Five Guys Burgers

[Hellsing]

Some people seriously think this is better than In-And-Out? I'm aghast.

It's not a terrible burger by any means, but it's nothing special. It tastes like a glorified White Castle burger. I am not knocking White Castle. The Castle is a nice little fast-food burger that many people on the East Coast love because it reminds them of their youth. NO ONE would ever call it a gourmet burger, but that's what people who review 5 guys call their concoction of meat.

It's twice the price and half as good. That can't be a winning combination, but the chain is growing like wildfire. If you wanted to pay that much, you could pay a little more and get a proper gourmet burger from a real restaurant.

The fries are good, but they pale in comparison to In-And-Outs.

You order a regular hamburger and they give you...what's this....TWO patties? I didn't ask for two patties. "Oh, but sir, that's how we do that here." Jesus. You might have warned me before I opened it up and thought you gave me an extra patty because no one else wanted it.

In order to get a 1 patty burger, I have to sound like a fruit-cake and order a "little" hamburger. In-And-Out calls it a double-double. It makes sense. Double means twice as many. 2 patties. Not one.

Have any of you eaten at this place?
Did you enjoy it?
If you've eaten at In-And-Out how would you compare the two?
Has the world gone insane?

Cliff notes:

- I ate at 5 Guys and deemed it is not nearly as good as In-And-Out.

[RhodyYanksFan]

In-n-Out is a 10
Five Guys is a 6
All other fast food is a -3

I did enjoy the Five Guy's fries more than In-n-Out's.

However, whenever I go to Vegas I make a point of getting to In-n-Out. If it was the opposite and Five Guys was only out there I wouldn't make it a priority to get there every time I'm in town.

[ruthianblast]

Burgers - In N Out
Fries - Five Guys

Just how it is friend.

[BxBomber44]

I grew up in So Cal and am so sick of In N Out... I blame it on eating there so often, it is pretty good though. 5 Guys was average.

[yankeesfaninaz]

living in arizona, its in and out for me. when it first came out in the late 90s, when i was in hs, kids would skip school to go to in and out. im not familiar with the other joint and mcd's and bk just doesnt do it any more.

[NewEraYanks2527]

I wish there was an In-N-Out around here, us on the East, especially in CT get the shaft.

[Bozidar]

I heard all the hype about 5 guys.. i was very underwhelmed.

[CanoForPresident]

In-N-Out is as good as it gets when it comes to fast food.

[Hellsing]

Seems like NYYFans is the last bastion of good taste.

EDIT: Based on the following two posts, it appears I spoke too soon.

[fredgmuggs]

I heard all the hype about 5 guys.. i was very underwhelmed.

Same here. The fries were pretty good but the burger was just another version of a fast food burger. pass

[Beyle]

I heard all the hype about 5 guys.. i was very underwhelmed.

Same here. The fries were pretty good but the burger was just another version of a fast food burger. pass

I gave Five Guys' cheeseburgers a few tries. Like the two of you, I was underwhelmed. They're ok, but nothing spectacular.

In-N-Out's burgers are fine. Fatburger's aren't too shabby either. For the most part, to me, all cheeseburgers taste the same.

[Jersey Yankee]

I wish there was an In-N-Out around here, us on the East, especially in CT get the shaft.

They've got 201 locations just in Califor-neye-ayy. But nuttin' in NY/NJ/CT. You may as well be talking about Wolfgang Puck's Spago restaurant in Vegas somewhere.

[YankeePride1967]

Never heard of In -N-Out but if they are better than Five Guys they must be out of this world.

[b-ball-lunachick]

Some people seriously think this is better than In-And-Out? I'm aghast.

It's not a terrible burger by any means, but it's nothing special. It tastes like a glorified White Castle burger. I am not knocking White Castle. The Castle is a nice little fast-food burger that many people on the East Coast love because it reminds them of their youth. NO ONE would ever call it a gourmet burger, but that's what people who review 5 guys call their concoction of meat.

It's twice the price and half as good. That can't be a winning combination, but the chain is growing like wildfire. If you wanted to pay that much, you could pay a little more and get a proper gourmet burger from a real restaurant.

The fries are good, but they pale in comparison to In-And-Outs.

You order a regular hamburger and they give you...what's this....TWO patties? I didn't ask for two patties. "Oh, but sir, that's how we do that here." Jesus. You might have warned me before I opened it up and thought you gave me an extra patty because no one else wanted it.

In order to get a 1 patty burger, I have to sound like a fruit-cake and order a "little" hamburger. In-And-Out calls it a double-double. It makes sense. Double means twice as many. 2 patties. Not one.

Have any of you eaten at this place?
Did you enjoy it?
If you've eaten at In-And-Out how would you compare the two?
Has the world gone insane?

Cliff notes:

- I ate at 5 Guys and deemed it is not nearly as good as In-And-Out.

Never had in and out so don't have a comparison. They apparently think they are too good to come East, so I doubt I'll ever try it.

