All too often, we don't go somewhere new or different because we don't know what to expect. That is where this new feature, "Let's Do Lunch," comes in. Each week, we will highlight a different spot for lunch that you can try. We will tell you about prices, atmosphere and anything else you need to know before showing up and chowing down.
And if you have a place we should go, don't hesitate to drop a line. It's always lunchtime around here.
Five Guys Burgers and Fries
3501 Clemson Boulevard Anderson; 864.716.0466
It seems like the lost art of the burger joint has been lost on today's consumers. These days, people seem content to jump to the nearest fast food restaurant for the newest "Angus" burger or the newest quadruple-decker hamburger patty with bacon, blue cheese and jalapenos to come down the pike. If it's big enough, has enough stuff on it and comes to us in 15 seconds or less, it must be a pretty good burger.
But the burger joint is so much more than speed and stuff. The burger joint is an institution passed down to us from generation to generation. It's not about pre-frozen patties that show up on a truck. It's not about fries that are the same in Japan as they are in the backwoods of the USA. It's about being able to get a hand-patted burger and some fresh French fries without having to worry about toys or anything other than that growling tummy.
Anderson has a couple places that are known for just that kind of deliciousness and one of them happens to be Five Guys Burgers and Fries on Clemson Boulevard.
Five GuysGoing into Five Guys is a pretty simple process and so is ordering. Walk to the counter where is says "Order Here," looks above the cashier's head and order. There is no need to wonder and no need to take forever at this step because Five Guys doesn't offer all that much in terms of selection. They know you are only there for a couple things and that's what they give you.
Take your choice between the regular hamburger or cheeseburger, the little hamburger or cheeseburger or a hot dog. That's it. Nothing fancy, nothing that requires a corresponding number or letter sequence. Just order your burger or dog, tell them if you want fries and a drink or not and move on down the line.
It sounds so simplistic, and it is, but it's effective and Five Guys does a couple things and does them well.
Now, there is one thing to know, however, before ordering the burger. The regular burger is actually two patties of beefy goodness. The little burger is just one. This is important to know because that one patty can be the difference between a stuffed belly coma around 3 p.m. and being about to stave off that coma until after the workday is done.
It should also be noted that if fries are ordered, there are going to be a lot of fries coming your way. Five Guys fills their standard cup of fries, but then puts an extra scoop in the bag for good measure. It's a lot of fries and only the biggest of appetites can put them all away.
The nice thing about Five Guys is their toppings. They have all the basics, but also offer up grilled onions or mushrooms, A-1 Steak Sauce, jalapenos, barbecue sauce and more for their burgers. And everything is a la carte. There is no value meal or other mathematical equation to ensure you are getting the best deal possible. If you want it, you order it.
In all, a burger, fries and a drink will cost about $9. If you go little, you get the same for around $7. And if you go the hot dog route, it's a little cheaper. Plus, their fries are fresh cut and they even tell you where the potatoes came from on a sign as you walk in the door.
They take cash and credit or debit cards. And they will get you your food within 5 to 7 minutes of ordering, depending on the crowd in front of you.
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