Essen is like this in Manhattan, probably the closest spiritual successor to Horn & Hardart and the automats there is. A big buffet cafeteria. Not too cheap tho

Essen is like this in Manhattan, probably the closest spiritual successor to Horn & Hardart and the automats there is. A big buffet cafeteria. Not too cheap though, though OK for manhattan commuter office worker lunch prices I guess Unfortunately in most markets cafeteria style restaurants, especially affordable ones, are rare. A shame, it's my favorite genre of restaurant