Food preferences are relative. One person won’t like things that taste good to another, and visa versa. But there’s one thing on which most people agree: fresh is best. Food simply tastes better when it’s prepared on the spot, not thawed or packed with preservatives.
“Fresh” is what Five Guys Burgers and Fries is all about. A chain of restaurants with more than 900 locations nationwide, Five Guys has made a name for itself by selling burgers made of ground beef that has never been frozen. Curious about the fuss, I ventured to the new downtown Chattanooga location and tried one. Five Guys is located at the corner of 4th Avenue and Broad Street, in the building in which Rock Point Books used to reside. Having spent many lunch breaks browsing new releases at Rock Point, it was surreal to walk in and see the bright red and white-checkered décor of Five Guys.
There’s still plenty of reading material on hand, though, as giant review quotes and framed articles proclaiming the glories of Five Guys fill nearly every wall and column in the joint. While the self-congratulatory atmosphere is a bit thick, a restaurant is about what’s on the plate, not the walls. With that in mind, I made my way past the tables to the counter and looked up at the menu.
Ah, the menu. It’s the definition of simplicity. I tend to panic when I open a menu and see more choices than a Vegas buffet, so it was a pleasure to find only a few selections in big, bold letters. When you go to Five Guys, you’re going to get either a hamburger or a hot dog, and you’re either going to get fries or you’re not. I ordered a burger, fries and a Coke. Then I took my place near the pick-up counter. There are no walls at Five Guys, so I was able to watch the cook slap two freshly pattied burgers on the grill, and even hear the sizzle of the meat cooking. As I waited, I marveled at a row of burgers stacked with ingredients – all of which are free to add – at the wrapping station.
Before long, the manager called my order number, and I was hauling a brown bag containing my meal to a nearby table. Moments later, I was biting into a burger consisting of a bun made at a Five Guys bakery, two juicy patties, crunchy bacon and a slew of toppings, all of which were covered with melted cheese. In a word, the burger was delicious. I was in comfort food heaven. My only quibble would be the bacon. I like mine chewy. However, you may like yours crispy, so I can’t deduct points for that.
I must mention the fries, too. Five Guys does not have a freezer. Rather, they store their potatoes in huge 50-pound bags in the dining area. Then they cut them fresh every day and fry them in peanut oil. While a serving of fries at Five Guys costs more than at McDonald’s or Wendy’s, they taste exceptional. Not only that, but a single order is big enough to feed two people. It gives me pleasure to be able to heartily recommend a restaurant as I take my first stab at writing this long-running column. With a single visit, Five Guys became one of my favorite quick food restaurants in town. If you check out the place, chances are you’ll see me there, munching on a burger and scarfing down a pile of fries near my big quote on the wall.
Email David Laprad at dlaprad@hamiltoncountyherald.com.