I've never felt the need to rewrite a review, especially a 5 star one, until this place came into my life. Everything about Maison Darras encapsulates what kind of qualities it takes to be my favorite restaurant. Dare I say it's my favorite restaurant? Probably. The food here is always on point. I've tried almost every Panini now and am just filled with an inexplicable joy. Personal faves include the Goat Cheese, Buffalo Chicken, Rachel, Creamy, and Roast Beef. I'm probably forgetting some too! Also, they're only 6 bucks, so I never feel THAT guilty when I'm too lazy to fill my lunch bag up in the morning. The service is beyond consistent. I've never seen a member of the staff have a bad day or if they have had one--they hid it damn well. I've received many mouthwatering recommendations for lunch options from the esteemed staff. The meticulous customer service skills exhibited here is unlike anything else that you would experience at fast-casualish type of restaurant. Plus, if you've had an off day, they have THE best brownies but even more divine is their creme brûlée. I always feel so sophisticated after eating that at my desk--honestly does it get much more sophisticated? I think not. A treat is an understatement. This is a luxurious lunch at a great price. read more

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It is great to have options here, and I want to support local business especially in the skyway system. However, it is necessary to provide a fair service to your customers. I am not from Minnesota, so I can not just agree or walk away after being wrongly charged and given minimal quantities. About 20% of what a normal sandwich place would give for a 10$ sandwich. The paninis were labeled 7.49$ and my bill was 11.87$ including 1$ tip. It's not by accident. I hate to be the squeaky wheel, but these things go noticed. The panini with a sliver of prosciutto was as thin as two slices of bread stacked. I will not return unfortunately. read more

Not only do you not get a full bowl of soup (this happened to me 3 times) when you order the soup - more like 1/2 a cup of soup but appear they no longer give bread with the soup. They are under new ownership!. I've been a customer for years but if this continues I will not be one any longer. read more

Pretty good tasting and quick and easy to get at lunchtime. Its something different than the common lunchtime foods found in St. Paul too. read more

My coworker told me about this place a couple of months ago. I finally got the chance to try it and I cannot wait to go back. I love sandwiches and they have a variety to pick from. Customer service is superb and I love the variety of options. Do check it out if you are in the skyway in downtown Saint Paul. read more

Maison Darras - a piece of bread wrapped in wax paper - Sandwiches Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

Hail to another Saint Paul lunch spot that I discovered in the skyway! To be fair, I knew of this place from its Minneapolis location (which is sadly no more). Some of the best salads are made here, even while you wait. The location becomes rather crowded, so you know that they're turning over the food stock pretty quickly. The staff is very quick and efficient, almost mesmerizing to watch as they orchestrate their moves in a small space. The panini sammichs look delicious but it's the salads that keep me coming back. This location suspended their loyalty program in lieu of raising prices, FYI. I don't see that they've lost any business with that decision. read more

Maison Darras - Sandwiches Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

If you are downtown St Paul, this is an awesome casual lunch spot with delicious, homemade French inspired food! You won't find it on the street, 2nd floor of 401 Roberts Street. Just had a Croque Monsieur that transported me back to Paris. Very worth the escalator ride up off the street! read more

Food is great, very fresh. The Frenchman that works there is super friendly, his wife less so. My only complaint is that the portions are smaller than average. read more

This is the place to go for a good sandwich, friendly service, and tasty options. You can get a combo with a sandwich, soda and a DESSERT. That's right, A DESSERT! I've had their creme brulee and their macaroons so far, and let me tell you, they are delicious! read more

I'll let all of the other reviewers rave about the entrees. My favorites at this spot are the side dishes and desserts. They have mastered the minor details that make the mundane special. My favs: -Cauliflower soup -Chick pea salad -Creme brûlée -Brownies -Peanut butter cookies: these are perfection, hear? Crumbly and moist, smooth, rich and not too sweet. Get them within the first hour they're open for lunch or miss out. They sell out fast!! read more

This is turning into my favorite place to grab lunch when I find myself in St. Paul during the lunch hour. Both times I have been there, I have tried the soup of the day. The first was a delicious (and vegetarian) carrot ginger. The second was a yummy and not-too-heavy cauliflower soup with mint and peas. I really like that their soups don't rely on heavy cream for consistency and flavor. They let the ingredients stand on their own and presumably keep the fat content down as well. I love the small side salads as well and look forward to trying one of their many veggie panini selections. I just read that they are opening a location in the Minneapolis skyway. Yay!!! read more

I had serious food depression after changing jobs and moving from Minneapolis to St.Paul till this place opened. I'm a big fan of the curry chicken and the chicken pesto panini. All of their deserts are great (specially the pumpkin bars in the fall). I visit this place on average about 2x a week, the owners are great friendly people and the place is just nice looking. At $5 per you're not going to find a better price/quality food in the skyways. read more

I just have to say I love this place. I've been going here for a year now and try to hit it at least once a week. Since then I've strayed from my favorite tomato, basil and fresh mozzerella sandwich to try their salads, soups and other delights such as their mouthwatering chocolate chip cookies. From the people who work there to the food, this is a gem hidden in deep in the St. Paul skyway. read more

