A takeaway, also known as takeout, carry-out, and parcel, refers to the meals that are cooked in a restaurant, but with the intent of them being eaten elsewhere. In a way, you can think of the common fast-food as a takeaway restaurant.
Most of the takeaway restaurants usually have just a couple of tables and/or seats, which are only meant for resting. The customer can browse the internet or enjoy a cup of coffee while he or she is waiting for their meal – after which they can go home or to the park to enjoy it.
However, takeaway restaurants are not something entirely modern; their history starts with concepts that are as old as most of the ancient cultures. Therefore, let’s take a look at the history of what is probably one of the most common things you can find nowadays throughout the city – the takeaway restaurants.
The Beginning – Ancient Cultures
The first cultures/civilizations that have seen an early concept of the takeaway restaurants are the Greeks and the Romans. Here, one could find stalls on the roadside or in a market that would sell food meant to be eaten somewhere else. You couldn’t just sit before the stand to enjoy your meal.
While digging through the ruins of Pompei, archaeologists were able to find over 200 thermopolia. These were service counters that could be opened onto the street and provided for any passerby that was joining for some food.
The Medieval Ages
One important culture that had an early version of takeaway restaurants, so to speak, was the Aztecs. This kind of restaurants was usually placed throughout the central market. Here, certain vendors sold beverages and tamales made from a variety of ingredients.
Even after the Spanish colonization, people were still selling food on the street. Naturally, they have adopted some of the European cuisines – but kept most of their traditional dishes as well.
Of course, the rest of the world wasn’t left without any form of takeaway restaurants. Stalls could be found in Europe, especially in France, where the locals sold wine, cheese, and meat.
In the 11th century China, stalls that sold pastries became a thing – and are famous up to this day. After all, everyone knows the food stalls of Eastern Asia – the most popular ones being the ones in China, as mentioned, Japan, and Malaysia.
Colonial America and the Industrial Revolution
In Colonial America, the street vendors used to sell pepper pot soup, roasted corn ears, oysters, fruit and sweets. The history of takeaway restaurants had seen dark days as well; in 1707, due to several restrictions on their operating hours, food vendors were eventually banned across New York City.
Takeaway restaurants, in the form of food vendors, stalls, and whatnot, could be seen all over the world – even in Transylvania, where people would sell bacon, cream mixed with corn, and gingerbread-nuts.
Naturally, the Industrial Revolution can be seen as the second beginning of the takeaway restaurants. This is the time when fish and chips became popular, and so did the hamburger.
Takeaway restaurants and food stalls were important for the industrial workers, as they offered a cheap, fast alternative to a proper meal. Still, the dishes that were being sold were nutritious enough for them and for the work they had to do.