Since 2009, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) has made it a point to regularly hit the streets of his Chicago-area district and go "undercover" at a local business.
On Tuesday, Quigley took part in his first "Undercover Congressman" outing of the new Congress when he visited the popular Dinkel's Bakery, located at 3329 N. Lincoln Ave. in the city's Lakeview neighborhood. Quigley described the destination as "a culinary icon and a prime example of American entrepreneurship in our District."
The congressman met with the bakery's owner Norm Dinkel and learned how to roll out dough for bismarck donuts and worked on a raspberry linzer tart.
But how did Quigley do? Dinkel told DNAinfo the congressman "would need more experience" to get hired but that he appreciated meeting with a lawmaker who "doesn't mind getting his hands dirty."
Dinkel's Bakery opened in 1922 and was founded by Joseph K. Dinkel, Norm's grandfather, who emigrated from Bavaria, Germany, where he had trained to be a master baker. It is known for having among the best doughnuts in town.
During previous "Undercover Congressman" visits, Quigley has done a little bit of everything -- ranging from fishing for Asian carp with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to cleaning the rhino pen of the Lincoln Park Zoo.