I don’t remember life before Sacha Finkelsztajn. Ok, that’s not entirely true, but I’m certainly enjoying it more now that I’m a convert. For members of this club, the mere utterance of the word “Sacha” can induce profound hunger fits, and the sight of the boutique’s bright yellow facade literally has a Pavlovian effect on me (drool and all).

I’m referring, of course, to Sacha Finkelsztajn, Paris’ most famous Jewish bakery, located on the rue des Rosiers in the Marais. The bakery has been family owned and operated since 1946 and Sacha, the current owner, still whips up recipes passed down from his grandparents (the original founders of the bakery).

Skeptics claim that Sacha is overrated (and overpriced), and to be quite honest, I can do without most of their offerings. But once you’ve had a Finkelsztajn sandwich, there’s no going back. Even when I’m in New York—the land of a million delis—I have regular flavor flashbacks and find my taste buds yearning for Sacha’s classic sandwich. And when I’m in Paris, it provides a welcome break from traditional, buttery French fare.

The sandwich is a heavenly combination of lean spiced beef (or turkey), a layer of smoky (but not too smoky) eggplant spread, another layer of spicy (but not crazy spicy) red chili paste, thinly sliced pickles, cucumbers, and tomatoes, all layered on a soft onion roll.

They don’t come cheap—they’re 7.80€ a pop—but it’s probably for the best. Were they not such a significant investment, I would undoubtedly end up eating five a day. Not advisable. In addition, the bakery has a bunch of traditional Jewish desserts—like a particularly fluffy looking cheesecake—but I’m always too fulfilled after my sandwich to bother.

What do you think, readers? Does Sacha merit its rep as the hottest bakery on the rue des Rosiers? Check out what those at The Puff List, We Blog the World, and This Little Piglet had to say.

Sacha Finkelsztajn. 27 rue des Rosiers, 4th arrondissement. Tel: 01 42 72 78 91. Open Wed-Mon 10am-7pm. Closed Tuesday.

Written by Tory Hoen for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.