Just thought I’d let you know that you can still experience the wonder of visiting an automat, but you'll have to trek all the way to Amsterdam. There, little restaurants called FEBO adorn many of the picturesque and tourist-laden strassen. A FEBO looks like the wall of PO boxes at the post office, except that the doors are transparent, and there are coin slots instead of keyholes. FEBO employees are hidden behind the wall of tiny clear cubicles, busily preparing tasty FEBOtreats. Although there are a large number of tiny compartments at a FEBO, it’s hard to tell if there is any difference in their contents. Each one simply contains something small, breaded, deep-fat-fried, and unidentifiable. The up-side is that it doesn’t cost much to eat at a FEBO; for a couple of guilders, you can slide open the door to reveal a scrumptious “broodje mit kass” (whatever that means). They’re also open 24 hours a day, if I remember correctly.

– Gary Wicker

P.S. – I’ve visited Amsterdam twice, but have yet to work up the nerve to actually eat FEBO cuisine.