Skip to Content

The Middle Ages Had ‘Fast Food’ Too: Would You Try It?

When we think of fast food, images of drive-thru windows, greasy burgers, and sugary sodas spring to mind. But the concept of quick, ready-to-eat meals is far from modern. In fact, the Middle Ages had their own version of “fast food,” catering primarily to the poor and travelers who needed something convenient and filling.

Cook shops, street vendors, and community bakeries provided medieval Europeans with everything from meat pies to sweet fritters. While the menu was very different from today’s fast food joints, the underlying idea—quick, affordable sustenance—remains surprisingly familiar.

Cook Shops: The Medieval Takeout Joint

Cook Shops The Medieval Takeout Joint
Image Credit: Recipe Reminiscing

In cities like London and Bristol, cook shops lined the streets, serving up hot meals to locals and visitors alike. These establishments were essential, especially for the poorer population who lived in crowded tenement housing without kitchens or hearths. Cooking at home often wasn’t an option due to the cost of fuel and the risk of fire in densely packed neighborhoods. Instead, people relied on these shops for meals that were both cheap and accessible.

A Rotating Menu

A Rotating Menu
Image Credit: Recipe Reminiscing

Cook shops operated around the clock, offering a rotating menu that adapted to seasonal ingredients. Customers could grab a hot meal to eat on the spot or take it home for later. Some vendors even used enticing aromas as a marketing strategy, cooking meats and breads in open hearths to lure hungry patrons. While the food wasn’t always gourmet, the convenience of these medieval “restaurants” made them an integral part of urban life.

The Ubiquitous Meat Pie

The Ubiquitous Meat Pie
Image Credit: Survival World

The medieval equivalent of a burger, the meat pie was a fast food staple. Portable, filling, and relatively affordable, these pies were a go-to meal for people on the move. The crust acted as a makeshift container, eliminating the need for utensils or plates – perfect for a society that valued practicality.

However, there was a darker side to the humble meat pie. Food safety regulations were nonexistent, and some unscrupulous vendors used spoiled or diseased meat to save money. A common saying of the time, “God sends the meat, but the devil sends the cooks,” reflected the mistrust people had toward the quality of these pies. Despite this, their popularity persisted, highlighting just how valuable convenience was, even at the risk of a stomachache.

Bread Bowls and Beyond

Bread Bowls and Beyond
Image Credit: Survival World

Bread was a cornerstone of the medieval diet, but bakers offered more than just loaves. Customers could bring their own meat to the bakery, where it would be wrapped in dough and cooked, creating an early version of the bread bowl. These edible containers not only bulked up meals but also eliminated the need for dishes, which were a luxury for many.

Carb-heavy Innovations

Carb heavy Innovations
Image Credit: Survival World

This practice extended to other carb-heavy innovations. Trenchers – thick slices of stale bread – were used as makeshift plates for soups and stews. Soft pretzels, another popular item, became a favorite snack, particularly during fasting periods like Lent. These simple treats, made from flour, water, and salt, were often distributed by monks to children and the poor, serving as both sustenance and a symbol of goodwill.

The Sweet Side of Medieval Fast Food

The Sweet Side of Medieval Fast Food
Image Credit: Survival World

While sugar was a rare and expensive commodity, honey was widely used to sweeten medieval desserts. Street vendors sold fritters – fried dough filled with ginger or almonds – and gingerbread, a spiced treat made with honey, cloves, and pepper. Funnel cakes, a modern carnival favorite, trace their origins to these early fried treats, which were often topped with a light dusting of powdered sugar or fruit juice.

Waffles also made their debut during this period, starting as flat cakes cooked between iron plates. Over time, they evolved into the grid-patterned treats we recognize today, thanks to innovations by Dutch bakers. These early waffles were often flavored with cinnamon, honey, and cream, transforming them into a beloved street food.

A Boozy Accompaniment

A Boozy Accompaniment
Image Credit: Survival World

Alcohol played a significant role in the medieval diet, and it often accompanied meals purchased from cook shops. Beer and ale were not only popular but also safer to drink than water in many urban areas, where sanitation was a persistent issue. During Lent, when meat was off the menu, some people turned to alcohol to fill the void, much to the dismay of religious leaders. Despite admonishments from figures like Benedictine monk Robert Ripon, excessive drinking during fasting periods was common.

Mock Eggs and Creative Substitutes

Mock Eggs and Creative Substitutes
Image Credit: Survival World

Medieval cooks were nothing if not resourceful, particularly during periods of religious fasting. One peculiar creation was the mock egg, a Lent-friendly alternative made by filling empty eggshells with a mixture of almond milk, jelly, and almonds. Dyed yellow to resemble yolks, these “eggs” were a testament to the ingenuity of medieval food culture, even if they weren’t particularly appetizing.

The Birth of Junk Food as We Know It

The Birth of Junk Food as We Know It
Image Credit: Survival World

By the late medieval period, the introduction of sugar from the New World revolutionized European cuisine. Desserts became more elaborate, incorporating crystallized fruits, syrups, and even sweetened meats. The concept of “dessert” itself emerged during this time, evolving from a simple clearing of the table to a dedicated course of sweets and fruits. This newfound access to sugar not only transformed medieval diets but also laid the foundation for the sugary treats we enjoy today.

Would You Try It?

Would You Try It
Image Credit: Recipe Reminiscing

Medieval fast food may not have included fries or soft drinks, but its essence – quick, accessible, and satisfying meals – remains familiar. From meat pies to honey-sweetened fritters, these early innovations reveal a side of history that’s both practical and surprisingly relatable. While some dishes, like the mock egg, might not appeal to modern tastes, others, such as waffles and pretzels, have stood the test of time.

A Window Into Medieval Life

A Window Into Medieval Life
Image Credit: Survival World

Exploring the fast food of the Middle Ages offers a unique glimpse into the daily lives of ordinary people. It highlights their resourcefulness, their challenges, and their shared love of good (or at least convenient) food. So, next time you grab a quick bite, take a moment to appreciate the long history behind the concept of fast food. Who knows? You might even feel inspired to try your hand at making a medieval meat pie – just make sure the meat is fresh!

What Would You Try?

What Would You Try
Image Credit: Survival World

If you lived in the Middle Ages, which medieval fast food would you want to try first? Do you think the convenience of fast food today is worth the trade-off in quality compared to homemade meals, just as it was in medieval times? What do you think our modern fast food culture says about how society has evolved since the Middle Ages? Could any of the medieval fast food recipes, like meat pies or trenchers, make a comeback in today’s food scene?