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Anneta Konstantinides
2022-02-03T12:01:00Z
- I went to Five Guys for the first time and compared a classic hamburger to its "All The Way" burger.
- "All The Way" includes lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, grilled onions and mushrooms, plus three condiments.
- My "All The Way" burger had more flavor than the classic hamburger, which was dry and unmemorable.
I recently went to Five Guys for the very first time.
As a California girl born and raised, Five Guys just wasn't on my radar growing up. Like most West Coast kids, I became an In-N-Out devotee and defended the chain in numerous debates with East Coast friends who swore Shake Shack tastes better (no, just no).
It wasn't until I began reading fellow Insider food reporter Rachel Askinasi's extensive coverage of Five Guys that I realized there was another East Coast-based fast food chain with a very loyal fan base. And as a huge burger lover, I knew I had to see what all the hype was about.
I was super excited by the number of options on Five Guys' menu. But there was one burger in particular I knew I had to try.
Unlike In-N-Out, which has just three burgers on its very spare menu, Five Guys has eight different versions of the classic fast-food menu item — and that's not even counting the 15 toppings that are available at no charge, or the hot dogs and sandwiches you can order as well.
Since it was my first time I decided to sample most of the options, but there was one special variation I was most excited to try. It was the one I didn't even know existed. The one that was barely legible on the menu.
The one that promised to go "All The Way."
Five Guys' "All The Way" burger comes with five toppings and three sauces.
Ordering your burger "All The Way" means it includes lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, grilled onions, and grilled mushrooms, along with ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise.
It was actually my dad who first told me about the "All The Way" burger. When I recruited him to go on this Five Guys taste test with me, he said a coworker had recommended that we try this special order as well.
In my research, I saw that "All The Way" is actually described as Five Guys' "standard" for toppings, which surprised me. There wasn't an "All The Way" option that I could order online, so I had to manually select all of the toppings to try it out.
Before tasting the "All The Way" burger, I tried a classic Five Guys hamburger so I could compare the two.
I sampled four different burgers for my first Five Guys experience, opting for a hamburger and an "All The Way" burger, along with a Little Cheeseburger and Little Bacon Burger ("little" just means there's one patty instead of two).
But for the purposes of this story, and to keep it simple, I'm going to focus just on the classic burger versus the "All The Way."
I tried to go as classic as possible for my very first Five Guys hamburger.
I ordered my hamburger with onion, lettuce, pickles, and tomato, wanting to see how just the classic ingredients would compare to Five Guys' toppings-loaded "All The Way" burger.
I also read up on how Five Guys makes its special smashed-style burgers, which got me even more excited for my first taste.
Insider's Rachel Askinasi recently went behind the scenes at her local Five Guys to see exactly how the burgers are made. She notes that the chain prides itself on using fresh beef patties that are made by hand in-house every day.
Askinasi observed Five Guys employees working in teams of two for each burger. One focused on cooking the perfect patty, while the other loaded the buns with toppings and condiments. Dry items were placed on the top bun, while wet items sat below the beef on the bottom bun.
The buns, by the way, are made from Five Guys' special bread recipe. Amy Cryzter — the director of training at the Five Guys that Askinasi visited — told her that the chain also teaches its employees a special technique to make sure the buns are perfectly toasted. Askinasi wrote that "employees are encouraged to softly place the palm of their hand on the top. If it feels warm, the bread is likely toasted enough. If it's still cold, chances are it needs more time."
It all sounded pretty fantastic to me. But what did I actually think of the Five Guys hamburger?
Despite all the hype, the Five Guys hamburger just didn't wow me.
Five Guys employee Maezion Henix told Askinasi that the chain has one big aim with its burger patties.
"We want our burgers leaking," he said. "So when you bite into it, it will be satisfying."
But reader, I unfortunately had the opposite experience. My hamburger definitely wasn't leaking, and it wasn't very juicy. The patty didn't give me much flavor, and tasted nearly well-done to me. And I was disappointed to see that the sesame bun was already pretty soggy in the five-minute ride home from my local Five Guys. I yearned for the soft, plump buns I was used to at In-N-Out.
I was especially surprised that the Five Guys classic hamburger tasted dry.
Due to the way Five Guys has you select every single topping and condiment online, I accidentally forgot to get ketchup on my burger — which was a huge disappointment. While I think this definitely contributed to the dryness of my burger, I still believe a good patty should be able to shine without condiments (Guy Fieri's "perfect" burger recipe, for example, blew me away without any sauce).
