Now that's a burger!

For some time now I have been hearing a great deal about 5 Guys Famous Burger & Fries. Supposedly they are the best burger, nothing else compares, blah blah blah. Getting tired of hearing about it I decided to see what all the hype was about.

What was your first impression?
After finally finding one close to my job and deciding to go, it seemed like a regular burger joint. Nothing special at all to be honest. Seating, 30 people behind the counter (taking orders, frying, and grilling), banners of awards all over the place....and barrels of peanuts? Didn't really understand what the peanuts were about but they were free so whatever. What I will say is that it smells HEAVENLY in there! Nothing like the smell of burgers grillin' and french fries fry'n.

Are the burgers really as good as I've heard?
YES! YES they are! I will admit that I went there with the extra judgmental taste buds. Looking for any reason to say that the burger was not as good as they said it was. Couldn't find one freaking thing bad about the burger. Bread is soft, burger is juicy and flavorful, toppings are fresh. Everything that you would want for a burger to be. After a second trip to 5 Guys I realized that there were 2 patties instead of just one!...completely took my love for their burgers to another level. You really can't go wrong when you have the perfectly grilled burger x2.

Is the service as good as their burgers?
They are friendly as I don't know what in there. Everyone seems to be having a good ol' time taking orders and making burgers. Orders move pretty quickly too, so you won't be there waiting all day for your food.

I guess that's pretty much all I need to know huh?
Umm....as banging as their burgers are, I was 100% not happy with their bacon! I have a personal love for bacon...I mean it makes everything better (when done right of course). Decided to get bacon on my burger one time, and that was the first and last time I will ever make that mistake. It is borderline impossible to have bad bacon but somehow I managed to have it on my burger. It was hard and dry like it had been sitting there all day. Don't know if that's how it normally is but I am tarnished from getting bacon there ever again. Also, the burgers are a bit on the pricey side. $7-$8 for the burger alone and that's not even including a drink or fries. That's about it though.

Recommendation?
This place is as good as they say it is and if you haven't been there you need to make it over there. They have a good amount of toppings so every time you go you can make your burger as unique as you want it to be...just DON'T ADD BACON!

43 W 55th Street
New York, NY 10019