After arriving in Los Angeles about 4:30 p.m. Monday, helicoptering to Brentwood and then driving the empty freeway for a time, President Obama's motorcade exited into what looked to be a predominantlyLatino neighborhood of West Los Angeles for an unscheduled visit to Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles.

Booths full of early-dinner diners craned their necks to see Obama, who was at the counter ordering for himself and nearby aides, including Valerie Jarrett, Jay Carney, David Plouffe and Marvin Nicholson. With him was Rep. Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles), who represents the area in the House.

Among other items, Obama reportedly ordered the No. 9, "Country Boy" -- three wings with choice of waffle, potato salad or French fries -- which cost $8.90, according to the menu. He quickly moved to the cashier.

The president, sans suit coat and with his shirt sleeves rolled up, then walked to one side of the restaurant and greeted the diners in each vinyl-covered booth.