Five Guys Burgers and Fries

I recall being in another city and asking some kids where a good place for lunch would be.  They offered "Five Guys," however, we never made it there because we opted to est something besides burgers and fries.... the main items on the Five Guys menu.  Ever since we got a "Five Guys" in Spokane, I have been hoping to go and see what those kids were talking about, then finally, last week, a friend suggested we go there for lunch together.  So off we went, all six of us!  Five Guys Burgers and Fries has two locations in Spokane.  We went to the North side restaurant at 9502 N. Newport Hwy.

Not knowing what to expect, I was surprised.  First of all there were a lot of people there.  Second of all, you can get free peanuts to eat while you wait for your food, and in addition to the traditional burgers and fires, they sell hot dogs too.  It's a simple menu, mostly burgers and fries, but your burger is done up to order.   The french fries are cooked in peanut oil.  (This must be to make sure you don't go overboard on the cholesterol.)  You walk in, stand in line, then at the cash counter, you order your burger and toppings... fries if you like.

Then they cook it for you, and call your number when they are done.

Snacking on peanuts while we wait....

They have a state-of-the-art beverage dispensing machine where you can select just about anything you can dream of bevving... including water.  

This machine is great.  You simple select your drink by touching your choice on the screen, place your cup underneath in the porper position and press another button above your cup to dispense.  It's pretty amazing, really.

They serve up your burgers and fries in brown paper sack.... kinda makes you feel like your mom made your lunch or something.  Be warned.  The bags, covered with grease spots, are a tell-tale sign  that your food is not low calorie.

here is my sack.... kinda messy.  I did like the sturdy cup.

This is a burger without the bun... lettuce wrapped instead.

This is how you eat a bunless burg.

This is the traditional with a bun.

The fries are made from real potatoes, cut right there in the store. It's a rather sloppy presentation, but I think they guys really like it.. propbably all five of them voted that this would be the cool way to make and serve burgers to make a buck!  There is nothing "Namby-Pamby" about a greasy looking sack lunch!  I imagine that it's even better if you pick out your own toppings and the stuff in your sack tastes just the way you like it!

 I ordered my burger bunless.  They wrapped it up in lettuce leaves for me.   My friend ordered hers with a bun.  

I was informed that they will make you a "burger in a bowl" too if you like,  The burger in a bowl is another kind of bunless presentation, less messy I suppose than trying to eat a wrap, although mine stayed together pretty good.  In a bowl it would probably be easier to eat... as like a salad, but at that point for me, it would not be like esting a "burger."  I though a burger with lettuce tomatoes, onion, pickle...  etc... served in a bowl with a fork might be interesting to try.... but I went with the wrap..

So how was it?  It was fun to try this spot and eat with friends and it was yummy.  I like burgers every now and then.

The peanuts were a great treat for my friend who does not eat potatoes....and they were roasted nicely too.   Also there were not peanuts all over the floor like some places tend to do.   The music was too loud, but we complained about that.  They told us they would be more than happy to lower the volume when it is too loud for customers. That was nice.   And the food?  Well, we all enjoyed eating our burgers.  In fact, some of the ladies even talked about their burgers later, saying how good it was.

Kids like it!

Sometimes a good old fashioned hamburger, grease and all. one that is not selected from a made up menu, and does not cost you ten dollars, one with all your favorite condiments on it,  just hits the spot!