OT: Favorite Paris Cafes?

Well I can't beat the advice already given here, but let me add that for meals, it really is good to plan ahead (or crowdsource like you're doing here) because believe it or not I have had some of the WORST food ever in Paris, thinking, 'Oh everything is wonderful there, we'll just pop in to wherever.'   But when I went with friends who planned ahead and scouted restaurant reviews beforehand, or with locals, I had the kind of food you talk about for years.  

But that's restaurants; most cafes were fine and very much the same in terms of menu and quality, as others have said.  

I had lovely meals at L'Ambassade d'Auvergne  (near the Centre Pompidou) and Le P'tit Troquet (near the Eiffel Tower).  Both are popular with tourists but not in a bad way; I mean they have good reputations for food and service.

If you really are just dying for some familiarity, there is a Canadian sports bar right on the Seine called (appropriately) "The Great Canadian."  Poke fun all you want, but I was travelling with an introvert who spoke not one word of French and after several days of stomping around Paris feeling sweaty and very foreign (and speaking crappy high school french for two of us) that environment was just the rejuvenation we needed.

I spent 8 days in Paris last August and early September...  Yes, that means I was in Paris, walking down the Champs Elysees at 2:30 in the morning desperately trying to find a bar televising the Michigan-Alabama game with no success.

From the perspective of an unsophisticated traveller, there were a few spots I really enjoyed:

Chez Denise--Great local food in the 1st Arr.

L'Avenue--Overpriced and overrated food-wise, but a spectacular people-watching spot (this probably falls into the touristy spot category you're already familiar with, but if not check it out).

Anywhere in St. Germain--I made the mistake of not coming here till our last day.  Great, cheap food and beer.