FOLSOM, Calif. -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger made a surprise appearance at a Folsom restaurant Thursday for a meet-and-greet to talk about the state budget.

Schwarzenegger is trying to pressure state lawmakers to pass the nearly $80 billion budget by the June 30 deadline.

He called the lunchtime visit to the Macaroni Grill on East Bidwell a chance to shake hands and take the budget issue to the people.

"He just came in, went around the room and talked about the budget. It was great ... it was nice to meet him," diner Carol McGee said.

For the governor, it was another big media show before a big political deadline that's fast approaching.

"He wants them to write legislators and to get the media there to cover the implied threat that if they don't go along, he will whip up more people in their district ... he's a master at that," political analyst Barbara O'Connor said.

Whether the pressure is real or for show, Democrats say it doesn't matter.

"I don't feel it. I feel pressure myself, but not by virtue of the governor holding an event in some part of the state. I feel pressure because it is our job to get it done on time, but it's also our job to get it right," Assemblyman Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, said.

Democrats say they are close to a budget deal, but some sticking points remain.

The governor and top lawmakers are expected to meet soon to work out the final details.