Paris is The Metropolis of Gentle; Paris is the proper backdrop to fall in love; Paris has Emily, leafy parks, unparalleled bread, grand boulevards, and historic cathedrals. Paris is possibly the final place you’d anticipate finding an incredible sizzling canine.
Whereas I occur to suppose a sizzling canine is the proper snack, your entire idea appears utterly at odds with stylish French eating. Not like New Yorkers, who like to grab-and-go, Parisians sit all the way down to savor every part from pizza to hamburgers with a fork and knife. It’s not a spot identified for fast bites or consuming along with your palms. However go searching and also you’ll discover that town is virtually teeming with unbelievable sizzling canine in each arrondissement. My favourite is Clark Sizzling Canine.
I’ve spent numerous time in Paris—after New York, it is town I do know one of the best—and it has been my mission to seek out one of the best sizzling canine. A hero’s journey, however one I’ve undertaken with satisfaction—and a bit heartburn. I’ve downed canine in a dusty expat hang-out (Harry’s New York Bar); a gap within the wall (La Mosaïque); a kosher deli offshoot (Schwartz’s Sizzling Canine); a small to-go window (Poly); a basic bistrot (Chez George); and a bougie sandwicherie that boasts a bakery bun, butcher canine, and selfmade condiments (Buffet Native). However Clark Sizzling Canine by no means appears to make the best-of lists, which simply means extra for me.
Clark Sizzling Canine is just some blocks away from the unrealistically stylish Place des Vosges, a public park on historic royal grounds. Tucked again on a quiet avenue, simply out of attain from the thrill of Le Marais, Clark is a window in a cement wall, a bit pink awning flanked by two chalkboards, and a tiny yellow signal. If there’s a line (there may be not often a line) it consists of some French excessive schoolers vaping on their lunch break or un salarié (an workplace employee) grabbing a day snack.
The menu is each warmly acquainted and completely stunning in a US-through-the-French-lens form of means. It has 4 beef choices—Le Traditional, Le Coney Island, Le Brooklyn, and Le Gringo—and one vegan possibility, Le Californien (lol). The accouterments are a bit surprising: Avocado one way or the other made it onto Le Coney Island however not Le Californien; spicy jalapeños snicker within the face of stereotypes on Le Gringo; there’s a slice of cheddar cheese cradling Le Brooklyn and Le Californien; and Le Coney Island boasts coleslaw. Up is left, proper is inexperienced—it feels harmful and subversive and I adore it.
The canine and bun slowly experience by a toaster collectively. (Keep in mind Quiznos? It’s the identical concept.) You then choose from an inventory of condiments, and that is the place the magic actually occurs. There’s a tart relish constituted of cornichon. There are crunchy fried onions, just like the basic French’s model ones, solely higher. There’s a really spicy BBQ sauce, which I extremely suggest. There’s a deliciously candy Thai chili sauce and one thing referred to as Samouraï, which isn’t in any respect Japanese, however a Belgian condiment of ketchup, mayo, and harissa. There’s a honey mustard beneath the charming heading Les Exotiques. And, in fact, there’s ketchup, mustard, and mayo.
