The story
Tucked away on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin, this tiny, unnamed shop has earned an almost mythic reputation among Parisian food obsessives. Mark Wiens calls it “probably the best place in the world for croque monsieur,” pointing to a dozen varieties, an incredible cheese pull, and gourmet twists like truffle and pastrami that “elevate the classic French sandwich.” Only Scrans raves that the béchamel sauce is “to die for,” while Francesco Zini gives the classic croque monsieur an “S tier for sentimental value,” declaring it absolutely delicious.
The menu extends well beyond the classic. Only Scrans singled out the spinach, tomato, brie, and béchamel croque as a standout. Wiens’s tasting included both the truffle and pastrami versions, each a testament to the kitchen’s creativity. Despite the hype, the shop remains a no-frills, hole-in-the-wall spot—strictly takeout or casual standing room. If you’re after the definitive Parisian croque monsieur, this vertical spot on Faubourg Saint-Martin is where you’ll find it, one outrageously good toasted sandwich at a time.
Synthesised by AI from every creator’s review. First reviewed 2024.
Most-loved dishes
AI summary of what 9 dish mentions say about the food
The Croque Monsieur Shop’s legendary classic croque monsieur earns universal praise for its perfect, molten crunch. Reviewers agree the vibe is that of a humble, world-beating bistro serving pure, unpretentious comfort.
“I ordered the Faste Classic with gruyère cheese, ham, and béchamel sauce. Just look at the state of it – it's like the best ham and cheese toastie I've ever had. I want to cry, it's so good. The béchamel sauce is insane, I want to weep. So cheesy and gooey, fantastic.”
What creators say
3 creators have covered Croque Monsieur Shop (Unnamed, but described as best in the world). Most active: Only Scrans, Francesco Zini, Mark Wiens
Faste is a small croque monsieur shop in Paris that serves outrageously good toasted sandwiches – the béchamel sauce is to die for.
Dishes mentioned
- Croque Monsieur Classique
Spinach, Tomato, Brie and Béchamel Croque
I also got the spinach, tomato, brie, and béchamel croque. My partner said it's even better than the classic one. It's cheesy, gooey, fantastic.
Faste is a vertical spot for croque monsieur, and the classic one is absolutely delicious, S tier for sentimental value.
Dishes mentioned
Croque Monsieur
Cheese, ham and béchamel between two slices of their own bread. How can you say something like that isn't good? Cheese nicely melted, mixed with béchamel between two slices of bread and ham. Even if one of these ingredients isn't top quality, when there's béchamel it's good. Only thing, I would have preferred the top part a bit creamier, it's quite dry, but it's strong. It's dirty. I can't shred it? Shred it. He's been wanting to eat a croque monsieur since the start of the trip. Madonna, how good is the croque monsieur. I want another half. We did the damage. We ended up taking two more. The truffle one is a bit chemical, but it's good. Where do I put it? For sentimental value, S because I love it. I think I've found the woman of my life, I would never betray it. This is chemical, Madonna what ignorance. This one is more a sandwich than a croque. Cheddar, pastrami, tomato, less croque more sandwich. I prefer the classic one. But try this truffle one, it won't disappoint you. It's good. A lot of stuff. Good, I prefer the classic one we ate.
This is probably the best place in the world for croque monsieur — with a dozen varieties, incredible cheese pull, and gourmet flavors like truffle and pastrami that elevate the classic French sandwich.
Dishes mentioned
Croque Monsieur Classique
This is a glorified grilled cheese — once you have a croque monsieur, you never look at a grilled cheese the same way again. There's multiple layers of cheese — cheese on the inside, cheese on the outside. You get the cheese pull. You taste the béchamel, a hint of nutmeg, and the ham. It's gourmet — a next level crispy cheese, gooey cheese, and ham sandwich.
Croque Monsieur à la Truffe
This is the truffle version — truffle studded with truffle cheese. Look at that cross section — so much ham on the inside. It's oozy, the bread is just melting in the cheese. The truffle hits you immediately. I don't even know if there's bread in there — it's just one with the cheese.
Croque Monsieur Pastrami
This one has the most intense cheese crust on the top. There are pickles in there too — Frenchified with the croque monsieur treatment. It's like a New York pastrami sandwich and a French croque monsieur got together and had a baby in Paris. That is a true grilled cheese experience right there.
