Actress-turned-gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon has made a lot of questionable choices in her campaign, but none appear to have dutifully united everyone in America as her decision to put lox, capers, red onions, and tomato (a “full load”) on a cinnamon raisin bagel.
The incident, captured on video by Gothamist, seems to have fomented more concern for Nixon’s well-being than, say, her suggestion that New York must pass single-payer health care to find out how to pay for it.
In a campaign appearance at Zabar’s famous deli, Nixon selected the sweet cinnamon raisin bagel, then asked the attendant to load it up with savory treats, including smoked salmon. The order disgusted a passerby who immediately questioned Nixon’s sanity. She responded by defending her “sweet and salty” breakfast choice.
WATCH:
But while everyone agrees Cynthia Nixon’s bagel is gross, not everyone can agree on exactly why. For most New Yorkers, it’s the mere choice of a cinnamon bagel that makes her order problematic. For others, it’s the act of putting fish on bread. For still others, its a combination of the two; can you imagine getting some fish and a raisin in the same bite?
Hatred has united typically warring factions. Both the New York Post and Food & Wine agreed that her combination was criminal. Eater NY tried to defend Nixon, but just couldn’t bring themselves to endorse the combination. Gothamist, to its credit, tried the bagel and was barely able to stomach it.
Fortunately for Nixon, food-based faux pas rarely have big electoral impacts. Several New York politicians eat their pizza with a knife and fork. Donald Trump has made it his life’s mission to convince Americans of the benefits of shoe-leather steak. But at least we know, in these trying political times, that somethings — like smoked salmon on a raisin bagel — can still unite us all.