i think the general consensus is that this is not a foodie place. it's average food that survives on word of mouth of the average consumer (because it's new and different) for the time being. It'll pass.

I suppose I am not a foodie, but merely 'average.' I really like Five Guys. I think it will be around a while, as the littles seems to like it.

Chitown B wrote:i think the general consensus is that this is not a foodie place. it's average food that survives on word of mouth of the average consumer (because it's new and different) for the time being. It'll pass.

While I agree that most Chitown foodies will go elsewhere for a burger (due to better options. .and better prices), I still think that 5 Guys puts out a pretty good burger for a chain, along with Culver's and Portillo's.

I was a defender of the 5 Guys until recently. I thought the little 1 patty burger was just about worth the price, and the fries were pretty good despite the fact that you had to order the equivalent of a double order to even try one. But no more. First of all, they have raised their price a bit, at least at the Fulllerton store in Lincoln Park. The last time i got the fries they were just way, way oversalted---and at that portion, seriously, probably double your daily allotment. The whole place is a bit over the top. Excess screaming everywhere. Often, you just want a quick burger and maybe a handful of fries---and serenity now! If they comboed their regular burger with a normal portion of fries and a drink for $6, I'd go, except...

...I went around the corner and ate the Slim Burger at America's Dogs. This burger, also from a chain, was better. The beef was tastier, crispier within the idiom of the well-done fast food burger. It included a reasonable facsimile of a cheddar cheese slice, as opposed to the glossy American product at 5 guys. That cheese slice, and any sort of topping like cole slaw or chili are included in the $3.70-something price. If you want fries you won't see any potato sacks from Idaho laying around but they are $1.60, and they have various combo meals around $6. It is surprisingly good and a better deal than 5 guys. I did not really like their "natural" hot dog but the burger was worth the little walk over to Lincoln/Belden.

I almost don't want to bump this thread up just to mention this, but for those who want information, I was in Vernon Hills and saw the new Five Guys being worked on next to the Best Buy (Milwaukee and Rt 60). Supposed to be opening in August. The familiar red and white tile was in place.

there's also a new five guys coming to Park Ridge, on NW Hwy, right next to the space that was formerly known as Uncle Dan's Pizza. In what used to be a Washington Mutual branch. "coming soon" sign in the window.

elakin wrote:there's also a new five guys coming to Park Ridge, on NW Hwy, right next to the space that was formerly known as Uncle Dan's Pizza. In what used to be a Washington Mutual branch. "coming soon" sign in the window.

oh wow, this is about 3 minutes from me. could be dangerous.

Went over to the new Five Guys location in Bolingbrook last night, gotta say I really was not impressed with the burger. Not as good as: Portillo's, Culvers, Steak n' Shake just to name a few.

The good: fresh jalapenos, cooked to order, free peanuts

The bad: tasteless meat, overpriced

I also had the hot dog with cheese and bacon, that was pretty good as were the fresh cut fries.

The burger, lots of free toppings avaialable, I am pretty sure they want you to drown the burger in every topping they have to make up for the meat that has no flavor at all. I went with jalapenos, mayo, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and raw onion. Toppings were all fresh.

Overall tab for 3 small cheeseburgers, regular fries, hot dog with cheese and bacon, and a regualr drink.. just under $25, not good, I doubt Ill be back.

jimswside wrote:The bad: tasteless meat, overpriced

I agree w you jimswside, and I have been twice. The toppings are good but other than that, I'm not sure what the fuss is about.

I was reading an industry trade journal the other day. Five Guys is one of the fastest growing quick serve chains. It had sales of about half a billion $ last year. Much bigger than I thought.

teatpuller wrote:I was reading an industry trade journal the other day. Five Guys is one of the fastest growing quick serve chains. It had sales of about half a billion $ last year. Much bigger than I thought.

At that rate, Five Guys will continue to be a Restaurant LTHF People Love To Hate.

I don't hate Five Guys, but I pretty much agree with Jimswside's assessment. There are better, cheaper fast food burgers to be had elsewhere (Portillo's, for example). There also are non-chain places fast food places (typically, hot dog stands) that put out a good burger. That being said, it doesn't surprise me that Five Guys is very popular.

We like Five Guys because of their relative transparency, at least for a chain. Portillo's, for example, still doesn't post nutritional info, and as far as I know still cooks with trans fats. But not Five Guys on either count. So: advantage Five Guys, and I'm willing to pay that extra cash for the peace of mind. Plus, our kids (who don't like burgers!) can get hot dogs or grilled cheese.

Dan Serafini wrote:

teatpuller wrote:I was reading an industry trade journal the other day. Five Guys is one of the fastest growing quick serve chains. It had sales of about half a billion $ last year. Much bigger than I thought.

At that rate, Five Guys will continue to be a Restaurant LTHF People Love To Hate.

Of course it's possible that the people who don't like Five Guys don't like it because the burgers just aren't that good.

