Ancestry Magazine

Have you ever wondered what your ancestors did when they wanted food on the go? While grabbing a fast meal back then wasn’t as easy as it is today, our ancestors had their share of fast food options, too.

79 A.D.—Thermopolium

You can still see the remnants of ancient Rome’s “corner bars,” the thermopolium, in the ruins of Pompeii, Italy. The setup consisted of an L-shaped counter with circular openings in it where jars of hot food could be placed. Romans who didn’t have cooking facilities in their homes, or those just interested in a quick lunch, could stop by for meat, cheese, and spiced wine.

1200s—Tea Houses

In Hangzhou, the wealthy capital city of China, tea houses were the place to be. What we’d consider appetizers were served alongside the ever-present tea. Diners could snack on everything from steamed or fried dumplings to rice rolls and pot stickers, with some houses offering hundreds of varieties to choose from.

1300s—Taverns

Natives of Britain headed to the local tavern for sustenance in medieval times. And one of the most portable foods to buy? Pasties. Known in other countries as turnovers, calzones, and empanadas, the pasty is bread or pastry stuffed with a filling. And in Britain, that meant beef and potatoes with a few slices of onions.

1500s—Coffee Houses

Exclusively for men, Persian coffee houses were a place to gather, play games, listen to music, and, of course, drink coffee. They became so popular in Constantinople that the sultan closed them down fearing that people would stop attending the mosques.

1765—Soup Vendors

Always a destination for culinary delights, Paris, France, was modernized when A. Boulanger introduced his “restoratives.” These soups and broths, made from sheep’s feet, were prepared and served on site. Parisians were able to dine and dash instead of having to take their meals at a community table.

1948—Fast Food Restaurants

Chicken McNuggets, Big Macs, Egg McMuffins. McDonald’s, perhaps the world’s most well-known fast food restaurant, had its beginnings as a family-run restaurant, complete with carhops, in San Bernardino, California. More than 119 countries now boast local McDonald’s restaurants. That makes for quite a number of future descendants—of all cultures and nationalities—who will be able to savor the tastes of generations of fast–food junkies.