Honest burgers or 5 guys

[darreny]

In London for a few days and never been to these so which do you suggest (or any others)?

 

[robfosters]

5 guys is just chain stuff now. Honest burger is very good, but I do love patty and bun.

 

[Converge]

Out of the ones suggested so far I actually prefer BrewDog burgers, but, I used to like some of the burgers at GBK (Gourmet Burger Kitchen) too. I prefer burgers that aren’t just ‘plain’ burgers though. BrewDog have black pudding in one of theirs for example.

 

[EdwardTeach]

In London for a few days and never been to these so which do you suggest (or any others)?

5 guys isn't great.

Party & bun or honest burger would be much nicer.

 

[azazl187]

Never seen, heard or been in one! Doesn't add much to the thread but I've written it anyway

 

[jpaul]

which of the burger places have the hygiene flow to provide, non-crucified burgers .. that would be one of my criteria.

otherwise ... I might well choose a nice fish and chips place, if visiting from abroad;

 

[Raymond Lin]

My biggest gripe with Five Guys is that their grill is never hot enough so the burgers cook without that nice caramelisation on the outside. But I like both, I probably am more satisfied with Five Guys than Honest Burger. I much prefer a thinner patty than a thick one.

 

[Moley]

Gourmet Burger Kitchen is far better.

 

[ci_newman]

Personally I prefer 5Guys as you get more customization with what you actually want on the burger (and their spicy fries are immense).

 

[Raymond Lin]

Re GBK. I used to think so before i went, but I think GBK tries too hard to make it nice looking but it's average at best in taste There is one downstairs from my old workplace, in 5 years I think we went there once. There was another burger place in Brindleyplace that we went to far far more, even then, i look back at the photos...i have had far better burgers elsewhere.

7 Bones is still my favourite in the UK. It breaks my thin patty rule but their patty is more like loose mince and it just falls apart. They started out just in Southampton about 5+ years ago, when I went it was only just 1. Now they are a small chain.

Beefy boys in my town is good, even award-winning in the States when they went over for some burger contest but I still like 7 Bones better.

https://www.instagram.com/7boneburgerco/

 

[Scam]

Honest Burger for sure. I do love FGs but the quality/choice of the ingredients at HB is a step-up for sure. I just had their Thai Fried Chicken special last night, it was awesome; https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ-xYimtNke/ (sorry it was the last day hence a Mon night takeaway )

If you want cheap and cheerful 'generic' burger that does it very well, that's Five Guys. If you want a burger that's worth £10+ and a bit more 'gourmet' then it's Honest Burger.

Mind you, if I was in London there's a million other places I'd go. They're both chains and found all over the UK, so not exactly special

Out of the ones suggested so far I actually prefer BrewDog burgers

We've just had a BD open up here, might have to give it a whirl. I'd been assuming their food wasn't up to much considering they're a "bar". Although having said that, I'm sure I've eaten in ones in town before.

I much prefer a thinner patty than a thick one.

For sure. When making burgers at home it's always a double smash burger with cheese.

 

[ttaskmaster]

We have a 5 Guys in Reading, but it's always been pretty ****.
It's one step up from McDonalds and nice enough if you're not paying, but the prices and very limited choice would actually just push me toward Burger King.
7Bone is another we have here and it was good... but it went downhill a bit in the year before lockdown and doesn't seem to have picked up.

Honestly, I'd just find a German Doner place, these days.

 

[Wizzfizz]

Been 5 guys many a time and thought it was rubbish

 

[bazzabear]

Best thing about five guys isn't even the burgers, it's the shakes.

 

[MissChief]

Best thing about five guys isn't even the burgers, it's the shakes.

Their fries are awesome too. Burgers are ok, nothing special really but the toppings choices are brilliant. BBQ sauce, grilled onions, bacon and mushrooms for me.

 

[Tefal]

5 guys and shake shack always seem to get raves about online but when I went there the burgers were thin small and pretty generic.


Although I have since learned that there’s more strict requirements for a restaurant to serve medium rare/pink burger meat so most have just stopped entirely now.


Am I alone i thinking the center of a good burger should just be warm to slightly cool not dryly cooked through?

 

[DrToffnar]

Five Guys for me. They're not quite as good as they where and I think on the whole they're a little overrated, but they're consistent and I prefer a thin patty as well as the massive choice of toppings! The Hot Dogs are amazing also.

I just can't do the big, thick patties anymore. Even if the quality of the beef is good, that's ALL you're likely to taste. If I want big beef taste I'll order a steak.

 

[HoneyBadger]

I like Byron but haven’t had one in 2 odd years.

 

[Fatboy123]

Best thing about five guys isn't even the burgers, it's the shakes.

F××kin should be at nearly f××kin 6 quid!!!!

 

[ttaskmaster]

Am I alone i thinking the center of a good burger should just be warm to slightly cool not dryly cooked through?

No, you're not, and there's a Cote Brasserie here that does steak haché à cheval like that. It's pretty darn good.

However, I prefer my burgers cooked all the way through, but still juicy. Unfortunately finding somewhere that can do this is like finding a place that does Well Done steak properly, rather than just cremating it and getting all uppity about how they think a steak should be done.

Even if the quality of the beef is good, that's ALL you're likely to taste. If I want big beef taste I'll order a steak.

So if you want strong bacon flavour, you'd order a pork chop?
Burger and steak are different things with different flavours, surely?