So, since Obama has been in the white house, Americana has gained enormous amounts of popularity over here in Paris. I can see a great difference from the days when Parisians were protesting the war in Iraq (protest which I participated in my first year here in the city of Lights and Love).

Americana diners are popping up all over the city and the hamburger has become a super trendy meal, with popular websites like My Little Paris writing about the “best burger in Paris” and the Ralph Lauren restaurant Ralph’s serving a whopping 27€ but apparently über delish! I don’t know if I could allow myself though to chose that menu item when I go there (as I am planning in it sooner or later) because they do serve Maine Lobster on the menu, and that for me is a vital part of my New England-raised-and-educated desires, much more so than a burger. But that will be for another post. There is also the extremely popular food truck Le Camion Qui Fume, where people stand in line for an hour for street food burger and fries. They have even published a recipe book! Burgers are back and totally popular among the trendy chic in the chicest city in the world.

I do think that I shall write a post with my review of all the different Americana burger joints in the city, but I still haven’t tasted them all! I am working on that, slowly but surely. My most recent tasting was at Chibby’s Diner. An adorable Americana Diner that brings you back to a nostalgic time in the USA, right here in the middle of Paris.

Chéri and I went there for burgers and beers, and we felt like we had stepped back in time when we entered. It was warm and cozy and a true American diner, run by an American. We could have been stopping off for a bite in the middle of a trans-America road-trip, that’s how authentic this place felt.

And the burgers and beer were wonderful and delicious. The fries were perfectly deep fried and salted, the cole-slaw was exactly how my dad used to make it, and we each had a bottle of Sam Adams lager. I felt like I was back home in New England for a moment. Which was quite nice since this time of year (the holidays) I tend to pine away for New England a bit.

The burger was juicy and thick, the bread has sesame seeds on it and was toasted slightly, the decorum was warm and friendly, red table covers, red paper napkins, iconic images that represent the USofA on the walls, and there were American oldies tunes playing on their radio. There was even a loud annoying child in one corner of the restaurant, just in case I didn’t feel like it was all completely authentic (although the child was French). Service was fast and friendly, and the place filled up quick. Obviously a great sign!

Whether you live or are staying near the metro station Nation, or want to make the trip over to the eastern side of the city, this is a great place to feel that Authentic Americana that has suddenly seen a rise in popularity both back in the USA and abroad. Maybe it’s the crisis, but whatever it is, we are all looking for a little nostalgia from time to time, and Chibby’s Diner does it with warmth and style.