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Five Guys in the UK


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Old 11-12-2016, 21:39
Bob Paisley
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I see Five Guys are expanding quite heavily in the UK (certainly, in and around London). I was going to try the new one on Tottenham Court Road - but I discovered a bacon cheeseburger, small chip and a coke would set me back nearly twenty quid! Is anyone prepared to pay these prices - and - if so - was it worth it?
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Old 11-12-2016, 22:18
Sifter22
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I tried it and it was a complete rip-off. The food is really really salty as well. To top it off service is very slow,

Avoid.
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Old 11-12-2016, 22:38
barbeler
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Just what the world needs – yet another junk food outlet.
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Old 11-12-2016, 22:49
Paul1511
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I see Five Guys are expanding quite heavily in the UK (certainly, in and around London). I was going to try the new one on Tottenham Court Road - but I discovered a bacon cheeseburger, small chip and a coke would set me back nearly twenty quid! Is anyone prepared to pay these prices - and - if so - was it worth it?
Firstly, I instantly had to question 'nearly twenty quid'. I've been to my local a few times and it comes to around £25 for two, although admittedly we normally get the cheeseburger, not the bacon cheeeseburger which might add a touch more.

I considered that London might be pricier, it turns out it is but only marginally on the burgers, the fries and drink are the same.

Using the TCR branch, the cost of what you describe is £15.40, so not really 'nearly £20'. I could understand saying that an item costing £90 is nearly £100, but when we are dealing with smaller amounts, I think your definition is stretching the truth to strengthen your point.

All that being said, I suppose £15 is still a lot for a burger, fries and drink.

It should be stated though that the drinks are refillable and it is the Coke Freestyle machine which offers the chance to try a load of different varieties. It is a bit gimmicky, I find I might try a Raspberry Cola or a Grape Fanta at first, but then often default back to regular Coke on my refills. The fries are also quite large, I think the large are designed to feed 3-4 and even the small could be shared, but I guess this is of little use if dining alone.

As for my view, I like it, but I live in a city that opened the first Smashburger in the UK, which is another US chain. The burgers are fantastic and the rosemary and garlic Smash Fries are worth going to just for them. They also have the Freestyle drinks refills, so that is a wash. Prices are in the same region, so in my mind they win hands down.

So I would say I don't mind Five Guys, but I am lucky to have a better option in the same general genre.

I guess the default argument here is comparing to McD's and BK. You are probably paying more than double the price, but is it more than twice as good or twice the size? I think the size is bigger and the quality is better, hard to be sure if it's pound for pound better value, but I'm pleased to have the option there.
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Old 11-12-2016, 23:47
Toby LaRhone
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It should be stated though that the drinks are refillable and it is the Coke Freestyle machine which offers the chance to try a load of different varieties. It is a bit gimmicky, I find I might try a Raspberry Cola or a Grape Fanta at first, but then often default back to regular Coke on my refills.
Jeez!
How much of that stuff do you pack away in a sitting?
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Old 12-12-2016, 03:02
Paul1511
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Jeez!
How much of that stuff do you pack away in a sitting?
Probably two glasses. I'm intrigued to know where you got the impression you thought it was considerably more given your reaction.
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Old 12-12-2016, 03:20
newda898
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Huge amount of calories in them, nobody ever really needs more than a little cheeseburger and a small fries for one person.

But for sure one of the best fast food burger and chips you can get.
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Old 12-12-2016, 05:00
sarahj1986
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Never been into one. The one in Birmingham bullring is always busy, didn't realise it was that expensive though 😱
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Old 12-12-2016, 08:37
Toby LaRhone
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Probably two glasses. I'm intrigued to know where you got the impression you thought it was considerably more given your reaction.
"the Coke Freestyle machine which offers the chance to try a load of different varieties. It is a bit gimmicky, I find I might try a Raspberry Cola or a Grape Fanta at first, but then often default back to regular Coke on my refills"
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Old 12-12-2016, 08:55
Paul1511
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"the Coke Freestyle machine which offers the chance to try a load of different varieties. It is a bit gimmicky, I find I might try a Raspberry Cola or a Grape Fanta at first, but then often default back to regular Coke on my refills"
I'm still unsure what you are getting at. The way you reacted suggested I was putting away 5-6 glasses per sitting.
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Old 12-12-2016, 09:37
holymolybaloney
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I see Five Guys are expanding quite heavily in the UK (certainly, in and around London). I was going to try the new one on Tottenham Court Road - but I discovered a bacon cheeseburger, small chip and a coke would set me back nearly twenty quid! Is anyone prepared to pay these prices - and - if so - was it worth it?
Yes, me, and worth every penny. I specifically like the way the burgers are completely customisable and their milkshakes are delicious. Chocolate and peanut butter all the way.
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Old 12-12-2016, 09:40
malpasc
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I've been to Five Guys on Argyll Street a couple of times as it is near my office.

OK, its more expensive than McDonalds but the quality is WAY better, and no more expensive than places like Gourmet Burger or Byron.

If you want 'dirty' junk food the burgers and the fries are both delicious. Not something I'd ever fancy more than a couple of times a year but delicious when I do want it!
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Old 12-12-2016, 09:53
spectra
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I'm still unsure what you are getting at. The way you reacted suggested I was putting away 5-6 glasses per sitting.
Don't worry you will get used to having to justify everything you post here to a couple of the regulars .

