The Automat

[deckardcanine]

Back in 1895,
A model came that soon would thrive:
The Automat, which did begin
With Quisisana in Berlin.
Then Horn and Hardart, based in Philly,
Gained the tech and found it really
Popular in New York City.
It was cheap but kind of pretty:
Shiny steel said sanitation,
Growing big across the nation.
People rich and poor came by
For mashed potatoes, meatloaf, pie,
And several hundred items more,
Which ended up in outlet stores
If left unsold by end of day.
The coffee brought the biggest pay.
The Automat’s appeal was plain:
Insert a coin and food you’d gain.
The only time you’d interact
With staff was getting change exact
From women in a glassy booth.
They weren’t the only staff, in truth.
Behind the scenes, assembly lines
Would make the meals on which you’d dine.
The labor movement sure complained—
One reason Horn and Hardart waned.
They closed in 1991,
The fad itself much sooner done
As fast-food chains were gaining ground.
Most people in a hurry downed
A smaller meal that they could take
To go, like burger, fries, and shake.
In 2015, Eatsa came
To San Francisco with the same
Idea as Automats, apart
From iPad orders. Was it smart?
Alas, it closed just four years out.
The model's through; I have no doubt.