Five Guys is the best of any fast food hamburger chain in the East.

I don't know anyone that loves White Castle. Most eat it because it's late, they're drunk and they forget what it will do to their insides the next day.

If you're comparing the taste of White Castle to Five Guys, you're nuts.

Anyone who thinks they sound like a fruitcake by ordering a junior burger seems to have more issues than just how they have to order their burger.

[Melan-cynic]

Never had in and out so don't have a comparison. They apparently think they are too good to come East, so I doubt I'll ever try it.

Five Guys is the best of any fast food hamburger chain in the East.

I don't know anyone that loves White Castle. Most eat it because it's late, they're drunk and they forget what it will do to their insides the next day.

If you're comparing the taste of White Castle to Five Guys, you're nuts.

J, agree on everything you've said here 1000% particularly the White Castle comment. Preach on sister.

I absolutely love Five Guys. I've eaten In N' Out a few times and it tasted like a run of the mill fast food burger, I don't even see where the comparison is.

I don't remember the thread but I recall you documenting your first trip to Five Guys after myself and some other posters highly recommended it. That was a quality thread.

[CoyoteYankee]

Never had in and out so don't have a comparison. They apparently think they are too good to come East, so I doubt I'll ever try it.

Five Guys is the best of any fast food hamburger chain in the East.

I don't know anyone that loves White Castle. Most eat it because it's late, they're drunk and they forget what it will do to their insides the next day.

If you're comparing the taste of White Castle to Five Guys, you're nuts.

Anyone who thinks they sound like a fruitcake by ordering a junior burger seems to have more issues than just how they have to order their burger.

Yeah. I'm pretty sure I've never had White Castle when I was sober. The thought is not appealing yet at 2 AM when your shmammered it is so tantalizing.

I've also never had In-and-Out. I just had Five Guys for the first time a few months ago. I felt my arteries clog up as I was eating it but it was pretty good.

Wow -- this whole thread could probably be quoted in the POOC thread (see bold above).

[4bronxbombers]

Never had in-and-out burger.

5 Guys is good. There are many more hamburger joints around the Hartford area that are a step above 5 Guys though but for a $6- meal once in awhile, 5 Guys does the trick. Their fries totally rock.

[RhodyYanksFan]

I bought my daughter an In-n-Out bib when I went to Vegas last month.

[JL25and3]

I've never had Five Guys. There aren't any near me.

White Castle is great if you need to cure constipation.

[JDPNYY]

I've never had Five Guys. There aren't any near me.

White Castle is great if you need to cure constipation.

Most States require White Castles to remain open 24 hours so there is a bathroom available 20 minutes after you eat there.

[JDPNYY]

Five Guys is expensive and eh, ok. Plus they make you wait for your food. Not good.

[NYYDragoon]

Five Guys is incredible.

[RYMASTER or Ryan_Yankees]

There's a Five Guys near me, but I've only eaten there twice - pretty darn good, though. I <3 their french fries.

[LongLiveBernie51!]

I had Five Guys twice. The First time I ate there I swore I would never go again because the grease poured out of the Burger with every bite and made me sick to my stomach for about 3 days afterwards. A couple years pass and I went again forgetting why I swore it off. Same Thing. It's now on the ban list.

For the price, I'll go to Red Robin instead.

[Bub]

I've had neither, but the latest issue of Consumer Reports rates the In and Out Burger the highest based on polling data and 5 guys second.

[LongLiveBernie51!]

I've had neither, but the latest issue of Consumer Reports rates the In and Out Burger the highest based on polling data and 5 guys second.

I went to the five guys in your home town

[Bub]

I went to the five guys in your home town

You could have walked to my house in 10 minutes. I still haven't eaten there...just not interested in another burger.

[Big_E]

We love Five Guys.

My daughter hates hamburgers so it's a rare fast-food place that serves hot dogs (and ALL BEEF hot dogs, at that...)

Plus I know of no other fast food place that gives you such choices for your toppings (at least here on the East Coast). Gotta have EXTRA jalapenos on the burger!

[BobLoblaw]

I've never had In N Out, but Five Guys is great

[Bozidar]

...just not interested in another burger.

ever?

[JohnnyDamonfan]

Can't say anything about In N' Out other then I have heard it was good since I live on the East Coast. But, to me Five Guys is really good. I have also been to a Cheeburger, Cheeburger, and their burgers are really good too.

[Hellsing]

Looks like this fast-food burger taste test thing is a hot topic these days.

http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/y.../best-burgers/

Among the standouts were In-N-Out Burger and Five Guys Burgers and Fries. The biggest loser: McDonald's. Burger King and Wendy's fared better than McDonald's but far worse than the highest-rated chains.

