Just returned from my first visit to a Five Guys location....the single store in Southern CA located in Carson, CA.

Bottom line, I'm impressed.

I've been in the restaurant supply business my entire career and have eaten at a LOT of restaurants of varying types over the last 40 years. And I'm a HUGE hamburger fan.

We ordered the regular double patty cheeseburgers and I'd have to give them an 8 ½ to 9 on a 1-10 scale. Might not have been the best burger I've ever had anywhere but it ranks darn near the top. Great beefy flavor and texture for which one would never ask this question.

I was very impressed with the freshness of the bun....it didn't fall apart like so many do when loaded up with toppings and condiments. And I happen to like sesame seed buns too.

I ordered mine with jalapenos and was pleasantly surprised to see they were fresh jalapeno slices.

I also liked the ordering process which was quick and efficient. After ordering we grabbed some fresh peanuts and whiled away the ten minutes os so waiting for the burgers by shucking peanuts.

The french fries were good but not great. I'd rate them a 7 ½. I liked the fact that they were cooked in peanut oil and that they were obviously fresh cut from unpeeled potatoes. And the flavor was good. The only reason for giving them a lower mark was that they were a bit soggy and were broken into some pretty small pieces.

Only thing I didn't like? I'd swear the chairs were stolen from an elementary school classroom. Small, uncomfortable wooden chairs. But, hey, if that's all I can think of to complain about.....

Oh yeah, one more thing. The fellow who was obviously the manager opened the door for us when we arrived. He also did it for a few other folks when things slowed down. Otherwise he was working the 2nd cash register. And he did come by and ask us how we liked everything as did the assistant manager. That's very unusual, IMO, for this type of restaurant.

Well worth the 3 hour round trip although I may wait to eat at Five Guys again when they open their Cerritos, CA location closer to my house.