The Cheesecake Factory in Naperville, Illinois. Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images North America hide caption

Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images North America

Food fight!

This week, the Cheesecake Factory restaurant chain unexpectedly found itself in the political discourse.

During a campaign event in Ohio, former President Obama criticized President Trump's affection for gold decor, saying, "He's got the White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory."

Trump's Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent retaliated by having a French Dip Cheeseburger for lunch at a Cheesecake Factory near the White House, telling reporters, "I had a great meal, always have a great meal. I would tell the Martha's Vineyard set to give it a try."

But this latest partisan debate made me wonder. Why spend $600 million or more to build a new White House ballroom to host state dinners?…