# Five Guys Burgers and Fries - good eats? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 9, 2010, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-and-fries-good-eats/535592 "2010-04-09T23:24:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-and-fries-good-eats/535592/81 "2010-04-11T15:47:46Z")
> [@what\_do\_I\_type\_here](#): > > The burgers are delicious but the fries are terrible. They’re limp, under-salted, unpeeled. You can get “Cajun” style fries which are more seasoned but I shouldn’t _have_ to, damnit! The Cajun fries are the same price, aren’t they? I don’t see why it’s such a burden to “have to” specify Cajun fries when ordering if that’s what you like better. ---
**Author:** ![MTCicero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-and-fries-good-eats/535592/82 "2010-04-11T16:09:06Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I have to say, the fact that In-N-Out’s burger is so simple and straightforward is what makes it so perfect for me. It’s not “uninspired.” It’s simple and classic. Selection of toppings has never been a criterium for me for what constitutes a good burger place. I just want somebody to get the damn beef and bun part of the equation right, and both In-N-Out and Five Guys do a great job for those thin, fast-food style burgers I enjoy. I find that a lot of joints have gimmicky toppings or bury the flavor of a substandard burger patty underneath loads of junk. Whenever I visit a burger place I’ve never visited before, my standard initial order is a plain cheeseburger, just to get a sense of what we’re working with. Even at Five Guys, I’ve never ventured beyond pickle, onion, mustard, ketchup, on a cheeseburger. I do agree with you. The essence of a burger is, of course, the beef and the bun (and the cheese, if you decide to go that route). All burgers should be judged primarily on these criteria. (Just like the best, most purely delicious pizzas in the world consist of sauce, crust, and cheese.) ETA: But bacon nearly always makes something great into something _sublime_, especially a burger. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-and-fries-good-eats/535592/83 "2010-04-11T16:23:16Z")
> [@MTCicero](#): > > I do agree with you. The essence of a burger is, of course, the beef and the bun (and the cheese, if you decide to go that route). All burgers should be judged primarily on these criteria. (Just like the best, most purely delicious pizzas in the world consist of sauce, crust, and cheese.) In case there’s any confusion, my reply was more to **RealityChuck** ’s post that you were quoting. That said, I do enjoy the double double animal style (who doesn’t?) In fact, In-N-Out is the only burger I order with a mayo-based sauce on it. I do like mayonnaise, but I’ve never been a fan of it on burgers. But, for whatever reason, the “spread” In-N-Out uses (which is somewhat like McDonald’s special sauce) just works for me. I also usually don’t like tomatoes and lettuce on my burger (because the tomatoes and lettuce just suck at every burger place around here), but In-N-Out’s produce seems to be of much higher quality. I still remember my first visit to In-N-Out, just over three years ago. When I walked in, saw it nearly full, while offering basically three things on the menu (burgers, fries, shakes), I knew I was in for a treat. Short menus are most often a very good sign. ---
**Author:** ![MTCicero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-and-fries-good-eats/535592/84 "2010-04-11T16:41:05Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > In case there’s any confusion, my reply was more to **RealityChuck** ’s post that you were quoting. That said, I do enjoy the double double animal style (who doesn’t?) In fact, In-N-Out is the only burger I order with a mayo-based sauce on it. I do like mayonnaise, but I’ve never been a fan of it on burgers. But, for whatever reason, the “spread” In-N-Out uses (which is somewhat like McDonald’s special sauce) just works for me. I also usually don’t like tomatoes and lettuce on my burger (because the tomatoes and lettuce just suck at every burger place around here), but In-N-Out’s produce seems to be of much higher quality. > > I still remember my first visit to In-N-Out, just over three years ago. When I walked in, saw it nearly full, while offering basically three things on the menu (burgers, fries, shakes), I knew I was in for a treat. Short menus are most often a very good sign. It’s one of my life’s goals, to dine at an In-N-Out, at least once. No, really. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-and-fries-good-eats/535592/85 "2010-04-11T16:49:37Z")
> [@MTCicero](#): > > It’s one of my life’s goals, to dine at an In-N-Out, at least once. No, really. 🙂 It’s interesting. In-N-Out gets so much hype, that it’s quite a feat for it to live up to one’s expectations. It lived up to and exceeded mine (it’s my blueprint for the perfect griddled fast-food burger), but sometimes people expect something more. I’m not exactly sure what it is they expect, but not everyone feels the love. That said, if you like Five Guys, it’s in the same general area in terms of the type and quality of burger you’ll get there. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-and-fries-good-eats/535592/86 "2010-04-11T19:24:34Z")
> [@MTCicero](#): > > Decent, if pre-formed and frozen, burger, with quite a few variations (Royal Red Robin [topped with a fried egg], teriyaki burger, etc.), and other sandwiches that they also call “burgers” (salmon burger, chicken burger, etc.). Overall (food + service + ambience), I give Red Robin a B-. > > ETA: Forgot to mention that if you love large groups of loud, obnoxious kids running rampant through the restaurant as their parents blithely ignore them whilst sipping on overpriced, watered-down cocktails, then this is the place for you. Thank you for the comprehensive review! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-and-fries-good-eats/535592/87 "2010-04-11T19:48:36Z")
