Chez Gladines

"Chez Gladine" is a lovely little restaurant in the 13th "arrondissement" of Paris. They serve tasty food from the south of France, and i have to say i had so much food I couldn't finish my plate! I would say it is worth going for the low prices and the good quality of the food, however the waitresses weren't nice and the place was too packed for its size. Adding to that, we had to wait at least one hour outside the restaurant to get a table for 4 people! i recommend going there late-morning or mid-afternoon to avoid a long line...

Easily accessible from the Corvisart or Place d’Italie Metro stops, this authentic restaurant is located on an ultra-Parisian back alley. The street is by no means touristy, so make sure to read up on your French skills before heading there (I’ll get to my traumatizing story later). Chez Gladines features a traditional Basque menu. During my Parisian adventure, I was always hungry and unsatisfied with my dainty portions. Chez Gladines is Basque to the bone, and serves incredible portions that didn’t sacrifice quality for quantity. I ordered the Basque chicken. When it arrived, I was shocked to find there was literally a whole chicken on my plate accompanied by potatoes and ratatouille. The chicken was succulent and flavorful, and in spite of my previous ruminations, I finished all of it. My vegetarian friend optioned for an omelet “sans jambon”; apparently, it’s typical French fashion to eat omelets at all hours. If you’re feeling like something lighter, they also serve a variety of salads, though even those come in giant silver mixing bowls. The waitresses weren’t friendly, but you have to understand how busy they are. The dinner crowd is insane and mostly made up of regulars, so the waitresses tend to have no patience when it comes to tourists trying to order “French fries” or other non-menu items. Which leads me to my traumatizing story and the reason why I read up on French for hours before heading to Chez. A friend of mine told me she went once and asked for a side of ketchup. The waitress yelled at her in front of the rest of the patrons and told her it wasn’t a McDonalds. Be respectful of the food; it’s already so rich, it would be social suicide to ask for a substitute. My number one recommendation is to get here early—even after a two hour wait, my guest and I had to rub elbows with a middle-aged couple throughout dinner.

My friends and I frequented this place when I lived in Paris, and seriously, I could never really understand the menu (because i know very little about Basque cuisine) but it never once disappointed. Although the atmosphere at the Place d'Italie location is bustling with energy and fun, it can be extremely stressful. Go to the Chez Gladine's near Maubert Mutalite because there's more space and the waiters are much more friendly, and the food is just as amazing!! The prices are great and you'll never leave unsatisfied. Don't forget to try the Basque Beer! Yum.

Chez Gladine is a must go for any French south eastern food lovers or people on a budget. That is the best part of it, anybody can afford to go there so you have no excuse to hit that lame fast food once again. You better be hungry too as the plates or bowls are freakin huge. The place itself is charming : large tables where people sit next to each other so you almost always befriend your neighbors. Everything is about conviviality and great food. At night after 8 PM you’ll probably will have to wait outside, drinking a super affordable glass of wine on the street. One of the most charming places Paris has to offer.

This place is amazing! It's located on a little street behind a busier metropolitan area, but it was nothing short of authentic and delicious. We arrived at the restaurant around 2:30 or 3 on a weekday, and it wasn't too crowded, making the service extra fast. I ordered the Basque Chicken, and I've never had anything like it. My plate was filled with food, and for the price I paid for it, I got quite the value for my euro. With cheap glasses of wine, Chez Gladines is perfect for enjoying authentic food with a perfect French atmosphere!