Kiosks

Sliced potatoes, fried sardines, mugs of wine, lottery tickets. During the 19th century, downtown Rio was dotted with kiosks, small European-style structures that originally sold newspapers, books, and postcards. Soon, however, the kiosks of 19th-century Rio began replacing the French airs of their original trade, offering a vast range of foodstuffs and beverages, as well as small sundries, to serve above all the flow of low-income workers who circulated in their surroundings.

Image description: This is an old black-and-white photograph. In the image, we see a group of people in front of a kiosk decorated with a dome-shaped roof. The spatial arrangement begins on the left, where there is a fence with pillars and a small building in the background. On the right, the kiosk is centered, with an ornate structure and a flag hanging in front of it. People are scattered around the kiosk, some seated and others standing. On the ground, near the kiosk, there is a basket. In the lower left corner, there is a mark with the number "14320."

They were, perhaps, the forerunners of today's pés-sujos. Be that as it may, they already showed signs of the carioca penchant for street food, a trademark — and irresistible attraction — of the city. Yesterday as today, however, the plebeian character of the kiosks displeased the authorities, and the kiosks of old Rio ended up being torn down in the urban reform led by Pereira Passos.

Image description: This is an old black-and-white photograph. In the image, we see a small kiosk with a pointed roof located in front of an old building. On the left, there is a large door with decorative details. On the right, a counter with wrought iron bars. People are scattered around the kiosk, some talking and others watching. On the ground, stones form the pavement. In the bottom right corner, it reads "Rua da Saúde."