Aupa Caminito, the affordable neighborhood restaurant and its incredible croissant burgers

When we heard about the croissant burger concept, we were honestly skeptical. Too fatty, too heavy, too many flavors mixed together: we were both eager to try it and at the same time, we had a lot of preconceived ideas about the Croger (contraction of croissant and burger). But that was before we met the enthusiasts behind this burger recipe, which could not be more representative of our French culinary specialties. "The idea was to recreate the quintessential French burger, between the croissant bun and the meat specialties simmered then shredded: boeuf bourguignon, rougail saucisse...that we'd put inside," says Aurel (his nickname), the manager.

It's been eight years since he took over Aupa Caminito, a restaurant that was already called that before: out of love for the place, because it was already a brasserie where regulars from the neighborhood would meet, he decided to leave the name, like the cabaret storefront, which can be seen from across the street. "Aurel is a sentimentalist," explains Salomé with a smile. With Aurélien, they are together, and this project is in their image: simple, welcoming and particularly convivial. So, for the last eight years, the two of them have been running the business. Formerly a more traditional brasserie whose menu has kept its traces, with the classic egg with mushroom cream, a bestseller as a starter, or the unmissable mi-cuit choco-amandes, which you'll find in the top 3 of desserts recommended by restaurateurs, Aupa Caminito has gradually turned to a new concept.

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As soon as pulled pork arrived on the menu, it was a big hit, so when the team thought about creating the perfect French-style burger, in full confinement, with a croissant bun and traditional recipes inside, pulled pork was an obvious choice. We'll stop you right there: okay, it's not French. But it's the recipe that launched the Croger concept, so we're almost ready to incorporate it into one of Bocuse's books from now on.

For Crogers, there are a dozen recipes to choose from, many of them vegetarian. Alternatively, you can choose from the Croger-style recipes for beef bourguignon, pulled pork, chicken basquaise and veal blanquette, or, less unusual, the charcuterie recipes for roast beef, roast turkey, pastrami and ham. For each one, Sassi carefully combines croissant bread, homemade mayonnaise, pickles, tomato and cheese, before adding a generous layer of shredded meat or slices of charcuterie. Prices range from €7.90 (vegetarian Croguer) to €11.90 for a Croguer. For a gourmet treat, you can even accompany the Croger with a plate of potatoes bravas, seasoned potatoes that you dip in mustard mayonnaise or herb mayo, again homemade. For those who prefer a salad on the side, the Fresh Salad can be nibbled between two burger bites, while the Mayo Potato Salad can be nibbled to your heart's content. If you're really hungry, opt for a side per person in addition to your Croger, otherwise, the dishes are shared (and that's just as well, because the portions are really nice). This time, expect to pay between €5 and €6 per side, which is particularly good value for money, given that a burger with accompaniments costs around €15, and you'll leave feeling full.

Ingredients are sourced as close to home as possible, with the emphasis on local produce and, where possible, local merchants. Starting with the bakery next door to the restaurant, which supplies Aupa with croissants every lunchtime. If you're sitting at a table, look up from your burger: you're sure to see the baker carrying the croissant buns himself and placing a mountain of them on the counter. For those who don't want to eat a burger,Aupa Caminito 's menu also offers bowls, which bring together the house classics - the frayed meat recipes, the cold meats, the ratatouille - on a large plate, accompanied by rice. Prices range from €7.90 for vegetarian bowls to €13.90 for meat bowls.

In the background, we hear everything from Céline Dion to the classic hits of Notre-Dame-de-Paris, followed by Latin music: this is Salomé's playlist, and she smiles from ear to ear when we validate her sounds. "Every waiter, employee and cook in the restaurant has his or her own playlist," she says. We warned you: Aupa Caminito has a very family atmosphere. Here, you eat with your table practically next to your neighbor's, and that's no accident: you meet people, you share, you enjoy and, above all, you enjoy the ultra-generous cuisine at mini prices, a bit à la bonne franquette. Even the crockery has an air of home about it: plates all different, tables unique, cups mismatched... The restaurant's decor has been sourced from A to Z, a detail that lends the restaurant its charm and personality. For students, many of whom live in the neighborhood, Aupa Caminito offers a 10% discount at each checkout. So, good deals are here!

So, if we had to sum up Aupa Caminito in a few lines, we'd certainly be talking about an ultra-trendy and original concept, with croissant burgers to be tasted at least once in your life, but above all, we'd say it's a really friendly restaurant with an extra soul and rather affordable prices. The service, the quality of the food, the atmosphere of the place, the smiles on the faces of the whole team: whether you come for lunch, a drink or a coffee, you come here as if you were visiting a good friend, for the family atmosphere, for the welcome and because here, you're always sure to eat well.