Wednesday, December 13, 2006

BAMN Automat

BAMN! is a new retro East Village eatery that was styled after an automat from the 1930s and 40s. The automat was a precursor to the candy and soda machines that we see everywhere today. Basically, it is a fast food restaurant that serves simple food items like burgers, fries, chicken wings, hotdogs, etc. through a coin-operated vending machine window.

The automat was immortalized in the Doris Day movie, The Touch of Mink as well as other movies made in the 40s through 60s. Unfortunately, the popularity of automats died with the arrival of drive thru' restaurants and other fast food joints.