HORN & HARDART'S AUTOMATS

[rumblefish]

My first boss, he was 72 in 1983, used to tell me about his first job at an Automat in Manhattan. He was a change maker. Each time he would tell a story of working there, he say with pride "I could change a dollar in any combination with out any though-in a blink of an eye"

My mother used to work at a bank in NYC and would go to an Automat for lunch, and when my father's work would bring him into the city (back then he was a bricklayer), if time and his appearance allowed he'd find one for lunch or dinner.

By my parent's and everyone Else's accounts of these "fast food" restaurants they sounded wonderful. Hot meals (especially the macaroni and cheese), sandwiches, coffee, sides, fruit, pies and desserts, all waiting behind the windows for the next taker, with another to replace it in the hands of a loader. I understand some, if not all, were dressed up very nicely, decorated in the "Day's" styles. I remember seeing them in old films, maybe it was one of Abbott & Costello's, I don't recall.

I can't remember the last time I was in fast food joint, because I really don't like them and only go if someone I'm with insists on going to one. But the old Automats, I'd bet these would be a steady visit for me. I guess they'd never compete well with today's fast food restaurants in price because of the way they operate,,, too bad.

Does anyone have any stories or recollections of the old Automats? or remember a film that had one in it?

 

[Lola Getz]

I wish I had a story about an Automat! I've always wanted to go to one and hold this little secret hope that some day someone nostalgic will build one..and we will come. (My own eating version of Field of Dreams.)

I love that scene in "That Touch of Mink" where Audrey Meadows reaches through the window and gives that guy a slap instead of a piece of pie!

 

[Rick Blaine]

That Touch of Mink

...take a look at 0:08 and 0:47 - 1:08. H & H c.1962

 

[Moby]

Aaah! Horn & Hardart's! We lived in Connecticut but had relatives in New York City. My parents would take my sister and I to the city and would often have lunch at H & H. Very exciting for a kid! All that food! Such a variety! And the pies! After you decided what you wanted, you put your change in the slot next to the item, always less than a dollar, and that allowed you to open the window and take out the sandwich or pie or whatever. Usually as soon as you took your lunch item you would see a person open the back of the window and place a new item in the window. Each item like a sandwich, soup or dinner rolls or a piece of pie was a separate transaction.

The food selections covered one whole wall in the restaurant and you could see behind that wall. You would usually see the servers preparing items to place in the windows. Coffee came out of a spigot in the wall after you inserted a nickle. Cups, silverware and napkins were available in front of the wall. For some reason hot water was always available for free which leads to a story.

As in any big city there were those people who were down on their luck and in need of a meal. They weren't scary looking homeless people, just normal people in need of a meal. Times were different then. Well Horn & Hardart always had clean cups, free hot water, free catsup, salt and pepper and usually free crackers. Take some hot water, a lot of catsup, salt&pepper and a few crackers and you have tomato soup.

I also remember Dad often buying lunch for some of the less fortunate. It was a fun and friendly place in the 50's when I was a kid. Sure wish I could go back there.

 

[Bill Taylor]

I attended Columbia University and Columbia Law School in NYC from 1948 - 1954 and going to H & H (The Automat) was high on the agenda. It wasn't that far to downtown from Morningside Dr. and 116th Street. The silverware really was silverware - Sterling, that is. They must have burnished it every day as there were often deep brush marks, especially on the knife handles. The napkins were very thick white cotten (ironed) and most of the locations had starched ironed white tablecloths. It seems I remember most of the tables were small, for 2 people only. I have 3 or 4 teaspoons and a couple of soup spoons with the H & H initials on them. How did I get them? I would never divulge state secrets but they were often seen in dorm rooms in those days.

Bill Taylor

 

[just_me]

I loved the automat. All kids did. Putting in the money and taking the food from behind the little door. I particularly remember the mac and cheese and pies. My mother waxes poetic about the automat.

If I remember correctly it actually started in Philadelphia. I remember going to the automat museum in Philly in the late 60s.

If I remember correctly, there was an automat in the 34th street and 7th Avenue corner of Macy's, maybe downstairs, (Nedick's at the 34th and broadway corner.)