An Automat is a fast food restaurant where foods and drink are served by vending machines.

I have always wondered why these died out. I have never seen one myself, but they seem the most efficient and streamlined way to run a restaurant. It would possible to provide high-quality food for fast food prices via the this system.<p>I would make the dining area wrap around the kitchen, and have big windows allowing the diners to see the kitchen, and be assured the food was prepared cleanly.

... and?

They have these everywhere in Europe. And yes, they're as gross as they sound. Apparently Europeans love tasteless sandwiches made up of mostly bread, with a single slice of meat or cheese between the slices. They serve them everywhere, in restaurants, on trains, and in the automats.

The idea of an automated fast food place sometimes wants to come back.<p><a href="http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20030801/1345236_F.shtml" rel="nofollow">http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20030801/1345236_F.shtml</a>

Reminds me of the "ticket" restaurants in Japan.

Why yes, yes it is.<p>Has anybody seen Dark City? There's a great example of one in there. Its where the guy loses his wallet.

The peak of humanities's "do everything from the car" mentality.