Pompeii Fast Food Joint Reopens After 2,000 Years

By John Farrier in Food & Drink, History on Mar 21, 2010 at 9:55 am

Vetutius Placidus’ thermopolium (snack bar) in the ruins of Pompeii will reopen nearly 2,000 years after a volcanic eruption destroyed the city and Placidus’ clientele:

The thermopolium, one of the best preserved sites in Pompeii, has been closed to the public for years in order to protect it from further damage. But following months of detailed excavation and preservation work, all visitors will soon be able to go inside and get an idea of a typical ancient Roman lunch establishment.

Inside, as in many modern cafés and bars, visitors are greeted with a large, L-shaped, decorated counter where customers stood to enjoy a quick lunch. Cylindrical holes in the bar contained glass dolia, or jars, displaying food.

Link via The Presurfer | Photo: flickr user lyng883, used under Creative Commons license


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  1. lucky760
    Mar 21st, 2010 at 11:25 am

    Well it’s really neat, but that sucks. I just came back from Pompeii, and *now* they’re going to open it, so I really missed out. :( Oh well. If you ever have the opportunity to go, it’s totally worth it, snack bar or no snack bar.

  2. Cola
    Mar 21st, 2010 at 6:39 pm

    That sounds great. I’d love to do something like that.

  3. Kalel
    Mar 21st, 2010 at 11:55 pm

    Finally! I haven’t been able to find any good garum since this place shut down.

  4. Gauldar
    Mar 23rd, 2010 at 9:28 am

    Special of the week: A whole beef patty with crushed pine nuts & pepper corns, dipped in rich creamery olive oil and served on a high gluten wheat bun. We call it the Octavian Burger.

  5. PaulVI
    Mar 23rd, 2010 at 9:11 pm

    New mangement, I presume? Won’t be like the old place.


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