New Yorkers wait in line for 90 minutes at some new burger joint

Let's hope they had porta-potties ready at this place. (Eater.com)
> Earlier OS&RR discussion: What's the longest you waited in line for something?

Comments

[Howie Feltersnatch]

Who need porta-potties when you can just go on the floor?

[elchampino]

90 minutes for freakin' Five Guys? There are a couple here in DC and in Northern Virginia as well. That place is easily the most over rated burger joint in the history of man. I have been there twice and both times they burnt my burger to a charcoal crisp.

But I cannot deny, their fries are pretty awesome.

[Howie Feltersnatch]

elchamp, I'm surprised you had a bad experience at a Five Guys. The chain's owner is a fanatic about quality and is supposed to have determined the optimal way of preparing all the food: the burgers are flipped only once and never pressed (or something like that), and there's a particular number of times you're supposed to shake the salt over the fries. I've found them to be pretty consistent (consistently delicious). I always go for the bacon cheeseburger with sauteed onions, mushrooms, jalapenos, and a shot of BBQ sauce.

Plus I like the big bins of peanuts setting around. They're tasty to snack on while you wait in line, and they keep a lot of yuppie brats with their psychosomatic "peanut allergies" out of the restaurant. It's like garlic to vampires, with parents afraid if their pweshuses get so much as a whiff of peanut, they'll keel over dead.

Until Culver's makes its way out here from Wisconsin, I'd say Five Guys has the best burgers in NoVA.

[elchampino]

I must have had some freakish luck then. You are the umpteenth person to tell me how great the place is, yet both times I had the same exact experience. Maybe I should try a different location - both times it was at the same Alexandria spot. It was also really busy both times - "really busy" meaning a 10-15 minute wait, not 90 minutes :)

Ack! I was sitting here thinking that Five Guys sounded pretty good, based on Howie's description, until he said Culver's was better!

We don't have a Five Guys here, but we do have a Culver's and it's nothing but grease on top of grease on top of grease!!!!!!!

[Dan]

Actually, ___ (if that is, in fact, your real name), it's more like grease on top of grease on top of grease on an over-buttered bun.

Seriously, when you have to tie w tourniquet around your arm to keep the grease from dripping off your elbow, you pretty much know that burger would be better suited if it was served as soup.

[natallica]

wow, i have never heard of either of these burger places...but then again i'm a left coast/chicago person.

i once waited nearly 2 hours for some freakin pizza. my parents were in from out of town, and they had seen this place on the travel channel and really wanted to go. oddly enough, i had lived about 4 miles from the place for the past five years and had never even HEARD of it.

in the end, i had such a bad headache from hunger/screaming waiting kids, that i could barely enjoy what i have to admit was damn good pizza. but i wouldn't go again. wasn't worth it.

[Howie Feltersnatch]

Really? Greasy? I dunno, anytime I get back to the midwest I always go for the Swissconsin melt, onion rings, and a shake. Never greasy, always delicious.

(Or could it just be that I have terrible taste in burgers????)

[Dan]

"tie w A tourniquet"

And here I was feeling all proud about myself for remembering how to spell "touniquet."

[Howie Feltersnatch]

...Or maybe everyone else here is just a McDonald's plant, sent to spread disinformation about the competition in light of their recent shitty publicity! ;)

Pay no attention to these heretics! If you're in Wisconsin, Iowa, or wherever else Culver's has spread, do yourself a favor and drop in. Damn good burgers, and I've never experienced the grease these folks have.

[Dan]

tourniquet...

I'm going back to bed.

[thomas]

New Yorkers would wait in line for an open manhole.

[yucca]

Oh to be in North Idaho. We have moose burgers and bison burgers that are to die for and the wait is 10 minutes...tops. MMMMMM

[elchampino]

Natallia - was it Giordanos? I used to live in Chicago and have had more than my fair share of long waits for Chicago deep dish. At least the waiting rooms were ok and had seating - even if I had enjoyed their burgers, I don't think I could stand in a crowded, narrow Five Guys waiting room for 90 minutes.

[elchampino]

natallia=natallica

apologies!

[The Bitch]

There might be something good in that Man Hole, Just stand there amazing recipes may come out.

[Soo]

I'm sorry, but "Man Hole" brings to mind an image of a cave-like sports bar with only two drink choices, beer and whiskey, and all the food is designed to be eaten with the without utensils. Perhaps the food would even be served on paper plates, if they used plates at all.

The other image that comes to mind is a gay disco.

[yucca]

Manhole...A bear disco. Butch bikers and Mustache maistros with teabags for all!

