It could be this franchise, as others have pointed out. I’ve been a staunch supporter for a very long time, but I won’t go back to this particular store.
The go-out-for-lunch-everyday gang had 5 Guys yesterday. They left a huge pile of leftover fries in the breakroom. Nothing like the odor of stale fries permeating the office the whole afternoon. It doesn’t smell like victory, I can tell you that.
Yesterday was only the third time I’ve been to a Five Guys. The last time I went (different location last July) the burger was also a freak’n mess and not particularly tasty. The first time I went (same location as last night) I only got a burger and felt meh about it.
That one last night was truly disgusting and messy, and not terribly tasty. The only way it could have been worse is if the burger had been sent through a sewer pipe before being wrapped.
I could have gone to the 99 and probably paid less for a much tastier burger and way better fries.
I’m going to avoid Five Guys like the plague now.
Their cajun fries are awesome but everything else is just, ok, and expensive.
The three times I’ve eaten there the burger falls apart about 1/4 through eating it. The meat patties just seem to start crumbling and falling out of the burger and I had to use a fork to finish it. I’m done with that place. Well I might pop in for some fries once in a while.
I’ve gone to three different Five Guys chains (one where we live, one where my parents live and one where my parents are moving to) and I can definitely say that quality can vary by management.
Don’t let it turn you off of the experience on the whole! Voice your complaints and try another place in the meantime.
See post #38 about voicing complaints. The closest other franchise is in Beaverton, and I can get a better burger in my neighborhood without driving to it.
Whoops, missed that one. Local joint beats chain often in my book, anyways. We (inexplicably) lack for those around here - at least under $10/plate.
I tried them last week in central Florida.
meh.
After taking a look at the other customers, I’m on a diet. Based on what I saw, 5 Guys is going to need to switch to double-wide seating any time now…
I’m from Central FL and I always thought 5 guys was pretty overrated. I hate how the bun just falls apart - I’d rather have a restaurant burger or even a Hardee’s burger.
A Fives Guys opened a few towns over about three months ago. I was going to give it a try. I mean was until I came across this article. That is a sad looking burger. Reminds me of the scene from “Falling Down.”
Yeah, that looks about like the burger I got. Unappetizing. Leathery.
(Also: beware the burger made from a “proprietary blend.”)
Boggles my mind that these guys get away with charging restaurant burger prices for a low-end-fast-food-quality product.
FYI to anyone who is planning to go to Five Guys for the first time, their regular hamburgers come with two patties. The “little” burgers come with one. I think a lot of people assume that a “little hamburger” is going to be like a White Castle burger or something, but at Five Guys “little” just means it’s got one beef patty. They are also cheaper, so that’s the thing to get if you want to save money/not have a lot of beef.
I don’t eat beef myself anyway, so I always get the grilled cheese sandwich with veggies at Five Guys. I’ve only once had a problem – the girl working that day barely cooked my sandwich. I mean parts of it were still cold. I filled out the complaint form online and didn’t hear anything back, but the next time I went in that location (not my usual one, as it’s farther from my office) the owner actually recognized me, said he’d sent an email (which probably wound up in my spam filter), and offered to comp me on my order that night.
Maybe it varies by location. I went to the Five Guys in Kentlands and it was fine. Went to the one in College Park a few weeks ago and it was pretty disappointing. Soggy bun, blah beef, strange cheese. I’ve had better at Wendy’s.
I honestly don’t care much for their fries. They cook them in peanut oil and you can really, really tell. I do not like peanuts. There were also about 4x more than I needed. I shared them with 5 other people and there were still too many.
Agreed.
In my home town there’s a Bar Louie literally across the street from Five Guys. The one pictured on the home page is with the health club above it is actually the one in my town - see the umbrella on the right - that’s Five Guys. It’s a MUCH better burger for the same price in a vastly nicer setting, plus I can get a beer to wash it down with.
Well, went to a Fie Guys for the second time in my life yesterday and very much enjoyed it, the fries too. But it is expensive, I must say.