It's possible I missed a mention of it on this thread, but would definitely recommend getting a falafel sandwich at L'As du Falafel in the Marais district. It's utterly delicious.

Note that when I went, there was a crowd getting falafel sandwiches here while the neighboring falafel places were trying (unsuccessfully) to shepherd some folks away from the place. I say hold out for the good stuff.

On Rue de Buci, just a few doors down from Hotel de Buci, there was a very unassuming shop that has counter service, where you order and then sit at one of the tables. We stumbled in there on our first jet-lagged day, just to get something. We had no expectations and the sandwiches were superb! I wish I knew the name....however, it is worth a walk over to that area as it is so charming, with all the stores and shops on very narrow picturesque streets.

thanks again for all the tips! Bachslunch, L'as du Falafel is solidly on our list (though the boys will go for the shwarma!). And socialworker - if we manage to stumble across that rue de buci place, I will post the name when I get back!

kerouac - please, tell me where I might find a tasty doner kebab when I am in Paris at the end of the month! Yum :)

tod - do you have a trip report of your last Paris visit? Or am I mixing you up with someone else? I remember reading about a chinese restaurant with Koi under the floor, from a report from last year? Sorry if this wasn't you...but it was a wonderful report, and I have been searching for it for two days and cannot locate it...

Hi queen1730 - I think this is tod's trip report you are looking for
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ough-paris.cfm
"Our springtime stroll through paris" (one I had bookmarked!)

Thank you Canada_V - that is just the one! :)

I am interested in the discussion about ethnic food in Paris. I think that a reason many people on this forum appear more interested in French food in Paris than the restaurants of other regions is that it is relatively easy to find reasonably priced Chinese, Thai, and Indian food near home. In my own case, this is certainly true. I love the food I can get at French restaurants and markets in France, and it is very difficult to find that type of food at a reasonable price anywhere near my home.

I have had the occasional meal at a Chinese, Turkish, or Lebanese restaurant in Paris, and if I were lucky enough to spend more time in Paris I would certainly seek out the restaurants and neighborhoods recommended here. They do sound appealing. But what I am craving in France is French food.

I agree that quite a bit of the 'French' food available outside of France is dreadful (and/or overpriced). However, French cuisine is only one of the major great cuisines of the world, and it is really a shame to ignore the Italian, Turkish, Chinese, etc. places of interest that you may come across on a trip to Paris. It will almost certainly be completely different from 'back home' no matter what.

mmmmmmmmnnnn, I second Pomme de Pain chain suggested by Kerouac. I had a couple of addresses with me in case we were tired or overstimulated and just wanted to grab a quick bite as opposed to a meal. REALLY delicious sandwiches.

Most days we picked up a formule lunch at a bakery...and all of them were very very good. I liked Legay Choc bakery, there are a couple in the marais... you got the sandwich, a pastry AND a drink for like 5-6 Euros.

Walking from the Orsay to the Rodin, we came across Boulangerie Gosselin, at 260 Boulevard Saint Germain. Their toasted three cheese sandwich was unbelievable. Neither one of us could finish it, it was so filling and really large by Paris standards. Lots of local workers were there buying lunches with the vouchers their employers provide, so that's a good sign! The line was out the door and around the corner for both the sandwiches and pastries there.

Yum! Thanks to everyone - this is perfect!