Is there a French version of fast food?

[foodfiend]

For all that I've read about the slow food culture in France, I have a hard time believing there aren't people who aren't pressed for time (esp. in big cities like Paris). They still have to get meals on the table for their kids, feed themselves after a long day at work. What do they eat?
The trigger for this is a commercial I just saw for ready-to-make crockpot meals. Just open the bag, throw it in the crockpot and add water -- the ultimate convenience. I shudder to think of all the preservatives in that food.

[cangoss]

I'd say the french version of fast food is the sandwich shops. You get a sandwich wrapped in paper, and if you get french fries, they're stuffed into the sandwich.

There are also the crepe stands for a quick meal.

Also, American fast food has infiltrated France, though for most people I know it's still a "treat" rather than a way of life.

[jroseanne]

There are also the crepe stands for a quick meal.


Yes, there are crepe stands everywhere, and they are so good!

[Wendy w]

Jacques en le box?? :p

Sorry, I can't resist.

[UnGourmetGal]

I don't know about France, but when I was in Italy their version of fast food is called Autogrill....sort of like a gas station/market. This is where I had many fabulous meals. Their "fast food" is pressed panini's with fresh mozzarella, prosciutto or speck. They also had great salad bars with huge chunks of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella chunks, artichoks......it was heaven for me :) There was so much incredibly fresh food in a place we would consider a gas station.

[SusanMac]

Yes, I find it all very strange.

All throughout Europe (although I've only been to a few countries), their "fast food" is real food.

In the US, our "fast food" is cheap, overly processed crap that tastes gross and it bad for you.

I don't get why our companies & consumers choose to go that route?? I know it's about profits at the end of the day, but I doubt the European food places are poor.

BTW, the crockpot fast dinners crack me up, too. I mean, isn't that the whole point of the crock pot -- that all you have to do is throw a few items in a pot & you have a meal without expending much effort? Why do you need a frozen package to do the same thing? Oh well. I'm sure it will sell like hot cakes!

[foodfiend]

Their "fast food" is pressed panini's with fresh mozzarella, prosciutto or speck. They also had great salad bars with huge chunks of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella chunks, artichoks.
This sounds a lot like the salad bars and gourmet takeout places we have here, like at Whole Foods market.

[UnGourmetGal]

This sounds a lot like the salad bars and gourmet takeout places we have here, like at Whole Foods market.

The Autogrills in Italy literally looked like 7-11 gas stations, only bigger... the food is like out gourmet markets. Imagine if we had food available at a 7-11 that was as good as Whole Foods Market...that would be so cool!

[skyllo]

When I was in France in October, there were definitely the panini and crepe stands everywhere, as well as a great bakery on every corner, so whenever we walked people would just be gnawing on huge baguetes or sandwiches. There is the mcdonalds and a couple other hamburger fast food places, but it seems like with such inexpensive breads and fresh markets with fruit, a lot of people just grab that. A favorite site of my friend and I was to see men at the end of a workday hurrying down the street in their business suit looking very professional with a huge baguette under their arms. We just found it so cute. On our way to Belgium our bus stopped in a gas station like the ones described in Italy, instead of just sandwiches, there was a whole bakery type place of fresh breads and sandwich options. Yeah, it was like having panera bread or something in the 7-11. I wish we did that kind of stuff here.
I really really miss my cheap daily fresh baguette. Here they are all over $2.00. and the 1.50 euro wheel of camembert, which is like $7.00 here.
ah, paris...

Sarah

[KGriff]

Paris is my favorite city in the world, so no disrespect here, but the French LOVE their McDonald's. They affectionately refer to it as "McDo" (said "Mac-Dough"). Now of the course, the difference is where we have super XL colossal size fries and burgers with 60 grams of fat, they're mastered that little thing called portion control...order a large soda there, and it's the same size as our smalls.

This makes it sound like I go to McDonald's. Ugh. So not the case! (I'm partial to the baguette sandwiches when I'm in France and need a quick bite.)