Febo vending machines in Amsterdam and the Netherlands are a real institution, here's how they work and what you can eat in these places at a low price.
Mr. JI de Borst perhaps he had already predicted, back in 1941, the fame and spread of his brilliant idea. From there croquettes, salads and takeaway ice cream have turned into a big one in a few years franchise chain widespread ad Amsterdam and in satellite cities such as Haarlem, Utrecht and Rotterdam evidence of a rapidly expanding business.
The idea of cook and distribute your own snacks through a gigantic vending machine today it has transformed the chain Phoebus in a real tourist attraction for those who are in the city or in the Netherlands in general. Strolling along the center of Amsterdam, or leaving the station, arriving at the airport or visiting the tulip fields of the surrounding countryside, you will certainly come across one of the many Febo points. Only in the city of Amsterdam there are approx 24 Febo points, and 61 other shops scattered across 34 Dutch cities.
These are small shops or even larger spaces with some seating, with walls full of small ones heated cells inside which there are various ready-to-eat snacks, fresh products and distributed in every store on a daily basis. Just insert the slot into the side of each cell relative amount in coins, the door will open and just take your snack, close the door and go! Simple, fast and good too!
The highlight of the Febo chains are the "croquettes". Similar in shape to our potato croquettes, they are made from a base of flour and butter together with broth and spices. Once given the characteristic elongated shape, they are then breaded and fried, assigning the relevant seasoning to the color of the breading: the red breading for the veal croquettes (veal croquette), white for the beef "beef croquettes" and yellow for the "satè croquettes" which, in fact, "satiate" because they are filled with everything!
In addition to the typical croquettes in the windows of distributors there are also burgers, noodles and fries, ice cream, granitas or complete menus. All you have to do is go in and take your own hot and steaming snack. The convenience, and perhaps the luck, of these distributors lies in the fact that they are open until late at night, that they are never crowded and that they do not force long waiting lines, satisfying hunger quickly and very economically. Prices, in fact, they range from 1,60 euros for croquettes to 2 euros for burgers. A menu with a Febo drink, chips and snacks costs an average of 5 euros.
To wonder what to eat in Amsterdam not giving great answers to very demanding Italian palates, but looking for a street food that is also low cost and accompanies tourism in a delicious, even if not exactly healthy, way, Febo is the right answer to the many best-known fastfoods of commercial chains that invade the city. Croquettes satisfy the curiosity of something to eat in Dutch style, intrigue the idea of having to choose your snack in a large vending machine made of small ovens and entertain the idea of a quick and DIY food ready with just one dime.
