# Five Guys Burgers: What's the deal? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 18, 2012, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-whats-the-deal/644445 "2012-12-18T19:25:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-whats-the-deal/644445/21 "2012-12-18T20:31:33Z")
They definitely have the best fast food burgers around. And the fries are the best I’ve had.\* \*Except for one small place in Old Orchard Beach, ME, 30 years ago; they’re not there any more. ---
**Author:** ![Jormungandr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@Jormungandr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jormungandr)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-whats-the-deal/644445/22 "2012-12-18T20:33:20Z")
Here’s an [article](http://aht.seriouseats.com/archives/2011/05/in-n-out-vs-five-guys-vs-shake-shack-the-first-bi-coastal-side-by-side-taste-test.html)I linked to in another thread about Five Guys. One opened up nearby back then, but this persuaded me not to go. That is still one [sad looking burger](http://aht.seriouseats.com/images/20110516-in-n-out-five-guys-shake-shack-tasting-10.jpeg). I could make something better in my kitchen and I’m not a good cook. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-whats-the-deal/644445/23 "2012-12-18T20:35:09Z")
Their fries are nothing special? ok then you have not been to a real five guys burgers. ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-whats-the-deal/644445/24 "2012-12-18T20:37:34Z")
Crafting (har!) a really good burger begins with fire. Blazing hot fire! And a grill that is only a couple inches from the meat. And constant tending so as not to overly carbonize the beef. Burgers cooked on a flat top (I think that is what it is called) can never be as good. IMO. ---
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-whats-the-deal/644445/25 "2012-12-18T20:42:39Z")
I am always surprised when I see another Five Guys, they are spreading so fast. I went to the original in Arlington a couple of times, years ago, and the burger’s I’ve had recently from the franchises don’t seem that different. That could be my memory though. Is their claim to fame really that the burger is the “best?” I thought it was that they used fresh ingredients, made it to order and the place was no frills. You get burger’s and fries and that is about it. It’s like the burger I would make if I wanted to go to the trouble. ---
**Author:** ![Strassia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e8c25b/32.png) [@Strassia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strassia)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-whats-the-deal/644445/26 "2012-12-18T20:46:36Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Five Guys was outstanding when it was two joints in DC, operating out of standing-room-and-takeout-only storefronts. I don’t care for them now, and there are far better options in Portland. > > But as far as comparisons, I have to say that all the talk on this board about In-N-Out burgers over the years had my mouth watering to try one. This past summer, I got the chance while driving through CA. Worst fucking burger/fries plate almost ever. I absolutely do NOT get the love for that place. It must be a nostalgia sort of thing, much like Burgerville here in the PNW. I was also underwhelmed by In-N-Out the first time I tried it. However, I later found out that you need to order your burger Animal Style. This is not on the menu, but it means they soak the burger in mustard before cooking and then top it with carmelized onions and 100 Island dressing. That was a tasty burger. ---
**Author:** ![andrewbub](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@andrewbub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrewbub)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-whats-the-deal/644445/27 "2012-12-18T20:53:10Z")
> [@Lukeinva](#): > > Crafting (har!) a really good burger begins with fire. Blazing hot fire! And a grill that is only a couple inches from the meat. And constant tending so as not to overly carbonize the beef. Burgers cooked on a flat top (I think that is what it is called) can never be as good. IMO. i actually prefer a burger cooked on a flat top, there’s more surface area for the Maillard reaction. but not to derail the thread, i haven’t had a five guys burger in probably over four years, but they had pretty decent food from what i can remember. although there are options in portland where you can get a much better burger plate for the same price. ---
**Author:** ![Kelevra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/97f17d/32.png) [@Kelevra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kelevra)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-whats-the-deal/644445/28 "2012-12-18T20:54:33Z")
> [@](#): > > I was also underwhelmed by In-N-Out the first time I tried it. However, I later found out that you need to order your burger Animal Style. This is not on the menu, but it means they soak the burger in mustard before cooking and then top it with carmelized onions and **100 Island dressing**. That was a tasty burger. I bet 1000 Island dressing would be 10 times better!. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-whats-the-deal/644445/29 "2012-12-18T20:59:25Z")
