First I want to comment that, trying to compare Five Guys' food with In N Out's is futile. Just because both serve burgers doesn't make their products comparable. It's like trying to compare Sizzler with Mastro's. They're not in the same league. Nor are they trying to attract the same market. Each has its unique, and perhaps important, role. But I wouldn't consider them competitors.
I'm not convinced that, even if they were comparable, I'd choose In N Out on a regular basis for a pleasant meal. It attracts highschool and college kids who want a cheap meal and who sit there goofing on each other, doing annoying things like tearing up napkins, along with disgusting things like burping and farting. To give them stink-eye only eggs them on, prompting them blatantly stare at you and burp even more all the while laughing hilariously. That element of society is not present (for the most part) at Five Guys. I'm happy to pay a little more for a pleasant meal.
Five Guys has what I'll call a "loose" burger. The patty hangs together but very loosely. I don't know where other Yelpers came up with the word "regular" to describe a size or style burger at Five Guys. There is not and never has been a "regular" burger. Yelpers referring to anything "regular" probably have not actually been to this restaurant... and if they did, they ought to lose credibility for inaccurate reporting. You can order a "little" burger (one patty), or a "big" burger (two patties). No "regular".
The kids who take your order are nice and helpful. There is a wide array of choices of items that you can add to your burger for no extra charge. I like the mushrooms, lettuce, and onions. When the burger arrives, it is in a soft, yeasty bun... obviously freshly made; similar to Subway rolls. Doesn't it drive you crazy to go into a Subway and wait a tortuous several minutes for your sammy while smelling that luscious yeastiness? It's similar here. When your order is ready, it's easy to figure out who gets what. The burgers are numbered on the outside and the number matches to each burger order on the receipt, which is attached to the paper bag with your stuff in it. I like it that we don't need to examine the food before finding out who it belongs to.
The burger patties are lightly seasoned, so you're going to get most of your flavor out of the extra items you choose with your burger. If you order bacon, you'll be pleased that it's crisp, thick, and smokey. To sum it up, the burger's flavor is as good as you order it. The texture is very good, the beef quality is high, and the doneness is thorough without being over-cooked.
Five Guys fries are really good. They're long and thick, fried at a proper temperature so they don't absorb oil, and are properly salted / seasoned. And, I'm sorry but In N Out's fries are only good when hot. Once cold they're nasty, skinny, shriveled-up lard sticks. And why would somebody dream of complaining that 5 Guys gives TOO MUCH fries? Feh! Anyway, the Cajun fries are good and for two people, there are PLENTY in the small order.
The fountain drinks are fine. I'd love it if they were to have a passion fruit / tropical tea. But maybe that's just wishful thinking. You can eat roasted peanuts and sip your beverage to tide you over til your order is ready.
The indoor eating area is loud and chaotic. I much prefer to eat out on the patio. The music is so loud that the people calling out order numbers can barely be heard.
I can live without the self-promoting article reprints and quotes all over the walls. This type of thing doesn't add to customer comfort. It smacks of "look at us, we rock!" Give me a break. Five Guys is just a hamburger joint, albeit a good one. read more