Pompeii’s 2,000 Year Old Roman “Fast Food” Counter Brings Ancient Street Food Back to Life

New research and excavations at Pompeii reveal a beautifully preserved thermopolium offering insight into everyday Roman meals

Roman fast food restaurant / Image Credit: Flickr

A stunning glimpse into everyday Roman life has emerged from the ash buried streets of Pompeii. Archaeologists have fully excavated a thermopolium, the equivalent of a fast food counter, complete with colorful frescoes and embedded terracotta jars. This rare find offers a taste of how ordinary Romans ate on the go.

Thermopolia, from the Greek words for “hot” and “to sell,” served ready to eat dishes for people who didn’t have kitchens at home. This particular outlet sat at a lively intersection in Regio V and was frozen in time when Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD.

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Inside the jars beneath the counter, archaeologists uncovered remains of duck, pig, goat, fish and snails. Some were even mixed into what resembles an ancient paella. Traces of fava beans also appeared, hinting at Roman techniques for flavoring wine.

The front of the counter is adorned with vivid paintings showing mallard ducks, a rooster and even a leashed dog as a cheeky sign for customers. Frescoes likely served as a visual menu for mostly illiterate patrons.

Pompeii paintings at fast food counter / Image Credit: Wikimedia

Thermopolia were common in Pompeii with around 80 in the city. They were a staple for working class Romans who lived in cramped apartment blocks without kitchens. These were more than just food stalls. They were social hubs where people grabbed stews, lentils, wine and snacks while chatting with neighbors.

Thanks to quick burial by volcanic ash, this thermopolium remains in remarkable condition. Researchers even discovered coins and a drinking bowl among the finds. As the first fully excavated outlet of its kind, it provides a rare window into Roman street food culture.

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Further studies in Mallorca also show that Romans ate thrushes, once considered luxury birds, in these fast food spots. This highlights the creativity and inclusiveness of their diet.

This thermopolium’s bright frescoes and rich contents tell a story that’s more than culinary. They reflect Roman resourcefulness, daily life and community dynamics. It’s a full sensory time machine that brings 2,000 year old Pompeii to life on the tip of our tongues.