Last time I was in Paris, we ate fairly cheaply at the local kebab places that would have easily been twice as expensive in the states. Heck, they are cheaper than the states even in Lausanne.
Ya, portions are a bit different, but meal prices still come under on average.
I lived in France and travel regularly. Maybe kebab is cheaper (not really a thing in the US like it is in France), but meals on average are slightly more expensive in Europe.
I lived in Rennes, but traveled all over. The food is more expensive all over France compared to the US. If you compare France prices with major US metropolis prices, then sure, the prices in the US are perhaps more expensive, but overall food (and almost everything else) is cheaper in the US.
Take a look at the indices linked below—notice that food is pretty close, and notice also that the meal prices aren’t adjusted by serving size. Notice also the salaries. Notice also the rent prices (which appear astronomical in the US vs France until you realize that they don’t adjust for sq ft), then look at the adjusted sq ft prices.
Ya, portions are a bit different, but meal prices still come under on average.