5 Guys Burgers & Fries

Honestly, the only reason I even went to this joint is because I had a mystery shop to complete. I had never heard of it before and thought it may be a fun experience. The first thing that caught my attention was the eyesore of interior color choice: everything is red and white..the walls, the seats, the floor, the trash cans..

Then I saw the menu - 3 items to choose from: a burger (whether cheese, non-cheese, with or without bacon, regular size or small size), a hot dog, and fries. No healthy side option. Of course, there was soda, too but that wasn't really a menu option, just an addition to your choice of the big 3.

You get to see 18-22 year olds make your burgers in front of you. They didn't seem too overly happy but then again they do probably only get paid a lousy $8 per hour.

At least the joint itself seemed clean. They have peanuts sitting out, its a tad weird I think, but some people like it.

The burger itself wasn't bad or anything but I seriously think I was charged too much - for 1 cheese burger, a SMALL fry and SMALL drink, my total was $10 and some change. My dinner mate ordered 1 cheese burger and 1 SMALL fry and his bill exceeded $7. The burger was around the same quality and taste of Hardees, although I tend to think I'd take Hardees over these burgers any day. On the flipside though, I think 5 Guys has the best tasting natural fries I've yet to have. So kudos to them for getting at least something praise worthy. You really cannot mess up soda unless the carbonation or syrup ratio is off.

Not to sound so harsh to this place, but really, that $10 could have bought me a full meal at Red Robin's, Applebees, lunch at Olive Garden...or, I could have saved myself some money (approximately $3 to $4) and could have just gone to Hardees..