A is for Automat in the A to Z Blogging Challenge

by | Mar 31, 2015 | #atozchallenge, 1940's, Cinderella's Dress | 10 comments

Day one of the month-long A to Z blogging challenge! I’m so excited for this year’s challenge. Last year I found out about this blogging bonanza a few days before it began so I blogged random bits as the month went on. This year I’ve decided to blog about the 1940’s. And in the spirit of the 1940’s, at the end of the month, I’ll be giving away an ebook copy of one of my favorite books, Summer at Tiffany, to one of my newsletter subscribers (sign-up on the sidebar if you are so inclined.) It’s a light-hearted memoir of two college girls let loose in New York for a summer. What a hoot.

A

The Horn and Hardart Automat was a chain of cafeteria-style self-serve restaurants popular with all classes of people in Philadelphia and New York. From kids to celebrities, everyone loved all the choices and the cheap, fast food. You could get nickel change for your dollar bills from the cashiers who exchanged the money so quickly they were called nickel throwers. The food was stored behind a bank of vending-machine-like windows. You served yourself by plunking in your nickels and opening the little door. Food included items such as: mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, beans, and huckleberry pie. People have fond memories of the Automat, and you can get some of the recipes in the book: The Automat: The History, Recipes, and Allure of Horn & Hardart’s Masterpiece

Trailer for the upcoming documentary:

The Automat was also popular in a lot of old movies such as: EASY LIVING (1937),

 

10 Comments

  1. Carolyn Brown
    Carolyn Brown on April 1, 2015 at 4:50 AM

    I have learned something new visiting your site today, I have never before heard of automat’s. Welcome to the challenge on behalf of the A-Z team.

    • Shonna
      Shonna on April 1, 2015 at 10:12 AM

      Thanks for stopping by, Carolyn! I wish these Automats were still around. They would be a classic place to visit when in New York.

  2. Andrea
    Andrea on April 1, 2015 at 2:26 PM

    In the late 60s I went to New York City on a date. We saw a play and ate at the Automat. Thanks for the memory– I’d forgotten.

    • Shonna
      Shonna on April 1, 2015 at 4:55 PM

      Aw, that sounds romantic 🙂

  3. Rasheed Hooda
    Rasheed Hooda on April 1, 2015 at 7:53 PM

    I love the butterflies in your header design. I bet you’ll love my post tomorrow. B is for (Wanna guess?)

    Thanks for the comment on my blog today/

    • Shonna
      Shonna on April 2, 2015 at 11:06 PM

      I’m on my way to check it out.

  4. Susan Oloier
    Susan Oloier on April 2, 2015 at 1:44 PM

    I had never heart of an Automat before today. Love the 1940s theme!

    • Shonna
      Shonna on April 2, 2015 at 10:56 PM

      Thanks for stopping by, Susan. Glad you like my theme for this year 🙂

  5. Marianna
    Marianna on April 2, 2015 at 8:18 PM

    Thanks for visiting my armadillo post! And thanks for teaching me something today!

    • Shonna
      Shonna on April 2, 2015 at 10:57 PM

      You’re welcome, Marianna.