Here it is, the first review, and we’re starting with a classic: Five Guys.
From tourists in Piccadilly Circus to Michelin-starred restaurant managers, everyone seems to love Five Guys. Those classic red and white tiles have welcomed many a burger-hungry-belly, and it’s one of those places that appeals to everyone -it’s way better than a Big Mac, but it’s still no-frills fast food.
Given Five Guys’ position as a stalwart of the London burger scene, we decided to go and give it a definitive review. You know it, we know it, but how good is Five Guys really?
Five Guys’ burger shops are always clean and tidy, which for us is worth a lot. The decor is consistent across its locations and is reminiscent of an old school American diner. There’s not a huge amount to say here except that it’s a nice place to enjoy a burger!
The menu is nice and simple too. They only offer the classics (cheeseburger, hamburger etc.) and then it’s your choice from their 15 toppings. We like the flexibility this gives. What Five Guys offers is the basics done really well, then it’s up to you to order the burger you want. Feeling a classic cheeseburger? They’ll deliver. Fancy something a bit more adventurous? They can do that just as well. You have plenty of space to build the burger you want. They’ll give you a quality product whatever it is you’re hankering.
So, how does the burger taste? Well, it’s really good. Like we’ve said, Five Guys is quality. The beef, the cheese, the bread; there are no weak links here. They start with premium ingredients and the final product corresponds. The patty is thin, but not quite like a smash burger like you’d find at Shake Shack, and we like it. The bread is a fluffy sesame seed bun which, again, is a no-frills classic. That’s really what you’re getting at here, a great classic burger.
Five Guys is the Goldilocks burger; it’s just right. It’s not too greasy, no crazy toppings, and it’s not too big to get your gob around. It’s the image that pops into your mind when you hear the word ‘burger’.
That’s not to say it’s boring, though. We love Five Guys because we love burgers, and theirs is really good and really classic. Their other menu items are great also. The milkshakes are some of the best around, their chips are super tasty and come in plentiful portions, and we really really love their hot dog. Five Guys does lose points on the vegan and veggie options though. Their veggie sandwich is the only option besides chips and it looks pretty boring. Our veggie friends are know to avoid Five Guys for that reason, unfortunately.
The prices are also worth noting. We paid £11.50 for our burgers, which puts in on the high end of fast food. For us in London it’s not shocking, but it’s no bargain either.
This marks a good first review for Buns. Five Guys is a benchmark burger, a classic done well, and we love it. We get the Five Guys hype, but in a city with so many amazing burger options we wonder what else is out there.
Stay tuned to Buns to find out!
All the best,
Richard & Richard.