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Quick-and-dirty
01
a cheap, simple, or no-frills eatery
Slang
Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Inanimate
Composition
Compound
Countable
Plural form
quick-and-dirties
What does "quick-and-dirty" mean in restaurant slang?
It is used to describe a cheap, simple, or no frills eatery that prioritizes fast service and low prices over ambiance, cleanliness, or gourmet ingredients. People typically say "Let's just grab something at a quick-and-dirty spot" when they are hungry but don't care about where they eat. The term originated in American casual speech during the mid 20th century, extending beyond restaurants into any fast, rough, or temporary solution, but remains common in dining slang.
Examples
We grabbed lunch at a quick-and-dirty downtown.
