Gate-side cheesesteaks before security at RIC
Just inside Terminal 1 before the main security checkpoint, Chicken Phillys covers the cheesesteak-and-fries craving that hits on early departures and late arrivals. It’s landside, so friends or family who aren’t flying can eat here too before drop-off or pickup. Expect a fast-food counter setup with a short grill line and limited seating wrapped around the storefront.
The menu leans heavy on chicken and beef philly-style sandwiches, with combo meals usually landing in the $10–$14 range once you add fries and a drink. Portions run bigger than typical airport grab-and-go sandwiches, and most orders come out in under 10 minutes when the line is short. If you’re hungry, skip a plain burger at another stand and go straight for one of their chicken philly options with peppers and onions.
Hours track airport traffic: you’ll generally see lights on by around the first bank of departures around 5:00–5:30 a.m., with the grill still going for late flights closer to 8:30–9:00 p.m., though closing can pull earlier on slow nights. Because it’s pre-security, it works for passengers flying any airline out of RIC, or for rideshare drivers and airport staff grabbing a quick meal between runs.
If you’re counting minutes, build a 15–20 minute buffer between ordering, eating, and joining the security line in Terminal 1. Security here usually moves faster than big hubs, but a surprise school group or morning bank of flights can slow things down. Practical move: order your sandwich to go, then clear security and eat at your gate if boarding starts in under 30 minutes.