Like Fast Food? So did the Ancient Romans
According to a study by the CDC 1/3 of American adults eat out on any given day. That’s 84.8 million people chomping on chicken, fries, doughnut burgers, and tofu McNuggets. All those happy people eating happy meals — it’s amazing how far we’ve come since the first chains opened in the 1900s.
Yet way before America was even a thing, Ancient Romans conquered the dilemma of on the go snacking with the invention of thermopolia. Places where you could get hot food and drinks fast and cheap. In fact, the name literally translates to a place where hot stuff is sold. Hungry shoppers could stop by and pick up things like fish, lentils, or meat. Need a warm drink? How about a Calda? This was a mix of hot water, wine and spices kept warm and cozy in a fancy urn.
A sweet little dream of the local Thermopolium
Maybe you're imagining stopping off at the Thermopolium with the kids after a busy day of dance classes and soccer games. Dad would come over from the office, and you’d even invite that sweet old lady who gave you a hand-knit baby blanket last Christmas.
