In the ancient Greco-Roman world, a thermopolium (plural thermopolia), from Greek θερμοπώλιον, i.e. cook-shop, literally `a place where (something) hot is sold`, was a commercial establishment where it was possible to purchase ready-to-eat food. The forerunner of today`s restaurant, the items served at the thermopolia are sometimes c...... Found on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermopolium