Diplomacy over burgers and fries

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WASHINGTON, June 24 (UPI) -- Call it diner diplomacy: U.S. President Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev ordered up some burgers and fries for lunch at Ray's Hell Burger Thursday.

The two world leaders sat at a two-seat table in the crowded Washington-area burger joint in their shirt sleeves. Their translators, seated at the next table, had to lean in to do their jobs.

Word from the White House was Obama ordered cheddar-cheeseburger with onions, lettuce, tomato and bread-and-butter pickles, and an iced tea to drink. Medvedev also ordered cheddar-cheeseburger, only with onions, jalapenos and mushrooms and a cola.

The two shared an order of fries.

Obama picked up the tab, the White House said.

During a post-lunch news conference, Obama thanked Medvedev for his hospitality when the Obamas were in Russia last year.

"Our daughters will never forget having tea in the winter garden of the Kremlin," the president said. "And, Mr. President, I hope you'll remember having a burger at Ray's Hell Burger today."

Medvedev pronounced his lunch "tasty" through a translator.