France's Take on Fast Food

The latest victim of the global economic downturn is lunch. In France, the tradition of eating an unhurried, multi-course meal with wine has given way to takeout sandwiches – French fast food. The Economist reports that younger workers and women are leading the trend, because grabbing a sandwich not only costs less, but also takes less time to eat, leaving lunch breaks free for other things, like shopping.

In The Guardian, Angelique Chrisafis reports that French restaurateurs are worried about staying afloat as patrons economize or eat on the go. Bankruptcies and closures of restaurants in France rose 26 percent in 2008, while sandwich sales continued to rise. Entrepreneurs are opening sandwich chains, and next month, one French chef at the European Sandwich Show will compete against colleagues from six other countries in the Sandwich World Cup.

What’s a French sandwich like? Beautiful, fresh, and even a tad chic. Popular sandwich spots like Lina’s and Goutu are offering convenience and value, but with French flair. When was the last time your deli put flowers on your sub?

(Photo courtesy of Lina’s)