After watching the documentary The Automat (with Mel Brooks and cameos by others), I had to get this book. It’s difficult to find, but my local library was able to get it via an Interlibrary Loan, and it was worth it.

While the documentary covered about half of what was in the book, the text expanded on some of the inner workings of the operation, including staff duties (at one point, 100 women were employed solely to crack eggs) and back-room procedures. It also included many recipes of featured foods, including mashed turnips, rice pudding, chicken pot pie, and their famous baked beans.

For a fun look back at a restaurant chain that continues to fascinate Americans, get this book. For another nostalgic look back, try Karen Plunkett-Powell’s Remembering Woolworth’s, and The Gallery of Regrettable Food by James Lileks, which is a hoot.