What model combines features of fast food and upscale dining, typically without table service?

The answer is based on the understanding of the fast casual dining concept, which effectively merges the efficiency of fast food with a more elevated dining experience. Fast casual restaurants often emphasize fresh, quality ingredients and a more appealing ambiance than traditional fast food establishments, but they do so without offering full table service. This allows for a quicker turnaround compared to upscale restaurants while providing customers with a more enjoyable dining atmosphere.

Unlike traditional fast food models, which primarily focus on speed and affordability, fast casual establishments invest in the dining experience by providing a comfortable setting and higher-quality menu options. The absence of table service in fast casual restaurants means that customers typically order at a counter, similar to standard fast food operations, yet they enjoy menu items that reflect a more gourmet approach.

The other options do not encapsulate this hybrid experience. Fast food focuses solely on speed and low-cost menu items, whereas quick-service encompasses a broad range of dining styles but does not specifically denote the upscale element. Self-service indicates a model where customers serve themselves, which may lack the curated quality and atmosphere that fast casuals offer. Thus, the combination of these features in fast casual dining makes it the correct answer.