Take-away is food purchased at a restaurant or food outlet for the purpose of being eaten elsewhere. The restaurant may or may not provide table service or sitting arrangement.
The take-away food is often fast food, but not always so. Take-away outlets are often small businesses serving traditional food, which is sometimes of high quality. In some cases, there are facilities for customers to order food by telephone, fax, or over the Internet, to be collected or delivered. This is thought to be on the rise as many small businesses take to the Web to promote their business. Food that is delivered by a restaurant to a customer (often called delivery) is also sometimes called take-away.
Certain types of food that are usually served in sit-down restaurants are also available as take-away. Pizza is one example: some pizzerias and fast food chains have no tables, and supply for take-out and delivery only.