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PHILADELPHIA — On Monday, travelers navigating Philadelphia International Airport might have expected to encounter lengthy security lines, but the most notable queue was of a different sort: cheesesteaks.
In a unique celebration of National Cheesesteak Day, organizers claimed a new Guinness World Record for the longest line of cheesesteak sandwiches. A total of 1,291 sandwiches were meticulously arranged in a departure hall, shattering the previous record of 500.
“We set out to achieve the world record for the longest cheesesteak ever,” stated Clarence LeJeune from MarketPlace PHL, the company responsible for running airport concessions. “Today, we reached that milestone right here in Philadelphia.”
The cheesesteak, a culinary icon that originated in Philadelphia in the early 20th century, is often hailed as the city’s signature dish. LeJeune likened it to Philadelphia’s sports culture, describing it as “synonymous” with the city.
Donning black aprons, participants assembled the cheesesteaks along tables strategically placed in the corridor between Terminals B and C. As they moved past storefronts, they filled rolls with ingredients from silver buckets.
After the record was certified, volunteers handed out the sandwiches to travelers, airport workers and Transportation Security Administration staff, who have been working without pay during the government shutdown.
LeJeune joked there are few hard rules for cheesesteaks, which is part of the “beauty of the experience” – except, he said, “You don’t ask for Swiss cheese,” referencing a 2003 moment when then-presidential candidate John Kerry drew criticism in Philadelphia for ordering one with Swiss.
Michael Empric, a Guinness World Records adjudicator, said rules require all food used in record attempts to be eaten or donated.
“In this case, they are going to TSA agents who definitely could use some lunch,” Empric said.
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