Remember “Automats?”

[Fyrefox]

Did any of you ever eat in an Automat? When I was a kid, I thought that was the coolest restaurant choice ever; just pop a coin or two in a slot, and open a small compartment door to retrieve your choice of food item, be it a sandwich, salad, dessert, or whatever. It seemed very futuristic to me at the time. Well, Automats became history, but I understand are now making a modest comeback in some countries and locations, if only for specialized applications, such as selling wine…

 

[fuzzybuddy]

No, automats were just before my time. But we did have a Horn & Hardart cafeteria. All I can remember about it was it served meat loaf. When I was first on my own, I ate there a lot. One night, I got to sit next to Haystack Calhoun, the 1960s wrestler-the guy was huge.

 

[Aunt Bea]

 

[dobielvr]

We had something similar at work in our break rooms.
Automated machines for hot coffee or hot chocolate. Another one w/food, sandwiches, microwavable little meals,
burritos....whatever.

Others for sodas, and water.

Hit n miss on the freshness.

 

[bowmore]

I remember them as a child. Strangely enough, when we were in Amsterdam, they had them.

 

[hollydolly]

No never seen them before..

 

[debodun]

I've heard of them, but never patronized one. When my family went to NYC in the spring of 1972, my mom wanted so much to eat at the famous one there, but we never got around to doing it.

 

[Aunt Bea]

We didn't have automats, but we did have several cafeteria stye restaurants where you would slide your tray along and make your selections.

If you weren't careful, you could run up quite a bill by the time you reached the cashier.

 

[katlupe]

Yes, I have been to an automat in NYC. Every time my husband and I went there for the week-end, I managed to squeeze in a meal there. I loved it.

I just watched that movie a few days ago! And that is the name of the automat I went to too!.

 

[Geezerette]

As a child I was taken to them, a few times on trips to NY city. That was the only place i ever saw any. Would look around for the biggest piece of pie, haha.There were cafeterias around where I grew I up but since going out to eat was a treat in our family, we usually went to a sit down restaurant in our home town.
Getting back to the present, I really miss salad bars, one in particular. All closed for the PD.

 

[RadishRose]

Never but I have heard of them.

 

[Tish]

No automats here as far as I know.

 

[HoneyNut]

Gee I don't know if I ate at one, I have a vague feeling that I did when I was really little, but I tried googling automats in Kansas City and didn't find any evidence to support my feeling. Yet another thing to regret not having asked my mother about before she died. So many questions never to be answered :::sniffle:::

 

[Geezerette]

Gentle hugs to HoneyNut. I know the sadness of the unanswered questions too.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

I vaguely remember them but can't remember if I ever ate at one.

 

[Ruth n Jersey]

I remember eating in one as a kid. I think it was in New York. I don't remember what I had but my grandpa complained about the bread being very stale.

 

[RubyK]

My family had relatives in NY. When I was a kid, we went to the automat in NYC a couple of times. At the time, I thought it was so much fun. Imagine getting food through a little window!

 

[fmdog44]

Yes when I was 18 I worked at a Libby's can making plant and they had one there. Silliest job I ever had.