Five Guys Burgers and Fries, 517 State St., is the campus's newest hotspot for greasy and delicious comfort food. As the name of the restaurant suggests, Five Guys specializes in burgers and fries and not much else. But, despite the limited variety, this place has got it right.
Upon walking under the bright red awning and entering Five Guys, anyone can tell the owners pride themselves on their high quality food and great tasting menu. Awards and quotations adorn the white and red tiled walls, which serve as good reading material for the long line. While waiting, patrons can also grab some peanuts, free of charge, to hold them over until their food comes.
The food at Five Guys is the real deal. Five Guys prides itself on fresh, never frozen ingredients, making this place a not-so-average fast food locale. The hot dogs are 100 percent kosher, giving them a refreshing, non-mystery meat appeal.
Burgers at Five Guys are perfectly juicy and almost impossible to beat. The regular size ($4.21) consisting of two patties, and the small size ($2.95) consisting of just one, are both great depending the size of your appetite.
The ratio of sesame-seed bun to patty is almost equal and not too bready at all. The cheese is melted just enough, and those ordering the bacon variety will get the satisfying spice and crunch they need.
The two options of french fries,are traditional and Cajun seasonings available. Cajun style packs a lot of heat in a great way, but the traditional fries are anything but bland. The fries are thicker than McDonald's, but thinner than a steak fry. They are also soft and not very crispy, but in a good way, making them some of the best fries around.
Sacks of potatoes line the restaurant's walls and employees take themas they need to make more, showing off to the whole Five Guys crowd how fresh these fries really are. An order of fries ($2.10) comes in a Styrofoam cup, complete with an extra scoop to top it off, so finishing an entire order could be difficult. Patrons might want to share an order with a friend if their appetite is less than raging.
Vegetarians might be the only people not as enthusiastic as the masses about Five Guys. They will not be pleased with the menu, seeing as their only option is a veggie sandwich ($2.63) with or without cheese.
This sandwich is virtually mushrooms or onions on a hamburger bun with the traditional toppings, which is definitely not as satisfying as a normal veggie burger. The bun on this sandwich is way too thick to balance out the thin layer of vegetables that it comes with, so leave your herbivorous friend at home.
Five Guys' prices also add to the great experience of dining at this joint. Students will be pleased to know the prices are strategically figured for the average broke college coed. Plus, all sandwich toppings are free.
The relaxed Five Guys experience is made possible thanks to its many friendly workers. The knowledgeable staff never rushes patrons to order, even if the line is growing rapidly. All of the Five Guys workers seem to want the customers to enjoy the food as much as they do, making that clear when they get on the microphone to congratulate people on their orders being ready.
If you're in the mood for classic American food without breaking the bank, Five Guys Burgers and Fries is definitely the place to go. This type of restaurant is exactly what State Street needed and ultimately proves that whoever these five guys may be, they've got the recipe for success.