If anyone is traveling through northern Idaho (unlikely, I know), do yourself a huge favor and stop in the little (and I mean ‘tiny’ - as in pop.: 38) town of [Spencer](http://maps.google.com/maps?client=qsb-win&rlz=1R3GGLL_enUS353US354&hl=en&q=spencer,+id&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=Spencer,+ID&gl=us&ei=GCfCS4yALo3isQPRq5y6Aw&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CAgQ8gEwAA), just off of Interstate 15. Once off the highway, turn left at the only intersection and drive about a quarter of a mile to the little opal shop/restaurant on the left. You’ll have the best freaking burger you’ve ever eaten, bar none. I’m a burger fanatic and have ordered them. . .everywhere. Nothing comes close to this place. And the fries are fresh Idaho spuds, twice-fried, crisp and flavorful. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-and-fries-good-eats/535592/88 "2010-04-11T20:46:36Z")
> [@MTCicero](#): > > It’s one of my life’s goals, to dine at an In-N-Out, at least once. No, really. I see from your Pizza Place post that you are in the Cincy/Dayton area which puts you roughly 2 hours from Indy. Even though we don’t have In-N-Out you can get a clone experience here. 96th Street Steakburgers was established by a couple of guys from the West Coast who missed the experience enough they built a clone here. I know tons of people from the West Coast who have eaten here and swear it is identical (other than the bible verses). Their names are a little different than In-N-Out, but I know people who have ordered using the In-N-Out names and got their food exactly as they wanted. May be worth the two hour drive to see if it is really worth the flight out west to fulfill one of your goals. [http://www.96thstreetsteakburgers.com/](http://www.96thstreetsteakburgers.com/) p.s. yes they also have the “secret” menu. ---
**Author:** ![AWB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bb73d2/32.png) [@AWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AWB)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-and-fries-good-eats/535592/89 "2010-04-11T21:03:35Z")
I _love_ Five Guys! My family goes all the time, usually after my wife stated, “I could really do Five Guys right now!” ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-and-fries-good-eats/535592/90 "2010-04-11T21:07:45Z")
> [@AWB](#): > > I _love_ Five Guys! My family goes all the time, usually after my wife stated, “I could really do Five Guys right now!” Any chance you misunderstood that she was talking about burgers? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-and-fries-good-eats/535592/91 "2010-04-11T21:11:17Z")
> [@Lamia](#): > > I’m pretty sure the cheapest burger option is only $1-2 more than the grilled cheese sandwiches so that should only add up to $16-18 $18 (with tax?) is close enough to $20 for all practical purposes. I don’t remember the exact order except that it was a fairly standard “one sandwich, one fry, one drink each” sort of affair and my immediate impression upon seeing the total was “Wow, the wife’s going to wonder why on earth it cost $20 for lunch when she sees this receipt”. We could have gone with a single fry for as many as they give but, again, I could say the same for many places around here that are still cheaper and just as good (if not better). ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-and-fries-good-eats/535592/92 "2010-04-11T21:14:25Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > I see from your Pizza Place post that you are in the Cincy/Dayton area which puts you roughly 2 hours from Indy. Even though we don’t have In-N-Out you can get a clone experience here. > > 96th Street Steakburgers was established by a couple of guys from the West Coast who missed the experience enough they built a clone here. I know tons of people from the West Coast who have eaten here and swear it is identical (other than the bible verses). Their names are a little different than In-N-Out, but I know people who have ordered using the In-N-Out names and got their food exactly as they wanted. > > May be worth the two hour drive to see if it is really worth the flight out west to fulfill one of your goals. > > [http://www.96thstreetsteakburgers.com/](http://www.96thstreetsteakburgers.com/) > > p.s. yes they also have the “secret” menu. They have a lot more options than In-N-Out but if you just look at an In N Out menu beforehand and decide what you’re going to get, then you’ll get the In N Out experience. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-and-fries-good-eats/535592/93 "2010-04-11T21:40:55Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > $18 (with tax?) is close enough to $20 for all practical purposes. If you’re going to make a big deal about how expensive Five Guys is in a thread that’s describing the place to people who’ve never been there, I don’t think it’s fair to round the price up $2-4. And yes, my calculations included tax. I keep track of how much I spend when I go out for lunch, so I know exactly how much I’ve paid every time I’ve eaten at Five Guys. > [@](#): > > \*I don’t remember the exact order except that it was a fairly standard “one sandwich, one fry, one drink each” sort of affair and my immediate impression upon seeing the total was “Wow, the wife’s going to wonder why on earth it cost $20 for lunch when she sees this receipt”. > > We could have gone with a single fry for as many as they give but, again, I could say the same for many places around here that are still cheaper and just as good (if not better). \*Ah, if you bought two orders of fries then I can easily believe you hit $20+. But that’s a mistake I don’t think anyone would make twice – the “regular” order of fries is easily enough for 2, 3, or maybe even 4 people. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-and-fries-good-eats/535592/94 "2010-04-11T21:51:25Z")