I also didn't love how the onion was chopped into small pieces and hidden underneath those two mammoth patties, rather than adding to the flavor. The veggies felt like an afterthought and, overall, my burger just didn't taste as fresh to me as the ones I'm used to getting at In-N-Out.
But there was still time for Five Guys to redeem itself, and it definitely did with the "All The Way" burger.
Unlike my hamburger, Five Guys' "All The Way" burger was packed with flavor. The patty tasted far juicier with the help of the ketchup-mustard-mayonnaise combo, and the grilled onions gave each bite a nice hint of sweetness. All the ingredients worked really well together, giving the "All The Way" burger far more depth than the original.
At the end of the day, I believe a great burger should excite you. And Five Guys' "All The Way" burger definitely accomplishes that.
I'd get a burger at Five Guys again, but I wouldn't keep things simple.
I don't think Five Guys has a superior patty to In-N-Out (sorry), but I still love that the East Coast chain offers such a large variety of toppings. Five Guys really shines when you get creative, and having a burger like "All The Way" on the menu perfectly showcases that.
There's definitely another Five Guys trip on the agenda, but next time I'll just go "All The Way" instead.
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FAQs
What does Five Guys burger all the way mean? ›
Still, if this is your first foray into Five Guys order the “All the Way” which comes loaded with mayo, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, ketchup, and mustard. Oh, and same goes for their hot dogs.
What is a classic cheeseburger all the way? ›Ordering your burger "All The Way" means it includes lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, grilled onions, and grilled mushrooms, along with ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise. It was actually my dad who first told me about the "All The Way" burger.
What makes Five Guys meat special? ›Our beef comes from Scotland and is grain finished for a marbled texture perfect for patties. All our food prep is done daily for maximum freshness and all cooking is done without using timers, by people not machines, with our crews all trained to judge food's readiness by sight, aroma and texture.
Are Five Guys burgers unhealthy? ›What Experts Say. “Specializing in hot dogs, burgers, French fries, and shakes, Five Guys' menu is rich in calories, saturated fat, and sodium. If you are trying to find a healthier option on this menu, you can order the simpler, smaller menu items.
Is Five Guys everything or all the way? ›The house style for toppings is called "All the Way" and that means that your hamburger gets tomatoes, pickles, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, ketchup, mayonnaise, lettuce, and mustard. There are even more toppings you can choose that are not included when ordering Five Guys all the way.
How do you order a cheeseburger like a Big Mac? ›Since all the fast food restaurants are into the customize-the-way-you-want-it game these days, all you've got to do is order the McDouble without mustard and ketchup, and ask them to add shredded lettuce and Big Mac sauce and you've got yourself a pretty close approximation of a real Big Mac, minus the center bun and ...
Why do people order medium rare burgers? ›A medium rare burger is sought after because the meat is juicy and tender. The ideal temperature for a medium rare burger is 130 to 135 degrees F. The ground beef, when cooked until medium rare, will have a pinkish-red center. The outside of the burger patty looks golden brown with only a slight charring.
What do you call a cheeseburger with a fried egg? ›Fried Egg Burger is a rich and flavor-packed cheeseburger with a yolky fried egg. This restaurant-quality burger has a juicy patty topped with cheese, your favorite toppings, and a fried egg.
What is Five Guys most unhealthy burger? ›One of the highest calorie culprits on the menu is the Bacon Cheeseburger with 920 calories, 62 grams of fat and 1,310 milligrams of sodium – that's 57% of your daily recommended max of sodium. And that's before you add in the fries and soda. You may want to think twice about grabbing Five Guys fries.
Why do you get extra fries at Five Guys? ›Ever wondered why a “small” fry at Five Guys is actually a massive serving that ends up overflowing the carton and filling your bag? As it turns out, that “extra” scoop is an illusion: Five Guys workers are trained to give customers more fries so that they think they're getting a bargain.
Should I tip at Five Guys? ›
Experts agree that at a fast-food joint like Five Guys, no tip is needed if you don't receive any person-to-person contact. However, some employees have been known to go above and beyond, "such as expediting an order or accommodating a special request, [and] it is appropriate to leave a small tip of 5-10%.
Why do Five Guys wrap their burgers in foil? ›Foil helps the food retain more heat, maximizing quality. Paper does not hold shape, causes burgers to fall apart!
