They're springing up all over the place around me in NJ. The burgers are very good, and much better than Mickey D's. I'm so-so about the fries. But I am concerned about the fat content - that juiciness has to come from somewhere :)

We have a local ice cream parlor that has a small restaurant in the back, and everything is cooked to order AND the oil is at the proper temp to keep the fries from absorbing too much of it. The burger is not juicy (fatty) but it's still very good and freshly prepared.

If you can believe it, I tried In and Out in Vegas and walked away totally unimpressed. Five Guys is far better.

Still I enjoyed it so much that I'm now going to ration it because of it's juiciness :D

So how does it compare to Shake shack? The best burger I ever had was at Shake shack in Madison Square Park a sunny November afternoon.

I actually commented on this to some FT friends I was visiting in NYC, since I did Shake Shack for dinner and Five Guys for lunch the next day.

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.

I actually thought the burger at Five Guys was better than that at Shake Shack, but the ambiance couldn't compare, of course.

Shake Shack has the Danny Meyer name and the park-bench atomosphere going for it, but it's otherwise unimpressive (and IMHO not worth the wait, except for maybe the first time for the novelty).

The same was said about Starbucks and look at where they're at.

Wasn't said by me (bought SBUX around $5 in late 90s and sold in 2004 before they hit $30)

Starbucks has a lucrative niche and for years they went basically unchallenged in the marketplace in most regions.

5 guys is entering an already crowded market and seem to have minimal advantage over the other players. Competitors down market can offer a better value proposition, while competitors upmarket have additional revenue channels to exploit.

Competition is a good thing, but will be interesting to see how it plays out for them, particular once the novelty/buzz of new locations wears off.

I exaggerated somewhat, I should have said that I had my best VALUE burger ever at Shake Shack. To take the top spot I would rather recommend the deluxe burger at Minetta Tavern (NYC). It’s the Rolls-Royce of burgers. At $26 however it’s not something you’d swing by to grab for lunch.

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.

Not only do I believe you, but I agree with you.

Like others who've posted, I'm not sure what I'm missing?

I've eaten at 5-Guys 4 or 5 times, and after each meal I wondered 'so what's the big deal'?

The last time, they didn't even have brown mustard, which is what I prefer on my burger.

I no longer waste my $ on this place. IMO, overated :td:

Burger is ok but I really love their dogs.

On my last 2 visits (DC and PA)the french fries were limp and the cheeseburgers were greasy. I think their overall quality control has dropped. On a positive note the peanuts were as yummy as ever.

MisterNice

Speaking of high end burgers. I just had the $41 20 oz Kobe beef burger at Old Homestead in NYC for lunch yesterday. Quite tasty, would recommend for anyone who won't let the price give them a negative opinion before tasting.

I love Five Guys...gives me something to munch on when I'm dreaming of Kobe or In-N-Out....mmmmmm......In-N-Out

my MR can't get here soon enough

+1 ... Five Guys is a good product, but to be honest, I think they won that "best burger" poll because In-n-Out is still a regional chain. They're expanding, just slowly. Hey, it took Chick-fil-A decades to reach PIT, hopefully In-n-Out will get here someday as well.

Give me fuddruckers, you can have your welldone five guys :D

since I am in a town with both now, I can freely pick.

Fuddruckers let's me have a wheat bun that doesn't get soggy in 5 min or less as well.