The speaker and a friend have rented a car and are visiting a unique restaurant-cum-museum in Japan. The restaurant, operated by a man named Tomon, serves food from vending machines. The menu includes a hamburger vending machine, a machine that serves udon and ramen, and one that sells toast with bananas and Nutella. The restaurant owner, who has gained fame from tourists, has also added a ramen vending machine and gift vending machines. The food is prepared quickly, with the hamburger taking only 60 seconds. The restaurant also offers a relaxing environment for customers to sit, read, or enjoy a meal before they continue their journey. The speaker and his friend are trying out the food, with the friend opting for the toast and the speaker choosing the lunch option.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The text is a conversation about visiting a vending machine restaurant in Japan.
2. The vending machine restaurant sells a variety of food items, including burgers, udon, ramen, and toast.
3. The restaurant owner, Joe, is willing to show visitors the inside of the machines.
4. The restaurant is open 24 hours a day, and there is a phone number on the machines for emergencies.
5. The restaurant has become popular and has attracted more tourists.
6. The restaurant offers a relaxing atmosphere for visitors, with tables and a collection of manga for visitors to read.
7. The food is prepared quickly, with some items taking only 60 seconds to prepare.
8. The restaurant uses recycling practices, with customers returning bottles to a machine after drinking Coca-Cola.
9. The restaurant owner has added new machines, including one for ramen, in response to increased tourism.
10. The restaurant is not just a restaurant, but also a museum of Japanese food history.
11. The restaurant offers a variety of food options, including a cheeseburger with tartar sauce, a ham and cheese sandwich, and banana toast with Nutella.
12. The restaurant has a strict cleanliness policy, with customers required to clean after themselves.
Please note that these facts are derived from the text and may not reflect the actual situation or experiences of the people involved.