Sometimes you just have to

The concept of take away food dates back to Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. In Pompeii they discovered a number of Thermopolia, ( hot drink establishments), The service counters opened up onto the street and provided food and drink that could be taken away and eaten elsewhere. Not every home had the means for dinning and kitchen area for cooking. (Wikipedia - ref)

Moving forward to medieval London, street vendors sold hot meals, meat pies, geese, pigs feet and French wine meanwhile in Paris roasted meats, squab, tarts an flans, cheese and eggs.  Again popular with urban poor who did not have the facilities to prepare their own food.

Through the years take away food has had a certain stigma attached. Cheap and often in trouble with the authorities for cooking conditions that were less than desirable.

Has this reputation improved?

It is still a cheap, quick meal that can be collected or even better delivered to your door.  Pizza, Chinese, Indian all carry a huge calorie count. Oh yes not forgetting the local fish and chips,  ( the smell of oil is enough to send you running in the opposite direction). KFC, cannot bear eating it. 

But amongst all of this there is a golden gem, Kebab and pizza house in Bicester town on the market square. The staff are friendly and make fresh tasty Shish kebab, this is the one that is proper pieces of lamb meat that is put on the grill and cooked to perfection. The food is of a high standard and the salad, is fresh the choice to add anything unhealthy is the patrons decision. Like garlic mayo which is so good. Fries with garlic mayo even better.  Did I mention the mouth-watering Lamb, you have to try it.


I know take away food has a bad reputation.  Take away venues are blamed for over eating, over weight cheap sometimes,  nasty food.  I understand that the type of food on offer is often  food that is loaded with calories and properly eaten at the time of day when huge amounts of calories are not required, just before bed.

But we can still make wise choices. The lamb shish kebab with the salad and pita bread is hardly any calories and it is my choice to have garlic mayo and chips.  Sometimes you just have to.

Enjoy