Cheap Eats: Five Guys Burgers & Fries

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Any place that offers all-you-can eat unshelled peanuts can't be all bad, right?

Five Guys Burgers & Fries has already made it's mark in Washington, Philadelphia and Annapolis (along with more than thirty other major cities in the US), and has now set up shop in Florida.  It's newest location sits right on the border of Bradenton and Sarasota, grilling handmade burgers, thick cut fries and did I mention the boxes upon boxes of free peanuts?

The Food:  Okay, it's not Aleppo-crusted Venison at the Four Seasons, but it is the place to go for an all beef, handmade, burger that's a cut above fast food, when time is of the essence and money is an issue.

Can you repeat that five times fast?

In short, they serve a very specific menu:  Little Burgers, Big Burgers, Hot Dogs, Veggie and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.  Yet, still you'll find yourself agonizing over the right combination of toppings.  You can have as many as you want: mayo, relish, onions, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, fried onions, sauteed mushrooms, ketchup, mustard, jalapeno peppers, green peppers, A-1 sauce, BBQ sauce, and hot sauce. 

For the sake of the review, I opted for one little bacon cheeseburger ($4.39) with jalapeno peppers, hot sauce, lettuce, ketchup and onions (I wasn't planning on breathing on anyone for the rest of the day, so I was safe), and also the veggie sandwich ($2.49) with mushrooms, lettuce, green peppers, tomatoes, pickles and a touch of mayonnaise. I topped it off with a large root beer ($2.49) that came with free refills, and a regular order french fries ($2.49).

While I might have preferred my vegetable sandwich on wheat bread or a spinach wrap, I have to give them credit for being gutsy enough to even include a healthy vegetarian option on the largely carnivorous menu.

The Damage:  The meal was enough for two, and customers with a larger appetite can opt for the regular sized (vs. little) burgers and cheeseburgers.  Still, even with a burger, hotdog, or sandwich, drink and fries, the max you can expect to pay for lunch is about $12.  The least? About $5 for a hot dog and drink.

The Decor:  A bit like a 50's diner, minus the poodle skirts, the red and white checkered floors and walls gave a nostalgic feeling, with some regular tables and taller pub tables and chairs with the "Five Guys" logo blazing across the front.  Bags and bags of potato sacks line the entranceway, forming a direct line to the service counter where patrons place their order.  The place is well lit, and clean, and suprisingly larger than you'd realize from outside.

The Service:  Five Guys Burgers & Fries is known for having the best burgers and #1 fries all over the US, but I'd like to give them a new honor: Most Gracious.  Lot's of places have friendly service, but this place actually has "thank you" signs on their drink machine, for customer loyalty.  Isn't it nice to go into a fast food restaurant or diner for once and NOT have a disgruntled employee growling at you for taking too long to decide on a frosty or apple pie?  They're all about gratitude, which made me feel better about spending my hard earned dollars (even though not many were required) there.

In short, the best bet as this week's Cheap Eats list for a quick burger and great service at a modest price.

****

Location:  8447 Cooper Creek Blvd., University Parkway, FL 34201. Phone: 9410358-7900.  Hours: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., 7 days a week.

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