The desire for quick and easy food options was just as pervasive in ancient Roman culture as it is in our own. In Pompeii alone, more than 80 “fast-food” joints—known as thermopolia (singular: thermopolium)—have been discovered that served drinks and hot ready-to-eat food to ancient people on the go. The prepared food and libations were stored in earthenware jars called dolia that were placed inside the counters. While food purchased at a thermopolium was mostly intended to be eaten on the go, some examples have been found that contained small areas for sit-down dining as well. In 1606, the […]