> [@Lamia](#): > > If you’re going to make a big deal about how expensive Five Guys is in a thread that’s describing the place to people who’ve never been there, I don’t think it’s fair to round the price up $2-4. I’m not making a big deal out of it. I said it cost me $20. It did. Honestly, I don’t remember the trip, aside from the cost, well enough to bother getting into it further than that. It was a perfectly decent, if overpriced, burger. So it goes. The world is full of decent overpriced burgers. > [@](#): > > the “regular” order of fries is easily enough for 2, 3, or maybe even 4 people. Sure but, again, I can say that about a lot of places around here. Fries are cheap to kick out and lots of independent burger joints will give me enough fries to choke a horse in an effort to seem like a great deal. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-and-fries-good-eats/535592/95 "2010-04-11T22:13:04Z")
I read this thread yesterday, and by weird coincidence noticed last evening that a Five Guys has opened up here. We were wondering where to eat for lunch today and tried it out. The burgers were pretty good. The three of us split an order of fries based on comments made here. I really like the fries. They were really like the ones mom made back when I was a kid, and the frozen, processed fries from BK and Mickey D’s were way in the future. I didn’t find it to be that expensive. The three of us ate for less than twenty five bucks. Maybe we could have saved five bucks or so by eating at Burger King, but the food here was much better. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-and-fries-good-eats/535592/96 "2010-04-11T22:38:54Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > I’m not making a big deal out of it. I said it cost me $20. It did. Honestly, I don’t remember the trip, aside from the cost, well enough to bother getting into it further than that. > > It was a perfectly decent, if overpriced, burger. So it goes. The world is full of decent overpriced burgers. Again, it sounds like the reason your meal was “overpriced” was not because of the price of the burgers, but because you bought two orders of fries. Since I don’t eat burgers myself I don’t even know how Five Guys burger prices compares to similar places, maybe they are more expensive than average, but the reason it cost you $20 and not around $17 was because you misjudged how many orders of fries two people would need. I am emphasizing this because I don’t want people who are curious about Five Guys to be turned off because they think that lunch there typically costs $20 for two people. I’d also stress to anyone who’s about to make their first visit to Five Guys that the “regular” order of fries (locally $2.88 including tax) is HUGE, much bigger than you’d think looking at the size of the cup on the sign. They put a lot more fries into the bag after the fry cup is full. You absolutely do not need one order of fries per person. I never get fries unless I’m splitting them with 1-2 others. Even a “regular” order divided in half is a lot of fries. ---
**Author:** ![ProfessorX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@ProfessorX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ProfessorX)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-and-fries-good-eats/535592/97 "2010-04-11T22:57:57Z")
I’m a fan. If you’re anywhere near a diet, I’d stay away since it’s pretty bad for you, but it tastes great and you get a decent amount of options to add as toppings. Fries are great too, good toppings on them and they are super greasy. ---
**Author:** ![Wallet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e99b99/32.png) [@Wallet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallet)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2010, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-and-fries-good-eats/535592/98 "2010-04-12T01:38:49Z")
> [@Lamia](#): > > Again, it sounds like the reason your meal was “overpriced” was not because of the price of the burgers, but because you bought two orders of fries. … > > I am emphasizing this because I don’t want people who are curious about Five Guys to be turned off because they think that lunch there typically costs $20 for two people. Ate at Five Guys today in NYC (Queens). Can’t remember the individual prices, but a meal for 2 came to $19.10. This included 1 burger, 1 cheeseburger, 1 regular order fries, and 2 regular drinks. Delicious, and certainly possible that a meal for two could come to almost $20. -Wallet- ---
**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2010, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-and-fries-good-eats/535592/99 "2010-04-12T01:47:07Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > And how can you people call them expensive!? A cheeseburger is $5. Sure I guess if you want to compare them to McDonalds, but at any other restaurant of similar quality I’ve been to (New York Burger Co, Goodburger, etc.) they’re $7-8. Screeching Brakes. a _Real_ place called Good Burger? Why was I thinking [something else](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119215/)? If you tell me you can buy a giant ear of corn there, then I will know something is up. But seriously, … seriously?! Oh, and there is a “Better Burger” also? > **[This Page Was Not Found - betterburgernyc.com](https://betterburgernyc.com/404)** :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2010, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-and-fries-good-eats/535592/100 "2010-04-12T03:13:09Z")
> [@Meeko](#): > > Screeching Brakes. > > a _Real_ place called Good Burger? Why was I thinking [something else](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119215/)? > > If you tell me you can buy a giant ear of corn there, then I will know something is up. > > But seriously, … seriously?! > > Oh, and there is a “Better Burger” also? > > [http://www.betterburgernyc.com/home.html](http://www.betterburgernyc.com/home.html) > > :eek: Yup, [it’s true!](http://goodburgerny.com/) 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-and-fries-good-eats/535592.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-and-fries-good-eats/535592.md?page=6)