What mayo does Five Guys use? ›Heinz's special mayonnaise
According to Taste of Home, Five Guys considered a whopping 16 different takes on the classic condiment. At the end of this winding journey, only one mayo reigned supreme. The winner, which you can find in Five Guys establishments all over the world, comes from Heinz.
Despite Five Guys having less carbohydrates and more protein Subway is healthier than Five Guys because their calorie count is lower, their saturated fat content is lower, and their cholesterol levels are lower.
What is the most unhealthiest burger? ›- McDonald's Double Quarter Pounder With Cheese.
- Burger King Triple Whopper.
- Wendy's Big Bacon Classic Triple.
- Hardee's Monster Angus Burger.
- Checkers Baconzilla Burger.
- Dairy Queen Flamethrower Stackburger.
- In-N-Out Double-Double Burger.
Speaking to The Rakyat Post, Iain Ross-Mackenzie, Director Of Operations-APAC at Five Guys International, explained that the fresh ingredients and the fact that customers can customize their orders to the extreme are some of the reasons behind the brand's prices.
Does Five Guys put sugar on their fries? ›As for sugar, the fries aren't too bad, with only 8 grams. But that doesn't quite make them healthy. Here are some more secrets Five Guys employees aren't telling you. Regardless, we think Five Guys fries are absolutely incredible—perfectly crispy on the outside but fluffy on the inside.
Is Five Guys just beef? ›Only the most premium quality beef is used. Our burger buns are made using a Five Guys secret recipe, using only free range eggs, making them soft, light and fluffy. If you want something a little different, you can also order a Beef Dog, Vegetarian Sandwich or a Grilled Cheese.
What's a poor man's Big Mac? ›The Poor Man's Big Mac is a McDouble (a bargain at around $1.49 made up of two burgers and one slice of cheese) with special sauce (that's the Big Mac Sauce), extra lettuce and no ketchup. You won't miss the Big Mac's third bun and hefty price of around $3.99.
Which Big Mac uses larger patties? ›One is called Grand Mac, because it's larger than the Big Mac with two sixth-pound patties. The Big Mac has two tenth-pound (or 1.6-ounce) patties.
What burger patty does McDonald's use? ›
Every one of our McDonald's burgers is made with 100% pure beef and cooked and prepared with salt, pepper and nothing else—no fillers, no additives, no preservatives. We use the trimmings of cuts like the chuck, round and sirloin for our burgers, which are ground and formed into our hamburger patties.
Is it OK if burgers are a little pink? ›To be sure all harmful bacteria are destroyed, cook all ground beef products to an internal temperature of 160 °F throughout. Ground beef can be pink inside after it is safely cooked. The pink color can be due to a reaction between the oven heat and myoglobin, which causes a red or pink color.
Is it OK to have a medium rare burger? ›A properly cooked medium rare steak isn't a concern, but medium rare ground beef is. When whole pieces of beef are ground together, any germs on the beef's surface get incorporated into the ground beef mixture — meaning there's potential for germs to be present throughout a burger patty, from the surface to the center.
Can burgers be a little rare? ›According to the food code, ground beef should be cooked at 155 degrees F internally and held there for 15 seconds, or 158 degrees for even a moment, in order to kill pathogens at the center of the meat. Unlike a rare steak, a rare burger is risky because the germs from the outside of the meat have been ground inside.
What is a daddy burger? ›The Original Recipe 100% chicken breast Fillet burger, fresh lettuce, pepper mayo, tomato ketchup with a hash brown and bacon. A big burger for a big appetite.
What is the wet burger called? ›Islak Burger (Wet Burger)
What is a toad burger? ›Photo by Danny Shuster. Disney's official description for the Toad Burger reads “brat burger served on a bun with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and pickle.” It fails to mention that this thing has olives for eyes and a pickle for a tongue.
Which Five Guys fries are best value? ›The Five Guys Regular size fries is the best value.
No matter which size of fry you buy, you can count on getting that generous extra scoop of fries dropped into the bottom of your bag — so if you get more than one order of fries, ask for them in separate bags to get more fries.
You won't be surprised to hear that Five Guys uses only America's favorite ketchup. What is this? With 150 years of experience making ripe, juicy tomatoes into thick, rich ketchup, the Heinz company has perfected the recipe. Like all the toppings on this list, you can order extra ketchup for no extra cost.
