5 Guys Burgers & Fries

2368 N Clark
Lincoln Park 60614

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So I first heard about 5 guys right in the middle of a 'Yeah, But' conversation. I was talking to an obligatory acquaintance (you know one of those guys who's dating your girlfriend's friends so you kinda act nice and hang out because you are supposed to, but its forced so you don't invest in the conversation or friendship too much because you didn't think of it first, although you sure do have a lot in common... except for those damn shoes... i'd never wear shoes that fancy... especially with all this snow out there... I mean, shoes are made for walking) about-- well, I don't remember exactly what we were talking about directly, but I'm pretty sure it went something along the lines of:

Oh well she and I were just at this place and those things they had were pretty good.

Yeah. But have you tried 5 Guys?

Oh, Gee. No I haven't I mean we're always looking for new places. Like this one time she and I went to--

Yeah. But have you tried 5 Guys?

Well, no I mean, like I said before--

Yeah. But have you tried 5 Guys?

I don't like your shoes.

So naturally, me getting to Lincoln Park (or one of 3 local Chicago area locations) was a matter of time. And shoe conversation aside, it was worth it.

5 Guys & Fries is relatively new to Chicagoland, but ask any 'Back-Easter' and they'll quickly tell you the franchise started in the Virginia / DC area and quickly worked their way to Chicago... by way of Florida.

The great thing about 5 guys is the simplicity. From the second you walk in the door and get past the -- oh wait was that a barrel of peanuts? -- and over to the counter, there's no dilly-dallying or unwanted eye-contact with the cliche post adolecent server gripping a microphone ready to squawk your order to his paper hat wearing compadres in the back. And lucky for you, there's no screwing things up either because your burger can come in only one of four choices. Hambuger. Hamburger with bacon. Hamburger with cheese. Hamburger with cheese and bacon. Oh and something about toppings. Of which there are a fair amount, but what's that? They're all FREE? Even grilled mushrooms? Hmm. Not bad.

In true form, the real perks of this place come from some real simple stuff. First of all, all burgers are double patties. Thats right. Double = Two. They aren't crazy huge just seperated. So when the patties are done crisping on the grille -- and they are crispy -- the cheese gets tossed in the middle. No big deal you say? Yeah, but have you tried 5 guys, I say. The kickass effect is a crispy burger with tons of kickass cheese jumping out 'da middle. Nice. Oh. And they'll also toast your buns if you ask nice.

The other important thing about 5 Guys is the alarming number of fries these Guys serve up. Now, when you are in there you're gonna see a bunch of signs about their award winning fries. I'm not sure if people in DC or Tampa or wherever taste potatoes differently, but I just wasn't buying it. I got the cajun fries. There's a 50/50 chance I'm wrong... cause you only got two options. Maybe the 'normal' fries are mindblowing, but I doubt it. The real deal is the quantity you get with these things. A regular size fry will require the assistance of three men and a baby and Tom Selleck just to get the order to your table. Seriously. Its worth ordering the fries not for the taste but just for the rediculous portions.

The Verdict:

	Yes	Meh	No
Wall O'Meat Top Gun Sides G Sides O.S.A. Blindsided?