The automat was really the first junk food, served in an alternative way than the modern junk food cafe. Rather than placing an order with an assistant, buyers were faced with rows of snack dispensers, where they could drop in their dimes and get freshly prepared meals like potpie or stew. Folks preparing food stocked the dispensing machines. An automat generally featured a kitchen behind the row, which kept up on supply. There were many differences between the automat and today's junk food cafes. Above all was the utilisation of real dishes, glasses and cups to serve food rather than today's paper wrapping or cartons, which most junk food restaurants employ. Additionally to meals like stew or meatloaf, sandwiches and soup were favored too.

The earliest automats did feature an assistant who took the dimes for each item, but as coin operated dispensing machines became popular, assistants were steadily retired. Competition from junk food restaurants at last led straight to the passing of the automat. But there are a few other reasons explaining why these convenient restaurants became less well-liked. First, drive in cafes and then drive through windows became a common way to get food, and you did not have to leave your automobile or communally dine with others. In addition, food became too costly to be bought with cents or maybe quarters, and the capability for snack machines to take greenbacks was not generally available.

In Europe, automats also fell in renown, but they remain popular in Holland. The most notable of these is a chain of automats called FEBO, which mixes counter service with snack dispensers. Standard available decisions include stuff like burgers, croquets, and fries. You'll find FEBO automats distributed across the Netherlands, with over one hundred locations. Food isn't served on crockery and there aren't any tables in this modern interpretation. Most food is conveyable snack type items like fried mozzarella sticks, or chicken nuggets. An assistant is available to serve food like soft-serve ice cream.