Time television critic James Poniewozik , note that by the end of the first episode Frank establish that his metaphor of choice is meat because both literally and figuratively it is his preference . He may begin a day with a celebratory rack of ribs , because " I ’ m feelin ’ hungry today ! " , but also he describe life with meat metaphors : he describe the White House Chief of Staff with grudging admiration : " She ’ s as tough as a two @-@ dollar steak . " ; he plan to destroy an enemy the way " you devour a whale . One bite at a time . " ; and he endure a tedious weekly meeting with House leaders , he tell us , by " [ imagining ] their lightly salted faces frying in a skillet . " Poniewozik note that all of this come from a character whose name , Underwood is a reference to the hallmark deviled ham of the William Underwood Company .