Once in a while a proper burger ( not Mc's or BK) is just what hits the spot. It is much more expensive but it is a different meal for us not just something to fill us up like regular burgers.
I should point out before T le R dies of shock ... We only have burgers a few times a year regardless of where they are from
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Old 12-12-2016, 10:06
walterwhite
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I have no problem paying £15 for that meal, I think we've been conditioned by the price of McDonalds and the like that burgers and chips should be low quality and cheap. I love Byron and burger, fries and a drink there costs the same or more.
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Old 12-12-2016, 12:11
Hamlet77
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Yes, me, and worth every penny. I specifically like the way the burgers are completely customisable and their milkshakes are delicious. Chocolate and peanut butter all the way.
At £15.00 a head or £25.00 for two people or even nearly twenty quid (all prices quoted in this thread) it had better be b****y perfect. We are talking about a burger here. I'm not missing the serving girl that hand feeds you your meal that is included am I. Or the free golden platter it comes on that you get to keep.

I like burgers from your bog standard Big Mac to artisan hand made venison and cranberry made from wild deer, but there is not a burger made or ever will be made that will make me go into a restaurant or burger bar and pay £15.00 for a flaming cheeseburger. London or anywhere else that is a rip off.
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Old 12-12-2016, 12:40
munkyfellover
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It's expensive here but wow what a rip off in the UK!

https://b.zmtcdn.com/data/menus/615/...d0eb381dff.jpg
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Old 12-12-2016, 12:44
walterwhite
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Food prices here are higher, plus wages are almost certianly higher.
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Old 12-12-2016, 12:47
walterwhite
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At £15.00 a head or £25.00 for two people or even nearly twenty quid (all prices quoted in this thread) it had better be b****y perfect. We are talking about a burger here. I'm not missing the serving girl that hand feeds you your meal that is included am I. Or the free golden platter it comes on that you get to keep.

I like burgers from your bog standard Big Mac to artisan hand made venison and cranberry made from wild deer, but there is not a burger made or ever will be made that will make me go into a restaurant or burger bar and pay £15.00 for a flaming cheeseburger. London or anywhere else that is a rip off.
The burger isn't £15.
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Old 12-12-2016, 13:02
Hamlet77
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The burger isn't £15.
Oh please, stop being so pedantic, you understood the meaning behind my post so accept it. OK for those who might get confused, the meal of burger, fries and unlimited soft drink is £15.00 or however much. There is still no burger made that warrants that cost, no where on this planet and certainly not from a burger bar in Tottenham.

I know I have been to restaurants in the past that have the audacity to think they can charge that for a variation of The Whopper meal, made with Aberdeen Angus pure beef from free range cattle yadda yadda yadda, but I'll bet there are also at least half a dozen alternatives that are better and possibly even cheaper.
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Old 12-12-2016, 13:07
walterwhite
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Oh please, stop being so pedantic, you understood the meaning behind my post so accept it. OK for those who might get confused, the meal of burger, fries and unlimited soft drink is £15.00 or however much. There is still no burger made that warrants that cost, no where on this planet and certainly not from a burger bar in Tottenham.

I know I have been to restaurants in the past that have the audacity to think they can charge that for a variation of The Whopper meal, made with Aberdeen Angus pure beef from free range cattle yadda yadda yadda, but I'll bet there are also at least half a dozen alternatives that are better and possibly even cheaper.
That's your opinion, mine is that it is worth it. The sucess of the chain over here suggests that an awful lot of people think it's worth it. The burger I have at Byron costs £11 just for the burger but it's a great burger so I'm happy to pay it.

To be honest if you know how food costing works you should be far more worried about places that will sell you a burger meal for £5.
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Old 12-12-2016, 13:09
tbluexx
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We have a Five Guys in Glasgow, and a cheeseburger is, I believe, £8.99.
I do think that's a lot of money for a burger, but I only ever have it as a treat, and I don't eat chips/fries, so I just need to get a drink with it.

I wonder if the prices are increased in London?

I love the drinks machine, and all the different combinations you can get, even in sugar-free varieties. Free refills, and no need to explain to the counter staff why 3 ice cubes is not enough.
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Old 12-12-2016, 13:10
andersonsonson
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Ridiculous pricing
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Old 12-12-2016, 13:18
walterwhite
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We have a Five Guys in Glasgow, and a cheeseburger is, I believe, £8.99.
I do think that's a lot of money for a burger, but I only ever have it as a treat, and I don't eat chips/fries, so I just need to get a drink with it.

I wonder if the prices are increased in London?

I love the drinks machine, and all the different combinations you can get, even in sugar-free varieties. Free refills, and no need to explain to the counter staff why 3 ice cubes is not enough.
No think it's the same price, the OP was exaggerating a bit.

I don't know why people here the word 'burger' and think it should only cost a few quid. I don't know of many restaurants by me where you can get a filling meal for £12, I paid £11 for a curry the other day, I don't see what was in there that made it cost the same as a good burger.
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Old 12-12-2016, 13:23
whitecliffe
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Certainly five guys in cheaper in the USA but remember prices quoted in the UK are inclusive of tax.
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Old 12-12-2016, 13:25
andersonsonson
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Does the server bring your food to you?

Or is it like McDonalds, full of daft children and chavs?
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