Five Guys is pretty good. The one near me consistently delivers but I went to one (can't remember where it was, most likely DelMarVa) and it was just a bit blah.

The fries are really tasty but HUGE! I can only eat there about once a month....

So good you told us twice

We've probably breathed the same air

But what's up with the peanuts on the trash cans?
Little bdlord and me had a Father and son night.
We supped at 5 Guys ^

I've been going to Five Guys for more than 20 years. Their very first, now closed, store was a carryout-only place about a mile from my home. It was tucked in between an auto parts shop and a little family-run bakery (the original source of their buns) in an Arlington, Va. strip mall on the corner of Glebe Road and Columbia Pike, with the founders of the company working the grill as often as not.

The peanuts at the counter thing started a couple of months after they'd opened when they got a deal on roasted nuts from another store in that strip mall and they decided to make them available to customers waiting for their carryout burgers and fries. Now it's a trademark of the Five Guys experience.

And while I'm amazed to see Five Guys expanding across the galaxy, I'd have to agree that sometimes the franchisees don't live up to the standards set by the original store and my 'those were the good old days' memories. I most miss the freshly baked buns from Brenner's Bakery. The bread they use now doesn't live up to those.

I miss that location where I got my first Five Guys burger. ^

I miss those buns too...

yep, i used to frequent the original a long time ago. Somehow, I can't enjoy the new ones as much (it may partly be the change in standards, but it's also the fact that it's not a unique place anymore).

Well I decided to go to Five Guys to give them a second (and third shot... more on that in a few moments.)

The burger came out a little better this time but for me their greatest asset are the Cajun fries. In that case they pass In and Out.

But, still my heart and stomach belong to In and Out.

I also went back very late on a Friday night. Just finished a LOT of visits with my Cat clients and was still hungry. This time I did the Bacon Hot Dog which was bigger than expected and well cooked. The Cajun Fries again too much but good.

Now if they replaced Coke with PEPSI!

There was also "entertainment" as drunk men and women customers starting "Dancing" and singing with the 80's music. Well, Hoboken has over 200 bars and it's Five O'Clock seven days a week there!

One of the workers asked if it was my first time to Five GUys. I said I was there before and he asked how I'm enjoying the burgers. I said they are good, complemented the variety of topings and said it reminded me of a great Fast Food restaurant chain out west.

He asked which one and I said "In and OUt" To which a man in a messy grey shirt and torn jeans, helping prep burgers said "We don't say In and Out at Five Guys."

He was the manager. After my face turned red wtih embarassmetn he said he won't throw me out but reminded me on THIS COAST Five Guys rules.

One thing I could do without... the eighties music which brings back nightmares of High School. Nuff said.

Please, one of you 5 Guys lovers, please explain, why do they crush the bun when they wrap the burgers??

I'm firmly convinced that the folks who are the biggest fans of In n' Out are the ones that don't have any in close proximity. It always seems you want what you can't get.

True for me too. I'm a White Castle fan and never miss a chance to grab a sackful when I'm in a WC city. I grew up with them and loved them as a kid. But the closest one to me now is 1,300 miles away. And the frozen ones don't hack it.

I've got a half-dozen In 'n Out's within 10 miles of my house and, as much as I enjoy burgers, I haven't been to one in at least 5 years. Maybe I OD'ed on them when I first moved out here. But for whatever reason, I don't have any desire to visit one.

Glad we don't all like the same burger chain or we'd have to beat our way in the door.

i'm not a fan of white castle... there's a bunch of them around here.

--Russ

PS. I go to a local hole in a wall place called White Mana, its like the original white castle that never turned into a franchise.

I'm sure if there were a bunch of them locally that I'd soon grow tired of them.

I just had my first due to this FT thread last night.

Fresh Jalapeno's -Great
Grilled Onions and Mushrooms - Great
Meat - Great

Bread - HORRIBLE, soggy, mushy, really not very good at all.

That is the slider of the gods. I can still taste the fried onions from back in June...

you should probably see a doctor?

Yeah -- see my comments about the very first Five Guys in post #48, particularly "I most miss the freshly baked buns from Brenner's Bakery. The bread they use now doesn't live up to those."

I'd imagine if enough people complained they'd actually do something about it, no?