Ever since I was a kid I’ve been hearing about the Automat, Horn and Hardart’s, much tastier precursor to today’s fast-food chains. I’m quite sure I would have loved putting a nickel or a dime in the slot and opening the door to reveal a piece of pie, or a Swiss cheese sandwich, or a slab of meat loaf and gravy. The other night I was excited to learn that there used to be an Automat in Flushing, Queens. I am perhaps even more excited for a new film by my friend Lisa Hurwitz called The Automat. It chronicles the chain’s rise and fall. Enjoy the trailer. Don’t blame me if it makes you want to sport a fedora and grab a grilled cheese from behind a wall of magic little doors.
Did you ever go to BAMN! on St. Marks? Modern day automat. Didn’t last long though: http://www.bamnfood.com/
Yes maybe once
Used to go to the one on 2nd ave and 42nd, it was getting rundown but they had some good stuff and it was fun getting the food out of the little boxes.
No automat in Flushing. It was a full-service H&H.