Originally Posted by
jackal
......(snippagio)....Honestly, I was mildly underwhelmed by Shake Shack. Its attraction seems to be that it's a good, down-home burger joint--something you'd see in a small town in the Midwest, maybe--right in the middle of the urban canyon of Manhattan. But honestly, it's not any more special than a typical down-home burger joint you'd run into in a small town in the Midwest--good, but not mind-blowingly awesome.
Other than replacing your "Midwest" with South/Southwest where the "fixins" on burgers are set by cultural tradition, a good analysis. There was nothing wrong with "Shake Shack", simply that within 10 minutes drive from my home are 2 places with superior burgers (and another couple "just as good").
I see nothing "wrong" with 5 Guys (except meat lacking in flavor at all 3 of the locations I've visited), but would hardly vote to raise the chain to basilica status amont the sacred temples of burgerdom. In defense, however, of 5 Guys and In & Out, I appreciate the attempt to recreate and preserve the classic and traditional hamburger, a culinary marvel which needs little tinkering.