Grocery store options- Paris

Look for boulangeries if you want good sandwiches. I haven't really seen many prepared meals in any French supermarkets, though some hypermarkets might have sushi and other stuff.

Honestly, my experience is that ordering the formule for lunch at a brasserie is usually a very good deal.

In Paris there are always crepes - both sweet and savory - and they are a classic quick cart snack. I think you need to shift what you're asking for and think about 'street food' since it is prepared and meant to be taken away instead of sitting in a restaurant. Now in Paris that often means the food with not be "French" but often immigrant food. That doesn't mean it's not great but Algerian, Asian and even Italian and Spanish foods are often made to go.

Here's a decent article on the highend what I'm talking about: https://www.meetmeinparisatl.com/blog/best-paris-streetfoods

Paris is so large and chains are much less of things than in London (but there are 20 Pret A Mangers in Paris but I never remember seeing one) so what's available varies a lot by neighborhood. You'll need to do some exploring wherever you're staying - or wherever you are hungry for lunch. On R. des Martyrs there's a bakery Le Pain Retrouvé that sells breads, quiches and sandwiches which we ate later in the Tuileries Garden and it was great, but nothing on R. des Martyrs is cheap. If you are near a park keep an eye out for take away places near there.

And French restaurants are required by law to post menus outside so you can check prices before sitting down. And as mentioned there is a formula or a plat-du-jour menu many places that is a bargain. Tip: If you are ordering off the daily special menu say so explicitly to the waiter when you order.

Experiencing the food and sitting at a cafe as Paris passes you by is part of the experience so don't miss out - just order wisely.

Paris is amazing - have a great trip,
=Tod

Bakeries and boulangerie and delicatessens, some stores like Carrefour, pizza and kebab places, all should have options for you. Quiches and sandwiches and sometimes a few slices of deli meats with a demibaguette have served as an enjoyable lunch for us. And, as mentioned, crepes from a street corner stand are fresh-made and yummy. Every neighborhood should have a small produce market to buy fruit. And don't forget the cheese shops! Even if you make up your meal from more than one shop, what fun t is to visit them all! A wonderful excursion and a change from museums, churches etc. Another slice of French life to relish!
Bon appetit!

We obtained prepared sandwiches, pate, cheese at a Monoprix - very well-stocked department store. Many in Paris all over.

Yes, Monoprix has plenty of items you could take away for lunch or dinner. So does any other grocery store or mini mart. Or, like someone said, Pret a Manger ....

Exactly as Kim said, but the grocery stores, Paul, Pret a manger are going to be factory made products. You'll find better sandwiches in a bakery or sandwicherie.

Any boulangerie will have sandwhiches as well as savory quiche options. They'll even heat the quiche up if you like. Eating in Paris doesn't have to be expensive. I also get tired of eating out all the time. That's when it's time to make a nice charcuterie board with some grapes, apples etc to round it out. Cheese, bread, fruit and some nice jambon. Yum!!

If you are looking for something like Tesco, look for "formule déjeuner" at bakeries (boulangeries). These typically offer a sandwich (or other savory item like quiche, pizza, etc.), beverage and sweet treat (or could be chips) for a set price for lunchtime.

The really large places, the Carrefour Hypermarkets, have a couple restaurants inside. And usually a pastry shop as well as the commercial bakery in the store.

There are small Carrefour within the city, and these are some of the rare places open on Sundays, although with limited hours.

I have yet to find a USA type deli anywhere. I miss them terribly.