Well, a Food Casino, that is; my mother took me to one in Manhattan (midtown) when we were visiting the City in the summer of 1962 perhaps - well, one summer in the early 60's. I think by then the dishes cost 25¢ or multiples thereof, rather than the "nickel slots" of the 1930's. Not sure if the devices were able to return change, so one had to be careful to drop just the right amount of coins in the slots. Don't remember the entree, but the pie at the end was delicious.

I think by 1990 the prices of food had gotten too steep and the automat never installed dollar bill readers (Bill Harrah could have instructed them!!!). Never knew they had tokens!

A clever idea that had a long, successful run. Don't know of any other automats in the U.S. Anyone???