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)
What toppings do you and George go with? I haven't been to this place yet but need to get there. Looking at the menu it's a bit overwhelming however I would probably stick with the classics.
@davey: I went with raw onions and pickles—on a cheeseburger. George went with grilled onions; he usually prefers hamburgers to cheeseburgers but said that at 5G he always gets the cheese. He is also not a fan of the raw onions.
Just get what you'd normally get on a burger. I don't find 5G confusing at all. There are only a few things on the menu. Your burger will be plain plain plain if you don't ask for anything. They don't assume you want a thing on it unless you ask. Even ketchup/mustard -- you have to ask for it.
Adam - that pic looks absolutely fantastic - 2 hours and counting! This store should win the Golden Globe for site selection - across from Methodist - pure, genius! Don't know what the hell it says about doctors and fatty burgers though ;-)
Doctors in burger shops seem to be a theme. Check this out, from The Burger Joint (the now-defunct one on Third Avenue): http://flickr.com/photos/slice/13626425/
All the doctors seem to confirm my theory that Five Guys can be nothing but good for your health. I still haven't been to one in NYC, but I live on it when I'm home in Alexandria, VA.
I've found having fax capability very useful. I simply subscribe to a 'fax from email' service. Incoming faxes show up as PDF files, and you can send Word or text documents as outgoing faxes. You don't need a dedicated fax machine.
5 Guys is coming to Texas. They've apparently already opened the first store at the Galleria Mall in North Dallas (an upscale shopping center) and another location coming soon to the city of Southlake.
I'm going to hit the Galleria Mall location ASAP. I'm moving to a new apartment in 2 weeks, that will put me within 5-10 minutes drive. Right now, at my current apartment, it's about a 30 minute trek. I'm looking forward to this!
that burger pic is indeed burger porn. my english would be a bit erratic as well after eating that. i went and ate a burger in my area that was as close to that i could find. great work on the pic.
thanks to the fast food critic for the 5G in Southlake info. I knew of one in the galleria but southlake is just up the road from me. go Texas!
We have a 5 guys in Boardman, Ohio. It is damn tasty. We always get the big bacon cheeses with grilled onions, ketchup and mayo. Large fry to share. A little pricey at roughly 20 bucks for 2 of us, but still good eats.
@fullgrownburger: Thanks for the props on the pic.
@FastFoodCritic: Thanks for the intel on 5G in TX.
@Livetotravel: Thanks for the "Kubano" christening. Raw onions and pickle is my favorite cheeseburger topping.
@ChelleyD01: I should have noted that, yes, 5G is pricey. My cheeseburger and medium drink were like $10.40. I guess I'd advise eating a bunch of free peanuts as sides.
The toppings are imaginative but the hamburgers are just OK. I go there for the French fries. If they aren't too busy I ask them to make the fries crispy and they accommodate I get regular fries, did not like the Cajun version
Fries rank 9 out of 10
I always scarf down some peanuts too
I live in N.J. About a year ago Five Guys started opening restaurants near me. All were consistently good despite reading about how they are hit or miss since expanding. I go to the local franchise in Union (which was where the iconic hot dog joint Syd's was before their lease was not renewed) and it's excellent. It's my favorite burger joint along with White Rose in Roselle.
I've never had a burger from In-N-Out, but enjoy reading comparisons between the 2. Most seem to favor IN-N-Out. But some say Five Guys is superior. Jason Perlow (Off the Broiler blog) told me that Five Guys is much better.
Adam, which of the 2 do you prefer? Anyone else who has been to both, what are your opinions?
We have two here in Milwaukee, WI and it is pricey, but they go way overboard with the fries. One order feeds four. They're building another 5G about 10 minutes from my home. Kids even prefer over other burger joints.
I used to eat at the original 5G on the corner of Columbia Pike and Glebe in Arlington VA, the franchises aren't very different from the original except for the interior being nicer.
Have to say I was really unimpressed with five guys. I haven't eaten at the Park Slope location, but the W.Village location was underwhelming. I enjoy a West coast burger, but found the patties overcooked (I actually had little bits of overly charred meat) and under seasoned. The burger practically fell apart and I only had cheese, lettuce, tomato and grilled onions and while I certainly enjoy a sloppy burger, I just didn't see where all the hype came from.
Maybe I caught them on a bad day, but I don't think I'll be going back there at least not for awhile.
I just hit Five Guys for the first time, at their Parsippany, NJ location. It rocks. Juicy, juicy burger and very flavorful fries. I'm hooked. Now I gotta hit In n Out when I go to Vegas next year to compare.
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21 Comments:
I think I see the back of Zach Braff's head.
Erin Zimmer at 1:51PM on 07/25/08
Adam...
What toppings do you and George go with? I haven't been to this place yet but need to get there. Looking at the menu it's a bit overwhelming however I would probably stick with the classics.
davey at 2:40PM on 07/25/08
@davey: I went with raw onions and pickles—on a cheeseburger. George went with grilled onions; he usually prefers hamburgers to cheeseburgers but said that at 5G he always gets the cheese. He is also not a fan of the raw onions.
Just get what you'd normally get on a burger. I don't find 5G confusing at all. There are only a few things on the menu. Your burger will be plain plain plain if you don't ask for anything. They don't assume you want a thing on it unless you ask. Even ketchup/mustard -- you have to ask for it.
