I love a good French baguette.
However, I’m also not a purist when it comes to sandwiches because I actually love a toasted sandwich (or pressed sandwich). I know you’re not supposed to toast bread unless if it’s stale, but I just really, really love toast.
This is why I was thrilled to discover Chez Alain Miam Miam, a sandwich shop whose most famous sandwich is full of high quality ingredients and is toasted!
I made a special trip out to this place just to try their sandwich.
The old traditional Parisian market that houses this shop, Marche des Enfants Rouge, is itself is worth a visit. It's filled with vendors selling fresh produce, beautiful cuts of meat, fresh seafood, and more. There are cheese shops around the corner, chocolate shops, and more. You're really in gourmet foodie heaven.
But don't get too distracted, since you want to arrive at the popular eateries before the lines get too long.
Buckwheat Galettes
Yes, I was supposed to be here for the sandwich but . . . when I arrived I got distracted. I realized they ALSO make another favorite dish . . . Buckwheat GALETTES!
I was so torn. I was there alone. There was no way I could eat both things (they are HUGE).
Alas, I couldn’t decide, so I did decide to get both. (!)
I started with the galettes, which was filled with Comte cheese, roasted onions, and jambon (jam). It was delicious (I think their roasted onions is one of their “secret” ingredients”), but huge and very very heavy. I could only eat about ⅕ of it.
Round 2: the famous sandwich
After enjoying my galette, I went back up to the stand and ordered a sandwich. They must have thought I was crazy, but they obliged.
I was mesmerized by the sandwich-making process. They take so much care in making the sandwiches! Each sandwich takes some time to make, which is why the lines can get really, really long. One blog post I read said lines can reach up to two hours during peak season. I showed up at 11:00AM on a weekday in the middle of November. There was no line at all.
Swipe to the right in the Instagram post to see the video of the sandwich making.
I loved the sandwich -- a perfect mixture of “all the veggies”, ham, Comte cheese, and roasted onions all toasted on their fantastic bread. The sandwich is huge, and can easily be shared between two smaller eaters. I was so, so sad that I was by myself. There was no way I could finish it. I enjoyed about half of it, and then (sadly) carried it with me for a few more hours before finally tossing it.
So sad . . . Next time I must bring Bryan with me. The sandwich is really so, so good.
Highly highly recommended! Show up early if you don’t want to wait. There isn’t really a place to sit, so you’ll have to eat the sandwich while walking down the street. Good luck. It’s a bit messy, but totally worth it.
chez Alain Miam Miam
Marche des Enfants Rouge
