Buillon Chartier, the oldest and most popular Brasserie in Paris

I was quite intrigued by Buillon Chartier, the oldest (and most popular) Brasserie in Paris. I have read about it before, if I'm not mistaken, under Good Value Places to Try in Paris, because they are known for value, but I heard that there is always a long line, and the food was just so-so, so we never attempted to try it for ourselves.

However, on our last trip to Paris, we read about Buillon Chartier again from Sofia's Paris for Kids book, you can read more about that here, but what sealed the deal for us is that it was just a few minutes walk from our hotel, and we just arrived from Florence so lunch was quite late at 4:00pm so we though this meant that we wouldn't have to line up for a table.

It does look like a blast from the past, and we though this
meant, no lines... hooray.

But it just meant, there was a shorter line.
I think they just needed to get organized, because it moved
quite fast.

The place is really known for Good Value, so both tourists
and locals visit it. The soup of the day still costs €1 only.
Just to give you an idea, not even bottled water at any Paris
restaurant is that cheap!

The place is big and bustling. Where they stick different people together to
maximize table space. Just like a big cafeteria, in the olden days in Paris,
because the place has character too, if you know what I mean.

I read an old review of David Lebovit on Buillon Chartier which you can visit here, and since he is such a credible French Foodie, if this place is good enough for him, then it's something I definitely wanted to try, but following his advice, we stuck to the classics.

Ady had 6 escargot (€6.60) to start and I had the foie gras (€7),
both dishes too good for anyone to get wrong.

The starters were served so fast, you'd think they had loads of them ready, which is just dished out as customers arrive, since it is a big place, and they only have a few starters to choose from.

Ady and I both ordered Steak Frites, playing it on the safe side. I think the fries from McDonald's are better, which may be because the fries they served us could have been sitting in the kitchen together with the pre-prepared starters, but that is just my theory.

Ady ordered hers Medium Au Poivre (with pepper gravy) and her steak
was cooked so much better than mine.

I ordered my mine medium, with herbed butter, and it was a bit overdone.

Pink in the middle, tough every where else. tasted quite good though.
Anything with that much herbed butter is bound to taste good.

The classic Chartier experience includes the waiter
writing out your bill on the table. Seriously. Hahaha.
Anyway, it was a good meal for  €36!

We couldn't have had that that kind of food anywhere else, at that price, plus we got the experience of getting a taste of the past with our dinner as well. It's a place worth visiting at least once, or more often if you find yourself in the area. It is very near Opera and the shops on Boulevard Haussman. just saying.


Buillon Chartier
7 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre, 
75009 Paris, France
Open everyday
Reservations not accepted, be ready to queue during peak hours