Parlez-vous francais? Oui? Non? No worries! This airy sandwich, soup and salad spot is a refreshing depart from the many Subways, Jimmy John's, and similar sandwich chains that plague the downtown St. Paul skyway food system. My friend and I used to call this place the "Air" place because it was so clean and neat and looked to upscale for us to drop in. We were wrong. I've developed a rapport with the owners and they are so eager to please. They can pretty much make you any panini you want, but if you are hard-pressed for items to put on your panini, they have a wonderful flavorful menu that has it's own "je ne sais quoi". My favorite is the chicken curry (I usually take off the bread because it's that good and I can't be bothered with bread) and the homemade soups. The husband and wife pair make their own soups, salads, and desserts and use fresh ingredients that you can taste with every bite. St. Paul, take note. You need more places like this in your skyway. NOT another Potbelly. read more

I was so excited to try this place because I've read such great reviews. I was not very impressed. Maybe it was what I ordered? But what I ordered was said to be a favorite also. Anyways, I ordered the buffalo panini and there was just not enough great things about it for me to want to go back. The panini sits out behind the counter and when you order it, they toast it for you and thats it. I thought it would come packed with more than just chicken and lettuce with buffalo sauce. Yes, it was good but not great. I would prefer the buffalo sub from Charley's that I've only seen in food courts. I will give this place another try though since they have so many other things on the menu. read more

Maison Darras - Sandwiches Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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Simple, fresh sandwich with clean quality ingredients and flavors. Best sandwich shop in the skyway for a quick lunch. Make sure to get to the store before the lunch rush at 12:15, otherwise you're 5 minute lunch might turn into 15 read more

Real deal panini, just like off the streets of Paris..sad to see that their foray into Minneapolis skyway was unsuccessful, hope that St. Paul store will soldier on.. read more

I am so excited to have found this place! Delicious and a real step up from the other skywyay offerings in St. Paul. Since starting to work in DT St. Paul a few months ago I have been frequenting the usual places but really hoped to find somewhere with more quality ingredients and a more mature palate - I am so happy to have found it! I had the Rachel panini and a caprese side salad. The Russian dressing on the panini was far better than what you would expect out of a quick service type restaurant and the caprese salad was fresh and tasty. The olive oil and balsamic are served separately so you can add when you are ready so nothing gets soggy - nice touch. read more

Maison Darras - Caprese side salad and Rachel Panini - Sandwiches Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

I rarely eat in the skyway, but when I do, I want it to be a treat. Maison Darras is a treat. The staff was great when I asked for guidance with the menu on my first visit here. I mentioned my dietary preferences. A vegan panini was offered to me right away - without skipping a beat. My request to have twice as much spinach inserted into the hummus panini before it was pressed was even met with a smile. A skyway sandwich that is delicious, affordable, and relatively healthy? Yes please! I know I'll be back. read more

Maison Darras has great food for a great price. I've tried many sandwiches and salads and they have all been delicious. They stick to a very simple plan of good bread and good ingredients and let the food speak for itself. The tomato, mozzarella, basil and prosciutto sandwich is my favorite and I definitely recommend it. The restaurant has a classy feel and the owners are nice. If you eat lunch in the sky-way, this is definitely a place to go to. read more

This restaurant is on my A list for St. Paul lunch spots, so I get there once a week. I usually alternate between the Paninis (I'm a fan of the Creamy and the Rachel) and a Quiche Lorraine. It's busy and the food is very high quality. read more

Love this so much! I always am tempted by the salads and soups but end up not being able to resist the paninis. Good size for the price, delicious, many good options, and the people behind the counter are friendly even at the height of the lunch rush. read more

When I worked in St Paul this was my favorite lunch place. I loved the turkey and goat cheese panini. The food is delicious and so authentic! read more

This skyway gem provides a delicious, quality lunch - a rarity in downtown St. Paul. (While St. Paul has some decent sit-down places, the "fast food" is generally subpar). They make grilled panini sandwiches that are perfectly crisp on the outside and warm and delicious on the inside. My favorite is the Reuben. They don't overstuff the sandwiches either. Several vegetarian options are available. Soups are homemade and you can taste the difference. Give it a try - you will not be disappointed! read more

Maison Darras was rated by Minnesota Monthly as the best skyway lunch spot in the Twin Cities for 2009. And I can see why. Aside from grilled paninis and salads, they also have quiches and great desserts (including an amazing creme brulee). Affordable too - less than $5 for a grilled sandwich. read more

Costs more than Jimmy John's, but for the quality, Maison Darras is a bargain. And you know it's good because the owner is French. The paninis and quiches are delish, but my favorite is the dreamy creme brulee. Proper hard top and so many vanilla bean specks! One of my favorite spots for downtown St Paul lunch. read more

Smushed sandwiches is what we call the delectable paninis Maison Darras offers. My favorite is the Rachel, with a brownie, which I learn they shave the chocolate for the brownies by hand. Everything is yumtasitc for a great price! read more

Our first time eating here, but with mixed results. The panini was excellent, crisp on the outside and very tasty. I had one with sun dried tomato in it, the flavor was wonderful. The creme brulee was also excellent, creamy, sugar topping just right, really great. The quiche was the worst ever. It was dry, almost like foamed eggs that were overcooked, no custardy, cheesy texture at all. Just a few small pieces of ham in the bottom, could not taste ham or cheese at all. I would come back to try sandwiches and desserts again, but not sure about the quiche. read more

Based on rave reviews here, tried the Rachel panini. It was flavorless turkey and cole slaw on a squished baguette. Cole slaw doesn't the greatest heated up. Also, not very large and left me hungry. The salad items looked decent, but won't be back anytime soon. read more