Get Outta Town: Five Guys Burgers and Fries By Susan Dyer Reynolds Kickie is a huge fan of In-N-Out Burger, so she was skeptical. The place was packed and the line was long, so Kickie grabbed a seat while I ordered at the counter. While we waited, I filled a little brown cardboard tray with Five Guys’s signature roasted peanuts from a giant barrel – I must have been hungry, because those were the best danged peanuts I’ve ever eaten. Ditto for the burger. That’s right, Five Guys blew away In-N-Out and moved to the top of my list as the best burger on the planet under five bucks. And unlike In-N-Out, their fries are edible. The menu at Five Guys is as simple as it gets: regular or large-sized hamburgers, cheeseburgers, bacon burgers, and bacon cheeseburgers; three sandwiches (veggie, cheese veggie and grilled cheese); hot dogs (Kosher style, cheese dog, bacon dog, bacon cheese dog); fries or Cajun fries; and sodas (sorry, no shakes). So what makes Five Guys burgers so special? It’s that just-right ratio of toppings (all are free and range from grilled onions and mushrooms to green peppers and barbecue sauce); a perfectly soft, squishy bun; and a patty as thick and juicy as you’ll find in gourmet shops where burgers cost twice as much. The fries are big and fat with a crisp exterior and soft, almost creamy inside – if you’re not a French fry fan, try the Cajun-seasoned version; it’s just spicy enough and takes fries to a whole new level. Since my trip to Five Guys, I have to admit I’ve been dreaming about that burger. The good news is that Kickie came up for Christmas, too, which meant another visit; but truth be told, I’d happily drive 20 miles or more to get my hands on the world’s most perfect fast-food burger. Five Guys Burgers and Fries: 121 Curtner Avenue, Suite 60, San Jose, 408-293-9801, www.fiveguys.com; open daily 11 a.m.–10 p.m. – S. Reynolds |
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