Five Guys, Park Slope. As the Eater blog would say, "CERTIFIED OPEN." Just got back from lunch with the First Family of Burgers—George Motz, his wife, and their two kids (read George's account here). I had a "cheeseburger." If you don't know the drill at 5G, the "cheeseburger" is really a double cheeseburger. If you want a single-patty burger, you need to order the "Little Cheeseburger" or "Little Hamburger," which makes you feel like a kid and a bit embarrassed. I think they like it that way. Goads you into the larger option.
I won't spend too much time blabbing the burger. It's a really good burger. When I first tried 5G last year, I was skeptical. Signage reading "lean beef" and "cooked well-done" all pointed to bad. But the burger was juicy and flavorful. Who knew? The one at 5G Park Slope was the same. Delicious.
Anyway, this place is across from New York Methodist Hospital on Seventh Avenue:
So it wasn't surprising that the entire staff of the hospital turned out for lunch today. More pix, after the jump.
Looks like a casting call for Scrubs, with blue togs:
... white coats (and some traffic cops, for good measure, off to the right):
... and stethoscopes:
I think a few patients must have flatlined while their doctors, nurses, and attendants were all rushing across the street.
But for all the people streaming through, the place really performed well. We watched as, several times, the line swelled back to the door but then disappeared after the ultrafast service:
And that photo above gives you a decent idea of what the space looks like. Here's what the kitchen area looks like:
And here's the griddle:
Yes, you do see a press there, which often raises red flags among burger lovers afraid of every last bit of juice getting smashed out. But George and I learned something interesting. The press is not flat. It's kind of staple shaped, so there's a channel running down the middle of it. That allows for a single press, flattening the patty, but once the edges of the press hit the griddle, there's nothing else the cook can do. He or she can't rock the press back and forth over the patty.
I asked about delivery. Not an option. Nor will it ever be. "Good, fresh food doesn't travel well," the clerk told me. Nice spin. Still, I'm lazy and live near Fifth Avenue. I'd love a delivery option. Though I guess the twelve-block walk there and back will give me some much-needed exercise. You can also fax in your order—but who owns a fax machine these days?
We also learned from the owner of this Five Guys (he also owns the one in Brooklyn Heights on Montague Street) that he's opening a location in Bay Ridge. It'll be on Fifth Avenue and 85th, in what used to be a 99¢ store. It's a few doors down from a Burger King. If I still lived in Bay Ridge, I know I'd say adios to the King.
Five Guys Bay Ridge
8510 Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11209 (b/n 85th and 86th streets; map)
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