I like eating burgers. I like eating fries. I like eating burgers with bacon, mushrooms and jalapenos. I like eating medium-cut, skin-on fries. So one would deduct from the aforementioned logic that I'd like Five Guys. But, I'm just okay with it.
My misses with the joint: I don't like paying $10-plus for a "combo," which included a Little Bacon Burger (everything on it, minus onions, plus jalapenos), Cajun-style fries and a regular drink. Me going to In-N-Out and ordering a #3 (no onions) with a milkshake substitute doesn't cost me more than $6 (although I think prices have gone up a little recently). A big pet peeve of mine? No combo option. A very large percentage of people ordering here order a burger, fries and drink, so it just makes sense to just have a combo option--not "give me a burger AND fries AND drink." Another thing is the service. Not that I expect the cashier to have a high IQ, but at least know the basics of the menu. When I ordered "everything" on the burger, she asked, "Does that come with ketchup?" What does the menu say? Yes, yes it does come with ketchup (I think this is the most basic condiment that would come on ANY burger). Temperature--The 30-some seconds it took for me to pump some ketchup, walk to my table, open up the burger wrapper and take my first bite, the burger wasn't hot. Disappointing. The patty was mildly warm, which isn't as appetizing as a hot one. Location--Really, the mall? I suppose it's a smart business move to enter the California burger market via the mall scene (after all, you're accessible to a larger passer-by audience), but I don't know how high the repeat-customer numbers are. I mean, if I was hungry for a burger (and the price wasn't ridiculously off-putting), I'd think thrice before wanting to deal with the hassle of going to the mall. I love the mall (after all, I'm a valley girl, born and raised), but not for a quick bite to eat (cheesesteaks are the only exception). Cajun-style fries--Love the option/idea of Cajun-style fries, but they put rosemary or oregano in the spice mix, and the herbal aroma was coming up too strong for me.
Now, on to the (few) pluses. Add-ons--I like that mushrooms and jalapenos (and a few other "premium" toppings) are "free" add-ons (albeit the cost is factored into the burger, even if you order these premium toppings or not). One thing, though; I would have preferred the jalapenos to be sautéed (like the mushrooms). Less grease--Some refer to the patty as being dry, but I didn't mind the low fat content in the meat. Not-so-"little"--After ordering the "little" burger, I had flashbacks to Fatburger's menu change. Their "tiny" (or maybe it was called "small) burger was really teeny-tiny; Five Guys, not so much. In fact, their "little" burger was quite large (again, though, insert my quip about the price).
By the way, I noticed people love comparing Five Guys to In-N-Out. However, if you're in the area, check out The Habit (one on McBean, another on Newhall Ranch Rd.). Burger-wise, it's better than both. And, their combo (burger AND fries AND drink) is, I believe, right around $6--not $10! read more