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Comment by benzene | Hacker News Reader

I think the closest analogue to this in the US is a mall food court. Many vendors instead of one, but similarly to the canteen, provides an open communal space with varied seating options. Of additional note: cheap, fast food (think McDonalds) is ubiquitous but low in nutrition - healthier canteen style is up against stronger competition than the WWII-era British Restaurant

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Food courts have really suffered from the mentality of corporate mall management; contracts with large chains of even 2nd or 3rd tier fast-food operations are preferred over local options and small operations.

This make the B2B stuff easier, as many malls are owned my massive groups that run even dozens of malls - and they can make a contract with a large franchise operation to cover many/all of them (or a restaurant group that can provide different options). They also don't have to worry about risk on the rent much.

Notice how food quality etc. didn't show up in previous para?

Mall food courts are pretty awful in my experience. We’re starting to get upscale food courts that don’t like to call themselves food courts. But the prices, while better than sit down dining, aren’t cheap. The food is much better though. Here’s an example in Raleigh:

http://www.morganfoodhall.com/

(“Morgan Street Food Hall is a new lifestyle dining concept; not to be confused with a food court.” Ugh I almost didn’t visit the place since the web site is so fucking pretentious.)

I first visited one of these in Chicago.

My preference is a city park surrounded by food trucks. But these aren’t reliable, only work when the weather is good, etc.

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