Trump-Themed Caesar Dressing at NYC’s ‘Ouri’s Market’ Becomes a Political Phenomenon

Trump-Themed Caesar Dressing at NYC’s ‘Ouri’s Market’ Becomes a Political Phenomenon

Edited by: TJVNews.com

He came, he saw, he conquered the salad aisle. Ouri’s Market, a popular kosher grocery chain with locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, is turning heads with its house-made Caesar dressing adorned with an image of former President Donald Trump dressed as Julius Caesar. According to a report on Thursday in The New York Post, this quirky product has become a runaway hit, particularly following Trump’s return to the Oval Office as the 47th president.

The 12-ounce bottle, which sells for $8.99, features Trump wearing a laurel wreath and toga, a playful nod to the Roman leader’s iconic image. Despite its humorous design, the product has a serious fan base, says owner Gil Gilili. “I never did it for political reasons. I do love Trump, and I was with him from day one, but I just did it for fun,” Gilili told The New York Post. He added that he sees parallels between himself and the former president as fellow business owners navigating what he described as “nonsense.”

Interestingly, the dressing isn’t just a niche novelty item; it has become a symbol of political expression. As The New York Post reported, sales of the product skyrocketed after Trump was re-elected last fall and surged again during his inauguration earlier this week. Gilili believes the increase reflects customers feeling more confident about openly supporting the Republican leader.

While the product has a loyal following, not all customers are fans of the former president. Gilili, however, has a strategy for dealing with Trump critics who might be put off by the packaging. “I do have customers that don’t like Trump. So then I tell those customers that I’m just making fun of him,” he explained to The New York Post.

The Caesar dressing is the only item at Ouri’s Market to feature the face of a public figure, making it a standout product in the store. The idea for the branding came during Trump’s first administration, driven by Gilili’s personal admiration for the businessman-turned-politician. As The New York Post report highlighted, the design also plays on the common misconception that Julius Caesar inspired the name of the popular salad dressing.

The reception to the product has varied depending on the neighborhood. In the deeply liberal Upper East Side, where Ouri’s Market has a location, only 23% of voters cast their ballots for Trump in the 2024 election, according to the information provided in The New York Post report. However, the original location in Gravesend, Brooklyn, is surrounded by a much more conservative clientele, with 85% of voters favoring Trump in the most recent election.

Gilili acknowledges these differences but notes that his customers, regardless of their political leanings, have kept the dressing flying off the shelves. “It’s always been a popular seller, but now it’s something people come in asking for by name,” he told The New York Post.

Some shoppers, such as 26-year-old Ginette Tawil, are enthusiastic supporters of the unique product. Speaking with The New York Post, Tawil shared how she frequently buys the dressing and showcases it to friends. “I love the Trump, it makes me laugh,” she said. “Anyone that came over, I’m like, ‘Did you see this? Did you see this?’” Other customers view the packaging as a clever marketing tactic. One shopper theorized that the dressing’s playful design could boost business at the already-busy Upper East Side location. “It’s a good thing, it’s giving him more business,” the customer noted.

Gilili has maintained that the product is intended to be lighthearted rather than overtly political. “You gotta be really weird to do that,” he said when asked if he had received complaints or lost customers over his visible support for Trump. “I know we live in New York and there are some weirdos out there, but I can’t imagine they really hate him that much,” he told The New York Post.

However, not all shoppers share this sentiment. Longtime Upper East Sider Amanda criticized the product as “cheap advertising” for a politician and said it might influence her decision to return to the store. “I don’t like Trump. I don’t think he ought to be supported in any way,” she told The New York Post. Another customer, a 65-year-old who requested anonymity, admitted that while she hadn’t noticed the dressing before, she would have immediately put it back on the shelf had she seen it. “This could change some things. I already dropped The Washington Post and I’m getting ready to drop Facebook. I am one that will do things based on what I think the morally right thing to do,” she explained, adding that she was torn about whether she wanted to return to the store.

Mark, a 75-year-old shopper and self-described lifelong Democrat, also expressed disappointment with the store’s stance. He told The New York Post that he found the product inappropriate. “There shouldn’t be politics inside a store,” he said, adding that he wouldn’t want to see any political figure, including his preferred candidates, on food items. “This store is representing a politician. Whether they’re selling Trump Bibles or steak, it’s a Trump store,” he remarked.

The Trump-branded dressing has not only divided opinions but also highlighted the broader cultural and political tensions that extend even to seemingly mundane products. As The New York Post report pointed out, the dressing has become much more than a novelty item; it is now a symbol of the increasingly blurred lines between consumer goods and political expression.

While Gilili remains steadfast in his belief that the product is a fun, lighthearted addition to his store, the varying reactions draw attention to the risks and rewards of mixing politics and commerce. For some, the dressing is a source of laughter and loyalty to the store; for others, it represents an unwelcome intrusion of politics into their shopping experience. As The New York Post aptly observed, even a bottle of salad dressing can serve as a flashpoint for the deep political and cultural divides shaping America today.