pho 14

In my last post (Bang for your buck: 13th), I promised to elaborate on the delicious and cheap Pho 14 in Paris' 13th arrondissement.

Positive internet reviews and first-hand friend testimonials didn't lie. We ate like champions for 7.50 euros a bowl !

When served each steaming bowl of pho, whether with chicken, beef or tradition (beef and tripe), it comes with vietnamese basil (which has a slightly minty flavor), bean sprouts, lemon, onions, hoisin sauce and a few spicy peppers (warning: if you're a spicy wimp, do not eat the peppers, soups are not served with bread to cool the heat!).

The ingredients are fresh, the seasoning is just right, and at 6.50 the small bowl, 7.50 the large bowl, it's all at a price you can't beat.

We got to Pho 14 at about 7:15 pm, and we thankfully didn't have to wait...however, when we left around 8:30, the place was packed inside and out (with a line outside the door).  Don't let the line scare you, this place has a quick table turnover.

Enough ramblings, food is always best described with photos !

 

The best bang for your buck: the 13th of Paris

The 13th of Paris is known for being both the site of Paris' Chinatown as well as housing one of my favorite restaurants (Chez Gladines) and favorite bars (Sputnik) in Paris. Here are 5 stops that are sure to please both you and your bank account.


1. Tang Frères

48 Avenue d'Ivry 75013 (metro Porte d'Italie), closed Mondays
168 Avenue de Choisy 75013, Tram Porte de Choisy

My friend Rebecca turned me on to the 13th upon my return to France this January, and no proper trip to the 13th is complete without a visit to one of many Tang Frères supermarkets. Why ? It's...

• CHEAP
• I've never left Tang Frères paying more than 30 euros for an enormously full re-usable carrefour bag of groceries. This includes getting meat, cheese, fruits, veggies, sauces, beer, and tea. 30 EUROS. 
• QUALITY
• Unlike some places where cheap can mean crap, cheap at Tang Frères means deal for quality food. They have fresh chicken breasts that they cut for you, the veggies and fruits are bountiful and diverse, and they have spices and sauces this gal could only dream of in other supermarkets (and for the price, too).
• SPEED ("I feel the need...the need...for SPEED")
• I always spend forever getting in and out of french grocery stores, from the time it takes me to remember where the brioche is to the time it takes to go through the line (because only 2 in 15 are open) I have spent way more time than I want in a grocery store. 
• At Tang Frères, you feel the buzz of people closing in on you, pushing you around the store like you're on a moving walkway. Every aisle has its purpose and flows seamlessly from product to product. The cash lines are powered by speedy employees, and though there are many people, efficiency is paramount in Tang frères. No trip lasts more than 30 minutes. 

2. Pho 14 :

129 Avenue de Choisy, 75013, Metro Tolbiac

• I've put Pho 14 on here and will be adding more after my first trip this Saturday. For cheap quality eats (see others that I've talked about in my previous post : My top 3 of 14th in Paris) in Paris, Pho restaurants as well as other vietnamese, thai, and chinese restaurants in general are the places to eat for a good quality-price-amount ratio.  But, they aren't all good, so as the french would say, méfiez-vous. 
• Pho is a vietnamese soup traditionally served with rice noodles, basil (vietnamese basil), beef or chicken, sprouts, and lime/hot sauce on the side. A big bowl at Pho 14 is under 8 euros, and you will not be needing seconds. 
• More to come (plus photos) after my trip this weekend !

3. UGC Gobelins: 
66 Avenue de Gobelins, 75013, Metro Place d'Italie

• Aside from UGC Ciné Cité Bercy, this is the most affordable big movie theater for the under 26 crowd (and over 26 as well). Forget Châtelet, this places offers a 3.90 euro under 26 ticket and screens the many films in their original language.

4. Sputnik
14/16 Rue de la Butte aux Cailles, 75013, Metro Corvisart

• I love the Sputnik for many reasons
• First, I met my wonderful boyfriend here during a conversation club when I first studied abroad in Paris (thanks, Courtney! :D)
• Second, though happy hour is only 2 hours from 19h-21h, their cocktails are delicious and they have Delirium (a fab belgian beer) on tap, amongst others. Cocktails and pints of beer are half off during happy hour.
• Third, the staff are awesome, friendly and take care of their regular customers. They have a great space to host a fun bar night with friends and are always bustling with people...it's a great ambiance.

in the Sputnik for my PACS party !

5. Chez Gladines
30 Rue des Cinq Diamants, 75013, Metro Corvisart


No proper gourmand trip to Paris is complete without a stop at Chez Gladines.  I bring my friends, family, even strangers to bask in its culinary glory.  The portions are enormous and the prices are cheap.

• What to get:
• If you're ravenous either the Magret de Canard with Roquefort cheese sauce (12 euros) or the Escalope de Veau (12 euros), which is a pile of veal, ham, and cheese melted together and covered in sizzling, mouthwatering sauce...OM NOM
• Salade de Cinq Diamants (10 euros): there is an egg, and some good ham, cheese, potatoes, tomatoes, other delicious meats and of course a bit of salad
• When to go:
• At lunch time
• In the evening, before or around 7:30pm

Try to go in even-numbered groups, it is much easier to get a seat ! If you arrive and a ton of people are already waiting, don't be afraid, go inside, put your name down and then go across the street and get a drink like the other folks waiting. You won't be disappointed when you get a seat and take on your feast. 

Other suggestions from Rebecca, my friend/resident 13th expert:

• Monte Cassino, 76 Avenue de Gobelins, 75013, Metro Place d'Italie: Excellent (large!) pizzas at a great price, try the pizza with Parma ham, roquefort and an egg...
• Café La Place, between 180-192 Avenue de Choisy, Metro Place d'Italie, good ambiance, 5 euro cocktails and 5 euro café and crèpe

Do you have any suggestions for the 13th of Paris?