L'As du Fallafel, Paris...falafel at its best

L'As du Fallafel is widely recognised as one of the (if not THE) most popular Falafel joints in Paris.  Mum and I first survived the crowds lining the streets of the Marais on a Sunday to feast on a gigantic  pita stuffed with falafel and toppings ages ago...and have agreed that a trip to Paris wouldn't be complete without hungrily devouring a L'As du Fallafel falafel.  

This is not the place you want to go to if you are impatient.  Located on the Rue de Rosiers, the cue outside the take-out window is often long and although the service is very quick it can be difficult for even the most seasoned cuer to stand patiently while watching falafel after falafel walk by.  There is a reasonably large seating area inside the restaurant where, for a couple extra euros, you can sit, relax, soak in the atmos and devour you falafel slightly more daintily.  

The falafel gods must have been smiling down on us when we trekked over to the Marais last Sunday.  The sun was shining and there were very few people out and about (yet). We visited a few must stop shops (Marriage Freres for tea) and the slightly hidden Musee Congnacq-Jay before wandering along the Rue de Rosiers.  

We arrived at around 12:30 and although we weren't starving we agreed that it was almost time to eat and that we should take advantage of the uncharacteristically short cue.  A millisecond after that decision was made mum turned to me and said...or we could sit inside.  I didn't have to think about it.  

Any internet search for Paris Falafel will return reviews and posts about L'As du Fallafel.  They will tell you all about the falafel and the toppings and the other items on the menu.  They will tell you that for 5 euros your falafel will be filling enough to get you thorough your afternoon walking around Paris.  

What I'll tell you is that it is worth the extra couple of euros to sit inside.  There aren't many places to perch outside to eat your falafel (if you can hold off long enough to walk 5 mins there is a sweet little square off the Rue de la Verrerie between the Rue Moussy and Rue de Vieille du Temple) and finding a public toilette in Paris is like Russian Roulette.  Sitting inside means resting your feet for 30 mins, not spilling your falafel on your clothes or on the street, and you can make a quick toilet break (if only to wash your hands of the tahini sauce).  

Oh, and why do I love this falafel?...it comes topped with huge chunks of grilled aubergine.  

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