Who is Five Guys biggest competition? ›| Company | Founding Date | # of Locations |
|---|---|---|
| Jack in the Box | 1951 | 1 |
| Culver's | 1984 | 1 |
| Chipotle Mexican Grill | 1993 | 3 |
| Wendy's | 1969 | 1 |
What is a poor boy burger? ›
A po' boy (also po-boy, po boy derived from the non-rhotic southern accents often heard in the region, or poor boy) is a sandwich originally from Louisiana. It almost always consists of meat, which is usually roast beef or some sort of fried seafood such as shrimp, crawfish, fish, oysters or crab.
Which fast food burger is considered the healthiest? ›In-N-Out's cheeseburger ranked the best for lowest calorie count per ounce, scoring a 10.0. Checker's ranked the best for lowest fat content per ounce, scoring a 10.0 in that metric. Culvers scored the best for lowest sodium per ounce, also scoring 10.0.
What oil does Five Guys use? ›Five Guys only uses peanut oil.
If you have a nut allergy, you're out of luck. The chain only uses peanut oil for cooking.
Instead of cutting corners with cheaper oil, Five Guys refuses to use anything but peanut oil. “Lots of people prefer to use hydrogenated oils for a crisper fry, but we want that melt-in-your-mouth buttery taste that nonhydrogenated oil offers,” Murrell said.
Does Five Guys cut their own fries? ›While other fast-food chains drop dehydrated frozen fries into hot oil to keep the baskets full, Five Guys soaks its potatoes in water after hand-cutting them.
What does all the way mean food? ›As in I'll take my hamburger all the way", meaning with everything on it.
How many different ways can you have a Five Guys burger? ›customization. There are over 250,000 ways to customize your Five Guys burger.
What's the difference between Little burger and regular at Five Guys? ›The difference between our little cheeseburger and regular cheeseburger? The little has ☝beef patty and the regular has✌️!
Does Five Guys ask for well done burger? ›After ordering a burger at a restaurant, your server will usually ask how you want it cooked. That's not the case at Five Guys Burgers and Fries. Though the chain prides itself on its customizable menu, all of its burgers are served well done.
What does all the way mean in slang? ›go all the way in American English
US. Informal. to proceed or agree completely. Slang. to engage in sexual intercourse.
What does it mean when you say all the way? ›
if you do something all the way, you put all your effort into doing it. Synonyms and related words.
What is the meaning of all the way from? ›phrase. You use all the way to emphasize how long a distance is. [emphasis] He had to walk all the way home. That dress came all the way from New York.
Why does Five Guys mayo taste different? ›They're not made from patties that have spent months hanging around a freezer, slowly losing flavor. As the Five Guys website states, they only use fresh, never-frozen beef. It makes sense, then, that Five Guys is so exacting about their mayonnaise — it's how they handle absolutely everything they serve.
What toppings are all the way at Five Guys? ›What does it mean to order Five Guys “All the Way”? Ordering your hamburger “All the Way” means adding the standard house style toppings of lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise.
Is Five Guys healthier than in and out? ›The In-N-Out cheeseburger clocks in at 480 calories, . 5 grams of trans fat and 1000 mg of sodium. Although this is more sodium than Five Guys, the fewer calories and trans fat in this one make it a slightly healthier option.
Does Five Guys use two patties? ›Five Guys' standard burger is a two patty burger made of fresh beef. (There are no freezers in Five Guys, only coolers.) They come in four standard variations: Hamburger, cheeseburger, bacon burger, bacon cheeseburger. Bacon is not an extra topping.
Are Five Guys burgers cooked through? ›Unlike the local diner or restaurant-bar, the cooks at Five Guys make all Five Guys burgers the same way: well done. All 1,500 Five Guys locations only serve burgers at this level of doneness, according to a Five Guys representative.
Does Five Guys fill your bag with fries? ›Ever wondered why a “small” fry at Five Guys is actually a massive serving that ends up overflowing the carton and filling your bag? As it turns out, that “extra” scoop is an illusion: Five Guys workers are trained to give customers more fries so that they think they're getting a bargain.
Why do Five Guys smash burgers? ›Five Guys Burgers and Fries has become known for its smashed-flat burgers on seeded buns. One employee, Maezion Henix, shared the secret to how they're made with Insider. "We want our burgers leaking," Henix said. "So when you bite into it, it will be satisfying."
Can you ask Five Guys to make the fries crispy? ›Well Done Fries
If you like your fries on the crispier side, order the Idaho spuds "well done." They're fried for longer, so you may have to wait a few extra minutes, but the crunch is worth it.