Thanks for the updates. Even though I live in Bolingbrook, I missed Five Guys coming to town until I recently saw the sign. It was on my list to check out but I may drop it farther down now.

jpreiser wrote:Thanks for the updates. Even though I live in Bolingbrook, I missed Five Guys coming to town until I recently saw the sign. It was on my list to check out but I may drop it farther down now.

I wish I would have saved my $25 and gone someplace else.

i hate the price but i do love their burgers and frys... crispy bacon, fresh jalepenos, good bread, grilled and raw onions... dang tasty to me. so now in the PR, head west and you get Culvers, head east and you get 5 Guys... awesome!

Hello,

Back on the forum after being away for a number of years.....just piping in on the Five Guys Burgers. I've tried both the double patty, single patty, the hot dogs, fries(both regular and cajun) and I'd have to say, while the burgers are ok, I prefer the hot dogs. I especially like the bacon-cheese hot dogs. Bacon and Cheese makes it ALL better. Fries are too addicting for me......though I do agree they give you so much of them, we almost always end up bringing most of it home in its semi-greasy bag. Kids like the hot dogs and burgers too.

We go here when we can, but mostly for the fries, so, it isn't an everyday thing.....OMG carbs! Anyway, wanted to give my opinion.

jesteinf wrote:

Dan Serafini wrote:At that rate, Five Guys will continue to be a Restaurant LTHF People Love To Hate.

Of course it's possible that the people who don't like Five Guys don't like it because the burgers just aren't that good.

or that its extremely over-priced for that mediocrity...

...and in Chicago you'd be crazy not to spend your (same amount of) money at the close Franks n Dog's and relatively close, better, and exponentially-more-worthy-of-support, Muskie's. in my opinion.

Muskie's
2878 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657-4202
(773) 883-1633

I'm waiting for the thread, "Screw Five Guys, In n' Out is coming!"

ld111134 wrote:I'm waiting for the thread, "Screw Five Guys, In n' Out is coming!"

Personally, I don't want to see In-n-Out expand much beyond its current realm. They have great food but I don't think there is a need for them to expand beyond SoCal (excepting the Vegas outlet). If folks want In-n-Out, just go where they are; no need to open outlets everywhere and water down the experience. Nuff said.

In N Out is in Socal, Norcal, NV, UT and AZ. I wouldn't mind them here

[quote="MBK"]In N Out is in Socal, Norcal, NV, UT and AZ. I wouldn't mind them here [/quote]

They are currently planning on building a commisary near DFW and say they will support locations within some radius of that location. (I think it was 300 miles.) They are expanding but at a slow pace.

wesuilmo wrote:

MBK wrote:In N Out is in Socal, Norcal, NV, UT and AZ. I wouldn't mind them here

They are currently planning on building a commisary near DFW and say they will support locations within some radius of that location. (I think it was 300 miles.) They are expanding but at a slow pace.

DFW = Dallas Fort Worth International Airport

I would not mind that at all as Colorado is the furthest west My Bride and I travel these days.

jpreiser wrote:

ld111134 wrote:I'm waiting for the thread, "Screw Five Guys, In n' Out is coming!"

Personally, I don't want to see In-n-Out expand much beyond its current realm. They have great food but I don't think there is a need for them to expand beyond SoCal (excepting the Vegas outlet). If folks want In-n-Out, just go where they are; no need to open outlets everywhere and water down the experience. Nuff said.

I've heard others say this before and it's always struck me as odd. I don't think the best solution to craving an In n Out burger is to book a flight to LA and spend several hundred dollars to satiate it.

Nor do I think that location of consumption makes the meal. To be clear the best location for an In N Out burger to be is inside of my mouth, whatever state or country my mouth may be in is irrelevant to the experience. . .state of bliss being the most likely location.

My Bride and I stopped by FRedhots today for lunch and even Fred was longing for a In-n-Out burger.

Not sure if this has been posted elsewhere, but in Evanston where Untitled and a few other shops were at (south side of Church St. between Benson and Sherman) there is paperwork on the front that says Five Guys has applied for a permit to build out that space.

jpreiser wrote:

ld111134 wrote:I'm waiting for the thread, "Screw Five Guys, In n' Out is coming!"

Personally, I don't want to see In-n-Out expand much beyond its current realm. They have great food but I don't think there is a need for them to expand beyond SoCal (excepting the Vegas outlet). If folks want In-n-Out, just go where they are; no need to open outlets everywhere and water down the experience. Nuff said.

um, the burgers will taste the same and won't cost me $350.

Chitown B wrote:

jpreiser wrote:Personally, I don't want to see In-n-Out expand much beyond its current realm. They have great food but I don't think there is a need for them to expand beyond SoCal (excepting the Vegas outlet). If folks want In-n-Out, just go where they are; no need to open outlets everywhere and water down the experience. Nuff said.

um, the burgers will taste the same and won't cost me $350.

Unless you go to one of the Vegas locations, in which case it could cost you much more than $350, or much less, depending on how you do at the craps and/or blackjack tables

spiffie -- Thanx for the heads-up, but I can't imagine choosing Five Guys over Edzo's, which is only a short distance away.