very cool man. I have family in that little town, bizarre.

My wife and I are both conservative. She does not like him at all. I'm undecided but I do hear, that he is extremely bright. Seems polite as I'm not sure I would repeatedly agree to have my picture taken with strangers.

Were you down on Sherman Ave by chance?

Shiki sushi bar perhaps?

I hope he wasn't as big of a douche canoe as he appears.

quote:

Originally posted by ThankGod4Sig:
I hope he wasn't as big of a douche canoe as he appears.

...to you.

I'm proud to say that Ted Cruz represents my state. We can only wish we had more senators like him. And everything I heard about the man mingling in the public, he is apparently a very polite, gracious man.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:

quote:

Originally posted by ThankGod4Sig:
I hope he wasn't as big of a douche canoe as he appears.

...to you.

The OP clearly described him as a gentleman, why would you ask ?????

quote:

Originally posted by CQB60:
Shiki sushi bar perhaps?

Yea that’s correct. That’s where we were.

Here’s a pic I snapped so I could send it to a friend who I knew would be jealous. It’s not a great pic because I was just holding my phone in my hand and blindly taking the photo to try to make it not obvious.

This is a couple minutes after I walked in (we got seated a few minutes later). That’s the couple next to him that got the photo with him. And that’s his older daughter there with the light greenish / bluish purse.

Nice to hear of a high profile politician acting with dignity.

What a great story! Very cool!