The novelty of having your food delivered by machine, wrapped in cheap grease paper attracted Americans rich and poor when it opened 106 years ago.

Frank Hardart and Joseph Horn opened their first in Philadelphia with no tables, no waiters but a single counter with 15 years. That and the Swiss-invented coin-operated Automat technology.

Apparently H&H Automat was a fashionable place to be at but probably more through necessity during the Great Depression when a plate of mac and cheese cost a few nickels.

See slideshow HERE