Take Out: 5 Things You Never Knew

Let’s face it; if you’ve never heard of take out food, you’ve been living somewhere highly desolate. Here in Manchester, take out is one of the most popular dining options! However, you may not know that the history of take out food can be traced back to ancient times when street vendors in Rome and other ancient cities would sell food to travelers passing through their cities.

 

Don’t believe us? Read on for a few more fun facts about take-out food history!

 

The Earliest U.S. Takeout Stands

In the United States, the history of takeout food can be traced back to the 19th century, when food stands, and pushcarts were common in urban areas. These push carts would sell various foods, such as hot dogs, pretzels, and sandwiches to the working-class population.

 

Lotus Inn

The first modern takeout restaurant in the United States was established in 1928 by Chinese-American chef J. Lyons in Los Angeles. The “Lotus Inn” restaurant was a small storefront serving traditional Chinese dishes packaged to-go. As you can probably guess, the restaurant Lotus Inn quickly became popular among Hollywood celebrities. Its success inspired the establishment of many other takeout restaurants across the country.

 

World War II

During World War II, the popularity of takeout food increased significantly as soldiers and workers needed quick and portable meals. While many people think the opposite occurred, the demand brought many new restaurant establishments to life. Further, many existing restaurants began to extend their offerings as takeout options. In the 1950s and 1960s, fast-food chains like McDonald’s and Burger King popularized takeout food even further, with the introduction of the drive-thru concept.

 

The Next Generation

Today, takeout food is more popular than ever, thanks to technological advancements and lifestyle changes. With the rise of food delivery services like UberEats, Grubhub, and DoorDash, consumers can order takeout from a variety of restaurants and have it delivered right to their doorstep.

 

Manchester Take Out at Alley Cat Pizzeria

The history of takeout food is a long and fascinating one that has evolved over time. From the food stands and pushcarts of the 19th century to the modern food delivery services of today, takeout food has become an essential part of our daily lives. So next time you’re looking for something new to try, give Alley Cat Pizzeria a try! For nearly three decades, our Manchester pizza shop has proudly served the community with dine in, take out, and delivery options!

 

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