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counter service restaurant

[ˈkaʊntər ˈsɜːrvɪs ˈrestrɑːrɑːnt]
nounpl: counter service restaurants
restaurante com atendimento no balcão
1. A casual dining establishment where customers order food at a counter and either eat at the counter, at tables, or take their food to go, rather than being served by waitstaff at a table
We grabbed lunch at a counter service restaurant near the office.
Pegamos almoço em um restaurante com atendimento no balcão perto do escritório.
2. A quick-service food establishment emphasizing efficiency and affordability
The mall has several counter service restaurants offering different cuisines.
O shopping tem vários restaurantes com atendimento no balcão oferecendo diferentes culinárias.
NYC Slang
bodega restaurant, counter joint
Synonyms
fast casual restaurantquick service restaurantself-service restaurantcasual dining restaurant
Antonyms
fine dining restaurantfull-service restauranttable service restaurant

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
restaurante com atendimento no balcão
Most common term in Brazil
São Paulo
restaurante self-service
Often used in urban areas
Rio de Janeiro
restaurante de balcão
Shortened colloquial form
Portugal
restaurante de atendimento ao balcão
More formal Portuguese European usage

Related Idioms & Phrases

grab a quick bite
order at the counter
fast food alternative
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