Five Guys The regular hamburger, two 3.3-ounce griddled patties, was served well done on a lightly browned sesame-seed bun. You can order any of 15 free toppings (the usual, plus options such as grilled mushrooms and jalapeno peppers). Bacon and cheese cost extra. The patties had a bit of searing along the edges, a chewy texture (the chopped meat was fairly coarse), and a beefy flavor. They reminded our reporter of minute steak. The meat was juicy but left an oily taste in his mouth. The bun was soft and spongy.

Our reporter couldn't get his hands on an In-N-Out burger, but readers gave it high marks. "It always seems as though the burger was made moments before," one said, "as opposed to sitting under a heat lamp." The basic burger costs about $2.

Couldn't get his hands on an In-N-Out burger? Must have gone during lunch time.

McDonald's comes in last. Shocking.

[BobLoblaw]

I like McDonalds too. I don't tell anyone though, because then you get psychos (coughcough) on your case, so I just suffer in silence.

I haven't had McDonalds in years, though. But... Big Macs... mmm.

[DEADSOX]

I absolutely love Five Guys. I've eaten In N' Out a few times and it tasted like a run of the mill fast food burger, I don't even see where the comparison is.

[BxBomber44]

I absolutely love Five Guys. I've eaten In N' Out a few times and it tasted like a run of the mill fast food burger, I don't even see where the comparison is.

I've never heard anyone compare In N Out to "a run of the mill fast food burger". That's harsh.

And everyone who really like Five Guys fries.... have you had the fries "animal style" from In n Out.

[BroadwayBomber55]

I like both Five Guys and In-N-Out.

[Melan-cynic]

I like both Five Guys and In-N-Out.

Another POOC thread nominee. Makes me think of A Clockwork Orange.

I think Deadsox quoted the ultimate 5 Guys POOC killer, though.

[tdel23]

5 Guys make a very good burger, a tad pricey though. There fries are awesome.

Unfortunately no IN and Out Burger on East Coast.

[Melan-cynic]

Smashburger is very good as well.

[destelle]

Have had both and not really a fan of either.
I'd rather make one at home.

Although the Five Guys fries were great - and they had malt vinegar

[CoyoteYankee]

Have had both and not really a fan of either.
I'd rather make one at home.

Although the Five Guys fries were great - and they had malt vinegar

That reminds me of a funny old-school Eddie Murphy bit when he wanted a McDonalds burger and gets a big ol' house burger!

[4bronxbombers]

Smashburger is very good as well.

Never heard of that. Great name though...

[BxBomber44]

Smashburger is very good as well.

It opened next to Chipotle here in boulder, thus I'll never go. I'm in that close to Chipotle, I'm going there.

[Melan-cynic]

It opened next to Chipotle here in boulder, thus I'll never go. I'm in that close to Chipotle, I'm going there.

haha. I've never been but I pass one all the time coming home from work. Do you have any recommendations should I go?

Never heard of that. Great name though...

Yeah it is. And great, greasy burgers. It also helped that I was invited to the opening and ate for free.

[BxBomber44]

haha. I've never been but I pass one all the time coming home from work. Do you have any recommendations should I go?

I love it... it's always packed here. I usually go Chicken burrito bowl with fajitas and mild salsa and guac.

[CoyoteYankee]

It opened next to Chipotle here in boulder, thus I'll never go. I'm in that close to Chipotle, I'm going there.

I just had Chipotle for the first times a few weeks ago. I liked it a lot!

[destelle]

I just had Chipotle for the first times a few weeks ago. I liked it a lot!

/off topic
I think Qdoba is better if you have one near you

[CoyoteYankee]

/off topic
I think Qdoba is better if you have one near you

I have no idea. I never looked for one. I only went to Chipotle because someone at work won a free lunch for the whole office! If I see a Qdoba I'll check it out.

[Beyle]

Most States require White Castles to remain open 24 hours so there is a bathroom available 20 minutes after you eat there.

White Castle though?

I just had Chipotle for the first times a few weeks ago. I liked it a lot!

Chipotle is ok. One just opened up in my neighborhood right next door to the 24 hour Starbucks.

I'm kind of partial to Burrito Beach. Qdoba isn't too bad either.

[ArodEra]

Don't get the love for Five Guys either. It's an average burger and because of it's freshness, probably better for you than the fast food joints. I'm not crazy about freshly cooked burgers cooked well-done, and that's the only way they make it there.

As for burger joints, Shake Shack is numero uno - nothing comes close. They use a combination of ground brisket and chuck, distributed to them by one of the top meat suppliers in NY. So, if you want a burger medium rare or rare, they can cook it up for you like that. If you don't ask, the default burger is medium, which is still excellent tasting.

In N Out (I had it in LA and LV) doesn't compare. Better than Burger King or Wendy's but eh. That said, the burgers that I cook on my grill beat all of the above.

But, if you're dining out, the very best burgers are the ones in the top pubs throughout NYC, like J G Melon. Peter Luger has an incredible burger too. Some (like Luger) use prime meat that can be cooked to order, even rare if desired. DuMont Burger and Burger Joint at Le Parker Meridien are excellent too. Donovon's Pub is overrated.