The Automat makes a comeback

For those of you who have never experienced an Automat, it's basically a system comprising one part self-service kiosk and one part short order cook(s), and the result is fast, fresh affordable food for the masses. While (sadly) all of the Automats that I've known of have since gone the way of the dodo and the Pet Rock, a company called Bamn is bringing them back to NYC, according to this Retail Experience blog post.

By automating the sales process through a glorified vending machine interface, the Automat allows cooks to focus on cooking and keeping the kitchen clean, and little else. Users simply step up to the machine, insert come money, select an item or two, and the food is dispensed from a compartment. As empty compartments rotate to the back of the machine, the cooks in the kitchen simply refill them with more fresh food.