Five Guys Burgers and Fries: All Fast Food Is Not Created Equal

Photo Credit: Rachel Bailey

by Lauren Baggett
04/14/2008

When it comes to dining in the Classic City, sometimes you’ll want to take advantage of the wide variety of classy restaurants that feature organic entrees and unique taste infusions. But sometimes you just want to sink your teeth into a really great burger. That’s where Five Guys Burger and Fries fills the void for hungry burger lovers everywhere.

Five Guys is Washington D.C. - based, Zagat-rated burger place, located at the corner of College Avenue and East Broad Street. It’s hard to miss the red and white checkered building and large window signs. These signs display favorable reviews from food magazines and newspapers. My personal favorite advertises Five Guys as the “Willy Wonka of burgers.”

If the décor doesn’t catch your eye, just look for the crowds outside the restaurant. On the weekends, the corner outside of Five Guys is bustling with UGA students, families and out-of-town visitors. Late night hunger pains also seem to lead people to this diner-style restaurant.

When you first walk in, big sacks of peanuts guide the zigzagging line to the register. The menu is short and sweet: burger choices up top, toppings at the bottom. I ordered a regular cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, pickles, ketchup and mustard with fries. I sat outside on one of the restaurant’s stools and watched people walk by while I munched on complimentary raw peanuts.

Within ten minutes my order was up, burger and fries ready to go. The aroma of mustard, onions and fries told me good food was just a bite away. Make that a big bite. My perfectly crafted, topping strewn mess of a cheeseburger definitely need two hands. The burger itself is a hefty portion of fresh ground beef, and then I realized my regular fries order could probably feed three people. At first smell, I knew this was going to be good. At first bite, I was in burger heaven.

A warning to vegetarians: this is not your restaurant. There is, however, a veggie or grilled cheese option, and just ordering fries, Five Guys style, is worth your trip. Another warning: if you have peanut allergies, be aware that raw peanuts are available on every table, and the fries are cooked in peanut oil.

Prices are very reasonable for the quality and amount of food. Regular burgers cost about $5, and little burgers (yes, smaller portions for those who can’t eat pounds of food in one sitting) cost about $3.50. Five Guys is open everyday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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