Smile Ramey, gourmet kabob house in Paris 18th arrondissement

Kabob is the perfect guilty pleasure. But in Paris, fast-good is taking over fast-food! New street-food houses have been popping up here and there and have one mission: revisiting our guilty pleasures in always tastier versions. And among the best places, Smile is already the place to be.

This address nestled at the foot of the Butte Montmartre expects you in 25 rue Ramey and is likely to put a smile on your face. And for good reason. The restaurant revisits the famous kabob sandwich, but gourmet style. As soon as you get it, it is bindingly obvious. For connoisseurs, only one glance at the spit makes you understand it is homemade.

Foodies come and go in this trendy setting. In barely a month, local people have taken over this new spot. The atmosphere is laid-back and friendly, like many addresses in this area. But what is the recipe behind Smile’s success?

First, it is all about homemade. The spit is made on site and includes marinated paprika and Espelette pepper-flavored veal fillet with garlic and ginger. But even though meat quality is a key element for a tasty kabob, Smile does not stop in such a good way. The pita bread comes from the same bakery supplying As du Falafel, the flagship falafel store set rue des Rosiers.

Fries are also homemade, and you can choose between potato and sweet potato. And even dressings are homemade, but careful, you fill not find any standard dressings. You will dip your fries in Wasabi mayonnaise or pineapple ketchup. And believe us, it is a heart’s favorite and the choice is clever: dips perfectly pair sweet potato fries and potato fries.

• To be read
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Then, recipes are super creative! You are provided with five recipes including one changing monthly. As for us, we went for the best-seller, the Smile Beyrouth based on eggplant, lettuce, pickled, parsley salad, feta, and zaatar yogurt, and the Smile Cancun, the monthly recipe based on guacamole, onions, jalapeños, yuzu, cilantro and red cabbage. Even though both sandwiches are very different, both recipes are exquisite and each delivers balanced flavors.

The other three recipes are also inspired by cities: Smile Roma (tomato, arugula, smoked mozzarella, basil pesto), Smile New York (tomato, lettuce, onion, pickle, cheddar, mustard and spicy ketchup), and Smile Bombay (eggplant, lettuce, bell pepper, cilantro and spicy mayonnaise). And good news for vegetarians: you are now able to enjoy these delicious kabobs since there is a veggie alternative with soy steak.

Behind Smile, founders want to provide you with kabob revisited with quality ingredients and highly creative recipes that – by the way – have been designed with a chef working for Anne-Sophie Pic, please! Sandwiches are affordable: allow €11 for a set menu including sandwich, side, and drink.

When we told you they will put a smile on your face, we were right!