In the U.S., fast-food restaurants and take-outs have become so widespread that the traditional standard type is now sometimes referred to as a sit-down restaurant (a retronym). A common feature of fast food restaurants is a lack of cutlery or crockery, the customer is expected to eat the food directly from the disposable container it was served in using their hands.
There are various types of fast-food restaurant:
§ one collects food from a counter and pays, then sits down and starts eating (self-service restaurant); sub-varieties:
§ one collects ready portions
§ one serves oneself from containers
§ one is served at the counter
§ a special procedure is that one first pays at the cash desk, collects a ticket and then goes to the food counter, where one gets the food in exchange for the ticket
§ one orders at the counter; after preparation the food is brought to one's table; paying may be on ordering or after eating.