Taipei, May 17 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian received the owner of a Texan steak house Monday where Chen was treated by U.S. Congressman Tom DeLay (R-Texas) to a steak dinner in June 2001 when he was on a transit stop in Houston.
Chen met with Edd Hendee, owner of the Houston-based steak restaurant Taste of Texas, at the Presidential Office and gave Hendee a scroll carrying Chen's praise of the famous restaurant written in eight Chinese characters meaning "Hendee's flavor, the taste of Texas."
Chen told the restaurateur that he had an overall satisfying dining experience at Taste of Texas and its superb steak was particularly unforgettable.
The president said that he and his wife were warmly hosted by U.S. House of Representative majority leader DeLay during a stopover in Houston June 3, 2001 en route to Taiwan following a trip to the Republic of China's diplomatic allies in South and Central America.
In addition to accompanying the Chens to Hendee's Taste of Texas, DeLay also invited Chen to a baseball game and gave him a pair of cowboy boots and a hat, Chen told Hendee.
Chen offered his congratulations to Hendee over the restaurant's long-term prosperity and said that the Hendee's success is worthy of emulation by other restaurant operators. Founded by Edd and Nina Hendee 27 years ago, the restaurant was ranked 40th in America's top 100 restaurants over the most recent 10 years.
Meanwhile, Chen said that he is also aware that Mr. Hendee has been enthusiastic towards community activities benefiting public interests and at the same time has been a famous talk radio host.