Today it houses medical offices but this fabulous art deco building was once home to one of the country’s most popular automats.

What is an automat? I’m so glad you asked.

Basically it was a self-serve restaurant with a wall of food behind glass plated doors. You would insert your coin, turn a knob and remove the single serve plate or bowl of food. It was sort of like a giant vending machine only the food was fresh made and delicious dishes like mac and cheese, casseroles, soup, salisbury steak and mouthwatering desserts.

It combined the convenience of fast food with affordability and a pleasant atmosphere.

It is very possible you’ve seen automats in old movies and there’s a great scene in the show The Marvelous Mrs Maisel where the two main characters are eating together in a truly spectacular automat. I also recall Sylvester the cat visiting one once.

We were going to or fro on Philadelphia’s Chestnut Street when I spotted this place and snapped a quick photo.

This building was the home of the old Horn and Hardart Automat and was the first of its kind in this country beginning in 1902. These places were especially popular during the Depression when diners with just a little change in their pocket could get cheap, hearty food.

This concept didn’t survive for even a full century as our last automat closed in New York on April 9, 1991.

Personally, I would like to see these places make a come back. It seems like there’s room for them in our dining landscape and the idea is just fun.

This public domain photo of a Horn and Hardart Automat illustrates the concept.

Want to know more? This CBS News story tells the story really well and includes some great imagery.