Five Guys

This place is nothing new, but has recently popped up in the Ottawa area in the past year.  I have heard tons about this burger joint from a friend who tells me a story about eating their burger in the US and how awesome it was.  So, when a joint finally opened up in my area, I had to check them out.

The premise of the burger joint is very simple.  Fresh burgers, made the way you like them.  It's simple yet it works!  The ordering is simple.  How many patties do you want in your burger, and do you want cheese and/or bacon on it.  Then from a long list, you get to pick what else you want to add on the burger.  The toppings include mushrooms, ketchup and hot peppers.  Fries are also an option and IMHO, should be a must order.  There is an option of regular fries and cajun spiced fries.  You get a number for your order, and you get sent to wait as they make your burger.  Since they make your burger fresh, it does take a few minutes to get your burger, but you do get to watch them make it while you wait.  Every order will end up in a brown paper bag (which of course, after about 2 mins, you will start to see the grease stains, the sign of a good burger joint).  Burger at the bottom, then if you ordered fries, they will put some fries in your container, then add it to the bag.  Here is the fun part.  They then take an extra scoop and just dump it in your brown paper bag to top off the fries!!!  The fries are very tasty and the quantity is always plentiful.  The burger would range somewhere between good and very good.  Comparing other places where you would get "fast food" burgers, it's better than McDonald's, but not as good as the works.  This is of course reflected in the price, as it is priced less than the works, but more than McDonald's.

The style inside the restaurant is almost diner/kitchen style, which suits the restaurant very well.  Every order is made for take out, but if you want to eat in, there are tables available.  There are also free peanuts for those who have more room to eat.

I would say that I was not disappointed by the burger and I have gone back.  The burger did not blow my mind, but I did not go in expecting that type of burger.  I think they have filled a good niche in the burger spectrum that was missing in Ottawa.

Review (out of 5):
Food: * * *
Value: * * * 1/2
Atmosphere: * * *
Service: * * * *
Price Range (dinner): $15-$30
Website: http://fiveguys.ca/