My Paris | L'As du Fallafel

Okay, maybe every single person who has ever recommended places to eat in Paris has mentioned Falafel Alley. Well, I'm no different. Let me defend the repetition I'm about to offer to the blogosphere with three self-approved reasons:

1. Visitors still haven't tried them or heard of them. Just as it seems everyone has tried a falafel from L'As du Falafel, someone comes to visit that has no clue what I'm talking about. They don't know what a falafel is (my best description is a hush-puppy like fried-ball made of chickpeas + garlic), they don't know that there is a place to get them in Paris, and they don't know which stand to buy from when they go. So, it makes me think that maybe not every corner of the internet has been flooded with the suggestion yet.

2. We eat them all the time. They are literally down the street from our apartment and, man, when I don't want to cook- it's the fastest option we both agree on.

3. I've been preaching this falafel goodness for years. While this might be my first dedicated post, I have mentioned it quite a few times in the past like this time and this other time.

WHAT TO DO | Go to the St. Paul Metro stop, exit and walk across the street to Rue Pavee. Walk up the street and go up until you reach Rue Des Rosiers (aka "Falafel Alley'). Turn left, pass the first few falafel stands until you reach L'As Du Falafel on your right.(If you go on a Sunday, it will be the line with about 100 people in it.)

Jump in line, pay the sketchy men €5.50 for your falafel, get a ticket in return and wait your turn to get up to the window.

(Don't worry, it moves fast.)

Once you get up to window, hand in your ticket and wait for your gigantic pita of goodness to be delivered. If they asked if you want the "sauce piquant," the answer is, "Yes, I do." It's spicy (though not overly spicy) and delicious.

Drinks are another €2, so either bring your own or cough up the change there. We like to wander to Place Des Vosges to eat our like so many other locals & tourists. Either way, you're in for a cheap treat and I know you'll love it.

L'As Du Falafel is closed Saturday (sabbath) and Friday evenings. If you visit on one of those tragic moments,  there will be some other stands open that offer almost-as-tasty falafels. 

I like King Falafel.

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For more of my Paris recommendations, visit here.

         *photography by Noah Darnell