[yucca]

Manhole...A bear disco. Butch bikers and Mustache maistros with teabags for all!

[yucca]

sorry

[natallica]

elchampino -

the pizza place is in portland, or....

but i have been to giordanos - yum! i can't recall the wait time, so it must have not been too bad. however, they do also allow you to phone in and pick up, which is great.

In 'n Out is the only burger place worthy of its hype. 'nuff said

[JB]

Five Guys rules. Love the burgers and fries (fried in peanut oil) and the meat is never frozen - makes a huge difference. Never had a bad burger there.

Try a different one, elchampino, I go to the one near Fairfax/Fair Oaks.

[midwesterngirlonherown]

Yucca...I resemble that remark...and laugh histerically... Culvers Yummmmm anything with butter buns is O.k with me.....

[midwesterngirlonherown]

Oh and did I forget to mention...port-a-potties......GROSS..............

[midwesterngirlonherown]

AHHH Yucca
Bison....can you say ...Yummmmm Yumm?

[midwesterngirlonherown]

Soo
Man Hole brings to mind ....Gay activities.....Anyone else want to CHIME in?

[midwesterngirlonherown]

Good Night DAN....:)

I'm not waiting to get in a door anywhere, too many places to eat for that. Hamburger Heaven makes a decent bought burger. Most places like the fast food chains dim in comparison.

[Joe]

elchampino : I agree, they only cook things well done, which is basically ruining a good burger. The fries are okay, but I went once, and even with one directly across from work for the last year, I haven't been back.

[The_Overdog]

i've waited over an hour for a restaurant seat a few times because after a football game, every place is packed packed packed. however, i've never waited that long for a hamburger. 5 guys is alright, but it's not 90 minutes better than McDonalds or any other restaurant burger.

also somebody said that they only flip the burgers once - my $0.50 generic pancake mix box instructions recommends the same thing.

and bison is alright too, but a little on the dry side due to it being a less fatty meat.

[andie]

midwesterngirlonherown - Actually, the Man Hole is (or at least was) a gay bar on Halsted Street in Chicago. (In the heart of what's popularly called "Boys Town" by gays and straights alike). It's worth noting that the "Manhole" was right down the street from the "Cellblock."

And speaking of men... A couple of posters on the website noticed it also, but the first thing that caught my attention is that there were only men waiting for their burgers. I'd rather eat at BK than wait 90 min. at any restaurant. What does this say about some guys? Hmmm.

The best burger I've had in recent memory was from Cheeburger Cheeburger

[David Purdy]

We have a few decent burger joints here in Arkansas. They are mostly mom and pop operations.
Now they are opening a Crystal Burger here. Anybody know anything about them? I was told they are a bit like White Castle, which never really impressed me a whole lot.

[tony]

i disagree with natallia. and i think im in the minority..in n out is very average...its just another hamburger.you cant really screw up a hamburger, unless its mcdonalds of course...T

[Lylly]

When the White Castle opened a couple of years ago, people waited three hours on drive through. For a freaking White Castle. Rat burgers! Not me,I can wait for the new place charm to fade.I think burgers to die for are at Fatburgers. They are the best.
Thomas,
I am shocked to hear you saying any thing even slightly unkind. You are such a godly, charming, southern gentleman.

[scott]

I agree with Lily Fatburgers are the best I have ever had, also.

[thomas]

Lylly,
Sorry for disappointing, but the gorge rises when New Yorkers are mentioned, though I would wait in line for 90 minutes or more for jarred Jersey tomatoes. Anyone that's anyone knows that my burgers are the paragon. Angus beef stuffed with Danbo cheese and garlic, liberally draped with apple cured bacon and sprouts, on an onion bun. Lunch anybody??

[Brio]

How do they compare to Fuddruckers?

[Anon, Anon]

I like theme better than Fudruckers, they are a lot like the Fatburgers, but what sets them apart is the fries, they are way better than either place.

Menu is up here http://www.fiveguys.com/menu.html

[mickie]

Krystals makes great burgers, if you like mustard, onions, thin meat patties and steamed dinner rolls. I happen to love them, but I know they aren't everyones cup of tea. Or should I say, Five Guys burgers?

[Yall]

Come on now, Angus beef? Try some Jersey and you won't go back to Angus. It's like the milk of Jersey's also, just down right good with lots of marble. The rest of the burger sounds good! Grilling that over Hickory coals I hope!

[Grebby]

Sheep will wait in line for anything new. Las Vegas just got its first Dunkin Donuts and the lines were crazy. New Yorkers are no different. Remember the soup nazi?