Word Spy - fast-casual

fast-casual

adj. Of or relating to a restaurant that offers a slightly higher quality of food, service, and atmosphere than a fast-food restaurant.

Example Citation:

"Besides bumping up a notch from fast food, the fast-casual restaurants, including chains such as Chipotle, Panera Bread Co., Qdoba and Noodles & Co., offer up more atmosphere."
—Kelly Pate, "Einstein buyout fills hole in owner's plans," The Denver Post, July 2, 2001

Earliest Citation:

ZuZu's concept is 'fast-casual,' a restaurant-industry term that means more service than fast food but less than a sit-down restaurant. Customers order menu items from the counter, and their food is delivered to their table when it's ready.
—Penny Parker, "ZuZu opening 35 health-Mex outlets in Colorado," The Denver Post, February 16, 1995

Notes:

This type of restaurant is also described in the food biz as adult fast food (1983) or as upscale fast (1981). The term fast-casual is much newer, dating only to 1995. In case you're wondering, health-Mex (see the earliest citation) refers to Mexican cuisine that uses nutritious foods prepared in a healthy way, It's a widely used term that dates to 1993:

Not to put too fine a point on it, ZuZu does it right. That is to say, ZuZu serves food we love, despite the fact that it is clearly health-Mex, rather than Tex-Mex.
—Lanette Causey, "ZuZu," The Dallas Morning News, August 12, 1993

Category:

Food and Drink

Posted on July 18, 2001