Richard Halverson has a lot of beef for Senator Barack Obama.

"I believe it'll be about 100 pounds of beef and pork, and many, many gallons of spuds and beans and potato salad," he lists off.

His restaurant, Mike's Smokehouse, got the call on Friday that they'd be catering the presidential candidate's campaign barbecue at the Rod and Gun Park on Sunday.

"It's quite a surprise," says Halverson.

But the Smokehouse staff has been down this road before. In February, Hillary Clinton's campaign was scheduled to stop by for a bit of the brisket, but a snow storm stopped her.

Halverson says he's got an idea why candidates choose barbecue.

"It's a very American food," he says, adding, "It's nice that they would choose a local restaurant."

And though only Democrats have come knocking on the Smokehouse door so far, Halverson says he's open to any political party dropping around for a bite.

"It's hopefully not the last time there will be several candidates here," he says.

The restaurant's secret recipe for its signature "Mike's spuds" doesn't include political endorsements, but Halverson says it's an honor catering to any of Washington's elite.

"I would be thrilled to see a man who has a pretty good chance of being president of the United States. I mean, how often do you see that in Eau Claire?"

Halverson said Obama's campaign did not ask for any specialty foods for the senator. Rather, they focused more on what the guests would be served.

Sunday’s event is by invitation only. Party organizers tell us the guest list contains many elected officials and dedicated Democratic party volunteers.

We'll have Obama's visit streamed live on our website Sunday at noon. You can also watch it on digital channel 13.2, which is Charter channel 247.