Ancient Fast Food

Pre-Modern Europe

The earliest forms of fast food were found in Ancient Rome and Greece. At that time, the majority of the population lived in small cramped apartments with each other. These apartments were called insulae. Because of the necessity or living space, there was no space for cooking equipment. The middle class of the population relied on street vendors for the majority of their meals. These street vendors were the predecessors of modern fast food. They supplied quick and convenient meals. Common meals for breakfast were pieces of bread dipped into a wine solution. In addition to street vendors, a popular place for the low class population were popinas. Popinas were small bars or Roman winehouses that sold wine and simple food such as olives, bread, and stews.

(An example of a roman street vendor)

 In the Middle ages, the concept was very much the same. Large cities such as Paris and London contained many street vendors that sold baked goods and various meats. These vendors were for the middle and poor classes that did not have cooking space. The richer class had no need for vendors, as they either had cooking space in their dwellings or they had personal cooks that lived with them. In addition to the middle and poor class, street vendors were popular for travellers who needed quick meals on their journeys. The idea of quick and convenient meals would appeal to many business men in the future.

(As you can see, the rich population had no need for street vendors)