_Five Guys_ sounds like they have too many cooks in the kitchen. What does their broth taste like? ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-whats-the-deal/644445/30 "2012-12-18T21:04:16Z")
Huh. That is interesting about franchises having such different variety in tastes. I’ve never had a bad burger at 5Guys. I love the burgers, but the Cajun Fries are simply to die for! Delicious and you get a TON of them per order (don’t order more than the Regular size unless you are sharing with 4 people) ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-whats-the-deal/644445/31 "2012-12-18T21:04:34Z")
I’ll never go back. As long as I have In-N-Out and The Hat, there is no need to slum it with 5 Guys. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-whats-the-deal/644445/32 "2012-12-18T21:06:56Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > Their fries are nothing special? ok then you have not been to a real five guys burgers. I’ve eaten at a couple of them, and if my only criterion were volume their fries would indeed be quite special. I couldn’t even finish the ones that had spilled out of the cup they serve them in. Unfortunately, they were also limp and oily. The burgers I’ve had there were okay, nothing special. Tried them maybe three times a few years ago and haven’t been back. ---
**Author:** ![Bass\_Chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/43a26b/32.png) [@Bass\_Chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bass_Chick)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-whats-the-deal/644445/33 "2012-12-18T21:12:21Z")
I tried it and wasn’t impressed. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2012, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-whats-the-deal/644445/34 "2012-12-18T21:20:02Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > I was thoroughly underwhelmed by Five Guys. > > In-N-Out’s burgers are about average fast food, but I’m quite fond of their fries. In N Out’s burgers are, to me, the pinnacle of a great fast food style burger. Five Guys is in this vein, but falls a little short of In N Out and is a significantly more expensive. Still, they have a very solid burger. I am not a fan of In N Out fries, even well done. Five Guys fries, though, are awesome, but I never order it because it’s just too much goddamned food. If they only had a serving a quarter of the size. For me, the perfect burger and fries would be an In N Out burger paired with Five Guys fries. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-whats-the-deal/644445/35 "2012-12-18T21:23:47Z")
I ate their once and the burger was adequate- not bad, not great. Fries were OK. A couple months later I ate at the same location and for the next 24 hours, my body was expelling everything from my digestive system, in all directions. Given that, and their focus on peanuts means I can’t take my daughter there, I doubt I’ll ever eat at 5G again. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-whats-the-deal/644445/36 "2012-12-18T21:25:29Z")
The “deal” is they are awesome. It’s not as good as a Shake Shack burger or a “best in NYC” burger from someplace like P.J Clarkes or Corner Bistro, but that’s a different class of 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:** [December 18, 2012, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-whats-the-deal/644445/37 "2012-12-18T21:28:41Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > The “deal” is they are awesome. > It’s not as good as a Shake Shack burger or a “best in NYC” burger from someplace like P.J Clarkes or Corner Bistro, but that’s a different class of burger. They are certainly different classes and suit different tastes. I would take an In N Out burger over pretty much any gourmet pub burger out there four times out of five. But I prefer fast food style burgers to pub burgers, and it’s really a bit apples and oranges. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-whats-the-deal/644445/38 "2012-12-18T21:31:22Z")
I think their burgers are ok. But I hate that they wrap the burger in aluminum foil and then squish it down. The second link in post 22 is always how I find my burgers from them. And if you get the double patty then it’s always lopsided and bits of burger have already fallen off. I can only imagine this is from the squishing. The hot dogs and cajun fries are good but overpriced. ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-whats-the-deal/644445/39 "2012-12-18T21:48:07Z")
I’ve tried them 3 times and all 3 times I was underwhelmed and annoyed. Underwhelmed because the taste was nothing special. Annoyed, because the burger was basically just a messy as hell glop of damp bread stuffed into a paper wrapper. I mean, it was like the person making it each time set out to create the messiest pile of burger he could. After 3 times I give up. ---
**Author:** ![Cayuga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Cayuga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cayuga)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-whats-the-deal/644445/40 "2012-12-18T21:51:35Z")
I’ve only been to one location, in a town on the Hudson River. The burgers are a wonderful, greasy mess — not amazing, but darned good. The fries _are_ amazing, and I don’t generally care one way or the other about fries. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-whats-the-deal/644445.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-guys-burgers-whats-the-deal/644445.md?page=3)