Chez Alain - Review - 3rd Arr. - Paris - The Infatuation

"Gregarious Alain and his behemoth sandwiches were once a staple of the coveredMarché des Enfants Rouges, and moving next door to a brick-and-mortar spot seems only to have boosted his fame. That cheese pull alone puts stars in our eyes (and plaque in our arteries). But at €13.50, these panini are overhyped and overpriced. If you need to see what all the fuss is about, join the long queue well before you're hungry—you’ll wait about 25 minutes just to order—get smoky cecina and add Cantal or Comté cheese and the free tomato, caramelized onion, and mushrooms, anddefinitelyget it toasted. The €1.50 surcharge to eat on-site is worth it: You’ll have the chance to add salt and pepper to a sandwich that’s somehow woefully underseasoned." - Emily Monaco