Big ol' Burger Comparison Thread

[Raymond Lin]

I had initially thought Five Guys are expensive for burgers but I've warmed to the fact that it's not that bad, at least compared to my 2 local ones.

A normal burger in the 2 place near my house starts at £7.50 and £8 respectively going up to £10. Fries are £2.50 up to £4-5 for ones with toppings. So you can be at £14-15 without a drink.

If there are 2 of you, and prepared be a little cheeky, Five Guys can be quite reasonable. Seeing the size of the fries is enough to share and you can get unlimited drinks, just go halves on those and get a burger each.

Normally when I go I just have a burger all the way and a shake. That's probably 1,000 cal right there, may be 1200 easy so plenty enough for a meal and I never get the fries anymore.

 

[jenovat]

I'd say Five Guys is good but not great. The best burger I've ever had was in NYC in a little room attached to the side of a hotel.

But it's probably one of the best "fast food" burgers out there if you ignore cost.

 

[bazzabear]

In the US a couple of months ago, I went to a place called BGR. I think that was a nicer burger than Five Guys. The reason I say think, is that it wasn't a perfectly fair comparison as I had funky extras on the BGR burger - pulled pork and the like.

The patty itself was cooked quite rare though, and extremely tasty.

I don't know if they exist in the UK?

Aside from all that though, I'd agree with the above - not the best burger you can get. But about the best 'fast food' burger you can get.

 

[FrenchTart]

In the US a couple of months ago, I went to a place called BGR. I think that was a nicer burger than Five Guys. The reason I say think, is that it wasn't a perfectly fair comparison as I had funky extras on the BGR burger - pulled pork and the like.

The patty itself was cooked quite rare though, and extremely tasty.

I don't know if they exist in the UK?

Aside from all that though, I'd agree with the above - not the best burger you can get. But about the best 'fast food' burger you can get.

There are quite a few decent gourmet burgers places in the UK that I imagine will compare favourably. Whereabouts do you live?

 

[the-evaluator]

The best burger I've ever had was in NYC in a little room attached to the side of a hotel.

Burger Joint in Le Parker Meridien? Fantastic burgers!

 

[HazardO]

Slow reply but...understandable response

To be honest I'd rate Byron much higher if they simply heated/toasted their buns. I really don't get why they're served cold

I like their burgers, but their not perfect. The bottom of the bun fails too often (especially with 2 patties).

5 guys buns have always been squashed flat!

 

[bazzabear]

The nearest city, likely to have such places, is Manchester. Or Stoke - slightly less likely I'd imagine.

I've been to gourmet burger places which I would consider true restaurants, rather than fast food, and had some very nice meals. Places like Solita, and Love, Luck, Liquor and Burn.
Either of those I'd probably describe as nicer than the Five Guys, but then it's hardly a level playing field.

 

[FrenchTart]

The nearest city, likely to have such places, is Manchester. Or Stoke - slightly less likely I'd imagine.

I've been to gourmet burger places which I would consider true restaurants, rather than fast food, and had some very nice meals. Places like Solita, and Love, Luck, Liquor and Burn.
Either of those I'd probably describe as nicer than the Five Guys, but then it's hardly a level playing field.

Ah yeah. Almost Famous is also a good shout (same guys as Lust, Liquor and Burn). I'd say AF is better than Solita by quite a way, for burgers at least.

 

[Jim99]

Any recommendations for bun-less burgers in London? I'm on low-carb at the moment :/

P&B (thanks to this thread!) is my normal haunt but without a plate I imagine it would be a bit of a disaster. Byron is my automatic response since it's an actual restaurant and the Father Cheesemas I had a few weeks back was fantastic, but any other suggestions?

 

[oli collett]

Any recommendations for bun-less burgers in London? I'm on low-carb at the moment :/

P&B (thanks to this thread!) is my normal haunt but without a plate I imagine it would be a bit of a disaster. Byron is my automatic response since it's an actual restaurant and the Father Cheesemas I had a few weeks back was fantastic, but any other suggestions?

You mean a meat patty? Why not just get a steak?

 

[One More Solo]

I'm sure most burger restaurants would have a chef sufficiently trained to plate a burger without putting it in a bun.

 

[bazzabear]

Yes, I've been meaning to try Almost Famous for ages, but never yet got around to it. I'm just far enough from Manchester for 'nipping in' to not really be an option. Has to be planned a bit.

 

[Glanza]

Any recommendations for bun-less burgers in London? I'm on low-carb at the moment :/

P&B (thanks to this thread!) is my normal haunt but without a plate I imagine it would be a bit of a disaster. Byron is my automatic response since it's an actual restaurant and the Father Cheesemas I had a few weeks back was fantastic, but any other suggestions?

When I was at Five Guys on the menu it did say they offered bunless as a option.

 

[Steedie]

I've eaten at Five Guys on two occassions, both have been pretty average. Don't get me wrong, it's better than McDonald's but for the price it's pretty laughable, the best bit of the meal is the drinks machines and the various flavours of coke you can mix.

I'd rather go to GBK or numerous other burger joints ahead of Five Guys for the money

 

[Jim99]

You mean a meat patty? Why not just get a steak?

I'll get one if I'm going to a proper steakhouse, but it's a very different experience IMO.

I'm sure most burger restaurants would have a chef sufficiently trained to plate a burger without putting it in a bun.

Excellent point! My dilemma is solved!

My point was that normally I go to P&B, which wouldn't work given that I've never seen a plate in there, and Byron is the only alternative I've had a good experience with.

 

[Scam]

**** the bed, why did no-one tell me Patty & Bun had opened a branch in Soho?!?

 

[Regy53]

**** the bed, why did no-one tell me Patty & Bun had opened a branch in Soho?!?

because it could increase your chance of heart attack?

 

[byeo]

I'd say Five Guys is good but not great. The best burger I've ever had was in NYC in a little room attached to the side of a hotel.

Burger Joint in Le Parker Meridien? Fantastic burgers!

Just about to say the same. It's up there with the best I've had.

 

[Scam]

because it could increase your chance of heart attack?

Well, you know what the mods say.. no medical advice. Why wasn't I told dammit!

 

[Spuj]

I think we should ban all talk about Patty and Bun so us non Londerners don't have to suffer