Oliver's Chili Peppers

Oliver's Chili Peppers

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Burgerthon Restaurant Numero Cinco: Five Guys Burgers & Fries

Two Patties!
Our next stop on our Burgerthon adventure took us all the way out to Airdrie. Five Guys Burger & Fries just recently opened there and has been getting a lot of buzz. We tried to visit their Deerfoot Meadows location another week, but found the line up to be a little too long! Must be a good sign!


Leftover Cajun Fries
On the Friday night that we visited, the Five Guys in Airdrie was super busy too. A long line and full dining room showed promise. We ordered a Little Cheeseburger, a Cheeseburger and large Cajun fries. A couple of notes; All burgers are two patties but a "little" burger equals one patty. It is not a kids burger, or smaller than the regular burgers. No where on the menu board is this noted, so consider yourself informed! Also, their large fries are gigantic. Seriously. One order would easily serve 4 people. Five guys serves fresh beef in their hand formed patties, and you can top the burger any way you like with no additional charge. This is a nice touch! The burgers themselves were well seasoned, and have an authentic flame broiled flavour. The white sesame bun held up well to the toppings. There was even, dare I say, pretty substantially satisfying Drip Factor with these burgers! 


All of that being said, Five Guys gives you your order not on a tray, but in a greasy brown paper bag. I think they want you to leave! The atmosphere of the rooms is fairly downscale, with plain white walls, self-important signage, uncomfortable furniture and loud music. I have been in fast food restaurants that have nicer space. All of that being said, it was busy. I wonder if it will stay that way after its initial novelty wears off? 


One other note that may deter you or your family from heading to Five Guys is their use of peanut oil for fries, and service of in-shell peanuts in the restaurant (in a box for the taking, on top of the garbage can???). I found it fairly odd that there is a potentially serious allergen present in a place where you might not expect it to be. 


Husband and I do not suffer from peanut allergies, and we understand that this concept of "fast casual" is popular. For the burger, we would return, but we would take it out to a picnic spot and enjoy far from the restaurant. Burgerthon rating, 3 out of 5. 


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