Throngs of D.C.-area residents ventured to a Rosslyn strip mall today in the hopes of seeing Bill Cosby. A few actually managed it.

The comedic legend and longtime Ben’s Chili Bowl supporter was there to cut the ribbon at the restaurant’s new location—only the second free-standing one to open in more than 55 years. The mic was quiet, it was nearly impossible to see, and temperatures were hardly above freezing, but The Cos, and the chili, brought the people together to the strip mall on Wilson Boulevard.

Cosby cracked a few jokes before the chair of the Arlington County Board, the president of the Rosslyn Business Improvement District, and the ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago took to the mic. Cosby also received the key to Arlington. “I will use this to park anywhere I want to,” he told the crowd.

The ribbon was cut, people soon lined up for some late-morning chili and half-smokes, and at last, Ben’s was open for business.

Among the crowds was D.C. resident Anthony Holman, who said he came to the event to support the restaurant; he worked with the family at their Nationals Park and FexEx Field locations. “Great family, much deserved success. They treat everybody like family, so we definitely had to come out and support them,” he said.

Photo by Quinn Kelley