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Old 12-12-2016, 13:30
Chihiro77
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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.
That's what I read it as too, but it's really not anything to get upset about. Someone acted shocked, you explained, not really a big deal.
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Old 12-12-2016, 13:32
munkyfellover
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Food prices here are higher, plus wages are almost certianly higher.
Certainly five guys in cheaper in the USA but remember prices quoted in the UK are inclusive of tax.
Even taking this into account it's way off, when McDonalds, BK etc seem to be pretty much in line with the UK.
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Old 12-12-2016, 13:34
walterwhite
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Even taking this into account it's way off, when McDonalds, BK etc seem to be pretty much in line with the UK.
How much is a Big Mac Meal in the U.S.?
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Old 12-12-2016, 13:54
whitecliffe
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Even taking this into account it's way off, when McDonalds, BK etc seem to be pretty much in line with the UK.
This is quite interesting link quoting prices per state

http://www.fastfoodmenuprices.com/five-guys-prices/

The $9.16 quoted for NYC equates to £7.24 whilst a hamburger in London is £7.25
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Old 12-12-2016, 14:07
Hamlet77
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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.
No the success of the chain is proof that Mencken's quote about the American public applies the UK consumer.

They obviously price their food based on not any precise coatings method, it's based on what they think they can get away with. And it seems to be working.

I know a bit about food production, preparation, pricing and a fair bit about food hygiene. So I am aware of who to trust when I want fast food or any sort of burger.
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Old 12-12-2016, 14:44
WombatDeath
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They obviously price their food based on not any precise coatings method, it's based on what they think they can get away with. And it seems to be working.
Of course they do, why wouldn't they? I'll occasionally have a burger at Byron's, because if I want a burger I'd rather pay extra for a nice one. If I find somewhere nearby that does a similarly good burger for less money I'll go there instead.

I'm finding it hard to see the controversy, to be honest.
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Old 12-12-2016, 14:52
Hamlet77
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Of course they do, why wouldn't they? I'll occasionally have a burger at Byron's, because if I want a burger I'd rather pay extra for a nice one. If I find somewhere nearby that does a similarly good burger for less money I'll go there instead.

I'm finding it hard to see the controversy, to be honest.
The idea that any burger made on this earth warrants paying £10.00 or more is just unbelievable especially from a chain.

It's mind blowingly daft.
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Old 12-12-2016, 15:42
Aetius_Maralas
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The idea that any burger made on this earth warrants paying £10.00 or more is just unbelievable especially from a chain.

It's mind blowingly daft.
Not all burgers are created equal and not everyone is so short of money that a £10 burger is daft.

Some can afford nice things and can pay for quality.
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Old 12-12-2016, 15:44
whitecliffe
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The idea that any burger made on this earth warrants paying £10.00 or more is just unbelievable especially from a chain.

It's mind blowingly daft.
Personally i am not a burger fan so wouldn't pay £10 plus but if you enjoy it and can afford it what daft about doing something you like?
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Old 12-12-2016, 15:51
lukeskywalker1
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It's no different than paying £10 for a pizza, a bowl of noodles or rice, they're all OTT.

We're just used to eating very cheap crap burgers so it seems a shock.
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Old 12-12-2016, 16:05
WombatDeath
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The idea that any burger made on this earth warrants paying £10.00 or more is just unbelievable especially from a chain.

It's mind blowingly daft.
You probably shouldn't go to Honky Tonk in Chelsea, you'd probably froth at the mouth.
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Old 12-12-2016, 16:10
Hamlet77
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Not all burgers are created equal and not everyone is so short of money that a £10 burger is daft.

Some can afford nice things and can pay for quality.
So I'm a pauper, I wish you'd tell the tax man that.

I like nice things, especially good food, but I'm not an idiot. I especially like good meat. Very good meat. And I will pay a premium for it. 45 day dry aged sirloin beef. Fine pork, quality chicken from artisan sources.

I also hot smoke meat to add variety. I make my own bacon, I will never buy bacon again. NOT that I can't afford it, but after too many over salted super market packets of bacon. And being left winds at the cost of proper bacon from the likes of Dukeshill I will make my own for about a fifth of the cost, and the taste is far superior. And eat a lot of it. I eat game meat regularly, probably twice a week, whilst not cheap it's better value than most meat from ordinary butchers

As I have said in this very thread I like a burger too, a good burger, but to me paying 10 quid and more for a burger is well idiocy. I am quite willing to pay one heck of a lot more than even the £20.00 mentioned earlier for good food and I know just the places to go. But I would never pay that sort of money for a burger.

So please don't make assumptions about my ability to afford a burger or my willingness to pay for quality. Or I may be forced to question if its pretentious to say 'I bought a twenty quid hamburger last week because I've got a platinum card'
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Old 12-12-2016, 16:17
Hamlet77
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You probably shouldn't go to Honky Tonk in Chelsea, you'd probably froth at the mouth.
That's a waste of wagyu beef, lobster etc sticking in a bun and calling it a burger.

You've got question the source of the wagyu, the whole treatment and preparation of the meat makes it beyond stupid to mince it up and make it into a burger. The texture and marbling, the softness of the flesh is supposed to part of the attraction of wagyu beef, so what do you do get rid of all that by mincing it all up and making it into a patty.

That is madness.
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Old 12-12-2016, 17:54
Pumping Iron
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That's a waste of wagyu beef, lobster etc sticking in a bun and calling it a burger.

