At the federal courthouse there, the hoagie was almost flagged, but only because it was accompanied by a prohibited cell phone, which really could be rigged, a guard said. Incidentally, cell phones are not banned from the stadium.

As for the hoagie, "we wouldn't be concerned ... it's not metal," the guard said. Even if explosives were tucked under the salami, "it wouldn't work without wires and a battery. And I don't see any of them."

At the Camden County Hall of Justice, Officer Fred Bartling didn't even blink when the machine scanned the hoagie .

At lunch, employees bring in hot dogs from the street carts, and the foil sets off the metal detectors. So he inspects them, and nods them though.

The hoagie was similarly benign, Bartling said, adding facetiously, "No hot peppers. "

The D.C. hoagie

12-inch Italian, Parmesan oregano bread, $5.45 from a Subway sandwich shop.

At the staff and press entrance to the Senate side of the Capitol, an armed guard searched a briefcase and glanced at the hoagie inside before waving it through.

To be sure that security procedures were meticulously followed, the reporter pointed out the hoagie and asked if it posed a risk.

"Oh no, sir, not all," the guard responded before giving the hoagie free rein.

Guards at the White House and the Hart Senate Office Building, closed for months after the 2001 anthrax scare, also had a relaxed approach.

A White House guard said there was no ban on food. He was surprised to learn one is planned for the new stadium.

"Really?" he said, smiling. "I guess they want to sell more food. "

The West Chester hoagie

Italian, $5.25, from New York Sandwiches and Eatery, High Street.

The motto at New York Sandwiches is "serving the most outrageous food." But sandwich maker Arturo Rosas offered reassurance about the ingredients: "Provolone, salami, cappicola ham . . . and garlic-infused oil. Nothing dangerous!"

At the county courthouse, guards Dave Nilan and Andy Ruffatt let a canvas briefcase with the hoagie, chips and a pickle ride the X-ray conveyor, unremarked.

Nilan defended the hoagie's admission. "It didn't buzz," he said of the paper-wrapped sandwich's pass through the security machine. "If it was in foil, it would have buzzed."

Ruffatt shrugged dismissively. "There's no risk in a hoagie."

Contact staff writer Sandy Bauers at 610-701-7635 or sbauers@phillynews.com.