Customer Reviews

Cheap Eats in Paris

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

My husband and I ate our way around Paris using this book. The one time we didn't use it -- the meal was terrible and expensive. One memorable meal was at a little place where we had to wait outside for a table. About 3 couples were waiting when the door opened and out came a plate with appetizers on it. The owner sent them out to us to keep us happy while waiting!!! This place was a "mom and pop" type of place but even the more expensive places were delightful. Call ahead-- the hours sometimes are wrong. It's like the restaurant bible of Paris.

We bought this book in the hopes of finding good cheap restaurants in Paris. Not so. This book was completely useless. The phone numbers of many of the restaurants are inaccurate, and some of the restaurants do not even exist anymore. Each time we tried to use this book to find a place to eat, we came up empty handed. In fact, we found some wonderful places just by walking around. I certainly would not recommmed spending your money on this book.

We have been living in Paris for the last 4 months and have tried to use this book with varied success. We have found may of the entries outdated. In fact the first two restaurants we tried to find no longer exist. Many of the "Eats" are by no means cheap (Paris is expensive anyway). There are lots of cheaper ways to eat well in Paris. We have had about the same luck trying places that look interesting.

I wouldn't dream of going anywhere Sandra Gustafson writes about without reviewing the latest _Cheap Eats_ and _Cheap Sleeps_ guides (Paris, London, Italy). From London to Paris to Florence, she has sent me to more splendid meals and pleasant hotels than all the other guides put together. The books easily pay for themselves in pleasures gained and woes avoided, and she provides excellent practical advice for Americans on everything from booking a room to getting off at the right Metro stop for a restaurant. _Cheap Eats_ is the one guidebook I know I'm taking back to Paris!

I bought my first Cheap Eats book in 1990 because I loved the title and wanted to find good food in Paris. I've used The Cheap Eats/Cheap Sleeps guides on every trip since then, and have always got my money back - not to mention having some wonderful dining experiences through the years

I read one reader comment who said some places were closed and others had different hours than the book stated. That's normal - restaurants go out of business, hours change. Call a day ahead (or have your hotel call for you) and you'll rarely be disappointed. (There's even a listing of restaurants open in August, when most of Paris closes down and goes 'en vacances'). One restaurant we've been to on every trip to Paris has changed hands 3 times, but it's still a creperie, and it still offers good food and good value. Although the new name escapes me now....

Thank you, Sandra Gustafson. And if you ever need a freelance reviewer.... call me!

I took this book with me on a week-long trip to Paris. Sure enough, the reviews were spot-on for the restaurants we tried, though be warned that much of the info is out of date. Several places no longer are in business, and others do not keep the hours listed in the book (such as the one where I really wanted to have lunch on our last day, only to find it closed). So phone ahead before trekking to some out of the way boite.

I've taken this book with me on 2 trips to Paris, & enjoyed every recommendation that we followed from the book. (Actually had to buy the book twice since first copy was lost by a friend on their trip to Paris). It gives you a pretty good description of the environment/background of the restaurant, selects several good dishes worth trying, & lets you know if there's a prix fixe menu. It may be time for an update, but if you want to stay in a budget, you won't find a better guide for eating in Paris unless you have friends that live there.

Somewhat of an informative book, except for one significant flaw. All the eatery reviews were based on the franc instead of the euro!! Hard to get any type of cost concept when this currency has not been used since 2002.

If you were to assume that this book would have some incorrect information since it was published this long ago you would still be disspointed. Not only are the prices still in francs but half of the resturants listed have moved, changed their prices drastically or simply no longer exist. This book might of been valuable when it was printed but no longer is. Don't waste your money.

Back in the late '90's & early 2000's this book was the best of its kind & rated 5 stars then. Our favorite restaurant of all time "A La Biche au Bois" & our 2nd favorite "Le Petit St. Benoit" were found here & both are still in business. But copyright 1998 (meaning the data was probably gathered in 1997) makes it oudated. What drives this home is that the menu prices are given in French francs.

Personal message to Sandra: We need you back in Paris updating your book!!!