Originally Posted by iff
On a similar note, in nearly every boulangerie (bakery) you can buy sandwiches for about 3 euros. These are made up of half-length baguettes filled with various things including ham and cheese, lettuce, vegetables, salami, tomatoes, etc. There are sometimes several varieties available, made up in advance. You often see Parisians walking down the street eating one of these sandwiches.
Looking for mineral water to keep in your room or take along for a picnic? Forget the familiar brands like Vittel and Evian; the best buy in the capital beverage-wise has to be 1.5-liter bottles of "Cristaline" mineral water, €0.18 in the supermarket or €0.50 in the ubiquitous tiny neighborhood grocery stores (even at that elevated price, it's still a bargain).
The prix fixe option is a good suggestion, but if you get out of the more heavily touristed areas into the working-class neighborhoods you can find great prices even à la carte. Last week a friend and I ate at Chez Gladines, a tiny Basque-influenced restaurant not far from the Place d'Italie, and each had a plate with a large Basque omelette with salad, wine, and coffee for €10,50 apiece. Some of the neighboring restaurants also had very reasonable prices.
My first meal in Paris is usually a sandwich mixte - ham, cheese and butter on a baguette. Always a great start to the trip. You will see many Parisians at lunch time, walking and eating the same thing.
Many times, if I am staying some place that does not include breakfast, I will go to a boulangerie and/or patisserie (a favorite of mine is Miss Manon on Rue St. Antoine near the St. Paul metro stop, not only good, but a place to sit and eat) and get a croissant, quiche, whatever I'm in the mood for. These places always have microwaves and will heat whatever you get, if appropriate, whether to eat there or take away. Often, I'll take a sandwich for my pack as well or stop at another boulangerie nearer to lunch time. Many of these places, as suggested above, have a huge variety of sandwiches. Another option is a crepe stand - which seem to be everywhere, for a savory or sweet crepe. I have a friend who, when travelling alone, will often eat "street food" almost exclusively while in Paris.
If I don't rent an apartment, which is usually the case, I find that an excellent option is Priceline. You can get a 4* hotel for what a 2* or 3* would otherwise cost.