The Upcoming
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Cinema & Tv
      • Movie reviews
      • Film festivals
      • Shows
    • Food & Drinks
      • News & Features
      • Restaurant & bar reviews
      • Interviews & Recipes
    • Literature
    • Music
      • Live music
    • Theatre
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
  • What’s On
    • Art exhibitions
    • Theatre shows
  • Tickets
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Interviews
  • Competitions
  • Special events
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • RSS

CultureFood & DrinksRestaurant & bar reviews

Five Guys in Covent Garden

Five Guys in Covent Garden | Restaurant review
11 July 2013
Niki Shakallis
Avatar
Niki Shakallis
11 July 2013

An almighty “bunfight” is raging in Covent Garden – a burger bun fight, that is! The turf war for best burger joint has finally arrived from across the pond, and hungry Londoners have been keenly debating the contenders. Celebrated chain Five Guys is here to fly the flag for authentic American hamburgers, something they take literally in light of the US flags hanging above the door. Launched in 1986 by five brothers using funds intended for their higher education, the business has since expanded to over 1,000 locations across the US and Canada and even Barack Obama is a fan!

Five Guys is every inch the traditional diner, even down to the American workforce enthusiastically serving an influx of customers from a fast-moving queue lining the street. A ketchup-coloured counter dominates the red and white décor, with orders placed to the right as jovial staff on the left call out numbers ready for collection. In a quirky touch, customers can visit monkey nut stations throughout the venue for a snack while they wait.

The burgers and fries come in multiple sizes, and the hot dogs and sandwiches looked inviting, but we opted for a Little Bacon Cheeseburger with Little Cajun Fries – a perfect lunchtime portion. Clear juices oozed from a succulent, single beef patty to combine with a soft, sesame-seeded bun and melted American cheese, both expertly stacked with extra toppings of tangy, crunchy pickle and sweet, cooked onions. The bacon was inexplicably missing but after tasting a char and slight smokiness to the beef, we were glad to experience the intense flavour without distraction.

The fries were extremely generous for a “little” portion and we couldn’t eat them all. Cooked with skins on in an undetectable peanut oil, they weren’t especially crispy but were coated in a pleasant, fiery seasoning that made us thankful for the giant soda machines loaded with over 100 flavours. Raspberry Coke Zero and Schweppes’ Cloudy Fruit Punch Lemonade were light and refreshing against the heat of Cajun spices.

Unable to dismiss our curiosity in rival Shake Shack, located a few hundred yards away, we braved the queue to its stylish counter to sample an equivalent burger. However, after the rich experience of Five Guys, the blandness was evident and when it comes to London’s “bunfight,” Five Guys gets a vote and a high five for taste, fun and authenticity.

Niki Shakallis
Photos: Monika Jørgesen

Food: 17/20
Drinks: 19/20
Service: 19/20
Five Guys: 55/60

For further information about Five Guys, 1-3 Long Acre, Covent Garden, WC2E 9LH, call 0800 0833 055 or visit here.

Related Itemsreview

More in Food & Drinks

Spotlight: Lauren Everet and Soup Kitchen London, striving for food security and social equality

Ezelle Alblas
Read More

Empire Biryani: Gunpowder’s new delivery service brings a celebration of North Indian flavours to your door

Rosamund Kelby
Read More

Five tasty teatime treats to celebrate St David’s Day

The editorial unit
Read More

Celebrate Margarita Day at home with these simple yet sophisticated cocktails

The editorial unit
Read More

From high-altitude service to high-end delivery: Daniel Hulme’s One Fine Dine packs gourmet flavours into a fun and fuss-free experience

Rosamund Kelby
Read More

Go global this pancake day with ten recipes from around the world

Rosamund Kelby
Read More

Last-minute Valentine’s Day gifts for an intimate at-home bar experience

The editorial unit
Read More

Opso at home: Impressive Greek-inspired dishes perfect for sharing

Alex Julie Woods
Read More

The best Valentine’s Day meal deliveries for a romantic night in

The editorial unit
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap
  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • Creation Stories
    ★★★★★
    Film festivals
  • Detroit Stories – Alice Cooper
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Judas and the Black Messiah
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Gatsby at Cadogan Hall: An interview with Jodie Steele and Ross William Wild
    Theatre
  • Laura Mvula – Under a Pink Moon
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • I’m Your Man (Ich bin dein Mensch): An interview with stars Dan Stevens and Maren Eggert
    Berlinale
  • I’m Your Man: An interview with Maria Schrader and Jan Schomburg
    Berlinale
  • The Girl and the Spider (Das Mädchen und die Spinne)
    ★★★★★
    Berlinale
  • Moxie
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Tina
    Berlinale
  • Moxie
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Souad
    ★★★★★
    Berlinale
  • We (Nous)
    ★★★★★
    Berlinale
  • Bicep at Saatchi Gallery Online
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • The Winter Lake
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why

Copyright © 2011-2020 FL Media

Laura Knight Portraits at the National Portrait Gallery | Exhibition review
Tunng at Rough Trade East | Live review