You've got question the source of the wagyu, the whole treatment and preparation of the meat makes it beyond stupid to mince it up and make it into a burger. The texture and marbling, the softness of the flesh is supposed to part of the attraction of wagyu beef, so what do you do get rid of all that by mincing it all up and making it into a patty.

That is madness.
I've had wagyu burgers and they were delicious. Wagyu is only the breed of cattle(s), so you're still going to get cheaper cuts and scraps, which are good for mincing. Most places won't grind up the prime steak-cuts for making burgers.
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Old 12-12-2016, 17:57
Pumping Iron
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The idea that any burger made on this earth warrants paying £10.00 or more is just unbelievable especially from a chain.

It's mind blowingly daft.
Surely that depends on the size of the burger and quality/type of meat used. If using cheap beef mince I'd agree, but not all burgers are made with cheap beef. I've made seafood burgers before, where you'd struggle to even buy the ingredients for a tenner.
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Old 12-12-2016, 19:19
Paul1511
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The idea that any burger made on this earth warrants paying £10.00 or more is just unbelievable especially from a chain.

It's mind blowingly daft.
It's certainly not mind blowingly daft. I think there is probably an upper limit when it comes to burgers, but I'd put that limit above a tenner.
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Old 12-12-2016, 19:26
Paul1511
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That's what I read it as too, but it's really not anything to get upset about. Someone acted shocked, you explained, not really a big deal.
I'm far from upset, just seemed weird to extract such a minor part of my lengthy post, make a random assumption and then make absolutely no comment on the general thread topic.
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Old 12-12-2016, 20:46
Toby LaRhone
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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
You're playing to the gallery along with Chihiro who suggested I was "shocked".
Knock yourself out.
I shared a McD quarter pounder today on a long motorway journey - first this year.
It was just a fuel stop with coffee.
Paul1511 is overreacting to being asked how much of the stuff he drank and you're milking it.
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Old 13-12-2016, 05:48
Paul1511
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You're playing to the gallery along with Chihiro who suggested I was "shocked".
Knock yourself out.
I shared a McD quarter pounder today on a long motorway journey - first this year.
It was just a fuel stop with coffee.
Paul1511 is overreacting to being asked how much of the stuff he drank and you're milking it.
Hardly.

My main motive for posting about the Freestyle drink machine was mainly to explain and justify the higher price of Five Guys drinks, compared to the likes of McDonald's and BK. I was merely pointing out that having more of a choice and the ability to try these choices because of the unlimited/bottomless aspect should be taken into account when comparing price. I certainly didn't post this to reveal my personal experiences with said machine.
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Old 13-12-2016, 06:23
AxeVictim
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Was in the local 5 guys last week for the first time and got a little burger and little fries no drink £7.70.Found the fries very salty, the burger meh nothing special.
Might have been better had i chosen cheese £1 and bacon £1 but there is no way im paying £1 for a slither of cheese !
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Old 13-12-2016, 09:11
walterwhite
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The idea that any burger made on this earth warrants paying £10.00 or more is just unbelievable especially from a chain.

It's mind blowingly daft.
Well to you it is. Millions of people disagree with you. I don't see any logic as to why it's daft.
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Old 13-12-2016, 09:13
walterwhite
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I've had wagyu burgers and they were delicious. Wagyu is only the breed of cattle(s), so you're still going to get cheaper cuts and scraps, which are good for mincing. Most places won't grind up the prime steak-cuts for making burgers.
Me too. Had a Wagyu burger in the U.S. that cost considerably more than £10 but was cooked beautifully medium rare and was one of the best things I've ever eaten.
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Old 13-12-2016, 16:36
Bob Paisley
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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.
Alright, smartarse, I was basing my assessment on a quick scan of the menu before I turned tail and walked out. My rough mental arithmetic suggested it was north of fifteen quid. Looking at their website, and bearing in mind I would have the standard fries, rather than the 'little' portion, my order would have come to £16.80 - which is closer to twenty quid than I would like.

Also, the Burger King opposite the Tottenham Court Road branch of Five Guys also offers refillable drinks, so there's no difference there. I've eaten at a Byron burger and they're pretty pricey - but at least there you're sat down and there's waiter service. Five Guys just seems way too expensive to me.
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Old 13-12-2016, 18:16
Paul1511
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Alright, smartarse, I was basing my assessment on a quick scan of the menu before I turned tail and walked out. My rough mental arithmetic suggested it was north of fifteen quid. Looking at their website, and bearing in mind I would have the standard fries, rather than the 'little' portion, my order would have come to £16.80 - which is closer to twenty quid than I would like.

Also, the Burger King opposite the Tottenham Court Road branch of Five Guys also offers refillable drinks, so there's no difference there. I've eaten at a Byron burger and they're pretty pricey - but at least there you're sat down and there's waiter service. Five Guys just seems way too expensive to me.
I wasn't trying to be a smartarse, I was just trying to offer some perspective based on the fact I have been to a Five Guys a few times.

If you had bothered to read my post properly, you may have noted I raised the point that the fries come as quite large portions, the standard portion would probably be way too much, although I guess if you were really hungry that might be what you want. Unlike others in this thread, I'm not here to judge what people consume, I am genuinely just trying to offer up facts and info based on what I know about the venue.
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Old 13-12-2016, 18:54
lukeskywalker1
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Just the burger is enough to fill me up, no way could I eat a burger and regular fries, that'd be like two meals, the portions are big.

OP, I think you should just try one, they're really good.
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