Ancient “fast food” discovered in Pompeii

Archaeologists have recently come across some interesting finds in Pompeii, including a counter where quick meals were served, which we would now call “fast food”.

Such a place in ancient Rome was called thermopolium, and so far, about a dozen such places have been discovered in the city. Roman fast food restaurants primarily catered to the poorer classes of society, who lacked kitchens or the ability to prepare their own meals in their buildings.

In such a restaurant, one could eat whole-grain bread with salted fish, baked cheese, lentils, or drink well-seasoned wine.

The discovery was made in the so-called Regio V in Pompeii – which is not open to tourists and has been the site of intensive excavations since the 1960s.