Adam Kuban at 3:02PM on 07/25/08
Adam - that pic looks absolutely fantastic - 2 hours and counting! This store should win the Golden Globe for site selection - across from Methodist - pure, genius! Don't know what the hell it says about doctors and fatty burgers though ;-)
Livetotravel at 3:54PM on 07/25/08
Doctors in burger shops seem to be a theme. Check this out, from The Burger Joint (the now-defunct one on Third Avenue): http://flickr.com/photos/slice/13626425/
Adam Kuban at 4:16PM on 07/25/08
All the doctors seem to confirm my theory that Five Guys can be nothing but good for your health. I still haven't been to one in NYC, but I live on it when I'm home in Alexandria, VA.
josh! at 4:56PM on 07/25/08
We got one here in Los Angeles finally! Look out in and out burger!
http://www.diglounge.net/food/five-guys-burgers-and-fries-carson/
diglounge at 5:38PM on 07/25/08
I've found having fax capability very useful. I simply subscribe to a 'fax from email' service. Incoming faxes show up as PDF files, and you can send Word or text documents as outgoing faxes. You don't need a dedicated fax machine.
Torontovore at 5:40PM on 07/25/08
5 Guys is coming to Texas. They've apparently already opened the first store at the Galleria Mall in North Dallas (an upscale shopping center) and another location coming soon to the city of Southlake.
I'm going to hit the Galleria Mall location ASAP. I'm moving to a new apartment in 2 weeks, that will put me within 5-10 minutes drive. Right now, at my current apartment, it's about a 30 minute trek. I'm looking forward to this!
FastFoodCritic at 3:28PM on 07/26/08
that burger pic is indeed burger porn. my english would be a bit erratic as well after eating that. i went and ate a burger in my area that was as close to that i could find. great work on the pic.
thanks to the fast food critic for the 5G in Southlake info. I knew of one in the galleria but southlake is just up the road from me. go Texas!
fullgrownburger at 6:05PM on 07/26/08
Adam - just posted this on Brooklynian - wanted you to know that I have christened the cheeseburger with diced raw onions and pickles the Kubano in your honor ;-)
http://brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=453899#453899
Livetotravel at 6:34PM on 07/26/08
@fullgrownburger -- Woohoo! Another Texan in the S.E. house! :)
FastFoodCritic at 7:12PM on 07/26/08
We have a 5 guys in Boardman, Ohio. It is damn tasty. We always get the big bacon cheeses with grilled onions, ketchup and mayo. Large fry to share. A little pricey at roughly 20 bucks for 2 of us, but still good eats.
ChelleyD01 at 7:23PM on 07/26/08
@fullgrownburger: Thanks for the props on the pic.
@FastFoodCritic: Thanks for the intel on 5G in TX.
@Livetotravel: Thanks for the "Kubano" christening. Raw onions and pickle is my favorite cheeseburger topping.
@ChelleyD01: I should have noted that, yes, 5G is pricey. My cheeseburger and medium drink were like $10.40. I guess I'd advise eating a bunch of free peanuts as sides.
Adam Kuban at 9:11PM on 07/26/08
The toppings are imaginative but the hamburgers are just OK. I go there for the French fries. If they aren't too busy I ask them to make the fries crispy and they accommodate I get regular fries, did not like the Cajun version
Fries rank 9 out of 10
I always scarf down some peanuts too
gaffer at 5:22AM on 07/27/08
I live in N.J. About a year ago Five Guys started opening restaurants near me. All were consistently good despite reading about how they are hit or miss since expanding. I go to the local franchise in Union (which was where the iconic hot dog joint Syd's was before their lease was not renewed) and it's excellent. It's my favorite burger joint along with White Rose in Roselle.
I've never had a burger from In-N-Out, but enjoy reading comparisons between the 2. Most seem to favor IN-N-Out. But some say Five Guys is superior. Jason Perlow (Off the Broiler blog) told me that Five Guys is much better.
Adam, which of the 2 do you prefer? Anyone else who has been to both, what are your opinions?
hotdoglover at 8:10AM on 07/27/08
We have two here in Milwaukee, WI and it is pricey, but they go way overboard with the fries. One order feeds four. They're building another 5G about 10 minutes from my home. Kids even prefer over other burger joints.
kcogswell at 10:32AM on 07/27/08
Although this make me a horrible native Califronian, I gotta say that I prefer 5G to I-N-O.
The little bacon cheesburger with ketchup and raw onions is the way to go!
JudgeFudge at 10:59AM on 07/28/08
I used to eat at the original 5G on the corner of Columbia Pike and Glebe in Arlington VA, the franchises aren't very different from the original except for the interior being nicer.
I like mine with just lettuce, tomato and mayo.
redfish at 1:11PM on 07/28/08
Have to say I was really unimpressed with five guys. I haven't eaten at the Park Slope location, but the W.Village location was underwhelming. I enjoy a West coast burger, but found the patties overcooked (I actually had little bits of overly charred meat) and under seasoned. The burger practically fell apart and I only had cheese, lettuce, tomato and grilled onions and while I certainly enjoy a sloppy burger, I just didn't see where all the hype came from.
Maybe I caught them on a bad day, but I don't think I'll be going back there at least not for awhile.
ginsbera at 2:24PM on 07/28/08
I just hit Five Guys for the first time, at their Parsippany, NJ location. It rocks. Juicy, juicy burger and very flavorful fries. I'm hooked. Now I gotta hit In n Out when I go to Vegas next year to compare.
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 1:25PM on 10/03/08